Celebrating the birth of a new baby comes with the expectation of revealing your little one’s newly bestowed name. Naming conventions range from family names passed down through generations to searching the Internet for obscure words with unique meanings. Celebrity babies have also impacted how we determine our new baby’s name. Gone are the days when an apple was just a piece of fruit.
With all the outlets available to find the perfect name for your baby, many parents might forget about the timeless options that stir a nostalgic feeling in us when hearing a vintage name called. According to baby naming experts at Nameberry, historically significant or vintage names are rising from the brink of extinction and making a comeback in today’s popular culture. Inspired by classic literary works, memorable royal family members throughout history, the Bible, and even your family tree, these vintage names are some of the latest prevailing names for newborn babies.
Scroll for a list of the baby names back from the edge of extinction in America.
Vintage Names for Girls
Alice
- Origin: GermanMeaning: “noble”
Amelia
- Origin: GermanMeaning: “work”
Aurelia
- Origin: LatinMeaning: “the golden one”
Aurora
- Origin: LatinMeaning: “dawn”
Charlotte
- Origin: French, feminine diminutive of CharlesMeaning: “free man”
Clara
- Origin: LatinMeaning: “bright, clear”
Daphne
- Origin: GreekMeaning: “laurel tree, bay tree”
Eleanor
- Origin: English variation of French Provencal AlienorMeaning: unknown
Eloise
- Origin: French and English variation of HeloiseMeaning: “healthy; wide”
Esme
- Origin: FrenchMeaning: “beloved”
Evelyn
- Origin: English from French and GermanMeaning: “desired; or water, island”
Freya
- Origin: NorseMeaning: “a noble woman”
Genevieve
- Origin: English from FrenchMeaning: “tribe woman”
Hazel
- Origin: EnglishMeaning: “the hazelnut tree”
Iris
- Origin: Flower name; also GreekMeaning: “rainbow”
Ivy
- Origin: Botanical name
Nora
- Origin: Irish, diminutive of Honora, or GreekMeaning: “light”
Ophelia
- Origin: GreekMeaning: “help”
Penelope
- Origin: GreekMeaning: “weaver”
Violet
- Origin: English from LatinMeaning: “purple”
Vintage Names for Boys
Asher
- Origin: HebrewMeaning: “fortunate, blessed, happy one”
Atlas
- Origin: Greek mythologyMeaning: “bearer of the heavens”
Atticus
- Origin: LatinMeaning: “from Attica”
August
- Origin: German form of Latin AugustusMeaning: “great, magnificent”
Caleb
- Origin: HebrewMeaning: “devotion to God”
Caspian
- Origin: Place nameMeaning: “white”
Ezra
- Origin: HebrewMeaning: “help”
Felix
- Origin: LatinMeaning: “happy, fortunate”
Finn
- Origin: IrishMeaning: “fair or white”
Hugo
- Origin: Latinized form of HughMeaning: “mind, intellect”
Jasper
- Origin: PersianMeaning: “bringer of treasure”
Jude
- Origin: Latin diminutive of JudahMeaning: “praised”
Miles
- Origin: English form of MiloMeaning: “soldier or merciful”
Milo
- Origin: Latin and Old GermanMeaning: “soldier or merciful”
Oliver
- Origin: GermanicMeaning: “olive tree”
Oscar
- Origin: English or IrishMeaning: “God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior”
Owen
- Origin: WelshMeaning: “young warrior; well-born”
Silas
- Origin: English from LatinMeaning: “wood, forest”
Theo
- Origin: Diminutive of TheodoreMeaning: “gift of God”
Theodore
- Origin: GreekMeaning: “gift of God”