Whether you’re newly pregnant, about to deliver, or simply expecting to be expecting, chances are you’ve given quite a bit of thought to baby names. Choosing a baby name that you love isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are so many things to consider when choosing a baby name, like how it flows with your last name, whether you want something more trendy or unique, if you’d rather opt for a classic name or if you’re going to choose a name to honor someone special in your life.
Naming your child is a very personal choice and expectant parents often deliberate for months before deciding on the perfect moniker for their little one. Choosing a vintage baby name is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to give their child a classic name. These are names that have been around for decades and are still just as timeless now as they were when they first gained popularity. If you’re looking for a bit of vintage baby name inspiration, look no further than these 20 vintage baby names that will never go out of style.
Violet
Violet, which is a Latin name that means “purple” is one of many floral names, along with Daisy, Lily, and Rose, that has proven to be timeless. It’s a pretty, feminine name that has been popular for more than a century but has found a recent resurgence in popularity when it cracked the Top 50 back in 2015, according to Nameberry. Celebrities Dave Grohl, Christina Milian, Poppy Montgomery, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, and John Krasinski and Emily Blunt all have daughters named Violet.
Beatrice
Beatrice is also a vintage name that is quickly becoming popular again. Another name with Latin origins, Beatrice means “she who brings happiness; blessed” which is exactly what a little girl does for any family. Beatrice also lends itself to the sweet nickname Bea or Bee which is just as adorable.
Beauregard
Beauregard, which is a French name meaning “beautiful gaze” is another vintage name that has never gone out of style. While you may not know a lot of Beauregards, the shortened form of Beau is quickly rising in popularity again.
Archie
Thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle naming their son Archie, the name is once again proving just how timeless it is. Often the short form for Archibald, which is of German origin meaning “truly brave,” Archie has topped the baby name charts in the UK for the last 20 years.
Hazel
Hazel is originally an English name meaning “hazelnut tree” which is ideal for any nature lover. Hazel was extremely popular in the early 1900s, and thanks to celebrities choosing the name for their daughters as well as John Green choosing it for one of the main characters in his book, The Fault in Our Stars, the name is once again becoming more mainstream.
Noah
Noah is of Hebrew origin meaning “rest, repose” and has been a classic baby name since the late 1800s. Thanks to its Biblical roots, Noah has always been a popular name, but Nameberry notes that it really surged in popularity in 2013 when it became the #1 boy name and held the spot until 2017.
Sadie
Often used as a nickname for Sarah, Sadie is also a popular vintage name in its own right. Recently actress Sadie Sink made headlines starring in Taylor Swift’s short film for her song “All Too Well,” and celebrities like Adam Sandler and Christina Applegate also have daughters named Sadie.
Silas
Silas is another name with Biblical roots and is of Latin origin that means “man of the forest.” Once a popular name in the late 1900s, it’s peaking once again in the current day thanks in part to celebrities such as Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel who chose the moniker for their oldest son.
Thomas
Whether you choose Thomas, Thom, Tom, Tommy, or any other form of this vintage name, it has never gone out of style. Thomas has topped baby name lists consistently for the last decade simply because it is a classic, beloved name.
Oliver
Similar to the name Hazel, Oliver is also a wonderful name for nature lovers as it derives its name from the Latin origin meaning “olive tree.” Not only is Oliver a timeless classic name but it was also popular in countries like England and Australia long before breaking into the top 100 baby names in the United States.
Henry
Henry, which is said to be of German origin meaning “ruler of the home” has seen ebbs and flows with its popularity ranking. Currently, it’s definitely on the rise thanks to the classiness and timelessness of the name. Henry has long been a popular name among British royalty and is Prince Harry’s given name.
Asher
As a name, Asher has been around since the late 1800s but is just now seeing a rise in popularity. It’s a perfect name for any baby as it is of Hebrew origin and means “happy one.” While typically a boy name, Asher can be gender neutral as can its diminutive form, Ash.
Alice
Alice is once again gaining popularity after topping the baby name charts from the late 1800s through to the 1950s. Meaning “noble,” the name Alice was brought into the mainstream thanks in part to Lewis Carroll’s fictional story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Although it dipped a bit in popularity through the 1970s to the early aughts, it’s once again topping naming charts.
Charlotte
Much like Alice, Charlotte is another vintage name that was popularized in a work of fiction. Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, has consistently been in the top 100 names for the last century but has really taken off in the last 10 years thanks in part to Prince William and Kate Middleton giving the name to their daughter, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
Stella
Nothing could be more fitting for your baby than the name Stella, which derives itself from Latin origins meaning “star.” While the name has been popular for over a century, the last decade it has truly seen a resurgence. Celebrities like Ellen Pompeo, Tori Spelling, Melanie Griffith, and Matt Damon have all named their daughters Stella.
Max
Max is a classic vintage name that can be used for both boys and girls. It is of Latin origin and means “greatest” which is super fitting for your baby. Max has steadily ranked in the 100 to 300 range for popularity over the last century, proving that it’s a name that will never go out of style.
Samuel
Another popular biblical name, Samuel is of Hebrew origin meaning “told by God.” It has consistently ranked in the top 100 names for the last century.
William
William is a classic name that has never gone out of style. It has taken many different forms for parents from Billy to Bill to Will and is the name of presidents and kings and literary legends. William consistently tops baby name lists because it has a classic and timeless appeal that parents love.
Lucy
Lucy is another name that was first found to be more popular in England but has now found its niche in the United States. The name, which is of English and Latin origin meaning “light” was often used as a nickname for Lucille yet is now commonly used as a proper first name.
Grace
Like William, Grace is a classic name that has never gone out of style. The name is of Latin origin that means “charm” and is popular across the globe.
Choosing a classic, vintage name for your baby is never a bad choice because these names have proven to be timeless.
