Vintage baby names are having a major revival — and it’s easy to see why. These classic baby names offer a sense of timelessness, history and quiet confidence that many modern parents are drawn to. Whether you're inspired by your family tree or simply love a name with substance and soul, vintage girl names can feel both meaningful and refreshingly different.

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From old-fashioned baby names like Mabel and Edith to traditional girl names with elegant flair like Genevieve and Beatrice, these choices carry the charm of the past while still feeling relevant today. Many of these names were popular in the early 1900s to 1950s, and now they’re coming back strong — part of a wider trend that favours heritage over hype.

We’ve rounded up 50 of our favourite vintage girl names and sorted them into themed categories to help you explore what feels right for your baby.

Whether you're looking for something sweet and gentle, bold and strong, or a nature-inspired classic, you're bound to find a name here that stands the test of time.

Still looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out our other lists, including 100 baby names from Greek mythology, 150 flower baby names for girls, with origins and meanings and 115 baby names inspired by cities, towns, countries and special places.

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Sweet vintage girl names

Gentle and charming, these soft-sounding names carry warmth and sweetness.

1. Alma

  • Origin: Latin/Spanish
  • Meaning: ‘nurturing, kind soul’
  • Trend: fresh revival

2. Bessie

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘pledged to God’
  • Trend: rare vintage pick

3. Bonnie

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘pretty, cheerful’
  • Trend: on the rise

4. Elsie

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘pledged to God’
  • Trend: classic comeback

5. Faye

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘fairy’
  • Trend: gentle resurgence

6. Ivy

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘ivy plant’
  • Trend: holding strong

7. June

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘young’
  • Trend: timeless favourite

8. Lillian

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘lily’
  • Trend: enduring classic

9. Mabel

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘lovable’
  • Trend: vintage favourite

10. Minnie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘loveable’
  • Trend: playful comeback

Strong vintage girl names

These names carry weight, with bold meanings and timeless presence.

11. Agnes

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘pure, holy’
  • Trend: slow return

12. Dorothy

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘gift of God’
  • Trend: coming back strong

13. Edith

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘rich in war’
  • Trend: vintage revival

14. Frances

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘free one’
  • Trend: traditional return

15. Geraldine

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘ruler with the spear’
  • Trend: due a comeback

16. Harriet

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘home ruler’
  • Trend: gaining momentum

17. Hattie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘home ruler’
  • Trend: sweet comeback

18. Ruth

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘friend’
  • Trend: enduring classic

19. Winifred

  • Origin: Welsh
  • Meaning: ‘blessed peacemaker’
  • Trend: vintage revival

Elegant vintage girl names

Refined, graceful and rich in history, these names have ageless elegance.

20. Ada

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘noble, happy’
  • Trend: rising again

21. Beatrice

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘she who brings joy’
  • Trend: quietly trending

22. Clara

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘bright, clear’
  • Trend: established favourite

23. Eleanora

  • Origin: Greek/Latin
  • Meaning: ‘light’
  • Trend: elegant return

24. Genevieve

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: ‘tribe woman’
  • Trend: elegant revival

25. Josephine

  • Origin: Hebrew/French
  • Meaning: ‘God will increase’
  • Trend: steadily rising

26. Margot

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: ‘pearl’
  • Trend: modern vintage hit

Under-the-radar vintage gems

Rare and ready for revival, these names bring something a little different.

27. Delia

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘from Delos’
  • Trend: under the radar

28. Edna

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘delight’
  • Trend: niche comeback

29. Esther

  • Origin: Persian
  • Meaning: ‘star’
  • Trend: quietly rising

30. Gladys

  • Origin: Welsh
  • Meaning: ‘royalty’
  • Trend: niche revival

31. Joyce

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘rejoice’
  • Trend: poised for revival

32. Lois

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘more desirable’
  • Trend: quiet comeback

33. Lucille

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘light’
  • Trend: due a revival

34. Mamie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘beloved’
  • Trend: rare but charming

35. Marjorie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘pearl’
  • Trend: gentle return

36. Mildred

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘gentle strength’
  • Trend: slow revival

Vintage nature-inspired girl names

Rooted in nature and full of old-world charm, these names are blooming again.

37. Daphne

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘laurel tree’
  • Trend: stylish pick

38. Fern

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘fern plant’
  • Trend: nature chic

39. Flora

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘flower’
  • Trend: blooming again

40. Hazel

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘hazel tree’
  • Trend: firmly back

41. Iris

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘rainbow’
  • Trend: on-trend floral

42. Olive

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘olive tree’
  • Trend: cool vintage choice

43. Opal

  • Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: ‘gemstone’
  • Trend: hidden gem

44. Rosemary

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘dew of the sea’
  • Trend: fresh comeback

Additional vintage favourites

These classics didn’t fit one theme — but they’re still full of charm and comeback potential.

45. Etta

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘ruler of the home’
  • Trend: jazzy revival

46. Georgina

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘farmer’
  • Trend: elegant and strong

47. Ida

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘industrious one’
  • Trend: gaining attention

48. Matilda

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘battle-mighty’
  • Trend: classic comeback

49. Nellie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘light’
  • Trend: retro-cool

50. Sybil

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘prophetess’
  • Trend: mysterious vintage

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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