16 vintage baby boy names from the 1950s that are increasing in popularity

Frederick - as in composer Frederick Lowe (left), half of the song writing duo of Lerner & Lowe is gaining popularity and could be on its way back to its former glory. And, with its wealth of nicknames, from Fred to Freddy or even Ricky, it's easy to see why it's striking a chord with parents.

From bandleader Lawrence Welk to the blockbuster Lawrence of Arabia, the name Lawrence seems like it commanded the spotlight in the '50s and '60s so a comeback is well underway.

Whether they go by Eugene, like playwright Eugene O'Neill, or Gene, like soft-shoe legend Gene Kelly, the name Eugene is one that stands the test of time.

Giving kids nicknames as first names - especially old-timey sounding ones like Ace or Archie - has been a trend for a while now, and Ricky fits right in. Sure, it could be a nickname for Richard or Frederick, but celebrities like teen idol Ricky Nelson show how the name can also stand on its own.

Like Ricky, Tony - as in actor Tony Curtis - is a nickname-as-first-name that's gaining steam on its own. Whether you go for Anthony, Ant or Tony, it's got good legs on its own.

Scott, as in actor Scott Brady, is making strides across the spectrum, and the girl's name Scottie is even more popular. Great Scott!

Arthur- from King Arthur to playwright Arthur Miller - is a name that's always in the upper echelon. Its comeback could be due to a rise in fantasy names (think Lucien from A Court of Thorns and Roses or Caspian from The Chronicles of Narnia — both of which also had big boosts this year).

Joe - like actor Joe Adams - proves just how strong the nicknames-as-first-names trend is for boys right now. Joe and Joey are still very popular, but probably don't have what it takes to overtake Joseph.

Leonard, Leonardo and Leo are three popular names right now, but of those three, only Leonard, as in composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, increased in popularity between last year and the year before, which means it won't bow out of the spotlight just yet.

You can find Peters throughout history - from Peter Rabbit to Peter the Great to actor Peter Lorre - this name is certainly growing in popularity.

Brian, as in British actor Brian Aherne, is a name that suffers from having two very popular spellings. Brian and Bryan. Either way, it's gaining popularity in the name world.

Cowboy icon Roy Rogers could be the reason that Roy is seeing a surge in popularity, since everything country is cool again. But a new generation of parents has seized on the name, and it's been gaining ground for the past two years.

We've already seen a big bounce for Peppa Pig's new sister's name, Evie — why wouldn't the same go for her brother, George? George, embodied in the '50s by comedian George Burns, is also a current royal baby name and when Prince George of Wales was born it jumped up in popularity.

Got to hand it to Roy Rogers - his cowboy allure both his first and his last name are trending up now. Or perhaps parents were more swayed by one-time 007 Roger Moore? No matter the cause, Roger is a popular baby boy name.

Harry, as in musician and activist Harry Belafonte, seems to be having a moment across the pond, where the name is held by phenomenon-starting juggernauts like Harry Potter and Harry Styles.

John, like great American novelist John Steinbeck, never really goes out of style. For parents who want something truly classic, John will always come out on top.