Trying to narrow down the perfect baby name can feel like a really big task. There are so many ways the name could go wrong, not to mention so many opinions that don’t need to be there. Not to mention knowing that this name will very likely be with our child forever.
So, how do you narrow it down? There are many places we can look to for baby name inspiration, from our own family tree to pop culture to names that used to be trendy but aren’t anymore. Once you find a perfect name that fits, the pressure will lift and it will feel right.
If you’re expecting a baby girl and you’ve been hoping to find a vintage name that isn’t used often these days but still has some charm to it, we’ve done the work for you. Check out these lovely girl names that were popular more than 100 years ago — yet are still gorgeous today.
Florence
Florence has a beautiful vintage and floral sound to it, which makes it a great option for anyone who loves the vibe of that era. This name was 7th in popularity back in 1902, and many of us have grandparents who rock this name today. Today, expecting parents may be more familiar with the actress Florence Pugh. The name is Latin for “blooming,” which is as lovely as can be.
Bessie
In 1902, the baby name Bessie was in the top 20 landing in spot #19. The name, which is a pet name for Elizabeth, was huge back in the day. Today we rarely hear Bessie, and it’s fallen way down the baby name list into the 10,000s, but we think it’s a charming name worth coming back to.
Clara
Clara is one of the sweetest old-fashioned names around. Adding to its charm is the meaning behind the name, which is “famous, brilliant,” perfect words that parents want their baby associated with. In 1903, Clara was twentieth on the list of baby names, and while it’s not disappeared entirely, it’s a less popular option for parents-to-be.
Dorothy
So many of us know the name Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, but this name goes back much further than that movie. In 1902, Dorothy was the 15th most popular baby girl name, and we haven’t heard much of it since. The name, which means “gift of God,” took a nosedive in popularity in 2009 and is just itching for a major comeback.
Mildred
From 1900 to 1930, Mildred was a popular baby girl name that was always in the top 20 list during those three decades. However, after that it started to drop — slowly at first, until a big plummet in the 1970s, and then virtually off the charts by the early 2000s. The name deserves a comeback because it’s lovely and means “gentle strength,” which is beautiful.
Louise
We know the name Louisa and Louis, but Louise is another spelling that comes with a slightly different meaning. Louise, which means “famous warrior,” is strong to use as inspiration, and it’s that perfect in-between of being unique enough – since we don’t hear it much now – and not too out there. It’s a name that will serve her well as a newborn or a senior. It was a big name in the 1900s, too!
Gladys
This name is so elegant, and we’re surprised it’s not heard more often in modern times. The name dates way back into the 1800s, but in 1902 it was ranked in the 12th spot in popular names for girls. The name is said to be a variant of Claudia, which doesn’t have the prettiest meaning, being “lame,” but we think it’s pretty enough to stand on its own.
Ruth
Ruth has that vintage feel to it because it has not been a popular name for a while. With gender-neutral names being heavily favored these days, it’s the perfect time to bring it back into popular circles. In 1902, this Biblical name was near the top, landing at number five on that year’s baby name list.
Virginia
The trend of giving our babies names for cities, states, or countries around the world hasn’t been a thing for centuries. But Virginia, which is obviously a state in the US, is one that’s been around in US baby name charts for a long time. The name held onto spot 20 in 1912, and it’s likely the state was named after the same inspiration that started this name, too.
Ethel
In 1902, Ethel was the ninth top baby name and it remained prominent for several decades. The name basically dropped off the charts in the 1980s and dipped even further in the early 2000s. But as more parents-to-be are looking for vintage names that deserve a comeback since they’re so lovely, Ethel is bouncing back.
Edna
There’s something about the name Edna that makes us smile. It sounds like a sweet grandma name and that’s probably because we don’t see the name much anymore. Back in the early 1900s, it was very popular, spending lots of time in the top 20. Now we would love to hear it more often!
Frances
For parents looking for a baby girl name that’s lovely, that often means one that’s short and sweet. But that’s not a hard rule we have to follow. For instance, Frances, meaning “free one,” isn’t short, but it’s a strong, beautiful name that has been around for a long time. It was in the top 20 baby names list in the 1900s, but we’re ready to see it make a big comeback now.
Irene
The name Irene is such a strong name and it’s been around forever. This sweet moniker meaning “peace” was popular in the early 1900s. We love Irene, which held the 20th spot in 1906, and it grows up well, too.
Evelyn
Evelyn is a name that pretty much screams lovely. It’s a beautiful name and sounds both strong and lovely — which isn’t an easy combination to find. The name is thought to mean “bird” or “radiance,” and its popularity was really high in the 1900s but took a big dip in the 1970s. It’s on the rise again thanks to its classic elegance.
Helen
Timeless Helen might not sound like a strong or intimidating name, but the history certainly shows this. Helen, which comes from Helenē, which is derived from the root ēlē (light, torch, bright), also means “shining light.” It held the second spot in the early 1900s and held to the top of the baby name list for a long time. However, it pretty much shot off the popular charts in the early ‘70s, but we’re ready for its comeback!
