This list covers 13 old fashioned boy names, running from “Kenneth” to “Kermith.” These names share a vintage, early-20th-century charm, with roots in Scottish, Welsh, Irish, and Old English tradition. Parents and namesakes use them today for baby naming, genealogy research, and character naming in books or games.

Old fashioned boy names are given names that were common decades ago but have faded from everyday use. Many, like “Kermit,” carry surprising history, since it was once a genuine given name long before it became famous through pop culture. These names often reflect meanings tied to nature, strength, or family heritage.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, and Description.

Name: This is the given name itself, shown in its traditional spelling so you can see exactly how it was historically written.

Origin: This tells you the country or culture the name came from, helping you understand its linguistic and historical roots.

Meaning: This explains what the name literally translates to, giving you insight into the values or imagery it once represented.

Description: This offers extra context about the name’s history and popularity, helping you decide if it fits your needs today.

Old fashioned boy names

NameOriginMeaning
KennethScottish“Handsome” or “born of fire”
KermitWelshDerived from Dermot, “free man”
KevinIrish“Handsome” or “gentle birth”
KeithScottish“Forest” or “wood”
KirkScandinavian“Church”
KingsleyOld English“King’s meadow”
KipOld English“Pointed hill”
KermodeGaelic“Son of Diarmaid”
KenelmOld English“Bold helmet”
KenwayOld English“Bold warrior”
KesterScottishVariant of Christopher, “Christ-bearer”
KelvinScottish“Narrow water” or river name
KermithWelshVariant of Kermit, “free man”

Descriptions

Kenneth
A classic Scottish name popular through the early 1900s, often shortened to Ken. It carries a rugged, old-world charm.
Kermit
An old-fashioned name that peaked in the early 20th century, now mostly remembered through pop culture but once a genuine given name.
Kevin
Derived from the Irish saint Caoimhín, this name was common for boys born in the mid-1900s and has an enduring vintage appeal.
Keith
Originally a Scottish surname and place name, Keith became a popular first name for boys in the early-to-mid 20th century.
Kirk
A short, sturdy name meaning “church,” commonly used in the mid-1900s, especially in Scottish and Scandinavian communities.
Kingsley
A distinguished English surname-turned-first-name, used since Victorian times for its noble, old-fashioned sound.
Kip
Originally a nickname for names like Kipling or Christopher, Kip was used as a standalone old-fashioned name in the early 20th century.
Kermode
A rare, antique name of Manx and Gaelic origin, occasionally used in earlier generations.
Kenelm
An ancient Anglo-Saxon name borne by a 9th-century saint and prince, rarely used today but historically notable.
Kenway
A distinctly old-fashioned English name, rooted in Anglo-Saxon warrior imagery, seldom seen after the early 20th century.
Kester
An old Scottish diminutive form of Christopher, used historically as a given name in its own right.
Kelvin
Taken from the River Kelvin in Scotland, this name enjoyed modest popularity among boys in the earlier 20th century.
Kermith
A rare alternate spelling of Kermit, seen occasionally in early 20th-century records.
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