Read about names, and you’ll quickly come across the 100 Year Rule: in general, it often takes about a century for a popular name to fall out of use, hibernate, and then catch on again.
Another way of putting it: our parents’ names strike us as hopelessly dated. Our grandparents’ names might appeal. But our great-grandparents’ names? Those nearly always strikes us as fresh and interesting – even though they’re several generations in the past.
Before we talk about 1930s boy names that are back in favor – or not – let’s look at the 100 Year Rule in a little more detail. Because it’s not a rule at all … maybe more of an unreliable guideline about what might happen.
THE (HIGHLY UNRELIABLE) 100 YEAR RULE
- Not every name comes back – some fade into oblivion.
- It’s not a train schedule. It’s possible some names popular in 1930 will be back by 2030. Others already are. And some hits from, say, 1937, might only start creeping back up the charts circa 2039.
- Classifying something as a 1930s name isn’t straightforward. Most names rise and fall over the course of several decades, meaning that a Top 100 choice in 1935 could be a Top Twenty choice in the 1960s – and thus, feel more like a dated midcentury pick than an undiscovered gem.
- Especially with boys’ names, this is complicated by a few factors. Some names never really go out of style. The list of true classics is longer for our sons than our daughters. Also noteworthy: in general, the pace of change is slower for boys’ names than girls. While that’s changing today, it means that a popular name in the 1930s likely lingered into the 1940s or beyond.
With these caveats in mind, let’s look at the most popular 1930s boy names. Which ones are back, which ones could be next, and which ones might be gone for good?
BIG IN THE 1930s and POPULAR TODAY
CHARLES
Friendly, upbeat Charlie, as in the Chocolate Factory and the Peanuts comic strip, is a name that’s easy to like. Charles is his distinguished counterpart, worn by notables from Dickens to Darwin to the current King of England. It’s at home in any era.
HENRY
On numbers alone, Henry has always been pretty popular, though the 1970s and 80s were low points for his use. Still, this name is a classic, timeless choice that just happens to also be very stylish today.
JACK
Jack is back! Originally a nickname for the more formal John, today he stands on his own. Add up forms like Jax and Jackson, and you’re much more like to meet a Jack than a Johnny. He’s brisk, approachable, and all boy.
LEO
Among the first of the ends-with-o names to catch on, Leo is fierce as a lion, but retains a vintage, grandpa quality that feels quite approachable, too. He’s not as out there as Astro, less wild kingdom than Hawk – a thoroughly pleasing name that deserves to be as popular as he is nowadays.
LEON
If Leo and Liam top the charts, then Leon fits right in, too. It’s a lion of a name, brief and complete.
SAMUEL
Like Charles and Henry, Sam could easily fit on the list of classics. But he feels like one of the most stylish of the classic choices at the moment, a combination of Hollywood baby name (thanks to the Garner-Afflecks’ youngest), Biblical boy, and retro everyguy name, a brother for Max and Gus.
THEODORE
Is it any wonder than Theo is following Leo right up the popularity charts? After decades of decline, Theodore reversed course a few years back. Singing chipmunk or no, this one hits the right notes for many parents. Short form Theo is also rising at a rapid rate.
CLASSIC BOY NAMES STILL GOING STRONG
ANDREW
Andrew spent the 1980s, 90s, and early part of the 2000s in the US Top Ten, but today Andrew has retreated to classic, rather than fashionable-classic. Disney-Pixar classic Toy Story first introduced us to kid-Andy way back in 1995, and sent him off to college in 2010. Today Andy is probably the dad, and he’s probably got a son called Henry or Theo.
ANTHONY
When used in full, Anthony seems dashing. Surprising, even. Often, though, Anthony becomes friendly Tony. Still traditional, not quite as stylish.
DANIEL
Danny is a sweet name, sung in an enduring Irish folk song. Say Daniel in full, and this name belongs to a Biblical hero, he of the lion’s den. It falls somewhere between Old Testament favorites like Noah and stylish traditionals like Sebastian.
DAVID
Just like Daniel, David is a hero name right out of the Old Testament. But it’s also world famous as Michelangelo’s statue of the Biblical character. Countless men of accomplishment have been David, too – Bowie and Byrne, Cameron, Sedaris. Fiction gives us everyone from Dickens’ David Copperfield to Dr. David Banner, better known as the Incredible Hulk. It’s versatile and inescapable.
