Old-fashioned baby names are definitely on the rise. Whether they’re going all the way original, or tweaking them a little to give a contemporary edge (think Alfie, rather than Alfred), more and more parents are being inspired to turn back time in the baby name game.
We’ve taken a trip down memory lane and come up with 23 vintage baby names that are on their way to making a cool comeback. Here’s to sticking to the tried and true when it comes to naming your boo!
Vintage baby names inspiration
Adelaide: A grand, regal name that will suit your little girl well into adulthood.
Alfred / Alfie: An abbreviation from the name Alfred, Alfie has a certain cool edge to it.
Beatrice / Trixie: Radio’s golden girl, Fifi Box, and former iron man, Grant Kenny, called their sweet girl Trixie. A hipper version of the more formal, Beatrice.
Clara: meaning ‘bright, clear’, this enchanting name was popular in the 1880s giving it some serious vintage cred.
Dorothy / Dottie: We love Dottie, a shortened version of Dorothy – it has a lovely sense of youthfulness about it.
Elsie: Let’s face it, if you are looking for a way to ‘sell’ the idea of a new baby to your current baby girl, calling her Elsie, a name similar to Disney icon Elsa, is going to be a winner.
Florence: A name overflowing in vintage chic, Florence or Flo for short, is a gorgeous choice.
Flynn: Romantic swashbuckler Errol Flynn made this one famous. Supermodel Elle Macpherson proved she wasn’t immune to the name’s charm when she chose it for her son.
George: This classic name, popular from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, has made a comeback since it was bestowed upon a certain cute-as-a-button prince.
Harvey: Meaning ‘battle-worthy’, this old English surname has become increasingly popular for modern bubs.
Iris: As pretty as it’s floral namesake, Iris has an old-school charm about it.
Mae: Kate Ritchie, best known for her much-loved role as Sally Fletcher on Home & Away, named her darling daughter Mae. It’s short and sweet!
Matilda / Tilly: The bush ballad ‘Waltzing Matilda’ certainly gives this classic name an Australian connection. Tilly is a sweet nickname that could stand on its own as a pretty vintage choice.
Maximus: Meaning ‘greatness’, this moniker has a heap of variations: Max, Maximilian, Maxima, Maxwell… the list goes on!
Ned: Aside from the obvious bush ranger connection, this vintage name has an ‘I was born to be cool’ vibe about it.
Noah: You can’t get much older than a name sourced from one of the Bible’s most iconic men, but this moniker has stood the test of time to remain popular today.
Olive: Aussie expat Isla Fisher and her funnyman, Sasha Baren Cohen, called their firstborn daughter, Olive. We also love the names of their other children, Elula and Montgomery.
Oliver: Meaning ‘olive tree’, this male counterpart to Olive symbolises fruitfulness, dignity and the offer of peace. If Oliver seems too formal for a wee bubba, you could use Ollie as a nickname until they grow into Oliver.
Pearl: Meaning ‘precious’, this gemstone name was paired with another vintage pearler – Clementine – to become the name of Jack Osborne’s little girl, Pearl Clementine. Adorbs!
Sadie: We might know her as a cleaning lady, thanks to Johnny Farnham’s iconic hit, but Sadie actually means ‘princess’.
Walter / Walt: This old German name might mean ‘ruler of the army’, but the shortened version, Walt, could well turn out to be the ruler of your family.
Wyatt: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis named their daughter Wyatt, a name that is both retro and gender-neutral. Gotta love it when you score a double-trend!
We’ve got the scoop on the best baby names for boys or girls. Explore our extensive baby name collections for popular names, unique names, names from around the globe, and top names for boys or girl names.
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Navigating the baby name maze?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Join the Mum’s Grapevine Due Date Groups and connect with other mums-to-be who are also trying to find the perfect name for their little one. Brainstorm ideas, get feedback, and make baby-naming a fun and rewarding experience. Join us now!
