Old Names
Old names are having a moment. Parents who grew up surrounded by Jennifers and Jasons are reaching back a century or more for names like Hazel, Theodore, Eleanor and Arthur — names that feel sturdy, a little literary and far less common than the hits of the last few decades. This page gathers 80+ old names with their meanings, grouped by style, from gentle Victorian florals to hearty grandpa names.
For full lists, see our old-fashioned girl names and old-fashioned boy names. If you love names that still sound truly elderly (for now), browse old lady names and old man names.
Old Names: browse all lists
Old girl names that are back in style
These names were common around the turn of the 20th century, faded for decades and have climbed the SSA charts again in recent years.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel | The hazel tree | English |
| Eleanor | Possibly “the other Aenor”; linked to light | Old French / Provençal |
| Violet | The purple flower | Latin |
| Evelyn | From a Norman surname, possibly “desired” | English |
| Josephine | “God will increase” | Hebrew via French |
| Alice | “Noble, of noble kind” | Germanic via French |
| Ruby | The red gemstone | Latin |
| Clara | “Bright, clear” | Latin |
| Florence | “Flourishing, blossoming” | Latin |
| Margaret | “Pearl” | Greek |
| Iris | “Rainbow”; the flower | Greek |
| Stella | “Star” | Latin |
| Pearl | The gem | English |
| Mae | Variant of May, the month | English |
| Rose | The flower | Latin |
| Beatrice | “She who brings happiness” | Latin |
| Mabel | “Lovable,” from Amabel | Latin via Old French |
Old boy names making a comeback
Classic boy names with a distinguished, slightly bookish feel. Many were chart-toppers when your great-grandparents were born.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Theodore | “Gift of God” | Greek |
| Arthur | Possibly “bear” | Celtic |
| August | “Great, venerable” | Latin |
| Henry | “Ruler of the home” | Germanic |
| Walter | “Ruler of the army” | Germanic |
| Silas | From Silvanus, “of the forest” | Latin |
| Otis | “Wealth, fortune” | Germanic |
| Felix | “Lucky, happy” | Latin |
| Jasper | “Treasurer” | Persian |
| Louis | “Famous warrior” | Germanic via French |
| Oscar | “Deer lover” or “God’s spear” | Irish / Old English |
| Frederick | “Peaceful ruler” | Germanic |
| Hugo | “Mind, intellect” | Germanic |
| Calvin | “Bald” | Latin |
| Everett | “Brave as a wild boar” | English |
| Harvey | “Battle-worthy” | Breton |
Old names that still sound like grandparents
Not every old name has come back yet. These still feel like they belong at a bridge club — which is exactly why some parents love them. More on our grandma names page.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mildred | “Gentle strength” | Old English; peaked in the 1910s |
| Gertrude | “Spear of strength” | Germanic; nickname Trudy |
| Bernice | “Bringer of victory” | Greek |
| Doris | “From Doris,” a region of Greece | Greek |
| Ethel | “Noble” | Old English |
| Myrtle | The evergreen shrub | Greek |
| Agnes | “Pure, holy” | Greek |
| Harold | “Army ruler” | Old English |
| Herbert | “Bright army” | Germanic |
| Gerald | “Rule of the spear” | Germanic |
| Eugene | “Well-born” | Greek |
| Clarence | From the English dukedom of Clarence | Latin / English |
| Stanley | “Stony meadow” | Old English |
| Norman | “Northman” | Germanic |
Victorian names
The Victorian era loved flower names, literary heroines and elaborate classical choices. Explore more on our Victorian names page.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | “Noble kind” | Germanic |
| Clementine | “Merciful, gentle” | Latin |
| Cordelia | Possibly “heart” | Latin; King Lear’s daughter |
| Winifred | “Blessed reconciliation” (Welsh Gwenfrewi), blended with Old English “joy + peace” | Welsh / English |
| Ophelia | “Help” | Greek |
| Rosalind | “Gentle horse” or “pretty rose” | Germanic |
| Augustus | “Great, venerable” | Latin |
| Cornelius | Possibly “horn” | Latin |
| Ambrose | “Immortal” | Greek |
| Bartholomew | “Son of Talmai” | Aramaic |
| Montgomery | From a Norman place name | French |
| Percival | Knight of the Round Table | Old French |
Old virtue names
Virtue names became popular among 17th-century English Puritans, who named children after qualities they hoped they’d grow into. See also Puritan names.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grace | God’s favor | Never went out of style |
| Faith | Trust, belief | Classic virtue name |
| Hope | Expectation, optimism | Short and sweet |
| Charity | Love, generosity | Latin caritas |
| Patience | Endurance | Vintage and rare |
| Constance | Steadfastness | Nickname Connie |
| Prudence | Wisdom, caution | Nickname Pru |
| Honor | Integrity | Unisex |
| Verity | Truth | British favorite |
| Temperance | Moderation | Rare |
| Ernest | Serious, sincere | Old Germanic |
| Justus | Just, fair | Latin |
Old biblical names
Old Testament names were everyday names in colonial America. Browse biblical names for the full story behind each.
| Name | Meaning | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail | “My father’s joy” | 1 Samuel 25 |
| Ruth | Possibly “friend, companion” | Book of Ruth |
| Esther | Possibly “star” (Persian) | Book of Esther |
| Naomi | “Pleasant” | Book of Ruth |
| Hannah | “Grace, favor” | 1 Samuel 1 |
| Ezra | “Help” | Book of Ezra |
| Amos | “Carried by God” | Book of Amos |
| Eli | “Ascended, uplifted” | 1 Samuel 1–4 |
| Abraham | “Father of many” | Genesis 17 |
| Jedediah | “Beloved of the Lord” | 2 Samuel 12 |
| Levi | “Joined, attached” | Genesis 29 |
| Solomon | “Peace” | 1 Kings |
How to choose an old name that still works today
- Try the “100-year rule.” Names often return about a century after their peak — the names of great-grandparents feel fresh, while grandparents’ names still sound dated.
- Look for a modern nickname. Theodore gives Theo, Margaret gives Greta or Maisie, Winifred gives Winnie — a vintage name with a spunky short form feels current.
- Check the popularity trend. Some old names (Hazel, Theodore, Eleanor) are now very popular again. If you want rare, go for Ambrose, Cordelia or Winifred.
- Honor family history. Your own family tree is the best source of old names — and gives the name a story.
- Balance the full name. A very old first name pairs well with a sleek modern middle name, or vice versa. Our middle names page can help.
Frequently asked questions
What are old names that are coming back?
Hazel, Eleanor, Violet, Josephine, Theodore, Arthur, Henry, August and Silas are among the old names that have climbed back up the US charts in recent years.
What counts as an old-fashioned name?
Usually a name that peaked in popularity 80–130 years ago, fell out of use and is only now being rediscovered, such as Mabel, Florence or Walter.
What are some old names that are still rare?
Winifred, Cordelia, Temperance, Ambrose, Cornelius and Bartholomew are old names that are still uncommon today.
Why are old names popular again?
Parents want names that feel classic and meaningful but not overused. Names skipped by their parents’ generation feel fresh to them, a pattern often called the 100-year rule.