EDWARD
A traditional name often overlooked in recent years, though nicknames like Eddie and Ned put Edward on the list of serious names with sweet short forms.
JAMES
From the King James Bible to James Bond, James is a versatile classic, among the most enduring favorites in the US.
JOHN
While John has fallen in use in recent decades, this previous number one name remains a steady, reliable choice.
JOSEPH
Regular Joe is an everyman kind of name; Joey is a kid, whether in kangaroo or human form. But Joseph has a quiet, lasting dignity.
MICHAEL
Michael was wildly popular from the 1940s into the 2010s, spending the 1960s through the 1990s at the #1 spot in the US. Years later, Michael feels plenty traditional and only slightly less popular.
PETER
Peter is a rock, a saintly name worn by a member of The Brady Bunch and plenty of notables. Saints and monarchs take the name in one direction; a rabbit and Neverland’s most famous resident push Peter to another place.
ROBERT
A former favorite, Robert remains in steady use. But it’s fallen quite far from a peak of #1 in the 1920s and 30s. Of course, that suggests Robert might be ready to rise once, more. Bob feels like somebody’s grandpa, but could Bobby be ready for a comeback? Maybe. I think it’s Rob and Robbie – never as popular in the US – that have more potential now.
THOMAS
The noble tank engine is a childhood staple. But despite Thomas’ classic status, relatively few of those little boys pushing trains around the tracks will answer to the same name. Of course, that might make it the perfect alternative to Theodore or James.
WILLIAM
Regal, literary, saintly, historic, it’s tough to find a name more enduring than William without opening the Old Testament. Nicknames like Will and Billy alternate popularity, but this name never goes out of style.
1930s NAMES READY for REVIVAL
ALBERT
Forever wedded to Queen Victoria’s adored husband, Albert feels a little English and a lot old school. But with great nickname options and history galore, Albert has possibilities.
ALFRED
Batman’s capable butler answered to Alfred, as did famous figures like Tennyson and Hitchcock. Nicknames Alfie and Freddie make this name adorable for a young child, and we already know it ages into a distinguished patina.
ALLEN
The challenge with Allen is spelling. Tally up Allen, Allan, and Alan, and the name’s popularity is stronger than we might initially guess. Speaking of spellings, it’s Alan that has gained some momentum in the last year or two. (Is this a bump from Barbie, courtesy of Michael Cera’s character? Maybe …)
ARTHUR
The legendary king of Camelot hibernated for years. But just like the legend about the once and future king, we knew this name would return. It’s gained about 100 spots in the rankings over the last five years, suggesting that Arthur is the new Oliver.
BRUCE
From Robert the Bruce to Batman, this name has plenty of currency in history and pop culture, too. Bruce entered the US Top 100 during the 1930s, though the name remained popular well into the 1960s.
CLYDE
Short, snappy Clyde sounds like a character from Guys and Dolls or an old Jimmy Stewart movie. It’s not quite back, but parents are cautiously considering Clyde.
EARL
There’s a moment when a name is so far out that it swings in again. For Earl, that might’ve been Jason Lee’s turn in early 2000s sitcom My Name is Earl. Earl had fully transitioned from distinguished title to a bumbling thief. The name left the US Top 1000 for good – and yet, just like the television character, this name feels like it’s still possible to find redemption – eventually.
EDWIN
Edward is a classic. Edwin is a cousin, rarer and somehow a little bit fleeter thanks to that winning final syllable.
ERNEST
Ernest is a virtue name, reinforced by Oscar Wilde’s enduring The Importance of Being Earnest. Hemingway makes it even more literary and perhaps a bit sturdy, too.
FLOYD
A cousin to Clyde and Lloyd, Floyd is retro, brief, and rich with potential now.
FRANCIS
From Francis Bacon to Francis Scott Key, this name dots the history books. Nickname Frank still feels stuck in style limbo, but maybe not for long.
FRANKLIN
Surname name Franklin has presidential bona fides and a friendly animated turtle to make this name more accessible.
