Rare 1905 Boy Names: Roscoe, Jarvis, Wylie

Vintage boy names from 1905 range from the curious – were the 10 boys named Finis really their parents’ last children? – to the surprisingly modern, like the 8 boys called Brooks.

In between the oddities and the names that we love today, some great choices await. Some names feel vaguely familiar, but many are all-but forgotten. A few of these might feel too antique or obscure for a comeback, but many seem surprisingly on-trend.

A few stark differences separate 1905 baby names from today’s lists. In 2023, it took 219 boys to crack the US Top 1000. Back in 1905, that number would have been 8.

In 1905, nearly 20% of all boys received one of the Top 5 names: John, William, James, George, or Charles. By 2023, even the Top 25 names combined don’t account for 20% of all boys named that year. In other words: these names felt really rare back in the day, when names were far less diverse.

If you’re looking for a name with a history of use, but relatively uncommon today, these rare 1905 boy names might be for you.

But first, what were the most popular names for baby boys born in 1905? 

MOST POPULAR BOY NAMES OF 1905

1. John
2. William
3. James
4. George
5. Charles
6. Robert
7. Joseph
8. Frank
9. Edward
10. Thomas
11. Henry
12. Walter
13. Willie
14. Harry
15. Albert
16. Arthur
17. Clarence
18. Fred
19. Paul
20. Harold
21. Raymond
22. Richard
23. Joe
24. Roy
25. Louis
26. Carl
27. Ralph
28. Jack
29. Earl
30. Samuel
31. Ernest
32. David
33. Theodore
34. Charlie
35. Howard
36. Francis
37. Herbert
38. Lawrence
39. Andrew
40. Sam
41. Elmer
42. Eugene
43. Alfred
44. Floyd
45. Michael
46. Leo
47. Leonard
48. Anthony
49. Lee
50. Daniel
51. Herman
52. Clyde
53. Kenneth
54. Jesse
55. Leroy
56. Oscar
57. Lester
58. Russell
59. Donald
60. Ray
61. Clifford
62. Peter
63. Claude
64. Chester
65. Lewis
66. Stanley
67. Frederick
68. Benjamin
69. Lloyd
70. Edwin
71. Norman
72. Cecil
73. Eddie
74. Jessie
75. Martin
76. Homer
77. Tom
78. Edgar
79. Luther
80. Milton
81. Johnnie
82. Bernard
83. Melvin
84. Ben
85. Harvey
86. Will
87. Leon
88. Allen
89. Everett
90. Victor
91. Roosevelt
92. Alvin
93. Stephen
94. Leslie
95. Jim
96. Philip
97. Virgil
98. Jacob
99. Otis
100. Marvin

Some of these sound right at home in the 2020s. Others, like Alvin, Herman, Clyde, and Floyd feel like old-fashioned boy names. Also noteworthy: some favorite classic names and vintage name choices for our sons don’t make this list. Oliver, Archie, Silas, Felix, and Sebastian don’t rank, even though parents today often choose them for their antique charm. 

Now let’s take a look at some truly surprising boys’ names from 1905. If seriously vintage boy names are your favorite, these rarities might belong on your list.

ALCIDE

Alcide comes from Greek myth. The hero Herakles – better known by the Roman form, Hercules – also answered to Alkeides, derived from alke – strength. Alkeides became Alcides in Latin and Alcide in Italian. Despite the name’s Italian origin today it looks vaguely French, thanks to Alcide Herveaux from True Blood. Despite the pop culture boost, the name is all-but extinct today. Fewer than five boys were named Alcide in 2023, though nine were named Alcides. In 1905, Alcide ranked #837. Alcides has never cracked the US Top 1000.

ALDEN

Actor Alden Ehrenreich helped give this name a little lift. But Alden has plodded along, never wildly popular, never completely fading from use. It’s reached #634 as of 2023. Back in 1905, it came in at #526. The name comes from surname of Old English origin, from the given name Ealdwine. Ealdwine means old friend. It sounds a little like a modern invented choice, but offers impeccable roots.

ARCHIBALD

Archibald hasn’t ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1925. Back in 1905, it came in at a respectable #617 – rare, but not unknown. Today Archie and Archie are stylish choices. While it comes from Germanic roots meaning genuine and bold, it’s associated with the Greek element archos, meaning master or ruler. It’s long been popular as a baby boy name in Scotland. Today it feels nicely old school. Just 146 boys received the name in 2023. It could rise, though, with the same trends lifting throwback names like Benedict.

DWIGHT

Back in 1905, Dwight ranked #347 – somewhere between familiar and unusual. President Dwight Eisenhower makes this feel like it must’ve been more popular – and it did rank in the Top 200 when Eisenhower served as commander of the Allied Troops during World War II, and then during his presidency in the 1950s. His nickname, Ike, is another rarity. Today it might come from Biblical names like Isaac. (Worth noting: Dwight ultimately comes from Dionysius, a name from mythology that also appears in the New Testament.) The most famous Dwight in recent memory might be Rainn Wilson’s character in The Office, but as that show fades in our collective memory, Dwight could fit with vintage boy names.

