Historic and Vintage Names · Cool Baby Names
Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English, Germanic
"grace, favor"
Notably borne by the 19th century palaeontologist and fossil collector, Mary Anning, this surname likely derives from the given name Hanno or Hana, ultimately linking it back to the Biblical Hanan…
Modern invented name
Combination of popular sounds from names like Aviana and Clara.
English
"ash tree wood"
A dashing last name that combines a number of popular elements, Dashwood is a literary choice appearing in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility . It also feels connected to nature, and gives you the…
English, combination of Leo and Theodore
"gift of god + lion"
Popular Leo meets popular Theodore in this seamless compound name, that could be interpreted as meaning "lion's gift" or "god gifted lion". Borne by a character in the 2016 movie, Zootopia , it has…
Invented name, combination of Lili and Guinevere
"lily + white shadow, white wave"
This romantic, ethereal name sounds straight out of Arthurian legend but is in fact a modern hybrid of Guinevere and Lili. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet — her own name inspired by…
"born in victory"
Sibry or Sibree were used as personal names in medieval times and are also surnames. Obscure but accessible, this name has real modern possibilities.
Modern variation of Athena, English, Greek
"from Athens"
Borne by the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, mathematics, and courage, Athena has become one of the most popular names from mythology in recent years, so it's no surprise that new takes and modern…
Swedish
"little devoted one"
A sweet and sparky modern Swedish name, derived from the word for "little" plus the suffix vi , which may mean "devoted, dedicated". An intriguing alternative to the popular Lily family of names.
Place name; modern literary name
An ethereal name with elements of Irene and Miriam, Irian is a woman/dragon character in Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea novels, and a historic name for the island of New Guinea, now with colonial…
"happy, friendly"
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
Irish surname, related to the sea
A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
Irish
"little dog"
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
Modern invention, Spanish
"rose; flower; noble"
Sometimes cited as an Anglicized form of the Spanish name Rosalia/Rosaelia, Zaelia may also derive from other similar-sounding names, like Azalea, Zelia or Zélie. With high-value Scrabble letters and…
American
"independent, nonconformist"
If you love the cowboy feel, the surname charm, and the Top Gun association that come with the currently popular Maverick but want to keep hold of the free-spirited and unconventional energy its…
Draymond Green, the defensive superstar for the Golden State Warriors basketball team, introduced his name to the lexicon. This of it as Raymond plus. Twelve baby boys were given this name in one…
English and Scottish occupational name
"metalworker"
If you're tired of Oliver, you might consider this energetic three-syllable surname instead, so you could have a little Tolly instead of an Ollie. Tolliver is a not-too-obvious occupational Scottish…
"meadow of clover"
With Clover rising up the charts, and Everly, Emberly, Waverly and Oakley on trend, it is possibly that this English surname may catch on, especially with its whimsical meaning.
American invented name
"heather field"
Combining "Hez", a short form of Heather, and the -ley suffix meaning "field, clearing", Hezly is a modern invented name that has yet to catch on. US Olympic gymnast Hezly Rivera might change that…
Variation of the word wild or variation of Vilda, English, Swedish, German
"wild, untamed; to strive, battle"
Bright and outdoorsy or vintage with a hint of clunkiness, Wilda may be viewed as a spin on the English word "wild" and as an alternative to the equally untamed Swedish Vilda. Alternatively, it could…
Invented name, Scottish surname, diminutive of Katherine
"of the red earth; pure"
Like a blend of vintage-style Edie and popular Katie, Keedie is either an invented name, a variant of the Scottish surname Keddy, or possibly a short form of Katherine. In the case of Soprano singer…