If all things from the Victorian era — like the movies The Personal History of David Copperfield and Dolittle — are your jam, have we got a list of boys' names to dive into! When thinking of names from this era, which falls during the years of Queen Victoria's reign in England (1837 to 1901), we tend to think of some of the more common monikers including James, George, and Charles.
But that's just scratching the surface when it comes to distinctive (and some totally adorable) Victorian vintage names for boys. We've rounded up names with origins in mythology, royal figures, literature, the Bible, and even entertainment. Though there are some boys' names that have been heard before, there are sure to be some that are new to you and a few that are quite surprising. There’s even one name that we’ve heard before as a word, but were shocked to find out is an actual name! Enjoy this list of 30 uniquely Victorian vintage names for boys.
RODERICK
The name Roderick peaked in the 1970s, and we can’t help but think of the '70s music icon Sir Rod (Roderick) Stewart when we hear this name which means “famous ruler.” It originated from the Middle Latin Rodericus, which is derived from the Old High German Hrodrich. It’s a compound name that combines Hruod (which means “fame”) with Rik (“king or ruler”). According to the Baby Name Wizard, this name was common until it stopped being used during the Middle Ages, and then had a resurgence in the 19th century.
LUCIAN
Lucian is a variation of Lucien (a French name) and it means “man of light.” Of Latin origin, those with this name are often called Luc (or Luke) or Lucky. According to Nameberry, Lucian is gaining popularity as it is considered a more modern version of the name Lucius. And if you’re looking for a name with more machismo, Luciano (like Pavoratti) is the Italian version of this name.
EMIL
Derived from the Latin word aemulus, Emil means “rival,” and actually sounds like a calming name for a little boy. Other definitions of the name include “industrious,” “excellent,” and “masculine.” The name Emil is used in many countries (and different spellings and versions) including, Emilio (Italian and Spanish), Émile (French), Emiel (Dutch), and Emilios (Greek), to name a few.
ASA
Although it’s only three-letters long, Asa is a strong and commanding name. Asa has Hebrew origins and means “healer, physician.” In the Bible, Asa is the third king of the Kingdom of Judah and is the son of Abijam. According to BabyNames.com, in Japanese, the name beautifully means “born at dawn.” for a boy and “child of light” for a girl.
MICAIAH
Micaiah (pronounced Mick-KYE-uh) is Hebrew and means “who is like God.” Micaiah was son of Imlah is a prophet in the Old Testament. Probably more recently heard as a name for a boy, it’s also a lovely name for a girl, with nicknames including Mick, Cai, and Caia.
AUBREY
Aubrey sounds like a 1990s soap opera star in the best of ways. He is a bit of a traditionalist with a modern edge. Aubrey is a gender neutral name meaning “noble ruler” and has English origins. Canadian actor and rapper Drake’s first name is Aubrey (Aubrey Drake Graham is his full name), but it seems the star power of this name continues as the moniker, according to BabyNames.com, has been on a steady rise for girls since around 2008.
MAXWELL
Maxwell, often shortened to Max, is quite a common name but the full Maxwell definitely gives off vintage vibes. Of Scottish origin, the name means “great stream.” Though it’s generally tagged as a boys' name, it serves as a great gender neutral name, too. Celebrity parents Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson named their first child, a daughter, Maxwell.
CYPRIAN
Cyprian is a Greek name meaning “man of Cyprus.” According to Nameberry, it has been used since the medieval times and Cyprian was one of the great Christian Latin writers. It’s also said to be from the Roman family name Cyprianus and Behind The Name users characterize the name as “masculine,” “classic,” and “strong,” yet “strange.”
HARRISON
Harrison is a proud name (often a surname) with English origins. It’s said to mean “son of Harry,” which would be such a cute salute for a father-son pair. For a nickname, you could call him Harry or Harris. If those won’t do, we found some cute nickname options for Harrison suggested by parents on a Nameberry forum, including Hank, Huck, Hawk, Rhys, and Ace!
GIDEON
If you’re looking for a vintage Victorian name with biblical ties that still has a modern feel, how about Gideon? The name means “feller, hewer” (“great warrior”) in Hebrew, and Gideon is a hero and judge of the Old Testament who “led the Israelites against the Midianites, defeated them, and killed their two kings.”
EZRA
Ezra is a strong name that also has biblical roots, according to Nameberry. Of Hebrew origins, it means “help,” and we think of children’s book author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats and A Snowy Day when we hear this short but cute moniker. Ezra has been on the rise in popularity in the United States since 1992 when it was ranked No. 794 to 2019 where it ranked No. 49. Nameberry predicts it’ll hit No. 10 in popularity in 2021.
TARQUIN
The name Tarquin is extremely rare. It’s derived from the name of two early kings in Rome (Tarquinius) and has Latin origins. Otherwise, there seems to be little known about this name. Behind The Name users characterized the name as “masculine,” “classic,” and “upper class.”
MORDECAI
Mordecai, a Hebrew name, is said to mean “little man,” or “follower of Marduk.” In the Bible's Book of Esther, Mordechai (with an "h") was the cousin of Esther who refused to bow down to Haman, according to Baby Name Wizard. Because Mordecai helped Ester save the Jews from destruction, the name is a “symbolic name for boys born on the holiday of Purim,” according to Nameberry.
