Retro revival: The vintage baby names having a resurgence in 2024
The names we once thought old-fashioned are now deemed retro and more popular than ever!
There’s something so cute and quirky about giving a retro name new life. It really gives you classic appeal while throwing a little modern edge into the mix.
And for modern-day parents, who prefer the unusual and unique, a nod back to the past is the perfect way to achieve that.
So which vintage names are leading the revival of the modern era?
UK aged care service, Lottie did research to discover which old-fashioned baby names are making a comeback and the results may surprise you.
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According to Lottie‘s findings, the name Patricia is one you may be hearing a lot of soon. Patricia was a fashionable name in the sixties and, once again, is ranking 59th most popular in the world today, with over 5.6 million people bearing the name. Anita takes second place. This Spanish name means ‘grace’ and has a total of 5,478,714 people sharing the name. In third place is Samuel, the first male given name in the rankings. With Hebrew and biblical origins meaning ‘heard of God’.
Top Five Vintage Girl’s Baby Names: Patricia, Anita, Rita, Martha and Barbara
Top Five Vintage Boy’s Baby Names: Samuel, George, Francis, Frank and Oscar
Feeling inspired by these retro monikers? Take a look at more sweet retro names for babies in the galleries below …
Vintage baby names are leading the revival of the modern era.
The most adorable old-fashioned names for girls
ADA
Origin and meaning: Ada is of German origin meaning noble, nobility.
Famous namesakes: Actress Ada Nicodemou.
BEATRIX
Origin and meaning: Beatrix is believed to be derived from the name Viator, which means ‘voyager, traveller.’
Famous namesakes: Children’s author Beatrix Potter, also French actress Beatrice Dalle. Beatrix Kiddo was the main character in Kill Bill, played by Uma Thurman.
CLEMENTINE
Origin and meaning: From Latin and French origin, meaning ‘mild, merciful.’
Famous namesakes: Feminist author Clementine Ford. The name is also featured in the song “Oh, My Darlin’”. Claudia Schiffer and Ethan Hawke both chose this name for their daughters.
DAISY
Origin and meaning: Daisy comes from the phrase ‘day’s eye’, because the petals open at daybreak. It’s also a pet name for Margaret.
Famous namesakes: Fashion model Daisy Lowe, TV host Daisy Fuentes and British actress Daisy Ridley.
ELSIE
Origin and meaning: This Scottish name means ‘my God is bountiful’ or God of Plenty.
Famous namesakes: Actors Ioan Gruffudd and Zooey Deschanel both named their daughters Elsie.
GERTRUDE
Origin and meaning: This strong name is of German origin and means ‘strength of a spear’.
Famous namesakes: Writer Gertrude Stein and British stage star Gertrude Lawrence.
HAZEL
Origin and meaning: An English name meaning ‘the hazelnut tree.’
Famous namesakes: Actresses Emily Blunt and Julia Roberts both have daughters named Hazel.
IVY
Origin and meaning: A British name after the popular climbing plant. In the language of flowers, Ivy represents fidelity.
Famous namesakes: British novelist Ivy Compton-Burnett.
JUNE
Origin and meaning: Of Latin origin. In Roman mythology Juno was a protector of women and marriage. In modern times June is known as the bridal month.
Famous namesakes: Actress June Squibb and singer June Carter Cash.
LILLIAN
Origin and meaning: Of English and Latin origin, Lillian is derived from Lily, meaning a flowers.
Famous namesakes: American actress Lillian Gish, singer Lily Allen.
MAVIS
Origin and meaning: This pretty name of French origin means ‘songbird.’
Famous namesakes: Singer Mavis Staples and Canadian writer Mavis Gallant. Mavis is also the main female character in the Hotel Transylvania trilogy.
PEARL
Origin and meaning: Derived from the English word pearl.
Famous namesakes: Fashion designer Pearl Lowe, actress Pearl Bailey.
QUEENIE
Origin and meaning: Of English origin meaning ‘Queen’.
Famous namesakes: Indigenous artist Queenie McKenzie.
ROSALIND
Origin and meaning: A lovely moniker of Spanish origin meaning ‘pretty rose’.
Famous namesakes: Movie star Rosalind Russell. Uma Thurman also named her youngest child Rosalind.
SYLVIA
Origin and meaning: A Latin name meaning ‘from the forest.’
Famous namesakes: Author Sylvia Plath.
