Vintage baby names carry the charm and elegance of bygone eras, offering timeless appeal for today’s children.

These classic monikers have weathered decades or even centuries, proving their enduring style and significance.

Whether you’re drawn to names from the Victorian period, the Roaring Twenties, or mid-century classics, vintage names provide a sense of history and character that many modern names lack.

This guide explores the rich tradition of vintage naming, offering inspiration for parents seeking names with depth, meaning, and nostalgic appeal.

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How to Choose the Right Baby Name

When selecting a vintage baby name, consider these important factors:

Era significance: Determine which historical period resonates with you most
Family heritage: Look through your family tree for vintage inspiration
Pronunciation and spelling: Consider how easily others will recognize and pronounce the name
Meaning and symbolism: Research the historical context and significance
Modern usability: Think about how the name will function in contemporary settings
Nickname potential: Many vintage names offer charming shortened versions
Popularity trends: Some vintage names remain rare while others have surged in popularity
Personal connection: Choose a name that resonates with your own sense of style and values

Trends for Vintage Baby Names

Vintage naming trends have evolved in fascinating ways:

The 100-year rule: Names typically cycle back into fashion roughly a century after their peak popularity
Victorian elegance: Ornate, sophisticated names with classical roots gaining renewed interest
Grandparent chic: Names from the 1930s-1950s experiencing revival
Literary influences: Names from classic literature maintaining their appeal
Shortened vintage forms: Full vintage names being used alongside their diminutive forms
Gender evolution: Traditional boys’ names being adopted for girls
Surname crossover: Family surnames from previous generations used as first names
Occupational names: Traditional job titles reimagined as distinctive first names

Vintage Baby Names: 50 Boys and 50 Girls Names

50 Vintage Baby Names for Boys

Albert – Germanic origin meaning “noble, bright”; popular in Victorian era
Alfred – Old English name meaning “elf counsel”; classic royal name
Ambrose – Greek origin meaning “immortal”; popular in Middle Ages
Archibald – Germanic origin meaning “genuine, bold”; common in early 1900s
Arthur – Celtic origin meaning “bear”; medieval royal name
August – Latin origin meaning “majestic”; popular in 19th century
Bernard – Germanic origin meaning “brave as a bear”; medieval classic
Bartholomew – Aramaic origin meaning “son of Talmai”; biblical vintage
Chester – Latin origin meaning “fortress, camp”; peaked in 1920s
Clarence – Latin origin meaning “clear, bright”; popular in early 20th century
Clifford – Old English meaning “ford by a cliff”; classic early 1900s name
Clyde – Scottish origin referring to the River Clyde; popular in 1920s
Cornelius – Latin origin meaning “horn”; ancient Roman name
Cyril – Greek origin meaning “lordly”; medieval English name
Edmund – Old English meaning “prosperous protector”; historical royal name
Edwin – Old English meaning “rich friend”; Anglo-Saxon classic
Ernest – Germanic origin meaning “serious, determined”; Victorian favorite
Floyd – Welsh origin meaning “gray-haired”; peaked in 1920s
Franklin – English origin meaning “free landholder”; historical statesman name
Frederick – Germanic origin meaning “peaceful ruler”; royal classic
Gilbert – Germanic origin meaning “bright pledge”; medieval name
Harold – Old English meaning “army ruler”; Anglo-Saxon classic
Herbert – Germanic origin meaning “bright army”; popular in early 1900s
Horace – Latin origin meaning “timekeeper”; ancient Roman name
Howard – Germanic origin meaning “high guardian”; medieval classic
Jasper – Persian origin meaning “treasurer”; traditional name gaining new popularity
Julius – Latin origin meaning “youthful”; ancient Roman name
Kenneth – Scottish origin meaning “handsome”; popular mid-century
Leonard – Germanic origin meaning “brave lion”; medieval favorite
Lionel – Latin origin meaning “young lion”; aristocratic vintage name
Malcolm – Scottish origin meaning “devotee of Saint Columba”; traditional Scots name
Milton – Old English meaning “mill town”; peaked in early 1900s
Morris – Latin origin meaning “dark-skinned”; medieval English name
Nathaniel – Hebrew origin meaning “gift of God”; traditional biblical name
Norman – Germanic origin meaning “northman”; medieval classic
Orville – French origin meaning “gold town”; popular in early 20th century
Otis – Germanic origin meaning “wealthy”; peaked in late 19th century
Percival – French origin meaning “pierce the valley”; Arthurian knight name
Ralph – Germanic origin meaning “wolf counsel”; traditional English name
Reginald – Germanic origin meaning “counsel, power”; medieval English name
Rupert – Germanic origin meaning “bright fame”; traditional aristocratic name
Silas – Latin/Greek origin meaning “forest, woods”; biblical vintage name
Stanley – Old English meaning “stone clearing”; popular in early 20th century
Theodore – Greek origin meaning “gift of God”; presidential vintage name
Victor – Latin origin meaning “conqueror”; Roman name with Victorian popularity
Vincent – Latin origin meaning “conquering”; medieval saint’s name
Wallace – Scottish origin meaning “Welshman”; traditional Scots name
Walter – Germanic origin meaning “ruler of the army”; medieval classic
Wilfred – Old English meaning “desires peace”; Anglo-Saxon name
Winston – Old English meaning “joyful stone”; statesmanlike vintage name

