In recent years, baby names have undergone significant changes. While modern and unique names have been a popular trend for some time, there’s now a surprising resurgence of retro baby names. These classic names are making a comeback!
From vintage monikers that evoke the elegance of the past to quirky names that carry a nostalgic charm, parents are turning to names that once felt outdated but are now being embraced once again.
According to the Social Security Administration, retro baby names have increased from a decade ago, and names like Dorothy, Henry, and Eleanor are becoming increasingly common household names across the country. So why are these vintage names making a comeback?
Is it a nostalgia for simpler times, or perhaps a desire to stand apart from the crowd, as if the full spectrum of traditional names has become just that, traditional enough to make vintage names feel fresh and unique?
We are seeing a movement emerge towards vintage names, driven by influencers, celebrities, and even some royal families, who are choosing classic names for their children.
Is it possible that the allure of names from the past is inexplicably attractive to today’s parents? Here are 17 retro baby names that are on their way back from extinction, and why they may be just the right name for your child.
Arthur
Arthur is a name that commands respect without being yelled at. The name has the power of stories, evoking King Arthur by legend and folk tales, and an air of nobility, honor, and reserved strength. This is not a passing trend or a name that is currently popular; rather, it is a classic name that offers stability and noble characteristics.
It implies that this name belongs to someone reliable, sharp, and perhaps an old soul. The name feels solid like a well-crafted stone bridge that draws on a deep tradition and a solid future. It has a loud sound and a classic feel, standing out whenever modern, softer-sounding names are gaining popularity.
This resurgence is an excellent example of the “100-Year Rule,” which posits that a name drops off the popularity charts but will return to the charts approximately one hundred years after it was wildly popular.
Arthur is an excellent example, as it was at its most popular from the 1880s to the 1920s, offering a classic option that strikes the perfect balance between familiarity, widespread use, and a setting that most parents prefer.
Evelyn
Evelyn has a gentle, refined sophistication that somehow feels both vintage and timelessly chic. It’s a name that rolls nicely off the tongue, conjuring up images of soft-focus films, Parisian apartments, and understated confidence.
A male name once, its transition to a predominantly female name in the early 20th century gave it an interesting dimension. Evelyn has a warm and affable tone, with a subtle undercurrent of strength and resilience.
It is a poet’s name, an artist’s name, a commander’s name, that of someone with a rich inner life and a sense of beauty. It’s this balance of strength and softness that accounts for its recent resurgence in popularity with a new generation.
The statistics confirm Evelyn’s stunning comeback in popularity. After reaching its peak in the 1910s and 20s, it remained dormant for decades before taking off on a rocket-fueled trajectory in the early 2000s.
Per the SSA, Evelyn has been a top-10 American girls’ name since 2017, holding the ninth position in 2023. Its resurgence was fueled in part by major acting roles, such as Evelyn “Evie” Carnahan in The Mummy franchise, which introduced the name to a new generation.
It simply shows that an old-timer’s name never truly goes out of style; it waits merely patiently until its moment to shine again.
Theodore
Theodore is a name that has personality, intelligence, and raw charisma. In that way, “gift of God,” it’s a name that sounds not only to parents but to most individuals something more profound and presumably more dignified than a title.
It is a respectful but warm-sounding name, appropriate for a president, a professor, or the cutest little boy on the block. Its potential for nicknames varies from venerable Teddy to streamlined Theo, so its sound shifts as it matures along with the child, mirroring his personality.
Theodore exudes vintage seriousness, reliability, and pleasantness, a comforting, steady choice amidst today’s uncertain climate. Theodore’s ascension is one of the biggest naming trends of the last decades. A top-40 name in the 1910s and 20s, it fell off the map until the 21st century.
Parents are opting for names that give formality later in life and playground-friendly nicknames for childhood, and Theodore delivers in spades on both fronts.
Josephine
Josephine is as classy as it gets, with a playful and grounded personality to match. It’s a name that has a royal, sophisticated sound to it, thanks in part to historical namesakes like Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, but it’s also so wonderfully down-to-earth.
The name is a veritable goldmine of nicknames, from the spirited Josie to the classic Jo or the sweet Effie, making it so versatile. It conjures up a woman who is strong-willed, warm-hearted, and passionately intelligent, a woman who can conquer a ballroom and a boardroom with equal ease.
