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Selecting the perfect name for a newborn is a significant and thrilling task for parents. In a landscape where contemporary names tend to steal the spotlight, vintage names hold a special allure with their rich history and timeless charm. These classic names often evoke feelings of nostalgia and elegance, often linking back to notable historical figures, cherished family members, and celebrated literary characters.
Ranging from the sophisticated names of the Victorian period to the simpler yet endearing names of the early 1900s, vintage names present a delightful mix of heritage and individuality. Whether you prefer royal-sounding names for boys like Theodore or Augustus, or classic names for girls such as Eleanor and Genevieve, there is a vintage option to match every parent’s taste.
Interestingly, many of these traditional names are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Recent trends in baby naming indicate a renewed interest in names like Hazel, Arthur, Margaret, and Felix, showcasing that what is old can indeed be new again. For parents on the lookout for something that feels both significant and stylish, vintage names are exceptionally appealing. Below, we provide a selection of 335 timeless baby names for boys and girls, complete with their meanings.
Old-Fashioned Baby Boy Names
A–E
Abraham – Father of multitudes
Adam – Man, of the earth
Albert – Noble, bright
Alfred – Wise counselor
Ambrose – Immortal
Amos – Carried by God
Andrew – Manly, brave
Angus – One strength
Archibald – Truly brave
Arthur – Bear
Augustus – Majestic, venerable
Bartholomew – Son of Talmai
Basil – Royal, kingly
Benjamin – Son of the right hand
Bernard – Brave as a bear
Bertram – Bright raven
Blaise – Lisping, stammering
Bradford – Broad ford
Byron – Barn, cowshed
Caleb – Faithful, devoted
Carlton – From the town of free men
Cecil – Blessed
Cedric – Kindly and loved
Charles – Free man
Chester – Fortress, walled town
Clarence – Bright, clear
Claude – Strong-willed
Clement – Merciful, gentle
Clifford – Ford by a cliff
Cornelius – Horn
Cyril – Lordly, masterful
Cyrus – Sun, throne
Daniel – God is my judge
Darius – Wealthy, kingly
Dennis – Devotee of Dionysius
Dexter – Skillful, right-handed
Donald – World ruler
Douglas – Dark river
Dudley – People’s meadow
Edgar – Wealthy spear
Edmund – Prosperous protector
Edward – Wealthy guardian
Edwin – Rich friend
Elias – The Lord is my God
Elijah – My God is Yahweh
Ellis – Benevolent
Emery – Industrious ruler
Emmanuel – God is with us
Ephraim – Fruitful
Ernest – Serious, resolute
F–J
Eugene – Well-born, noble
Everett – Brave as a wild boar
Felix – Lucky, happy
Ferdinand – Courageous traveler
Francis – Free man
Franklin – Free landowner
Frederick – Peaceful ruler
Gabriel – God is my strength
Gareth – Gentle, modest
Garfield – Triangle field
Geoffrey – Peaceful pledge
George – Farmer
Gerald – Ruler with a spear
Gilbert – Bright promise
Gideon – Hewer, warrior
Giles – Young goat
Godfrey – Peace of God
Gregory – Watchful, alert
Griffin – Strong lord
Gustav – Staff of the gods
Harold – Army ruler
Harrison – Son of Harry
Harvey – Battle worthy
Henry – Ruler of the home
Herbert – Bright army
Herman – Army man
Horace – Timekeeper
Howard – Brave heart
Hubert – Bright mind
Hugh – Mind, intellect
Humphrey – Peaceful warrior
Ignatius – Fiery
Isaac – Laughter
Isaiah – Salvation of God
Ivan – God is gracious
Jack – God is gracious
Jacob – Supplanter
James – Supplanter
Jasper – Treasurer
Jedediah – Beloved of the Lord
Jefferson – Son of Jeffrey
Jeremiah – Exalted of the Lord
Jerome – Sacred name
Jesse – Gift
Joachim – Established by God
John – God is gracious
Jonah – Dove
Joseph – He will add
Joshua – The Lord is salvation
Julius – Youthful
K–O
Kenneth – Handsome, fire-born
Laurence – From Laurentum
Leonard – Brave lion
Leopold – Bold people
Louis – Famous warrior
Lucian – Light
Malcolm – Disciple of Saint Columba
Marshall – Horse servant
Matthew – Gift of God
Maximilian – Greatest
Melvin – Gentle lord
Merle – Blackbird
Miles – Soldier
Milton – Mill town
Morris – Dark-skinned
Nathaniel – Gift of God
Nehemiah – Comforted by God
Nicholas – Victory of the people
Noah – Rest, comfort
Norman – Man from the North
Octavius – Eighth
Oliver – Olive tree
Orson – Bear cub
Oscar – Divine spear
Otis – Wealthy
Otto – Wealth, prosperity
Owen – Young warrior
P–Z
Patrick – Nobleman
Paul – Small, humble
Percival – Piercing the valley
Peter – Rock
Phineas – Oracle
Quentin – Fifth
Randolph – Wolf shield
Raymond – Wise protector
