Timeless Boys' Names

Plenty of boys' names have stayed popular for centuries. Think John, Charles, Robert, and Henry. These names have always ranked within the top 500. However, as with girls' names, they don't have to always be popular to count as classic.

Instead, a timeless classic boys' name must:

1. Have experienced widespread, consistent use and/or roots dating back 500+ years (Alfred and Ira sound too vintage for this list)
2. Translate into multiple languages through variants and/or usage (excluding "timeless" names like Wesley)
3. Be instantly recognizable and, hence, not too obscure (ruling out Barnaby and Enoch)

This list is not perfect; you may not agree about all the names below qualifying as classics. What I can say for sure, though, is that these names are all easy to pronounce and have never sharply peaked or plunged:

• Abel
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Hebrew Hevel) and usage (i.e. Armenia)
3. Second son of Adam and Eve in Old Testament

• Abraham, Abram
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Yiddish Avrum) and usage (i.e. Mexico)
3. Abram/Abraham of the Old Testament, Former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln

• Adam
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 500
2. International variants (i.e. Portuguese Adão) and usage (i.e. Tunisia)
3. First man in the Bible, actor Adam Sandler

• Albert
1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 19th century
2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Alpertti) and usage (i.e. Poland)
3. Queen Victoria's husband, German physicist Albert Einstein

• Andrew, Andy
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Ukranian Andrii) 
3. Apostle in the New Testament, multiple saints and kings, former U.S. Presidents Andrew Jackson and Johnson, American pop artist Andy Warhol, English composer Andrew Lloyd Weber

• Anthony, Antonio
1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 14th century
2. International variants (i.e. Basque Antton) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
3. Multiple saints, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, Anthony of Bridgerton

• Arthur
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Arto) and usage (i.e. Denmark)
3. King Arthur of Arthurian legend, multiple royals including medieval King Arthur I of Brittany, British writer and Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, titular aardvark of children's book and TV series

• Benedict, Bennett, Ben
1. English-speaking use since 12th century
2. International variants (i.e. Yiddish Benesh) 
3. Multiple bishops, popes, and saints, including founder of 6th century founder of Benedictines; American general Benedict Arnold, The Mysterious Benedict Society books and TV series 

• Benjamin
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Lithuanian Benjaminas) and usage (i.e. Argentina)
3. The youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament, American politician Benjamin Franklin, former American President Benjamin Harrison

• Charles, Charlie
1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 17th century
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Carlitos) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
3. Multiple saints and royals, including Charles the Great (Charlemagne); English naturalist Charles Darwin, English novelist Charles Dickens, British actor Charlie Chaplin, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and protagonist Charlie Brown, Charlie Bucket of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• Christian
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. German Karsten) and usage (i.e. Denmark)
3. Multiple royals and a few saints

• Christopher
1. Late Greek roots, English-speaking use since 15th century, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Armenian Kristapor) and usage (i.e. Mexico)
3. Multiple royals, including fifteenth century King Kristofer of Bavaria; English playwright Christopher Marlowe, Christopher Robin of A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh

• Conrad
1. Old German roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
2. International variants (i.e. Italian Corrado)
3. Multiple kings and saints, Conrad Birdie of musical Bye Bye Birdie

• Daniel, Danny, Dan
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Bulgarian Danail) and usage (i.e. Moldova)
3. Old Testament prophet, American frontiersman Daniel Boone, American composer Danny Elfman

• David
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 50
2. International variants (i.e. Scottish Daividh) and usage (i.e. Israel)
3. Multiple kings, including the Old Testament King of Israel; multiple saints, Scottish philosopher David Hume, Charles Dickens's David Copperfield, English musician David Bowie

• Edward
1. Old English roots, never out of top 300
2. International variants (i.e. Latvian Edvards) 
3. Multiple kings and a few saints, including Edward the Confessor; Edward Rochester in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

• Edwin
1. Old English roots, never out of top 500
2. International variants (i.e. German Otwin)
3. King/St. Edwin of Northumbria, American astronomer Edwin Hubble

• Felix
1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Catalan Feliu) and usage (i.e. Sweden)
3. Governor of Judea in New Testament, multiple bishops and saints, German composer Felix Mendelssohn, cartoon character Felix the Cat, Fix-It Felix of Disney's Wreck-It-Ralph

• Francis, Frank
1. Late Latin roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
2. International variants (i.e. French François) 
3. Multiple kings and saints, including 13th-century St. Francis of Assisi; American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, American singer and actor Frank Sinatra, American filmmaker Francis Coppola

• Frederick, Fred
1. Old German roots, English-speaking use since 18th century
2. International variants (i.e. Italian Federigo) 
3. Multiple kings, dukes, emperors, and a few saints; American abolitionist Frederick Douglass, American actor Fred Astaire