Josephine is poetic in both a romantic and tough way, delivering an impression of youth. It’s a fantastic comeback, coming back from a long time out of the top 100, and then resuming a slow climb for 20 years and getting as high as 70 in 2023.
The comeback is seemingly the result of a preference for feminine names that have meaning and history, and not just aesthetics. Laura Wattenberg, a name writer and the founder of Namerology, discussed the appeal of “names that do it all,” and it’s evident that Josephine is a prime example.
With a beautiful sound, historic meaning, plentiful nickname options, and all “the things” that parents want in a modern name with style and substance, Josephine checks all the boxes.
Silas
Silas is one of those names that, in some mystical way, is both impossibly old and freshly interesting, bridging the gap between biblical history and hip, modern chic. Its Latin roots mean “forest” or “woodland,” and it carries a homespun, country aesthetic that speaks to our nature-starved souls.
Silas is hip and sophisticated, yet unpretentious, with a hint of quiet intelligence and creativity. It’s the name of an artisan, a thinker, a musician – someone who feels at ease with himself. The name sidesteps the harshness of other traditional male names and instead provides a softer, soulful option that feels incredibly contemporary.
The dominance of Silas has been swift and decisive. A fairly common name during the 19th century, it had all but disappeared by the 1960s. It then began a steep climb in the early 2000s, breaking into the top 100 in 2021 and reaching its all-time peak on the SSA’s records, at number 89 in 2023.
Its popularity was significantly boosted by its feature on popular TV shows like Weeds and The Vampire Diaries, which exposed it to millions of viewers. Additionally, celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel welcomed their son in 2015, solidifying his status as an iconic, retro-cool choice.
Hazel
Hazel is a vintage nature name that’s evolved from an ancient, forgotten relic to a new wave, modern mainstay. It’s explicitly linked to the hazelnut tree, a symbol of wisdom and creativity in Celtic tradition. The very name is warm, earthy, and softly evocative, conjuring feelings of serenity and natural beauty.
It’s unfrilly and straightforward, conjuring up a vision of a girl who is both capable and kind, with a touch of playful mischief. Hazel strikes that ideal balance between being common and uncommon, a golden mean that parents are ever searching for.
Once a top-30 name in the early 1900s, Hazel had entirely fallen out of the top 1,000 by 1975. Its resurgence began in the late 1990s and has been nothing short of spectacular, ranking 27th in 2023’s SSA data.
The name’s popularity got a significant boost when Julia Roberts named her daughter Hazel in 2004, putting it back on the map for a new generation. Nature and “cottagecore”-inspired names continue to surge, based on a 2023 BabyCenter trends report, with Hazel leading the way as a name that’s both earthy and enchanting.
August
August is a regal name, yet not distant, cloaked in sunshine and imperial history. Derived from the Latin “Augustus,” meaning “great” or “magnificent,” the name was given to the first Roman emperor. This lends the name a seriousness and gravity that’s hard to shake.
However, it also has a warm, relaxed sound, recalling the languid, sun-kissed afternoons of late summer. August suggests confidence, charisma, and effortless sophistication. It’s the name of a natural leader who doesn’t need to shout to be heard.
August’s popularity has been a slow burn that’s only recently caught fire. It appears to have regained favor, re-entering the top 200 in 2015 and rising consistently since, reaching a peak of number 119 in 2023.
The name is a celebrity darling, having been chosen by Princess Eugenie, Mandy Moore, and Karlie Kloss for their sons, which has significantly raised its profile. This is all part of what sociologists describe as a trend toward “aspirational” naming.
Parents choose names that evoke qualities such as strength, success, and gravitas. August, with its imperial history and radiant sound, hits this modern aspiration right on the head.
Eleanor
Eleanor is a strong and understatedly elegant name with a rich royal heritage and literary tradition. Borne by powerful queens like Eleanor of Aquitaine and groundbreaking first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt, it’s a name that’s synonymous with intelligence, strength, and compassion.