ELGIN

Elgin ranked a comfortable #715 in 1905, but was given to just 11 boys in 2023. Most modern parents won’t recognize Elgin as a possible child’s name, and yet, it’s seen some use. Former NBA star Elgin Baylor comes to mind, and it also appears as a place name in Scotland, and other places named for the original. Today the sound is unexpected, but nearly any two-syllable, ends-in-n name for a boy will feel wearable.

GRAYDON

Given the popularity of Jayden and Grayson, you might expect Graydon to be a fast favorite now. Not so! In fact, Graydon is a one-hit wonder, appearing in the US Top 1000 only once, in 1905. 33 boys received the name in 2023, still far too few to make it back into the rankings. Proof that rare 1905 boy names can feel perfectly on-trend and nicely underused today!

JARVIS

Jarvis doesn’t appear in the current US Top 1000, but everyone knows the name. The name belongs Iron Man’s butler-turned-brilliant computer a character throughout the Marvel universe. With S-ending baby names enjoying a moment, Jarvis has potential. It comes from an old saint’s name, with a German origin, the element ger – spear. Back in 1905, Jarvis ranked #876.

JUDSON

We love Hudson and Jude, so why not Judson? Back in the day, it ranked #818. It probably comes from the given name Jordan via nickname Jud. Judson fits right in with so many two-syllable, ends-in-n names for boys. As of 2023, it’s ranked #859 – rare today, rare back then, but with potential in both generations.

HARDY

Names like Brady, Riley, and Bentley in vogue, why not Hardy? Back in 1905, it ranked #960. That’s pretty rare, but today it feels even less common. Just 39 boys were given the name. Not only does Hardy feel like the surnames parents favor today, it also has a great meaning. Synonyms include healthy and strong. Another bonus? Thomas Hardy lends the name some literary sheen, and the Hardy Boys make it feel familiar across the generations. (Even if you don’t remember the books or the various television adaptations, it’s a plot point in Only Murders in the Buidling – proof of the name’s enduring pop culture presence.)

HOWELL

A surname derived from a Welsh given name, Howell would make an interesting choice today. Like Wilder, it’s a distinguished surname … but also plenty of edge. Nickname Howie is sweet. Back in 1905, the baby name Howell ranked #649. As of 2023? Just ten boys received the name. We love that bright O sound, like Owen, as well as surnames, so Howell has potential.

MURPHY

Murphy feels friendly, an upbeat Irish choice that we don’t hear nearly as often as you might expect. Back in 1905 it ranked #583. Today Murphy comes in at just #896 for boys. This name might especially appeal to parents who love the ocean: it means sea warrior.

OSWALD

Back in the day, Oswald ranked #692. That puts it among the rare 1905 boy names. Time has faded Oswald even more, with just 64 boys receiving the name in 2023. Still, lately Ozzie has a sort of cool factor, a little bit rock and roll, a little bit retro name with a zippy twist. That could make all Os/Oz names feel a little more wearable. And, of course, Disney fanatics will know that Walt first created Oswald the Rabbit – the lesser-known forebear of Mickey Mouse.

ROSCOE

An Old English name derived from Norse elements, Roscoe could fit right in with so many O-ending favorites right about now. Back in 1915, this name ranked #200. As of 2023? Just 62 boys received the name. It’s upbeat and old school.

SYLVESTER

Fun fact: Sylvester and Silas are both derived from the same Latin origin – the word silva, meaning woods. While one first name is quite stylish, Sylvester is rare today. As of 2023, just 67 boys were given the name. Circa 1905, Sylvester ranked in the Top 200. As vintage baby boy names go, it’s familiar – even if our references (the Looney Toons cat, Sylvester Stallone) don’t shout baby name right now.

WALTON

We love two-syllable, ends-in-n names for boys, and W surname names like Walker have fared well. So why not Walton? Long associated with wholesome family television series The Waltons, it feels like a gentle name with plenty of substance. Walton ranked #663 in 2015, but has failed to chart in the US for years. Just 37 boys received the name last year. Fun fact: Indiana Jones’ real name was Henry Walton Jones. Why Walton? Creator George Lucas happens to share that middle name, too.

WILBUR

In Middle English, Wilbur means “wild boar.” But it’s a gentle pig by the name that you might know best – Wilbur from the enduring children’s novel Charlotte’s Web. At #132 in 1905, Wilbur was near its peak popularity. As of 2023, just 30 boys received the name. Easy nickname Wil makes this even more wearable.

WYLIE

Does Wylie belong with the rare 1905 boy names? I’m torn. After all, Wiley ranked in the Top 300 way back then. Wylie came in at a chilly #614. Today Wylie remains less common, though neither spellings appears in the current Top 1000. To be wily is to be tricky or clever; that’s one possible source of the surname name. Given the popularity of Riley, it’s surprising that Wylie never caught on.

VAUGHN

Vaughn seems like a natural chocie today – but it was given to just 162 boys last year. It ranked #612 back in 1905, so it’s never really attained household name status. If you love Graham and Grant and Reese and Bryce, Vaughn might appeal, too. The Welsh surname originally meant “little,” though the most famous of the modern Vaughns – Vince – is famous for being quite tall. It’s also the surname of an Alias character.

If you love vintage boy names, do any of these 1905 rarities make your list?