Let’s talk adorable grandpa names.
Think Cedric. Alfred. Edmund. Harold.
At first, they seem hopelessly out-of-date, misplaced on a playground full of boys answering to Mason and Logan and Finn.
But here are seven great reasons to use adorable grandpa names – and two dozen fabulously fusty names to consider.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: Everyone Recognizes Them
Spelling and repeating your name can get old – fast! There’s something to be said for the ease of introducing yourself and knowing that pretty much everyone will recognize it, effortlessly.
We often assume such luxuries are reserved for the most classic of choices – Henry and William and James. But a great many grandpa names come with just one spelling, too. Think of Albert, Howard, or Edwin. One spelling, right? And while the nurse at the pediatrician’s office might tell you that she had a great-uncle with the same name, she’s not asking you to confirm the spelling of Jayden.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: But Nobody Shares Them
Okay, the other parent at the playgroup might tell you about her elderly neighbor, Homer. But when they call out names at kindergarten graduation? Odds are strong that your kiddo will be the only little Alvin or Morris.
So many of us crave unusual, even unique names. But sometimes that means we have of two Judes or Olivers – or one of three Jacksons – in the school. Because we all tend to land on the same similar-but-different names. Going old school – like, 1918 old school – can be a great way to find a name that really will stand out in a crowd.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: We Know They’ll Age Well
I’ve yet to meet a dentist named Maddox. None of the plumbers or electricians who have done work at my house answer to Easton or Chase. Yet. I know, intellectually, that all of these names will grow up with their generation, just like Josh and Tyler and Brandon are now orthodontists and journalists and the guy who owns the garage.
But grandpa names have been there before. It’s easy to imagine Bernard running for office, or Willis as a chef. They’re grown-up names for little boys to grow into, and we know that it’s happened before – and will easily happen again.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: More Family Names Become Options
Siblings often argue over the “good” family names. Everybody wants to name their son after mom’s father, William. But dad’s pop Martin? Not so much.
Except what if we look at those dusty names with fresh eyes? Martin could make a great honor name, one that’s unusual enough to be clear you chose it for your loved one. And if it means not having to arm wrestle your sister for a favorite name? That’s another bonus.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: They’re Pretty Much Never Unisex
Yes, you might meet a girl called Boris or Benedict or Leonard. But it seems downright unlikely, at least compared to modern favorites like Beckett and Ashton and Tate, names that all seem potentially unisex.
If choosing a name that clearly signifies gender matters, then these grandpa choices seem like the safest of options.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: The Nicknames are Sweet
The British know it. Names like Alfie and Archie are all over the England & Wales Top 100. In almost every case, even the heaviest of formal names offers a light and cheerful nickname form.
Frederick feels substantial, but Freddie is charming and boyish. Philip is a tenured professor, but Pip plays soccer and loves Legos. When names have so much history, they’ve almost all picked up a sweet nickname or three to choose from.
Another bonus? Super traditional boy names sometimes come with unexpected options. I once met a 20-something Howard called Hoby. And something like Gilbert shortened to Gib is traditional and very wearable, but not widely known.
Adorable Grandpa Boy Names: You’re Probably Just Ahead of the Curve
Ten years ago, nobody was naming their sons Theodore. But over the last few years, it’s been on the upswing, a fresh traditional choice that suddenly everybody loves.
Thirty years ago, the same was true for Henry.
And right now, it’s possible to watch names like Arthur coming back into vogue.
So the wait-what grandpa name you choose for your son today? It might be the next Oliver or Sebastian.
What are your favorite grandpa boy names? Would you consider any of these for a son?
I named my son Conrad (1995). It’s not a family name or anything like that. But it works well for him. His nickname as a baby was Beluga or Gunderson
Our son is Edwin William, and the combination of meanings really fits his personality. Edwin meaning “rich, happy friend” and William meaning “fierce protector”. Everyone knows how to spell and pronounce both names, but Edwin is still relatively uncommon. It has such a joyful, bouncy swing to it, and as we are looking to name our second boy here in a few months, we are looking for many of the same characteristics for this new baby’s name. So far on our list are Oliver, Merritt and Declan, but it’s hard to know which fits best with Edwin and his sister Ruby.
I have a Martin. And a Walter. Two grandpa names. my other son has a name that was top 50 in 1880 but has stuck around higher in the charts than the other two… but i still love it
I love love love Wilfred. Such a sweet name and so many great nicknames, if that’s your thing. Will, Willy, Freddie, Fred, Wolf, Ed, Eddie, etc.
My infant son’s middle name is Edmund. It’s a family name (my dad’s middle, my great grandpa’s first name). It was our 2nd choice boy name, I would have loved to use it if we ever had another boy, but I didn’t want to risk not using it all. We’ll see what happens if/when another one comes along! I also love calling him (first name- Eddie!)
Our first son’s middle is Bernard and lends itself to our calling him “Firstname Bear”! We love it! I have a huge soft spot for Walt, same for Gil, but have never been able to get my husband on board. Wallace has been “haunting” me since my first pregnancy too.
Our son’s are Victor and Francisco – Victor goes by just V or Vic about half the time and Francisco is almost always Frankie, with Frank popping up more and more as he gets older. Love the history that comes with classic names, love that they are both fresh and established, and as a Dana who has watched her Dana cohort age as one giant block I love knowing these names won’t serve as a 5 year birth range time stamp
I love this list and your reasons! I have to giggle though, because my son Conrad shares his name with another Conrad in his 1st grade class. His classmates will grow up thinking it’s a super-common name 🙂
That’s SO funny!
I loved the name Dante for our son. But it was a non-starter with my husband. And wouldn’t you know it? He’s got a Dante in his class, in his small school. So I know what you mean about unusual names repeating!
And I love Conrad, BTW. Great name!
I have such a crush on Floyd. It’s an honor name for me and I don’t know if I’d ever be bold enough to use it, but I love it. Also Morris, Ambrose, Abner, Edgar.
If this bubba is a boy his name will be Arthur to go with big Brother Edward and big Sister Matilda. We simply love classic traditional names.