Non-classic boys names that won’t date...

[AmyD54321]

I have plenty of girls names on my list, but I’m struggling with boys names.

I like names that are a bit ‘different’ without being made-up, and nothing that will date badly. For example, names like Arlo, Ezra, etc (nothing wrong with those!) are quite ‘2020’ so he will probably have several others in his class at school. I’m not keen on the classics, like Tom, Jack, etc, and want something fun but will also suit him as an adult. Can you see why I’m struggling?!

Some girls names I like are - Astrid, Romy, Erin, Lois, etc.

Can you help me with any similar names for boys?

We can't know if it's going to date. If the name you pick becomes wildly popular then that'll be it..

Tristan
Ivor
Jasper
Ethan
Miles
Saul
Oscar
Max
Axel
Leo

What about Asher? I feel like it's a classic but modern too, and there hasn't been a trend. Or Tobias?

I do think it's hard to tell what will date, though. Erin is definitely having a moment!

The one that comes to mind immediately is Cosmo (derived from the Italian Cosimo).
Maybe Oscar? Or Rafferty?
Also, I don't think Ezra will date as you think it will, it's in the Bible!

Dominic
Cameron
Hugh

Conrad
Caradoc
Eli
Lloyd
Lars
Johan
Carlos
Mario
Winston
Otis
Duke
Hamish
Wayne
Ronald

Oscar is incredibly modish!

If you are in England then non-English names (including scottish, Irish and Welsh names) are less likely to date.

Obv exceptions, like Luca

You need probably an underused classic. Most others will date. You don’t need anything Old Testament, bar one or two. OT boys’ names are on the way out. So, no Ezras, Joshuas, Ethans, Sauls etc.
I’d look at a list of saints’ names - a lot of underused or interesting names there, as well as some more well known ones -
Leander
Amias
Jude
Stellan
Jerome
Alban
Casper/Casimir
Fabian
Felix etc

Luca
Aksel
Sondre (traditional Norwegian name, personally love it)
Magnus
Caspian
Leander

Old Testament, or turn of the twentieth century, could be a good place to look for inspiration:
Amos
Asa
Gabriel
Emmanuel
Elias
Edwin
Ernest
Herbert
Leonard
Victor
Ambrose
Aubrey

Most names date, it’s impossible to avoid or predict. Just pick one you live.

Love

I agree that looking at some Saint's names and biblical names could be good. Also, there are lots of gorgeous Scottish names for boys.

Bede
Raphael
Zachariah
Leo
Sebastian

Barnaby
Peter
Nathan/Nathaniel - Nate
Sidney or just Sid
Laurence nn Laurie
Vincent nn Vinnie
Curtis
Wilf
Marley
Ellis
Seth
Cole
Eric
Casper
Rudy/Rudi
Dexter
Blake
Angus
Dominic
Idris
Percy
Chester
Austin
Griffin
Tristan
Bodhi
Otto
Cooper
Axel

Rafferty
Jude
Toby (Tobias)
Quentin (this was my favourite name for DS, but DH vetoed it)
Morris
Avery

Peter (one of my favourite names)
Elliot
Francis
Joseph
Jonah
Edmund
Andrew (so underused now)
Clark
Hugh/Huw
Saul

To avoid trends, I would stay away from Rowan/Roman, Freddie, Teddy, Arlo, Rupert, Felix, River, Hudson, etc.. they feel 2020 to me (just imo). Best of luck. X

I think the ultimate boys names that could be from any era are James, Benjamin, Thomas, Edward, Frederick, William, Joseph, Henry and Daniel.

Consistently underused throughout the last few generations/names that have never really had a huge spike in popularity could be:

Adrian
Ross
Marcus
Alistair
Seth
Samson
Sylvester
Vincent
Anthony

Joel

Eric?

Or Eren?

Anouk or Rafferty, sorry keep thinking of more. Should have just done a list.

Zack

Only classic names won’t date. But plenty Of classic names aren’t over used.
Isaac
Oscar
Joshua
Samuel
Benjamin
Alex
Nathaniel
Miles
Duncan
Daniel

Magnus
Darius
Quentin
Caspar

Guy