• George
1. English-speaking use since 18th century, never out of top 200
2. International variants (i.e. Armenian Kevork) and usage (i.e. Romania)
3. Multiple kings and saints, former U.S. Presidents George Washington, H. W. Bush, and W. Bush; American entertainer George Cohan, American musician George Thurgood

• Gregory
1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since 12th century
2. International variants (i.e. Georgian Grigol) 
3. Multiple popes and saints, American actor Gregory Peck, Gregory "Greg" Heffley of Diary of a Wimpy Kid

• Henry, Harry
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Heikki) and usage (i.e. Switzerland)
3. Multiple kings, English explorer Henry Hudson, American manufacturer Henry Ford, titular protagonist of Harry Potter books and films

• Hugh, Hugo
1. Old Germanic roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. German Hauke) and usage (i.e. Spain)
3. Multiple saints, including 12th-century St. Hugh of Lincoln; Australian actor Hugh Jackman, Brian Selznick's novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret, titular protagonist of Martin Scorsese's film 

• Isaac
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Italian Isacco) and usage (i.e. Puerto Rico)
3. Abraham's son in the Old Testament, a few emperors and saints, English mathematician Isaac Newton

• James, Jacob
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 13th century, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Cobus) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
3. Isaac's son in the Old Testament, multiple figures (including Jesus' brother) in the New Testament, multiple saints and rulers, former U.S. Presidents James Madison, Monroe, K. Polk, Buchanan, and Garfield; German scholar Jacob Grimm, Irish poet James Joyce

• Jesse
1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 250
2. International variants (i.e. Portuguese Jessé) and usage (i.e. Netherlands)
3. Father of King David in Old Testament, American athlete Jesse Owens

• Joel
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Yoel) and usage (i.e. Mexico)
3. Old Testament prophet, American photographer Joel Grey

• John, Jack
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 200
2. International variants (i.e. Danish Jens) and usage (i.e. Sweden)
3. Multiple Biblical figures and saints, including John the Baptist; multiple rulers, former U.S. Presidents John Adams and F. Kennedy, American author Jack London, American writer John Steinbeck, English fairy tales "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Jack the Giant Slayer"

• Joseph, Joe
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Croatian Jozo) and usage (i.e. France)
3. Eleventh son of Jacob in Old Testament, wife of virgin Mary in New Testament, multiple rulers and saints, Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, Polish-British author Joseph Conrad, former U.S. President Joe Biden

• Lawrence
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Laurens) 
3. Multiple saints, including third-century St. Lawrence of Rome; Bishop Lawrence I of Milan, film Lawrence of Arabia

• Leo, Leon
1. General use since Ancient Rome, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Russian Lev) and usage (i.e. Armenia)
3. Multiple rulers and saints, including St. Leo of Catania; Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy 

• Leonard
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. French Léonard) and usage (i.e. Poland)
3. A few saints, including sixth-century Frankish St. Leonard; American composer Leonard Bernstein

• Louis, Lewis
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Italian Luigi) and usage (i.e. Switzerland)
3. A few saints and multiple rulers, including several French kings; American musician Louis Armstrong, American children's novelist Louis Sachar, British singer Louis Tomlinson

• Luke, Lucas
1. Ancient Roman and Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 12th century
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Luuk) and usage (i.e. Netherlands)
3. Multiple saints, including Gospel writer St. Luke; Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker, American actor Lucas Black

• Mark, Marcus
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 12th century, never out of top 400
2. International variants (i.e. Hawaiian Maleko) and usage (i.e. Russia)
3. Multiple saints, including Gospel writer St. Mark; multiple rulers, including Roman politician Mark Antony and emperor Marcus Aurelius; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

• Martin
1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. German Merten) and usage (i.e. Slovenia)
3. A few saints, multiple rulers, German theologian Martin Luther, American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., American filmmaker Martin Scorsese

• Matthew
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Mateo) and usage (i.e. Philippines)
3. A few saints, including Gospel writer St. Matthew; four patriarchs of Alexandria, American officer Matthew C. Perry, Matthew Cuthbert of Anne of Green Gables, American actor Matthew Broderick

• Max, Maximilian
1. Ancient Roman roots
2. International variants (i.e. Hungarian Miksa) and usage (i.e. Germany)
3. A few saints, multiple kings and emperors, German physicist Max Planck, Max in Where the Wild Things Are

• Michael
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 12th century
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Maikel) and usage (i.e. Czechia)
3. Multiple saints, including Biblical archangel; multitude of rulers, American basketball player Michael Jordan

