There are more choices than ever before when it comes to baby names, so it’s no wonder many parents are going back in history to simpler times in order to find the perfect choice.
Vintage baby names are synonymous with elegance, tradition, and timeless beauty, handed down from generation to generation.
In this article, we’ll explore 30 classic vintage baby names for both baby girls and baby boys, along with their meanings, origins, and popularity in modern times.
Top vintage baby names for girls
Let’s check out the top vintage names for baby girls for 2025.
1. Eleanor
Eleanor is the ultimate vintage baby name for a little girl. With a beautiful meaning – bright – and French origins, it’s a name that works at all stages of life. It peaked in popularity in the early 1900s, but it’s had a resurgence in popularity in modern times. The name was given to over 4000 babies per million in the US in 2022.
2. Clara
Clara is an unusual vintage baby name that means clear and bright. It has Latin origins and has an air of sophistication and clarity. It was very popular in the Victorian era and, although less popular in modern times, it remains a popular name for little girls, with over 1500 babies per million given the name in 2022.
Read Next: 30 Baby Names That Mean ‘Light’: Illuminating Choices for Your Little One
3. Violet
Violet has Latin origins and has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in modern times. In the early 2000s, the popularity of the name was pretty low, but it was given to nearly 4000 babies per million in 2022 in the US.
Read Next: Life in Color: Most Vibrant Baby Names Inspired by Colors
4. Beatrice
With royal connections, Beatrice is a classic name that was incredibly popular in the early 1900s. It’s a pretty uncommon name in modern times, with only around 300 babies per million given the name Beatrice in America in 2022. But it’s a choice that should be seriously considered, especially when you consider its meaning: ‘blessed one’.
5. Hazel
The English name Hazel is linked to wisdom. The name was super popular in the US back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it’s starting to gain popularity once again. But the name is still an uncommon one in the US as things stand.
6. Margot
Also a popular celebrity-inspired name, Margot has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years – thanks in a large part to the one and only Margot Robbie! This classic name – pronounced MAR-GO – means pearl and has French origins.
7. Harriet
Harriet is a timeless name that was incredibly popular in the US back in the 1800s and 1900s. It’s quite an uncommon baby girl name in modern times, but a name that will always be a classic. It has German origins and means ‘ruler of the home’.
Read Next: The Top Exceptional and Unique Baby Names for Your Little Boy or Girl
8. Florence
Like many names on this list, the vintage name Florence peaked in popularity in the US in the late 1800s, but it’s quite a rare and unique name in modern times. Even the celebrity influence of actress Florence Pugh hasn’t triggered a significant resurgence for the name. It means ‘blossoming’ and ‘flourishing’ – beautiful gifts to pass on to a brand-new baby girl!
9. Edith
Edith has English origins and means ‘prosperity’ and ‘wealth’. The name was very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s in America but is quite an uncommon name now. In fact, only around 350 babies per million were given the name in 2022 in the US.
10. Ada
Pronounced AY-DA, this vintage name has German origins and means ‘noble’. Even though it was very uncommon in the US throughout most of the 20th century, the name is starting to become more popular as parents look for classic names for their little ones.
11. Agatha
A great choice for book lovers (a nod to the famous crime author Agatha Christie), Agatha is a classic name that means ‘honorable’. The name has Greek origins and is incredibly rare in the US in modern-day life. Only around 70 babies per million were given the name Agatha in America in 2022.
12. Cecilia
The elegant Cecilia has Latin origins and means ‘blind to one’s own beauty’. It’s seen a resurgence in popularity in the US in recent years, like many other vintage names on this list!
13. Flora
It will come as no surprise that Flora means flower. This beautiful, enduring name rolls of the tongue and works at all stages of life. It has Latin origins and is an uncommon name in the US, making it perfect for parents who are looking for unique names for their little girl.
14. Lillian
Lillian – often shortened to Lily – means ‘purity’. It has Latin origins and is linked with the lily flower, a symbol of peace, innocence, and rebirth. While the full ‘Lillian’ or ‘Lilian’ remains rarer than the shorter ‘Lily’, it’s still quite a popular vintage name in America. Lillian is a great choice due to its flexibility.
15. Sylvia
Sylvia has French and Latin origins and can also be spelled Silvia. It’s very similar to the French Sylvie, and means ‘forest’, so it makes a top choice for parents who’d like their little girl’s name to have a connection to nature too. While the name isn’t as popular in America as it was during the mid-1900s, it’s still quite a popular name when it comes to timeless classics.