It’s timeless and classic without being old-fashioned. The name has a lyrical, multi-syllable sound that’s beautiful to the ear, with pretty nickname options like Ellie, Nora, or Nell. Eleanor is a parent’s name choice when they want a name that is clearly feminine and yet fiercely strong.
Its popularity is part of a broader trend noted on parenting sites like Nameberry: the search for “classic girl names that aren’t princessy.” Eleanor is just that, offering a royal and historic choice that’s stronger than dainty.
Walter
Walter is a solid, strong name that is finally abandoning its “grandpa” designation in favor of a retro-cool, classic style. Originally of German derivation, meaning “strong army,” it is a name that connotes strength and authority.
The name Walter conjures images of integrity, hard work, and trustworthiness, as exemplified by Walter Cronkite, who was once referred to as “The Most Trusted Man in America.” The formal sound of Walter, aided by affectionate uses like “Walt” and “Wally,” is softened and feels friendly and warm.
Using Walter in this modern era is somewhat of a daring move and a salute to another time of straightforward, simplified masculine names. Walter is a classic example of the 100-Year Rule in action. A top-20 name during the first three decades of the 20th century, it declined relentlessly for over 70 years.
The tide turned sometime around 2011, and the name has been on a steady ascent since then, to the rank of 258 in 2023. The hit series Breaking Bad, centered on the complex hero Walter White, definitely helped revive the name’s presence in cultural awareness, albeit with an unfavorable association.
This exposure, however, updated the name and proved that it could sound contemporary and complex in the 21st century.
Clara
Clara is a name that exudes light and old-world charm. Derived from the Latin name clarus, meaning “clear” or “bright,” the actual name appears to resonate with the sound of a bell. It’s low-key, elegant, and effortlessly sophisticated.
Clara conjures up images of Victorian drawing rooms, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and a shy, creative soul. It’s a girly name without being frilly, a traditional name without being everywhere. The name has a crisp, clean sound, a refreshing switch from more baroque names.
According to an analysis of data by parenting site BabyCenter, there has been an increase in people searching for “short, sweet, and vintage” girls’ names. Clara is an ideal fit for this trend, offering a good balance of historical substance and light, airy appeal.
Otto
Otto is a solid, unique, and pleasantly surprising retro name gaining traction. Otto is a palindrome, next to a name that reads the same forwards and backward, which offers an instant cool factor and an aesthetically pleasing sense of symmetry.
With Germanic roots meaning “wealthy,” Otto is a name that conveys solidity and confidence without being ostentatious. It is short, punchy, and memorable, which helps it stand out over many names on a school roster.
It offers a certain sense of ephemeral, eclectic creativity and an Old-World European flair that would appeal to parents seeking a timeless name that feels modern. Once widely used in the late 1800s, Otto had lost popularity through most of the 20th century.
Its comeback started around 2011, and it has taken a sharp climb in recent years to become number 283 in 2023, its most popular in over 70 years. Its popularity in certain countries in Europe, such as Germany and Sweden, has given it an international cool status.
The name has also been chosen by celebrities such as actors Gwendoline Christie and Tom Sturridge, as well as model Coco Rocha, which contributes to its image as a stylish, ahead-of-the-times vintage revival.
Opal
Opal is an iridescent, shining gemstone that has been discovered in early 20th-century jewelry boxes. Not a more traditional Ruby or Pearl, but Opal is a name of enigma and uniqueness, linked to the iridescent October birthstone for its value of hope and innocence. The name is subtle but is always memorable.
It evokes creativity, intuition, and harmony with nature. Opal is a poetic name, blending earthiness with a touch of otherworldliness. Opal’s revival is a new and thrilling trend. A top-100 name in the 1910s, it dropped off the top-1,000 list entirely from 1961 until 2016.
Opal has the benefit of being both a retro “grandma name” and a beautiful gemstone, which gives it a unique edge in the naming world.
Milo
Milo is an ancient name that sounds incredibly fresh, modern, and friendly. Of uncertain but perhaps Germanic or Slavic origin, it has been in use for millennia, but doesn’t look a day older. The name is short, sweet, and punchy, conjuring up a boy who’s adventurous, clever, and full of energy.
It shares the same fashionable “o” ending as names like Leo and Theo, but is far less well-known. Milo strikes an excellent balance between being a beautiful classic and a great, modern-sounding choice.