50 Vintage Baby Names for Girls

Adelaide – Germanic origin meaning “noble type”; Victorian royal name
Agatha – Greek origin meaning “good, honorable”; classic saint’s name
Agnes – Greek origin meaning “pure, holy”; medieval favorite
Alma – Latin origin meaning “nourishing”; popular in late 19th century
Amelia – Germanic origin meaning “work”; Victorian classic
Beatrice – Latin origin meaning “bringer of joy”; medieval favorite
Bernadette – Germanic origin meaning “brave as a bear”; peaked early 1900s
Blanche – French origin meaning “white”; medieval royal name
Cecilia – Latin origin meaning “blind”; traditional saint’s name
Clara – Latin origin meaning “clear, bright”; Victorian favorite
Constance – Latin origin meaning “steadfast”; medieval virtue name
Cora – Greek origin meaning “maiden”; popular in late 19th century
Cordelia – Celtic/Latin origin meaning “heart”; Shakespearean vintage name
Daphne – Greek origin meaning “laurel tree”; classic mythological name
Dorothea – Greek origin meaning “gift of God”; traditional saint’s name
Edith – Old English meaning “prosperous in war”; Anglo-Saxon classic
Eliza – Hebrew origin, short form of Elizabeth; Jane Austen era favorite
Elsie – Scottish origin, diminutive of Elizabeth; popular in early 1900s
Estelle – Latin origin meaning “star”; French-influenced vintage name
Ethel – Old English meaning “noble”; popular in Victorian era
Florence – Latin origin meaning “flourishing”; Victorian favorite
Frances – Latin feminine of Francis meaning “Frenchman”; traditional classic
Genevieve – Germanic origin meaning “tribe woman”; medieval French name
Gertrude – Germanic origin meaning “spear strength”; medieval classic
Gladys – Welsh origin meaning “nation”; peaked in 1910s
Harriet – Germanic origin meaning “home ruler”; Victorian standard
Helena – Greek origin meaning “bright, shining”; ancient royal name
Henrietta – French feminine of Henry meaning “home ruler”; aristocratic vintage
Imogen – Celtic origin meaning “maiden”; Shakespearean name
Irene – Greek origin meaning “peace”; popular in early 20th century
Josephine – French feminine of Joseph; Napoleonic era classic
Lavinia – Latin origin with Etruscan roots; ancient Roman name
Lillian – Latin origin meaning “lily flower”; Victorian flower name
Lucille – Latin origin meaning “light”; peaked in 1920s
Mabel – Latin origin meaning “lovable”; Victorian favorite
Margaret – Greek origin meaning “pearl”; classic across many eras
Marian – Hebrew origin, variant of Mary; medieval English name
Martha – Aramaic origin meaning “lady”; biblical vintage name
Matilda – Germanic origin meaning “battle-mighty”; medieval royal name
Millicent – Germanic origin meaning “strong in work”; medieval English name
Miriam – Hebrew origin, original form of Mary; ancient biblical name
Olive – Latin origin referring to the olive tree; Victorian nature name
Philippa – Greek feminine of Philip meaning “lover of horses”; royal vintage name
Rosalind – Germanic origin meaning “gentle horse”; Shakespearean classic
Ruth – Hebrew origin meaning “companion”; biblical vintage name
Sylvia – Latin origin meaning “forest”; classic Roman name
Theodora – Greek feminine of Theodore; Byzantine imperial name
Viola – Latin origin meaning “violet”; Shakespearean flower name
Vivian – Latin origin meaning “alive”; medieval saint’s name
Winifred – Welsh origin meaning “blessed peacemaking”; traditional British name

Tips for Matching the Baby Name with Your Surname

Balance the sounds: Pair distinctive vintage first names with simpler surnames, or vice versa. A melodic first name like “Theodora” pairs well with a short surname like “Bell.”
Consider the history: Look for names that complement your family’s ethnic heritage or historical background.
Rhythm matters: Aim for a pleasing cadence when the full name is spoken aloud—different numbers of syllables often work better than matching syllable counts.
Avoid repetitive sounds: Names that end with the same sound that begins your surname can be difficult to pronounce clearly.
Check the initials: Ensure the initials don’t spell anything unintended or inappropriate.
Think about formality: Some vintage names carry a formal weight that may complement or contrast with your surname in interesting ways.
Middle name opportunities: Use the middle name position to balance unusual vintage first names with more familiar options.
Research family connections: Explore whether certain vintage names have connections to your family history that might create special meaning.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of vintage names lies in their ability to feel both classic and fresh simultaneously.

They connect your child to the past while giving them a distinctive identity in the present.

Whether you’re drawn to the ornate sophistication of Victorian names, the jazz-age glamour of 1920s monikers, or the sturdy reliability of mid-century classics, vintage names offer substance and style in equal measure.

As you consider the perfect vintage name for your little one, remember that the best choice will honor tradition while feeling right for your unique child.

The ideal name will grow with them through all of life’s chapters, serving as a foundation for their identity and a connection to the generations that came before!