• Nathaniel, Nathan
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 300
2. International variants (i.e. French Nathanaël) and usage (i.e. Philippines)
3. Old Testament prophet, American spy Nathan Hale, American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne

• Nicholas
1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since 12th century
2. International variants (i.e. Albanian Nikollë) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
3. Multiple saints (one of whom inspired Santa Claus) and rulers

• Oliver
1. English-speaking use since Norman Conquest
2. International variants (i.e. Polish Oliwier) and usage (i.e. Moldova)
3. English military leader Oliver Cromwell, Irish St. Oliver Plunkett, Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist

• Oscar
1. Irish mythological roots, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 300
2. International variants (i.e. Latvian Oskars) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
3. Son of Oisin in Irish mythology, multiple Scandinavian royals, Irish poet and writer Oscar Wilde, American lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street

• Patrick
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Patricio) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
3. St. Patrick, Scottish composer Patrick Doyle, Patrick Bateman of Bret Easton Ellis's novel American Psycho, Patrick Star of Nickelodeon show SpongeBob SquarePants

• Paul
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 17th century, never out of top 300
2. International variants (i.e. Danish Poul) and usage (i.e. Romania)
3. Multiple saints, including New Testament evangelist; multiple popes, North American folklore character Paul Bunyan, American Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere

• Peter
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 15th century
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Petrus) and usage (i.e. Hungary)
3. Multitude of saints, including New Testament apostle; multiple rulers, nursery rhyme Peter Piper, children's story The Tale of Peter Rabbit, play Peter Pan, Peter Parker/Spiderman in Marvel universe

• Philip, Phillip
1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Felipe) and usage (i.e. Netherlands)
3. Multiple saints, including New Testament apostle and deacon; multitude of royals, including consort of Elizabeth II, American novelist Philip K. Dick, Prince Philip in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, British novelist Philip Pullman, American singer Phillip Phillips

• Reuben
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Portuguese Rubem) 
3. Tribal leader in Old Testament, Reuben sandwich

• Richard
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 300
2. International variants (i.e. Swedish Rickard) and usage (i.e. Czechia)
3. Multiple saints and royals, former U.S. President Richard Nixon, American musician Little Richard

• Robert
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages, never out of top 100
2. International variants (i.e. German Rupert) and usage (i.e. Armenia)
3. Multiple saints, a few royals, American poet Robert Frost

• Roger
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Rutger) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
3. English actor Roger Moore, English musician Roger Waters

• Samuel, Sam
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Samuli) and usage (i.e. Uruguay)
3. Old Testament judge, medieval Bulgarian Tsar and Hungarian king, American politician Samuel Adams, English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, American inventor Samuel Morse, American actor Samuel Jackson, American icon Uncle Sam

• Saul
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Saúl)
3. Old Testament king, Canadian-American writer Saul Bellow

• Simon
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Norwegian Simen) and usage (i.e. Slovakia)
3. Multiple New Testament figures (including apostle), multiple saints, British TV personality Simon Cowell, game "Simon Says"

• Thaddeus
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
2. International variants (i.e. Lithuanian Tadas)
3. New Testament apostle, sixth-century saint, American abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens

• Theodore
1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
2. International variants (i.e. Hungarian Tivadar)
3. Multiple saints and rulers, former American President Theodore Roosevelt, American actor Theodore Raymond "T. R." Knight

• Thomas, Tom
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Estonian Toomas) and usage (i.e. Italy)
3. Multiple saints, including New Testament apostle and St. Thomas of Aquinas; former American President Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, American actor Tom Hanks, American football player Tom Brady, Thomas the Tank Engine

• Timothy, Tim
1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
2. International variants (i.e. Ukranian Tymofiy) 
3. Multiple saints, including Paul's companion in the New Testament; a few patriarchs of Alexandria, American country singer Tim McGraw, Disney film The Odd Life of Timothy Green

• Victor
1. Late Roman roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
2. International variants (i.e. Portuguese Vítor) and usage (i.e. Chile)
3. Multiple saints and rulers, French author Victor Hugo, American football player Victor Cruz

• Vincent
1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Polish Wincenty) and usage (i.e. Sweden)
3. Multitude of saints, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, American horror actor Vincent Price

• Walter
1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
2. International variants (i.e. Italian Gualtiero) and usage (i.e. Denmark)
3. A few saints, medieval German hero Walter of Aquitaine, Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, Walt Disney

• William
1. English-speaking use since 11th century
2. International variants (i.e. Galician Guillerme) and usage (i.e. Norway)
3. Multitude of saints and royals, including William the Conqueror; English dramatist William Shakespeare, English poet William Wordsworth, Irish dramatist William Butler Yeats, American writer William Faulkner

What names would you add to this list?