Popular Old Fashioned Baby Names That Never Go Out of Fashion

The charm of old-fashioned baby names continues to endure through generations, transcending time and trends. These classic names evoke a sense of nostalgia and elegance, reminding us of bygone eras. As we embrace the past while looking to the future, it's no surprise that these timeless names remain popular choices for parents worldwide. In this list, we explore a delightful selection of old-fashioned baby names that have stood the test of time, carrying their rich history and endearing qualities into the modern world.

Baby Boy Names:

 

1. William

Gender: Male

Meaning: Strong-willed warrior

Origin: Germanic

History: William has a long history of usage by various European monarchs and notable figures. It remains a popular name worldwide.

 

2. James

Gender: Male

Meaning: Supplanter

Origin: Hebrew

History: James has been used for centuries and holds significance in religious contexts, including the biblical figure James the Apostle.

 

3. Henry

Gender: Male

Meaning: Ruler of the household

Origin: Germanic

History: Henry has been borne by many kings and emperors throughout history, and it continues to be a beloved classic.

 

4. Charles

Gender: Male

Meaning: Free man

Origin: Germanic

History: Charles is associated with several European monarchs, including Charlemagne, and remains a timeless choice.

 

5. Arthur

Gender: Male

Meaning: Bear

Origin: Celtic

History: Arthur is steeped in Arthurian legend, and it represents bravery and chivalry in various cultures.

6. Edward

Gender: Male

Meaning: Wealthy guardian

Origin: Old English

History: Several English kings have borne the name Edward, contributing to its enduring popularity.

 

7. Samuel

Gender: Male

Meaning: Heard by God

Origin: Hebrew

History: Samuel has biblical origins and is known for being a prophet and judge in the Old Testament.

 

8. Benjamin

Gender: Male

Meaning: Son of the right hand

Origin: Hebrew

History: Benjamin has been used as a given name for centuries and is mentioned in religious texts.

 

9. Theodore

Gender: Male

Meaning: Gift of God

Origin: Greek

History: Theodore has been a favoured name in various cultures due to its positive meaning.

 

10. Alexander

Gender: Male

Meaning: Defender of the people

Origin: Greek

History: Alexander the Great's historical significance has contributed to the name's popularity.

11. Daniel

Gender: Male

Meaning: God is my judge

Origin: Hebrew

History: Daniel's popularity has been consistent due to its association with the biblical figure.

 

12. Frederick

Gender: Male

Meaning: Peaceful ruler

Origin: Germanic

History: Frederick has been used by many German and Prussian kings and emperors.

13. Albert

Gender: Male

Meaning: Noble and bright

Origin: Germanic

History: Albert is a name with royal connections and has maintained its appeal through the ages.

 

14. George

Gender: Male

Meaning: Farmer

Origin: Greek

History: George is often associated with the legendary saint and dragon-slayer, Saint George.

 

15. Joseph

Gender: Male

Meaning: God will add

Origin: Hebrew

History: Joseph is a prominent biblical name with historical and religious significance.

16. Walter

Gender: Male

Meaning: Ruler of the army

Origin: Germanic

History: Walter has been a widely used name in various forms across different cultures.

 

17. Thomas

Gender: Male

Meaning: Twin

Origin: Aramaic

History: Thomas is a classic name with religious roots, being the name of one of the apostles.

 

18. Richard

Gender: Male

Meaning: Brave ruler

Origin: Germanic

History: Richard has been used by many English kings and nobles throughout history.

 

19. David

Gender: Male

Meaning: Beloved

Origin: Hebrew

History: David is one of the most well-known biblical names with a rich history of use.

 

20. Peter

Gender: Male

Meaning: Rock

Origin: Greek

History: Peter is a significant name in Christianity, being one of the apostles and the first Pope.

21. Stephen

Gender: Male

Meaning: Crown

Origin: Greek

History: Stephen is a name with religious and historical significance.

 

22. Raymond

Gender: Male

Meaning: Wise protector

Origin: Germanic

History: Raymond has a long history of use in various cultures.

 

23. Philip

Gender: Male

Meaning: Lover of horses

Origin: Greek

History: Philip has been borne by several kings, including Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.

 

24. Victor

Gender: Male

Meaning: Conqueror

Origin: Latin

History: Victor is a name with a strong and triumphant meaning.

 

25. Oscar

Gender: Male

Meaning: God spear

Origin: Old English

History: Oscar has been used in Ireland and Scandinavia for centuries.