AUGUSTUS
Historically, Augustus was the first Roman emperor. His uncle was Julius Caesar and according to History.com, his name was originally Gaius Octavius, and years later the Roman Senate awarded him the name Augustus, meaning “revered one.” Variations of the name include August, Augustine, Augustin. The most common nicknames for this name are Auggie and Gus.
NIMROD
Nimrod is a word you’ve probably heard with negative connotations, but who knew that it’s actually a real name? It’s of Hebrew origin meaning “we will rebel.” According to Baby Name Wizard, “In the Bible, King Nimrod was a great-grandson of Noah. Nimrod is also the legendary ancestor of the Hungarian people.”
OTIS
Parents who are looking for a name starting with the letter “o” may choose Oliver, Omar, or Orlando, but Otis is a uniquely vintage name that’s on the rise in popularity, especially since 2017, according to the Nameberry chart. The site also says the name Otis has appeal for parents looking for a name that reflects a combination of “strength and spunk.”
JEFFERSON
Jefferson has a pretty straightforward meaning. It’s of English origin and means “son of Jeffrey.” Also a surname dating back into the Middle Ages, the name reached its peak popularity years ago, but never reached the height of “son of” surnames like Harrison, Grayson, and Jackson, according to OhBabyNames.com. Jefferson is still a distinguished, quality name.
BALTHAZAR
Speaking of distinguished names, Balthazar carries a strong Victorian air, while also giving very rocker/rebel vibes. Of Greek origin, it means “Baal protects the King,” according to Nameberry, Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
LEANDER
This uncommon name is derived from the Greek Leiandros (lion man), a combination of leōn (lion) and andros (man), according to Baby Name Wizard. Leander in Greek mythology was a powerful figure who was in love with Hero, a priestess of Venus, and swam across Hellespont every night to see her. Tragically, he died during one of those nights and Hero jumped from her tower in grief. Still, parents who love Leander can also call him Lee, Leo, or Andy.
MARSHALL
Marshall is another name that’s often used as a surname, but don’t let that stop you for choosing this moniker for your baby boy. The name is of French origin, and means “one who looks after horses.” It's fitting for a little guy who is confident, but also sensitive and creative, like namesake Marshall Bruce Mathers, the birth name of rapper and actor Eminem.
RANDOLPH
Randolph is another surname that is also a combination of names. Derived from medieval English origins, according to Baby Name Wizard, it’s composed of two elements: “the edge or rim of a shield” and “wolf,” hence the meaning “shield wolf.” The classic nickname is Randy, of course, but we’ve also seen Dolph, Rand, and Bo as shorter options.
CASPAR
We mentioned the name Caspar a few names up with Balthazar because they, along with Melchior, were the Magi (or three kings) who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, even though they're not named in the Bible. According to Baby Name Wizard, Caspar is possibly derived from the Persian treasure master. If having twin boys, Caspar and Balthazar would be a super cool set of names.
FLETCHER
Fletcher is an occupational name — like Parker, Archer, Forester, Booker, and Shepherd, among others — of English origin meaning “arrow-maker.” Though it’s a quirky vintage name, the Victorian era flair of the name also gives Fletcher a cool and rugged feel. Who can imagine little Fletch running around as bold as can be?
ALGERNON
Algernon was originally a Norman French nickname derived from the phrase aux gernons, which means “having a moustache.” Much later, the name was the title of the popular short story and novel Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. A distinguished and proper name, Behind The Name users rate the name as “strong,” “classic,” yet “complex,” and “strange.”
BAXTER
Baxter means “baker” and as a classic surname of English origin, it’s a modern moniker that can easily be considered a first name for boys and girls, which makes sense because Baxter (spelled Bakster) was originally used as a surname for female bakers. Nameberry notes that the cool factor jumps higher for any name that features an “x,” aligning the nickname Bax with other cool names like Max and Jax.
DUNCAN
A name of Irish origin, Duncan is said to be an Anglicized version of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name Donnchadh. That hard-to-pronounce word broken down means “dark” and “chief” which has been translated to “dark warrior.” Duncan is a warm and friendly name for a boy. Fun fact: “David Bowie's son Zowie changed his name first to Joey and then finally to Duncan,” according to Nameberry. His name is now Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones.
HORACE
Considered a strong and mature name, Horace is a name your little guy who you can nickname Ace will undoubtedly grow into with class. From the Roman family name Horatius, the name Horace has Latin roots and means “man of time.” Historically, Horace Mann was known as the “Father of the Common School,” and there are schools named for him around the country.
IVES
Ives is a surname believed to have originated from the French name Ive. Similar to the more modern French name Yves, it means “yew,” a weapon made from the wood of a yew tree, according to ThoughtCo.. It could also be derived from Saint Ives, an English bishop. As a first name, Ives rates highly as “serious” and “refined.”
BRAM
A strong, simple, quirky twist on the name Abraham is the name Bram. Of Scottish, Irish, and Gaelic origins, Bram means “bramble, a thicket of wild gorse; raven” but also “father of many.” Indeed, in Hebrew and Irish, Bram is a shortened version of Abram or Abraham. No nickname needed here, the Irish author Bram Stoker brought the name to fame when he wrote Dracula.
EVERETT
Everett is definitely a cool guy name. The name of German and English origin means “brave as a wild boar.” Its recent leap in popularity can, according to Nameberry, be attributed to the rise of names for girls including Eva and Ava. The name had a big dip in 1995 when it ranks at No. 647 in the US, but in 2019 Everett hit No. 94, and Nameberry predicts it will reach No. 46 in 2021.