Its meteoric rise was helped in no small measure by actor Milo Ventimiglia, whose starring turn on the hit TV show This Is Us brought the name into living rooms across the country.
His signature role as beloved character Jack Pearson gave the name Milo an association of warmth, dedication, and strength that it was impossible to resist as a decision for the new generation of parents.
Beatrice
Beatrice is a name rich in literary heritage and characterized by a sunny disposition. Immortalized by Dante as his guide to Paradise in The Divine Comedy and by Shakespeare as a witty heroine in Much Ado About Nothing, the name boasts a smart, romantic tradition.
Its Latin meaning, “she who brings happiness,” lends it a charming, optimistic spirit. Beatrice is a classic, sophisticated name, but the adorable nicknames “Bea” and “Trixie” render it trendy and playful. This is a name for a girl with a quick mind and a large heart.
A top-50 name a century ago, Beatrice is returning gracefully. It returned to the top 1,000 in 2000 after declining for decades and has been rising gradually but steadily ever since, to #507 in 2023.
The revival of the name Beatrice received a significant boost when Princess Beatrice of York, a prominent member of the British royal family, captured the spotlight. An analysis of name trends noted that “traditional but not boring” names are in vogue, and Beatrice perfectly embodies that elegant, slightly unconventional sweet spot.
Felix
Felix is a lively and engaging name with an irresistibly optimistic meaning. Taken directly from the Latin for “lucky” or “successful,” it’s a name that comes with a blessing built right in. It has an upbeat, slightly playful sound, yet also comes across as intelligent and sophisticated.
The “x” at the end adds a modern, sleek touch that sets it apart from other classic names. Felix has enduring popularity, having been popular since ancient Roman times, but still sounds just as modern and fresh today. It’s a bright name for a cheerful boy.
Florence
Florence is a romantic yet strong name that evokes the artful beauty of the Italian city and the tenacity of the trailblazing nurse Florence Nightingale. Florence means – in Latin – “flourishing” or “prosperous” and signifies prosperity and vitality. It is poetic, elegant, artistic, and worldly.
While still flowery, due to Nightingale’s association with the name, it is grounded in an undeniable inner strength marked by fearlessness, intelligence, and compassion. It’s a beautiful name that is also heroic and artistic.
This success places the name Florence back onto the map and wraps it in a suggestion of grand vocals and an ethereal, bohemian style.
Oscar
A name with a rough, intellectual, and multicultural charm, Oscar is. It has two sources, one in Irish mythology (as the name of a grandson of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill) and one in Old Norse. This gives it a strong, mythological sound.
The name gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, most famously associated with the witty and flamboyant writer Oscar Wilde. It feels both classic and quirky, a solid choice for a boy with a creative spirit and a strong sense of self.
The worldwide popularity of the Academy Awards, commonly referred to as the Oscars, ensures the name remains in the cultural zeitgeist every year. This consistent, high-profile exposure keeps Oscar always feeling current, a timeless name that is continually buffed for a contemporary audience.
Key Takeaways
There is an acceptable cycle of vintage baby names occurring, with parents embracing names that were fashionable at least a century ago, such as Arthur, Walter, and Florence.
Names that were thought to be stuck in a different period are becoming appealing again to new families who may not even have a connection to them. The names being used today demonstrate commitment to substance and depth, as parents choose names with meaning behind them.
For instance, Theodore means “gift of God,” and Felix means “lucky.” Names like these are considered more critical because kings and other important historical figures used them, or were popularized through legendary literary characters.
Another trend is the emphasis on nickname possibility. Traditional names like Josephine or Theodore offer a strong, classic foundation, allowing for playful nicknames like Josie and Theo, which can suit any phase of life.
Pop culture also contributes to the trend of reviving specific names. Milo is one of them from well-known TV shows, This Is Us, or celebrity baby announcements that feature prominent celebrities. These can revive traditional names and bring them back into general use.
Last, there’s an embracing of what can only be termed “grandma/grandpa chic.” Names such as Hazel, Opal, and Walter are being selected not despite their old-fashioned sound, but because of it.
These names are filled with a sense of stability and authenticity that enables families to tap into their heritage amid an ever-changing world.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