26. Gilbert

Gender: Male

Meaning: Bright pledge

Origin: Germanic

History: Gilbert was a common name among the Normans and has remained in use.

 

27. Lawrence

Gender: Male

Meaning: Laurel-crowned

Origin: Latin

History: Lawrence has been a popular name since ancient times.

 

28. Eugene

Gender: Male

Meaning: Well-born

Origin: Greek

History: Eugene has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages.

 

29. Clarence

Gender: Male

Meaning: Bright, clear

Origin: Latin

History: Clarence has been a favoured name among British nobility.

 

30. Leonard

Gender: Male

Meaning: Brave lion

Origin: Germanic

History: Leonard has been a popular name in various forms across different cultures.

31. Alfred

Gender: Male

Meaning: Wise counsellor

Origin: Old English

History: Alfred has been borne by several English kings, including Alfred the Great.

 

32. Vincent

Gender: Male

Meaning: Conquering

Origin: Latin

History: Vincent has been used as a name since the Middle Ages.

 

33. Herbert

Gender: Male

Meaning: Bright army

Origin: Germanic

History: Herbert has been used in England since medieval times.

 

34. Russell

Gender: Male

Meaning: Little red one

Origin: Old French

History: Russell has been used as a given name since the medieval period.

35. Maurice

Gender: Male

Meaning: Dark-skinned

Origin: Latin

History: Maurice has been a popular name in various European countries.

36. Elmer

Gender: Male

Meaning: Noble and renowned

Origin: Old English

History: Elmer has been used as a given name since medieval times.

 

37. Lloyd

Gender: Male

Meaning: Gray

Origin: Welsh

History: Lloyd has been a popular name in Wales.

 

38. Bernard

Gender: Male

Meaning: Brave bear

Origin: Germanic

History: Bernard has been borne by various saints and historical figures.

39. Ernest

Gender: Male

Meaning: Serious, resolute

Origin: Germanic

History: Ernest has been a popular name in English-speaking countries.

 

40. Chester

Gender: Male

Meaning: Fortified town

Origin: Latin

History: Chester has been used as a given name since medieval times.

Baby Girl Names:

 

1. Elizabeth

Gender: Female

Meaning: God is my oath

Origin: Hebrew

History: Elizabeth has been borne by several queens and is a classic name with royal associations.

 

2. Catherine

Gender: Female

Meaning: Pure

Origin: Greek

History: Catherine is a name with historical significance, borne by several saints and queens.

 

3. Margaret

Gender: Female

Meaning: Pearl

Origin: Greek

History: Margaret has been borne by many queens and saints throughout history.

 

4. Charlotte

Gender: Female

Meaning: Free man

Origin: Germanic

History: Charlotte is a name with royal associations and has been popular in various countries.

 

5. Victoria

Gender: Female

Meaning: Victory

Origin: Latin

History: Victoria was a favored name among British royalty and remains popular worldwide.

6. Alice

Gender: Female

Meaning: Noble

Origin: Germanic

History: Alice has been a popular name since medieval times and is associated with Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

 

7. Beatrice

Gender: Female

Meaning: Bringer of joy

Origin: Latin

History: Beatrice has been a popular name in various cultures and is associated with Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy.

 

8. Rose

Gender: Female

Meaning: Rose flower

Origin: Latin

History: Rose has been a beloved name since ancient times and is associated with beauty and love.

 

9. Florence

Gender: Female

Meaning: Flourishing, prosperous

Origin: Latin

History: Florence has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages and is associated with the Italian city.

 

10. Grace

Gender: Female

Meaning: Elegance, beauty

Origin: Latin

History: Grace is a name with positive connotations and has been popular in English-speaking countries.

11. Eleanor

Gender: Female

Meaning: Bright, shining one

Origin: Greek

History: Eleanor has been borne by several queens and historical figures.

 

12. Josephine

Gender: Female

Meaning: God will add

Origin: Hebrew

History: Josephine has been a popular name with a touch of elegance.

 

13. Lillian

Gender: Female

Meaning: Lily flower

Origin: Latin

History: Lillian has been a beloved name since medieval times and is associated with purity and innocence.

 

14. Marion

Gender: Female

Meaning: Star of the sea

Origin: Hebrew

History: Marion has been used as a given name since medieval times.

 

15. Edith

Gender: Female

Meaning: Prosperous in war

Origin: Old English

History: Edith has been a popular name in England since medieval times. Saint Edith of Wilton, an Anglo-Saxon nun, contributed to the name's popularity in the medieval period.

