Vintage Girl Names

Baby names move in long, slow waves. A name that feels fresh to one generation starts to sound like a grandmother's a few decades later, and then, often around a century on, it sounds charming again. That's why so many parents today are choosing names that were last in fashion when their great-grandparents were born.

Vintage girl names have a particular appeal. They're familiar enough that nobody asks how to spell them, but uncommon enough among children today that your daughter probably won't share hers with three classmates. Many come with built-in nicknames, and a lot of them carry a gentle, storybook feel that modern invented names can't match.

This list moves roughly through time, from Victorian and Edwardian names through the Jazz Age to the mid-century names now starting their own comeback. It finishes with flower and gem names, short spunky names, and rarer finds that still feel unexpected. Meanings are given where they're reasonably well established. Use the generator above to filter by syllables or starting letter, and add your last name to check how the full name flows.

Victorian and Edwardian favorites

Popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many are climbing the charts again.

• AdelaideGermanic, "noble kind." Graceful, with the nicknames Addie and Laidey.
• BeatriceFrom Latin, often read as "she who brings happiness." Bea for short.
• ClaraLatin, "bright" or "clear." Simple, warm and easy to spell.
• EdithOld English, combining words for riches and war. Edie is the classic nickname.
• FlorenceLatin, "flourishing." A top name around 1900, shortened to Flo or Florrie.
• HarrietThe feminine form of Harry, from Henry, "home ruler." Hattie for short.
• MabelFrom Amabel, "lovable." Sweet, short and very 1890s.
• MatildaGermanic, "mighty in battle." Tilly or Tillie for short.
• AdaGermanic, "noble." Short, strong and on the rise again.
• AliceGermanic, "noble." Timeless, with a storybook feel.
• LillianAssociated with the lily. Lily and Lillie are built in.
• JosephineThe feminine form of Joseph, "God will add." Josie or Jo for short.
• TheodoraGreek, "gift of God." Thea and Teddie are easy nicknames.
• CoraFrom the Greek Kore, "maiden." Short and bright.

Jazz Age and 1920s names

Names that filled classrooms in the 1910s and 1920s.

• DorothyGreek, "gift of God." One of the most popular girl names of the 1920s. Dot or Dottie for short.
• FrancesThe feminine of Francis. Frankie and Fran are fun modern nicknames.
• RuthHebrew, from the biblical book of Ruth. Short, strong and plainspoken.
• HelenGreek, meaning debated. A top-ten name through the 1920s.
• VirginiaFrom a Roman family name. Ginny is the classic nickname.
• MarjorieA medieval form of Margaret, "pearl." Margie for short.
• MildredOld English, "gentle strength." Very 1910s, and still waiting for its comeback.
• LouiseThe feminine of Louis, "famous warrior." Also a favorite middle name.
• HazelThe hazel tree. Popular around 1900 and one of today's most popular names again.
• IreneGreek, "peace." Gentle and a little glamorous.
• JuneThe month. Sunny and short.
• EvelynFrom an English surname. Back among the most popular girl names in the U.S.

Mid-century sweethearts

The names of the 1930s to the 1950s. Some parents now find them charming rather than dated.

• BettyA pet form of Elizabeth, and a top name of the 1930s.
• JoanThe feminine of John, "God is gracious." Simple and strong.
• ShirleyAn English place name, "bright clearing." It surged in the 1930s.
• PeggyA pet form of Margaret. Friendly and full of energy.
• NancyA pet form of Anne. A mid-century staple.
• CarolFrom Caroline, and the word for a joyful song.
• DoloresSpanish, "sorrows," from a title of the Virgin Mary. Lola is the famous nickname.
• JudithHebrew, "woman of Judea." Judy for short.
• BarbaraGreek, "foreign woman." Barb and Babs are the retro nicknames.

Flower and gem names

Nature names were everywhere around 1900, and they're some of the easiest vintage names to wear today.

• VioletThe flower. A vintage name that's firmly back in style.
• PearlThe gem. Short, soft and a little old-fashioned.
• OpalA gemstone name that's quietly returning.
• RubyThe red gemstone. Bright and friendly.
• DaisyThe flower, and a traditional nickname for Margaret.
• IrisGreek, "rainbow," and a flower.
• RoseThe flower. Beautiful alone or as a middle name.
• MarigoldA golden flower. Whimsical and still rare.
• IvyThe climbing plant. Short and crisp.

Short and spunky

One-syllable names and nicknames that stand on their own.

• NellA short form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen.
• MaeAn old spelling of May. A favorite middle name.
• TessA short form of Teresa. Crisp and confident.
• BeaShort for Beatrice, now used on its own.
• FayeAssociated with fairies and with faith. Soft and simple.
• EttaOriginally a short form of names like Henrietta.
• JoShort for Josephine, as in Jo March from Little Women.
• LouShort for Louise or Louisa. Warm and tomboyish.

Rare vintage finds

Old names that still feel unexpected on a child today.

• AgathaGreek, "good." Bookish and bold.
• PhilippaGreek, "lover of horses." Pippa is the adorable nickname.
• RosalindThe heroine of Shakespeare's As You Like It.
• WilhelminaThe feminine of Wilhelm, William in German. Mina and Billie are both options.
• ConstanceLatin, "steadfast." Connie for short.
• ClementineLatin, "merciful." Clem or Clemmie for short.
• ImogenThe heroine of Shakespeare's Cymbeline. More common in Britain than in the U.S.
• EstherFrom the biblical queen. Quiet strength.
• HattieOnce a nickname for Harriet, now a name of its own.
• MinnieA pet form of Wilhelmina or Mary.
• LottieA pet form of Charlotte, full of life.
• IdaGermanic, often linked to "work" or "industrious." Just three letters.
• VeraRussian for "faith," also read as Latin for "true."
• GretaA short form of Margareta, "pearl."
• MaudeA medieval form of Matilda. Unfussy and strong.
• ElsieOriginally a Scottish pet form of Elspeth (Elizabeth).

Choosing a vintage name that works today

• Say it with your last name and a likely middle name. Vintage names often sound best with a modern middle name, or the other way round.
• Think about the nickname. Many vintage names come with one built in, like Dorothy to Dot, so make sure you like it too.
• Look up how common it is now. Hazel and Violet are popular again, while Mildred and Agatha are still rare; decide which you want.
• Try it on a child and an adult. Good vintage names work for a toddler named Lottie and a doctor named Charlotte.

Common questions

What counts as a vintage name?

Usually a name that was popular roughly 80 to 130 years ago and then fell out of fashion. Names from the late 1800s through the 1940s are the classic vintage range.

Which vintage girl names are popular again?

Evelyn, Hazel, Violet and Eleanor have all made strong comebacks and rank among the most popular girl names in the U.S. again. Ivy and Josephine are common choices too.

Which vintage girl names are still rare?

Names like Mildred, Agatha, Wilhelmina, Marigold and Philippa are uncommon on children today, so they stand out while still being easy to spell.

Are vintage names a good choice for a baby?

For many families, yes. They're familiar and easy to spell, often come with nicknames, and have already proven they can age well. Just check how popular your favorite has become again.