Historic and Vintage Names · Cool Baby Names
Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English surname and place-name
"Wynn's channel or stream"
Winslet is one of a legion of surnames newly considered fair game as first names. The inspiration may be British star Kate, but she's not the only reason parents are attracted to Winslet, one of…
Variation of Mabry, English and Irish surname
"mud hill"
A nouveau take on Mabry, an English and Irish surname that derives from Mayberry. Undoubtedly, some parents are using Maebry as an invented name, a combination of the stylish name Mae and versatile…
Modern invented name
Maria spelled backwards makes an inventive new unisex Marian name, with a cool sound similar to Aaron and Hiram. It first appeared on the US charts in 2000, and is now given to around 20 boys each…
Diminutive of Dove or Deborah, English, Hebrew
"dove; bee"
Dovie was a fairly popular nickname name a century or more ago, dropping off the Top 1000 in the 1940s only to be heading back uphill now. Given to around 30 girls in a recent year, Dovie has a way…
Variation of Lyra, Libra, Ilira, or Aliria, Greek, Albanian, Portuguese
"lyre; balance; free; joy"
A simple name with a multitude of possible origins, Lira may have its roots in the Greek names Lyra or Libra, relating to the musical instrument or to the zodiac sign, represented by the scales. As…
Variation of Huxton, English
"inhospitable town, settlement of insults; Huck's town, Hugh's town"
If you like Huckleberry, Huxley, Hudson, and Houston, this contemporary, surname style choice may appeal. Huckston was given to just a small handful of boys in a recent year, while alternative…
English, modern combination of Esme and Marie
"loved, esteemed + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Parents have been creating their own names from existing appellations since the beginning of time. So have authors, from Shakespeare to George R. R. Martin. As far as modern attempts go, Esmarie,…
This modern boy name first appeared in the US charts in 1994, a few years after actor Keanu Reeves became a household name. Kiano seems to be inspired by Keanu, for parents who like the sound but are…
English
"citizen of Rome"
Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world as a first name by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly…
Scottish place name "Æffa's farmstead"
"Æffa's farmstead"
This Scottish town and river name sounds strong and modern on both boys and girls, similar in style to names like Alden, Aspen, and Arden. ossibly derived from Old English to mean "Æffa's farmstead"…
"month name"
What is so rare as a month named June? October – and November and December – are a lot rarer. Brisk and substantial, they're so much more memorable and modern than April or May. October got its name…
English word name
"holy day"
A fun and confident choice, Holiday is a celebratory name, particularly associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year, and with rest, leisure, and vacations more generally. Fitting…
Modern invention, American
"Indian River"
A brand name with the edgy sound of Reeves and the elegance of Vivian, Rivian is associated with an American electric vehicle company. The company name was created by company founder Robert "RJ"…
"settlement of Royce"
To honor Roy's son...or grandson.
Modern invention, compound name
While this could be a variation of Avela, the Breton feminine for of Abel, it might also be a combination name, blending the highly popular Ava with the on-trend Ayla, to make a name with several…
Dutch diminutive of names ending in jette or iette
Many popular Dutch short forms are drawn from the middle or end of their proper name: Sanne from Susanne, Bas from Sebastian. Jette could be from a name like Henriette or Mariette.
The advent of Zemi is likely due to the ultra-stylish name Remi, which has been picking up steam for girls and boys. Zemi debuted in 2020, when it was given to six baby girls. In the Taíno culture of…
Irish
"heart"
Also spelled Croía, this is an unusual name with a loving meaning that jumped into the limelight when an Irish martial artist Conor McGregor chose it for his daughter born 2019. Virtually unknown…
French variation of Isabel
"pledged to God"
With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist. Isabeau of Bavaria was the wife of King Charles VI of…
Modern invention
"fields; from Velsen"
Party Velma, part Daisy, part Elsie with a little bit of Wesley thrown in too, Velzy is a surprisingly popular choice among TikTok parents. Possibly inspired by the surfer Dale Velzy and by the…