16. Clara

Gender: Female

Meaning: Bright, clear

Origin: Latin

History: Clara has been a widely used name in various cultures. It gained popularity in medieval Europe and was often associated with the Christian concept of clarity or purity.

 

17. Agnes

Gender: Female

Meaning: Pure

Origin: Greek

History: Agnes has been a popular name since ancient times. It was also a popular name among early Christians due to its association with purity and saintly virtues.

 

18. Esther

Gender: Female

Meaning: Star

Origin: Persian

History: Esther is a name with biblical significance, borne by a Persian queen.

 

19. Mildred

Gender: Female

Meaning: Gentle strength

Origin: Old English

History: Mildred has been a popular name in England since medieval times.

 

20. Sylvia

Gender: Female

Meaning: Forest

Origin: Latin

History: Sylvia has been used as a given name since ancient times.

21. Evelyn

Gender: Female

Meaning: Desired, wished for

Origin: Old English

History: Evelyn has been used as a given name since medieval times.

 

22. Ada

Gender: Female

Meaning: Noble

Origin: Germanic

History: Ada has been a beloved name since ancient times.

 

23. Pearl

Gender: Female

Meaning: Pearl

Origin: Latin

History: Pearl has been a popular name associated with beauty and elegance.

24. Olive

Gender: Female

Meaning: Olive tree

Origin: Latin

History: Olive has been a favored name since ancient times.

 

25. Mabel

Gender: Female

Meaning: Lovable

Origin: Latin

History: Mabel has been used as a given name since medieval times.

26. Ruby

Gender: Female

Meaning: Ruby gemstone

Origin: Latin

History: Ruby has been a popular name since ancient times and is associated with beauty and passion.

 

27. Stella

Gender: Female

Meaning: Star

Origin: Latin

History: Stella has been used as a given name since ancient times and is associated with brightness.

 

28. Cora

Gender: Female

Meaning: Maiden

Origin: Greek

History: Cora has been used as a given name since ancient times.

 

29. Hazel

Gender: Female

Meaning: Hazel tree

Origin: Old English

History: The name became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by the Victorian fascination with nature names. It has since remained a beloved and classic name choice, symbolizing both the natural world and warm, earthy tones.

 

30. Irene

Gender: Female

Meaning: Peace

Origin: Greek

History: Irene has been used as a given name since ancient times.

31. Matilda

Gender: Female

Meaning: Mighty in battle

Origin: Germanic

History: Matilda has been a popular name since medieval times. One of the famous bearers of the name was Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror.

 

32. Hilda

Gender: Female

Meaning: Battle woman

Origin: Germanic

History: Hilda has been used as a given name since ancient times.

 

33. Gladys

Gender: Female

Meaning: Princess

Origin: Welsh

History: Gladys has been used as a given name since ancient times.

 

34. Blanche

Gender: Female

Meaning: White, fair

Origin: French

History: Blanche has been a popular name since medieval times. One notable historical figure with the name Blanche was Blanche of Castile, a Queen consort of France in the 13th century.

 

35. Nora

Gender: Female

Meaning: Light

Origin: Irish

History: Nora has been a beloved name with Irish origins. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. One famous literary character with the name Nora is Nora Helmer, the protagonist of Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House."

36. Winifred

Gender: Female

Meaning: Blessed peace

Origin: Welsh

History: Winifred has been used as a given name since medieval times.

 

37. Opal

Gender: Female

Meaning: Opal gemstone

Origin: Sanskrit

History: Opal has been a beloved name associated with beauty and rarity.

 

38. Daisy

Gender: Female

Meaning: Daisy flower

Origin: Old English

History: Daisy has been a popular name since medieval times. It has remained a beloved and charming name choice, often symbolizing a carefree and joyful spirit.

 

39. Dora

Gender: Female

Meaning: Gift

Origin: Greek

History: Dora has been used as a given name since ancient times.

 

40. Annie

Gender: Female

Meaning: Grace

Origin: Hebrew

History: Annie is a diminutive of the name Anne and has been used as a given name since ancient times. It gained widespread popularity in English-speaking countries and has remained a classic and endearing choice for baby girls, evoking feelings of sweetness and charm.

In a world of ever-changing trends, the enduring appeal of old-fashioned baby names is truly remarkable. These timeless names carry a sense of grace, sophistication, and a connection to the past that resonates with parents worldwide. As we celebrate the nostalgia and charm of these names, it becomes evident that they will continue to be cherished and embraced for many more years to come. Choosing an old-fashioned baby name is a heartfelt way to honour tradition while bestowing a beautiful and meaningful name upon a new generation.