FREDERICK
Sweet nickname Freddie is a favorite in England, but Frederick remains underused in the US – at least for now. French spelling Frederic – as in Chopin – is slightly more streamlined option.
GEORGE
Quintessentially British George is also down-to-Earth and American. There’s Prince George and George Harrison, but there’s also George Bailey of It’s a Wonderful Life, George Lucas, George Clooney. Nickname Geordie is rare in the US, but could be a great option.
GLENN
Leading man Glen Powell – yes, he spells it with a single N – might put his name back in the spotlight. It’s a nature name favorite that trended early, just like Craig and Heath.
HAROLD
Adorable children’s classic Harold and the Purple Crayon introduces this name to generation after generation. Nicknames Harry and Hal could make this name even more flexible.
HARRY
This name has been big in the UK for all of the 2000s and a bit before that, too. Singer Harry Styles was born in 1994. The megastar surely reinvented the name’s image globally, but it has yet to really catch on in the US – so far.
HARVEY
An obvious successor to Henry, Harvey had a rough few years – a high profile criminal prosecution, a deadly hurricane. But the news cycle moves fast, and Harvey seems to have recovered and is rising again for our sons.
HOWARD
It’s the given name of legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell, controversial radio personality Howard Stern, fantasy writer H.P. Lovecraft and Hall of Fame guitarist Duane Alman – all of which anchor this name very much in an earlier generation (or three). Still, cuddly nickname Howie – and maybe even Hoby – could give this name new appeal.
JEROME
It’s easy to dismiss Jerome as dated, and the numbers show this one fading towards oblivion. Except it’s truly more of a classic, properly considered, with ancient Greek roots and a long history of use.
LAWRENCE
Lawrence is one of those names that feels awfully dated when someone suggests it. But wait a few minutes and it starts to feel like an option, doesn’t it? Think of Laurie from Little Women (short for Theodore Laurence – his surname, in this case). And the rising nature name option Wren follows logically from the Lawrence spelling, too.
LEE
As brief as Lane or Kai, not nearly as intentionally antique as Lloyd or Clyde.
LEWIS, LOUIS
Traditionally, Louis is the given name and Lewis the surname. But that line has blurred and both spellings have shown signs of revival in recent years. If Louis feels a little more royal and storied, Lewis has the advantage of a single, unambiguous pronunciation. (Is Louis pronounced with the final S? Or does it sound like Louie?)
LLOYD
A Welsh heritage choice, Lloyd might be more familiar as a surname today. But this 1910s favorite feels like it might deserve a fresh look a century-plus later.
MARTIN
Martin Luther King Jr. makes this a hero name; both the civil rights leader and his namesake make it religious, too. Overall, Martin could fit right in with Austin, Weston, and Kingston.
PAUL
Legendary musician McCartney is one. So are artists Gaugin, Matisse, and Cezanne Paul Newman, Paul Simon, Paul Revere – to say nothing of Saint Paul himself. It’s a classic with a friendly, approachable sound.
PHILIP
The baby name that Angela and Pam quarreled over on The Office, Philip has slowly been attracting more attention in recent years.
RAY, RAYMOND
Bradbury, Charles, Davies. Plenty of cool Rays come to mind. Raymond is to Ray as John is to Jack – not quite as edgy, but still definitely worthy of consideration.
RICHARD
Regal Richard is still given to boys in big(ish) numbers. Blame all those juniors and sons named after their grandfathers. Style-wise, though, Richard is firmly stuck in style limbo. Maybe it’s the potential nickname D!ck. Or maybe, after spending the 1920s through the 60s in the US Top 100, it’s just plain time for another name to command the spotlight.
ROGER
Mad Men and professional tennis have given us Rogers that could’ve made this name feel wearable today. Instead, Roger continues to slip in use. And yet it sounds like a brother for Carter, Bridger, and Ryder … doesn’t it?
ROY
If Ray is ready for revival, how about regal Roy?
RUSSELL
On paper, Russell isn’t back. After all, it was Top 100 pick through the 1980s. But Russell mixes surname style and an appealing sound, suggesting maybe this name can make a comeback sooner.
STANLEY
Legendary Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee. Ice hockey’s Stanley Cup. Young Marlon Brando as the brutish Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. It’s timeless and still time-stamped, a name that we seem to be slowly warming to – but not yet choosing for our children.