Reuben – Behold, a son
Richard – Brave ruler
Robert – Bright fame
Roger – Famous spear
Roland – Famous land
Rudolph – Famous wolf
Rupert – Bright fame
Samuel – Heard by God
Sebastian – Venerable
Silas – Wood, forest
Solomon – Peace
Stanley – Stone meadow
Stephen – Crown
Sylvester – Wooded, wild
Theodore – Gift of God
Thomas – Twin
Timothy – Honoring God
Tobias – God is good
Ulysses – Wrathful
Victor – Conqueror
Vincent – Conquering
Virgil – Flourishing
Wallace – Foreigner
Walter – Army ruler
Wilfred – Desire for peace
William – Resolute protector
Wilson – Son of Will
Winston – Joyful stone
Zachariah – Remembered by God
Old-Fashioned Baby Girl Names
A–E
Abigail – Father’s joy
Ada – Noble, serene
Adelaide – Noble natured
Agatha – Good, honorable
Agnes – Pure
Alberta – Noble, bright
Alice – Noble, truthful
Alma – Nourishing, kind
Amelia – Industrious, striving
Anastasia – Resurrection
Angelica – Angelic
Annabelle – Graceful beauty
Anne – Grace
Antonia – Priceless, praiseworthy
Arabella – Yielding to prayer
Arlene – Pledge, oath
Audrey – Noble strength
Augusta – Majestic, grand
Aurora – Dawn
Barbara – Foreign, traveler
Beatrice – Bringer of joy
Bernadette – Brave as a bear
Bessie – God’s promise
Bethany – House of figs
Betsy – Pledged to God
Betty – God is my oath
Blanche – White, pure
Bridget – Strength, exalted one
Camille – Attendant at a temple
Caroline – Free woman
Catherine – Pure
Cecilia – Musical
Celeste – Heavenly
Charlotte – Free woman
Clara – Bright, clear
Clarissa – Brilliant, clear
Clementine – Gentle, merciful
Constance – Steadfastness
Cordelia – Heart, daughter of the sea
Cornelia – Strong-willed
Daisy – Day’s eye
Daphne – Laurel tree
Deborah – Bee
Delia – Born on the island of Delos
Delilah – Delicate
Diana – Divine, heavenly
Dolly – Gift of God
Dorothea – Gift of God
Dorothy – God’s gift
Edith – Prosperous in strife
F–J
Edna – Delight
Eleanor – Bright, shining one
Eliza – Pledged to God
Elizabeth – God is my oath
Ella – Beautiful fairy
Eloise – Healthy, wide
Elsie – Pledged to God
Emeline – Hardworking
Emily – Rival, eager
Emma – Universal
Enid – Soul, life
Estelle – Star
Ethel – Noble
Eudora – Good gift
Eugenia – Well-born, noble
Evangeline – Bearer of gospel
Evelyn – Wished-for child
Fannie – Free
Felicity – Happiness, good fortune
Flora – Flower
Florence – Flourishing, prosperous
Frances – Free one
Frederica – Peaceful ruler
Gabriella – God is my strength
Genevieve – Fair one
Georgia – Farmer
Geraldine – Ruler with spear
Gertrude – Spear of strength
Gilda – Golden
Gladys – Princess
Gloria – Glory
Grace – Grace, favor
Gwendolyn – Blessed ring
Harriet – Home ruler
Hazel – The hazelnut tree
Helen – Light, bright
Henrietta – Ruler of the home
Hilda – Battle woman
Hope – Desire, expectation
Ida – Industrious, hardworking
Imelda – Powerful fighter
Ingrid – Beautiful, beloved
Irene – Peace
Isabella – Pledged to God
Isadora – Gift of Isis
Ivy – Faithfulness
Jacqueline – Supplanter
Jane – God is gracious
Janet – God’s gracious gift
Jeanette – God is gracious
K–O
Josephine – God will add
Judith – Praised
Julia – Youthful
June – Young
Kathleen – Pure
Katherine – Pure
Laura – Laurel tree
Lavinia – Woman of Rome
Leona – Lioness
Leonora – Light
Lillian – Lily
Lily – Beauty
Lorraine – From Lorraine, France
Louisa – Famous warrior
Lucille – Light
Lucy – Light
Lydia – Noble one
Mabel – Lovable
Madeline – High tower
Margaret – Pearl
Marian – Related to Mary
Marigold – Golden flower
Marilyn – Beloved
Martha – Lady, mistress
Matilda – Battle-mighty
Maude – Battle-mighty
Maureen – Star of the sea
May – Goddess of spring
Melinda – Gentle honey
Mildred – Gentle strength
Millicent – Strong worker
Miriam – Wished-for child
Myrtle – Evergreen shrub
Nancy – Grace
Nellie – Light
Nora – Honor
Olive – Olive tree
Opal – Precious stone
P–Z
Patience – Endurance
Patricia – Noble
Pauline – Small
Pearl – Precious gemstone
Penelope – Weaver
Philomena – Lover of strength
Phoebe – Bright, radiant
Priscilla – Venerable
Rachel – Ewe, female sheep
Rebecca – To tie, bind
Regina – Queen
Rose – Flower
Rosalie – Rose
Ruby – Precious red stone
Ruth – Compassionate friend
Selma – Divine protection
Seraphina – Fiery, ardent
Sophia – Wisdom
Stella – Star
Susannah – Lily
Sylvia – Forest, woods
Thelma – Will, volition
Theodora – Gift of God
Theresa – Harvest
Valerie – Strength, health
Veronica – True image
Victoria – Victory
Viola – Violet flower
Violet – Purple flower
Virginia – Pure
Vivian – Alive
Winifred – Blessed peacemaker
Zelda – Strong woman
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