The Most Popular Boy Names From 100 Years Ago

By Annie Gabillet

Updated on 6/1/2022 at 9:05 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

When trying to find the perfect name for your baby amongst a vast sea of baby boy names, you may reach a point where you feel like you've run through every name in the book and still can't narrow it down. But we're here to tell you that there is always a plethora of baby-name options, even in the most unlikely of places. For example, reference back to the 1920s. Though the world of the 1920s may seem incredibly unfamiliar right now, the popular, traditional baby names for boys from the era are certainly not. If you look at the top boy names from the 1920s, you will see strong, traditional names that would not feel the least out of place today. From Benjamin to James to Oscar, the list of names below proves that not only do some of the most beautiful traditional boy names have impactful meanings, but they also may just fit right in to 2022. Don't let the fact that they are traditional or "old-fashioned" stop you from finding the perfect moniker for your new little boy. Here are the top 100 boy names in America from that decade in order of popularity, according to the Social Security Administration's historical data.

Popular Traditional Boy Names

  1. Albert: German — Noble; bright
  2. Alfred: English — Wise counselor
  3. Allen: Celtic — Handsome; cheerful
  4. Alvin: English — Noble friend; friend of the elves
  5. Andrew: Greek — Strong; manly
  6. Anthony: Latin — "From Antium"
  7. Arthur: Celtic — Bear
  8. Arnold: English — Ruler; strong as an eagle
  9. Benjamin: Hebrew — "Son of the right hand"
  10. Bernard: German — Strong; "brave as a bear"
  11. Bill: English — Resolute protection
  12. Billy: English — Resolute protection
  13. Calvin: Latin — Bald
  14. Carl: German — Free man
  15. Cecil: Latin — Blind
  16. Charles: French — Man; free man
  17. Charlie: English — Free man
  18. Chester: Latin — Fortress; walled town
  19. Clarence: Latin — Bright
  20. Clifford: English — "Lives near the ford by the cliff"
  21. Clyde: Scottish — Warm; friendly
  22. Dale: English — Valley
  23. Daniel: Hebrew — "God is my judge"
  24. David: Hebrew — Beloved
  25. Donald: Scottish — Proud chief
  26. Earl: English — Aristocratic title
  27. Edgar: English — Wealthy spearman
  28. Edward: English — Wealthy guardian
  29. Edwin: English — Wealthy friend
  30. Elmer: English — Noble and renowned
  31. Ernest: English — Serious; resolute
  32. Eugene: Greek — Wellborn; noble
  33. Floyd: Welsh — "Gray-haired"
  34. Francis: Latin — Frenchman; free man
  35. Frank: German — Free man
  36. Fred: German — Wise counselor
  37. Frederick: German — Peaceful ruler
  38. George: Greek — Farmer
  39. Gerald: English & Irish — "Ruler with the spear"
  40. Gilbert: German — Shining pledge
  41. Glenn: Scottish — Valley
  42. Gordon: Scottish — Great hill
  43. Harold: Scandinavian — Army ruler
  44. Harry: German — Estate ruler
  45. Harvey: French — Battle worthy
  46. Henry: German — Estate ruler
  47. Herbert: German — Bright army
  48. Herman: German — Soldier; warrior
  49. Howard: German — Brave heart; high guardian
  50. Jack: English — "God is gracious"
  51. James: Hebrew — Supplanter
  52. Jesse: Hebrew — Gift
  53. Joe: Hebrew — "Jehovah increases"
  54. John: Hebrew — "God is gracious"
  55. Joseph: Hebrew — "Jehovah increases"
  56. Kenneth: Scottish & Irish — Handsome; "born of fire"
  57. Lawrence: Latin — "From Laurentium"
  58. Lee: English — Pasture; meadow
  59. Leo: Latin — Lion
  60. Leon: Greek — Lion
  61. Leonard: German — Brave lion
  62. Leroy: French — The king
  63. Lester: English — Place name
  64. Lewis: English — Renowned warrior
  65. Lloyd: Welsh — Gray
  66. Louis: German & French — Renowned warrior
  67. Martin: Latin — Warlike
  68. Marvin: Welsh — Sea hill
  69. Melvin: English — Council protector
  70. Michael: Hebrew — "Who is like God?"
  71. Noah: Hebrew — Rest, repose
  72. Norman: English — Northerner; Norseman
  73. Oscar: English or Irish — Champion warrior; "God spear"
  74. Peter: Greek — Rock
  75. Paul: Latin — Small
  76. Philip: Greek — Lover of horses
  77. Ralph: English — Wolf counsel
  78. Ray: German — Wise protector
  79. Raymond: German — Wise protector
  80. Richard: German — Dominant ruler
  81. Robert: German — Bright fame
  82. Roger: German — Famous warrior
  83. Ronald: Norse — Ruler's counselor
  84. Roy: French — King
  85. Russell: French — Redhead; fox-colored
  86. Sam: English — "Told by God"
  87. Samuel: Hebrew — "Told by God"
  88. Stanley: English — "Near the stony clearing"
  89. Theodore: Greek — "Gift of God"
  90. Thomas: Aramaic — Twin
  91. Vernon: English — "Place of alders"
  92. Victor: Latin — Conqueror
  93. Vincent: Latin — Conquering
  94. Wallace: Scottish — Stranger
  95. Walter: German — Army ruler
  96. Warren: English — "Park keeper"
  97. Wayne: English — Occupational name; maker of wagons
  98. Willard: English — Resolutely brave
  99. William: German — Resolute protection
  100. Willie: English — Resolute protection