WALTER
Walter has ticked up in use the tiniest bit since the year 2000. Maybe not quite enough to call it back, but with that R ending, Walter seems like a name that could work now. Famous Walts, from Whitman to Disney, reinforce its classic vibe.
WARREN
As if on schedule, this 1920s and 30s favorite is climbing in the rankings again.
1930s NAMES NOT BACK … YET
ALVIN
Possibly just a little too tied to the animated Chipmunk … but Calvin has climbed, so never say never.
BERNARD
It’s a quintessential old man name. Even if you’re a big Bernie Sanders fan, it’s tough to hear the name and picture a newborn. But this name stayed in the US Top 100 through the 1940s, so maybe another decade will help.
CARL
We’ve wild about Charlie and Charles. Carl feels a little more German, possibly a bit more harsh, and not quite as classic. But it has potential.
CLIFFORD
Can you hear this name and not immediately add “Big Red Dog”? Still, Cliff makes for a nature name that could be big now – if it hadn’t been a hit then.
DALE
Once again, a chipmunk is part of the reason a name feels slightly off limits for a child. But in Dale’s case, this name might be one good (non-animated animal) pop culture reference away from a comeback.
DENNIS
Dionysius was the god of wine and revelry. Over the years, that rowdy name softened into Dennis. And Dennis? Sounds a lot like your accountant or possibly dentist. Serious and capable, but not necessarily a good time. Then again, Denny is darling, and there’s no question this name is a classic. Odds are it will be back, but not just yet. Dennis truly peaked in the 1940s and 50s, which feels right – after all, Dennis the Menace debuted in the comics in 1951.
DON, DONALD
A traditional, Scottish option, but one that’s still tumbling from its former heights.
DOUGLAS
There’s something dashing about Douglas. Dignified, too. Doug sounds more like someone’s uncle than a new baby, but use the name in full and it’s surprisingly stylish.
EUGENE, GENE
It’s the name that Tangled’s Flynn Ryder shed in favor of, well, Flynn Ryder. While the name was a Top 100 favorite into the 1950s, it still feels a little dated – but less than it did even a few years ago.
FRANK
A serious, straightforward name, this long-time Top Ten name continues to fall in use.
GARY
Gary was the Mason of an earlier generation, a stylish name with roots. That said, Gary’s heyday was the 1940s and 50s, so it’s too soon for this name to even consider a comeback.
GERALD, JERRY
The Normans brought Gerald to England, and it’s a name with a long, distinguished history. Related names like Garrett have trended in recent decades, but Gerald – and nickname Jerry – remain rooted in the past.
GORDON
Another Scottish surname, Gordon regularly appeared in the US Top 100 from the 1910s through the 1940s. It’s gained in use modestly over the last decade or so, but has yet to really return to favor.
HERBERT
The name of kings in the early Middle Ages, Herbert is now all Love Bug. (Six movies and counting, the most recent in 2005.)
HERMAN
Popular in Norway, but stuck in style limbo throughout the English-speaking world.
KENNETH
Another Scottish possibility, though nickname Ken is forever tied to Barbie – and now Barbie’s Ryan Gosling.
LARRY
This Lawrence nickname feels solidly in grandpa territory – at least for now.
LEONARD
Yes to Leo – and Leonardo and Leon, too. Leonard feels like their more serious cousin. Still perfectly wearable, but not a top choice now.
LEROY
Leroy – There’s something hickster about Leroy, despite his royal roots – he’s from the French phrase le roi – the king. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear him on a super-edgy neighborhood playground somewhere, but for now, the numbers say that he’s in hibernation.fix
MARVIN
FIX Marvin – Like Alvin, Marvin has that great ‘v’ sound – and also like Alvin, he seems pretty obscure nowadays.
MELVIN
Like Alvin, that middle V might make Melvin worth revisiting in the future. For the moment, though, popular slang makes Melvin potentially problematic.
NORMAN
Blame it on Psycho. (Yes, the movie is from 1960. But it’s a classic and a prequel series called Bates Motel ran in recent years.)
RONALD
Another traditional name with deep roots, this 1930s and 40s favorite is still stuck in style limbo today.
