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Geek Chic Names for Boys

Cool names for boys come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. There are some evergreen classic boys' names that never go out of style: think traditional mainstays of the US (and UK, NZ, and Australian) Top 100 boy names, like James, William, and Joseph. Other cool boys' names — like thick black-rimmed spectacles and heavy oxfords — are so out they're in. These are the clunky, old-school vintage boys' names that are starting to feel fresh, funky, and a little bit daring, but still rooted in tradition.

A few of these geek chic names for boys are now heading into the mainstream, like Arthur, Hugo, and Franklin, which all rank in the US Top 500 baby names for boys. Others, like Alfred, Harvey, and Louis, have already caught on in a big way across the pond in England & Wales, where they rank in the current Top 100 boy names. But most of these edgy, uncommon vintage baby boy names are still waiting to be revived and would make a great choice for parents who want a unique baby name with a rich history.

Browse our list of unusual vintage and retro baby names for boys here, or see our pick of the best Geek Chic Names for Girls for even more inspiration.

Monroe

Meaning: mouth of the Roe river

Origin:Scottish
1855
Cassius

Meaning: hollow

Origin:Latin
11
Cyrus

Meaning: sun

Origin:Persian
19
Magnus

Meaning: greatest

Origin:Scandinavian from Latin
34
Ignatius

Meaning: fiery

Origin:Latin
122
Linus

Meaning: flax

Origin:Greek
162
Rufus

Meaning: red-head

Origin:Latin
174
Augustus

Meaning: great, magnificent

Origin:Latin
216
Cornelius

Meaning: horn

Origin:Latin
228
Thaddeus

Meaning: gift of God

Origin:Aramaic, meaning unclear, possibly from Theodore
238
Otis

Meaning: wealthy

Origin:Variation of Otto, German
26
Cosmo

Meaning: order, beauty, universe

Origin:Greek, Italian, English
82
Bartholomew

Meaning: son of the furrow

Origin:Aramaic
141
Origin:Diminutive of Montague, Montgomery
483
Arthur

Meaning: bear

Origin:Celtic
32
Ezekiel

Meaning: God strengthens

Origin:Hebrew
89
Jasper

Meaning: bringer of treasure

Origin:Persian
49
Harvey

Meaning: battle worthy

Origin:French
88
Orson

Meaning: bear cub

Origin:Latin and English
152
Gulliver

Meaning: glutton

Origin:Irish
1561