Classic and Vintage Names for the Future

  1. Jill
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Gillian or Juliana
    • Meaning:

      "youthful"
    • Description:

      Probably due to its nursery rhyme association, Jill has the perpetual air of a rosy-cheeked tot -- even though it is one of the oldest names on the roster, a medieval variation on the Roman Julia. The pairing of Jack and Jill to connote a generic boy and girl goes back at least to the fifteenth century. But can knowing Jill's history keep it from sounding like a cute mid-twentieth century invention? There may be some possibility of Jill making it back up the hill.
  2. Augusta
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and Winifred for girls, Augusta might just appeal to contemporary parents.
  3. Cornelia
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Cornelius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "horn"
    • Description:

      In ancient Rome, Cornelia was considered the paragon of womanly virtue, making it a handsome name with an excellent pedigree. It's rare today, so if you want a name no one else is using, somewhat reminiscent of Amelia and the Shakespearean Cordelia, Cornelia should be on your list. Cornelia's short forms might include Cora, Nelia or Nell--anything but Corny.
  4. Delia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "born on the island of Delos"
    • Description:

      Delia is a somewhat neglected southern charmer that stands on its own but also might be short for Adelia or Cordelia.
  5. Clio
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "glory"
    • Description:

      Clio is the name of the ancient Greek mythological muse of history and heroic poetry, one that is rich with modern charm and would make an intriguing choice, especially thanks to its dynamic o-ending.
  6. Basil
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal"
    • Description:

      Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.
  7. Finnian
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fair"
    • Description:

      Finnian is a fair jig of a name, energetic and easy on the ear. Finnian (and brother Finian) is also familiar in its alternate spelling through the classic 1968 Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow, later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan.
  8. Eugenie
    • Origin:

      French form of Eugenia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"
    • Description:

      Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring a patina of royal sheen it hadn't had since the time of Napoleon III's glamorous empress--who spent much of her life in England. It was also borne by Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom Prince Andrew's younger daughter was named.
  9. Merle
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "blackbird"
    • Description:

      A sleek, smooth, understated name off the grid in the US but among the Top 100 girl names in Germany. In the US, it is a unisex name, while in Germany and the Netherlands, it is predominantly feminine.
  10. Sherman
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "shearer of woolen cloth"
    • Description:

      Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.
  11. Garland
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      A surprisingly wearable floral name for a boy.
  12. Edmond
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "wealthy protector"
    • Description:

      The sophisticated Edmond and its nearly-identical twin Edmund are coming out of mothballs now that Edward, inspired by Twilight, is once again a hot name. Parents looking for an alternative might gravitate to Edmond, a handsome classic that has both class and style.
  13. Alpha
    • Origin:

      Greek, first letter of the alphabet
    • Description:

      The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
  14. Marvel
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      Marvel, now a character name in The Hunger Games series, was a miracle name of yesterday, on the girls' Social Security list until 1941 and reaching a high of 487 at the turn of the last century, when Marva was also in style.

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