RALPH
Ralph started out as a fierce Old Norse import, but today it’s a cuddly teddy bear of a name. Ralphie is the kid at the heart of holiday classic movie A Christmas Story, reinforcing the name’s potential as a timeless, sweet choice. Pronounce it Rafe – like actor Ralph Fiennes does – and this name feels very different. But despite these dueling images, Ralph continues to teeter on the edge of obscurity – at least for now.
VERNON
V names are enjoying a moment, but Vernon has yet to join them.
WAYNE
Screen legend John Wayne made his acting debut in the 1930s, probably part of the reason the name Wayne peaked in the 1940s. So possibly this name just needs another decade or so in style limbo before it makes a comeback.
NICKNAME NAMES
BILL, BILLY
For generations, every William was a Billy who grew into a Bill. Lately the preferred short form was Will. But Billy seems to be making a comeback – though it’s tough to see in the data, as most of the time, it’s still William on the birth certificate.
BOB, BOBBY
Bobby is a Brady and a Kennedy, a name from a more innocent age. While Robert remains a Top 100 classic, these nicknames feel a little bit dated.
EDDIE
Should Edward return to favor – and it inevitably will – Eddie will follow.
JIM, JIMMIE, JIMMY
Top Ten James might sometimes shorten to one of these nicknames, but none of them seem especially style-forward now.
JOHNNY
After years of Jack on top, Johnny is showing signs of revival.
JOE
Back in the day, just Joe might’ve been some parents’ choice. Today any Joe is almost certainly a Joseph.
TOMMY
There’s something about this name – it feels sweet, but also a little rock and roll, thanks to The Who’s enduring rock opera by the name.
WILLIE
Another William nickname, this one seldom heard now.
I know several wee Arthurs and Hermans and Pauls, a Francis, a bunch of Georges, and a surprising number of tiny boys named Ambrose. The intersection of “hipster parents” and “religious parents” gets interesting. And by interesting, I mean delightful.
It’s weird because unlike the girls, I’m not in love with every single one of these names. Even though they are still the names of my grandfathers (Vernon and Marvin), great-grandfathers, and great-uncles. Maybe part of it is that in this case, they are also the names of my father, father-in-law, uncles, cousins, and even my dog (Joey)! It’s still too close to cycle around.
I wonder if getting “crazy” with nicknames might help some of these names. By which I mean, rather than calling Robert “Bob” or “Robby”, what about nicknaming him Rex or Bart or Rush?
And one last note: he’s on the completely opposite end of the spectrum from the Pope, but I can’t help but think of Francis “Frank” Underwood from House of Cards when I read Francis!
I love Lewis I have a love of surname names for boys (my list has Cooper, Taylor, Baxter and Lawson on it as well) and it reminds me of C.S Lewis and even though I don’t really like Narnia that much my sister does and it gets rid of the pronunciation issues.
I love Jack its so popular but a favourite (especially in Australia). I know two Thomas’s, two Edward’s (one has a teenaged sister named Kathleen), a Joseph (goes exclusively by Joe), a couple of Daniel’s and Samuel’s and my mums cousin has a baby Robert his brother has another old man name Ian.
Wayne and Bruce definitely don’t work in Australia two of the most bogan names here.
If I could edit, the one’s I listed are teenagers and children I know many people with the other names 🙂
I love Lewis too! I love the literary connotations. Louis is Louie to me, I think Lewis is far more handsome.
You have *all* of my male relatives for 3 generations listed in these names. So many of these were on my radar, if we’d had boys. Walter, Franklin, Peter, Philip. So many of them weren’t.
Gary/Larry/Jerry – the air names have had a good run for girls lately, especially Claire and Clara. I think this may push back the revival of the air names for boys by a decade or two.
I see Dale riding in on the coattails of Hal/Hale and Gale for the boys, but none of these will become Top 100 names.
Bernard, Eugene, Norman, Vernon, and Melvin I see as being gone except as the rare family tribute name.
I like so many of these, which I think was the case with the girls’ list too. Clearly the 30s are my decade! Some stand-out faves from your round-up:
Arthur – I even like the nn Art for this. Charming.
Edward/Edwin – the nn Ned for either is super.
Albert/Alfred – the nn Al? Thumbs up! (Although I don’t like Alvin quite as much as these two.)