THEODORA
Origin and meaning: The female version of Theodore, meaning ‘gift from God.’
Famous namesakes: Keith Richards and Robbie Williams both have daughters named Theodora.
URSULA
Origin and meaning: A sweet name of Latin origin meaning ‘little bear.’
Famous namesakes: Writer Ursula Le Guin and actress Ursula Andress.
VIOLA
Origin and meaning: Of Latin origin meaning ‘violet’ (see below).
Famous namesakes: Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis.
WANDA
Origin and meaning: Of Slavic origin meaning ‘shepherdess; wanderer’.
Famous namesakes: Actress and comedian Wanda Sykes.
ZADIE
Origin and meaning: Zadie is a variation of Sadie and means Princess in Hebrew.
Famous namesakes: British author Zadie Smith.
The most adorable old-fashioned names for boys
AMOS
Origin and meaning: This name is of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘carried by God.’
Famous namesakes: Amos ‘n’ Andy was a popular show back in the 1950s and 60s. There are also characters named Amos in novels by English authors George Eliot and Thomas Hardy
BARNEY
Origin and meaning: This sweet name means ‘son of comfort.’
Famous namesakes: American actor Barney Martin and jazz guitarist Barney Kessel.
CHESTER
Origin and meaning: A name of Latin origin meaning ‘fortress, walled town.’
Famous namesakes: Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have a son named Chester.
CLYDE
Origin and meaning: A Scottish name from the name of the river Clyde.
Famous namesakes: Infamous outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde. Actors Catherine Keener and Dermot Mulroney have a son named Clyde.
DESMOND
Origin and meaning: An Irish name meaning ‘from South Munster’.
Famous namesakes: Reggae singer Desmond Dekker, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Bishop Desmond Tutu.
EARL
Origin and meaning: A popular English name meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘nobleman’.
Famous namesakes: American actor James Earl Jones and British/Australian actor Earl Cave, son of musician Nick Cave and model Susie Bick.
FELIX
Origin and meaning: A sweet name of Latin origin meaning ‘happy, fortunate’.
Famous namesakes: Cartoon character Felix the cat. Actress Elizabeth Banks named her son Felix.
GUS
Origin and meaning: Derived from the Latin name Augustus, meaning ‘majestic’.
Famous namesakes: American skier Gus Kenworthy, film director Gus Van Sant.
HARVEY
Origin and meaning: A name of French origin meaning ‘battle worthy’.
Famous namesakes: American actor Harvey Keitel, politician and activist Harvey Milk.
JULIUS
Origin and meaning: Of Latin origin meaning ‘youthful, downy-bearded’.
Famous namesakes: Roman dictator Julius Caesar, basketball player Julius Thomas.
LAWRENCE
Origin and meaning: Of Latin origin meaning ‘from Laurentium’.
Famous namesakes: Actor Laurence Olivier.
LOUIS
Origin and meaning: A name of French origin meaning ‘renowned warrior’.
Famous namesakes: American jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Louis Bullock, son of American actress Sandra Bullock.
MORTIMER
Origin and meaning: Of European origin meaning ‘Dead Sea’.
Famous namesakes: English artist Mortimer Menpes. Mortimer was also the original name of Disney’s Micky Mouse.
OLIVER
Origin and meaning: Of Latin origin meaning ‘olive tree’.
Famous namesakes: American film director Oliver Stone. Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef.
OTIS
Origin and meaning: Of German origin meaning ‘wealthy’.
Famous namesakes: American soul singer Otis Redding. Otis Frey, son of The Eagles’ Glenn Frey.
PERCY
Origin and meaning: A French surname from place name Perci-en-Auge.
Famous namesakes: Composer Percy French and American singer Percy Sledge.
RALPH
Origin and meaning: Of English origin meaning ‘Wolf Counsel’.
Famous namesakes: American actor Ralph Macchio, fashion designer Ralph Lauren and author Ralph Waldo Emerson.
SIDNEY
Origin and meaning: Of French and English origin meaning ‘Saint Denis’.
Famous namesakes: American actor Sidney Poitier, Australian painter Sidney Nolan.
THEODORE
Origin and meaning: A boy’s name of Greek origin meaning ‘gift of God’.
Famous namesakes: US President Theodore Roosevelt. American writer Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr Seuss).
WALLACE
Origin and meaning: Of Scottish, English origin meaning ‘foreigner, stranger’.
Famous namesakes: William Wallace, leader during Scottish wars of Independence.