Top vintage names for baby boys
Here are the top vintage baby names for boys for 2025.
16. Arthur
With links to nobility and royalty, Arthur is a classic name that’s making its way back into fashion. It has Celtic origins and, despite not being quite as popular in the US in modern times as it was in the late 1800s, it’s quite a popular choice with parents. Over 1500 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
17. Oscar
Oscar is a name with Irish origins and means both ‘deer’ and ‘friend’. This gentle name has literary links too – with Oscar Wilde being one of the most famous playwrights and poets of all time. This classic name was given to over 1000 babies per million in America in 2022.
18. Theodore
Many parents love the name Theodore because of its meaning, and its flexibility. It has Greek origins and means ‘gift of God’ – a wonderful symbol to pass on to a brand new baby boy. While there aren’t many famous Theos or Theodores in modern times, the name is a nod to the 26th President of the US – Theodore Roosevelt. The name has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, with over 6000 babies per million being given the name in the US in 2022.
19. Walter
Walter is a strong and powerful name for a brand-new baby boy. Meaning ‘leader of the army’, the name has German origins and is quite an uncommon name in modern times.
20. Frederick
Another name that carries lots of flexibility is Frederick. This timeless name can be (and often is!) shortened to Fred, Freddie or even Rick. The name has German origins and means ‘peaceful ruler’. It’s quite an uncommon baby name in the US at the moment but was incredibly popular throughout the 1800s and 1900s.
21. Henry
Carrying on with the ‘ruler’ and ‘leader’ theme, Henry is a name of German origin that means ‘ruler of the home’. It has obvious links to royalty, but don’t let the Henry VIII reference put you off! This strong and timeless choice works well at all stages of life and is a very popular name in the US in modern times. In fact, over 6000 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
22. George
Another name intrinsically linked with royalty and nobility is George. Given to several very important people over the years – including none other than George Washington, 1st President of the US – it’s a significant and timeless name. It has Greek origins and means ‘earthworker’ – ‘farmer’, in other words!
23. Albert
Albert is a classic (and super cute) addition to the list. In modern times, it’s often shortened to ‘Albie’, and means ‘bright’ and ‘noble’. It’s one of many names on this list that has German origins and you can’t go wrong with a name that was given to one of the most famous geniuses of all time – Albert Einstein.
24. Vincent
Often shortened to ‘Vinnie’ or ‘Vin’, Vincent has Latin origins and means ‘conquering’. While its popularity peaked in the US both in the early 1900s and again in the 1960s, it remains a popular, yet classic, choice.
25. Louis
Staying on the battle theme, Louis has French origins and means ‘famous warrior’. While it’s a classic name, it also has a modern, trendy feel to it. It’s usually pronounced ‘LU-WEE’, but some pronounce it ‘LU-WIS’, just like Lewis.
26. Howard
Howard is a name of English origin that means ‘bold heart’ or ‘high guardian’. It could be shortened to ‘Howie’ for a modern twist and it’s a very uncommon name in modern times. Only around 100 babies per million were given the name in the US in 2022.
27. Bernard
The classic name Bernard has both German and French origins and means ‘strong bear’ or ‘brave bear’. Considering the meaning, there are no prizes for guessing why the dog breed, St Bernard, was given that name!
Bernard is a very unique name in modern times; less than 100 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
28. Reginald
Often shortened to the very cute ‘Reggie’, Reginald is a vintage name that means ‘ruler’s counsel’. It has German origins and, even though it does sound quite old-fashioned, over 110 babies per million were given the name in the US in 2022.
29. Edmund
Another vintage name that has lots of flexibility in how it’s used is Edmund. Often shortened to the more modern ‘Eddie’, Edmund is an English name that means ‘protector’ and ‘prosperity’.
30. Julian
Just like the feminine Juliet, Julian means ‘youthful’. It has Latin origins and is a vintage name that’s seen a boom in popularity in recent years. Over 4000 babies per million were given the name ‘Julian’ in America in 2022, making it a very popular choice in this list of vintage names.
Conclusion
Vintage names have stood the test of time for a reason. This range of powerful, beautiful, and meaningful names is rooted in history and will remain on baby name lists for many years to come.
Still looking for inspiration? Check out our roundup of the best nature-inspired names, color-inspired names, and unique baby names.