Walter – would have been my daughter’s middle had she been a boy, after my husband’s grandfather.
Stanley – Stan is terrific.
Harold – love Hal.
Gordon, Frank, Ralph, Philip – really like all of these, solid and approachable.
I see a few people a week asking about the name Warren every week on the name boards. I think Warren is coming back sooner than you may think! It’s my little brother’s name and he carries it very well.
Our next son will most likely be named after my husband’s grandfather George nn Jory (Cornish form of George), but Geordie is cute too, or Fredrick without the “e” which is my father’s name. I love the nickname Freddie, but my dad hates it! I’m also considering Fredricka for a girl with the nickname Freddie or maybe Teddie. My father is named after his Aunt Fredricka who was called Teddie her whole life and she was named after her grandfather. Leonard is my father’s middle name and I love it too! Lenny is a great nickname! Thomas is my son’s middle name.
Lewis and Franklin are great names!
If the baby I’m currently pregnant with was a boy, I would be campaigning hard for Leo or Harvey. So many of these names are all over my family tree, Harold, Alvin, Carl, Bernard, Earl, Franklin, Charles, Edwin, mostly in my grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ generation, which would put them more in 1880s-1920s era. Name popularity don’t change quickly!
Such a fun article!
Glenn reminds me of Glenn Beck, and Earl reminds me of the Dixie Chicks song “Earl Had to Die.” Too much baggage with both of those names.
One of the Thomas trains is named Gordon.
Is it weird that I always thought Gordon was the most attractive train?
I wish Bruce, Douglas, Gordon, Howard, and Lewis would make a comeback sooner. I think they are fantastic names. Oh! And Ralph too.
Re: the nickname-names – Just yesterday I made a post over on The Baby Name Wizard’s forums about how that in part may be one of the “artifacts” we see with the SSA stats:
https://www.babynamewizard.com/forum/ssa-list-artifacts
Interesting! We did not get our son a social security number at birth because we wanted to give him the chance to decide when and if he wanted one. Also, to protect him from identity theft! I read an article while pregnant that said infants were increasingly victims of identity theft due to getting SS numbers at birth and their parents using the number on paperwork. We weren’t worried about claiming him on our taxes. It never occurred to me that means my children’s names won’t contribute to the social security name lists, duh, lol! I guess now putting a nickname down when you do get a social security card is impossible. He currently has a US passport, a birth certificate and a baptismal certificate with his proper name.
Henry – I love this one, and on name blogs it’s anything but daring but my husband nixed it as shocking, declaring it “too old” (!?!) And the “too old” and “how strange” was a view shared by a surprising number of people I’ve talked to in real life – an interesting look at how even Top Hundred names can be seen.
John – I like this better than James or Jack, even though it’s the least fashionable of the three.
Arthur – I like this. Would use Archie or Ari for short though, never Art/Artie.
Edward – Hate Edward, yet love Edmund and Ned. I am weird.
George – A very fierce and wonderful woman I know declares George a fabulous name. “A name for kings! George! Nothing wrong with it! I know excellent men named George! Take that, Jayden!” I am afraid of her, so sure.
Alfred – This is on the same list as the friend that likes George. George and Alfred. Yeah.
Allen – I adore Alan. But only that spelling, which I associate with Robin Hood. Alan Wake didn’t hurt it either.
Edwin – I like it more than Edward, but less than Edmund.
Harold – I wish I liked this. But I don’t. Hal is better than Harry as a NN.
Harvey – I love it, but I can’t get it past the man who nixed Henry.
Leon – Feels strong but not swaggering. I know Leons of a range of ages. Was it more consistently popular in the black community? It doesn’t feel like Leon went “away” very long compared to Leo for old men and now babies. Leon just feels classic to me. I have an affection for Leon and Dion that can’t be denied. I do ponder Gideon, Deon for short though.
Roy – I like Roy. A bit cowboy. Surprised it’s not having the comeback Zeke is.
Gary – I like Gareth. I can’t do Gary though.
Leonard – I prefer it to Leo, but wouldn’t really use it.
Leroy – Leroy has racial baggage where I grew up, much like Tyrone. I don’t like that, but I also don’t know that I’d make my kid deal with that.