Roaring Twenties
- Nellie
Origin:
Diminutive of Helen, Ellen, and Eleanor, English, SwedishMeaning:
"light, shining torch"Description:
This sweet nickname name has seen a recent revival in the US, breaking the Top 1000 in 2019 for the first time in 40 years. By 2024, it became one of the fastest rising girl names, chasing sister name Eleanor up the charts, spurred on by the rise of other vintage gems like Margot, Millie, Willa, and Lottie.
- Franklin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"free landholder"Description:
A doubly Presidential name, via Pierce and Roosevelt, Franklin was given an initial boost via the fame of Benjamin Franklin. It also has a literary tie to the main character of the Wilkie Collins classic The Moonstone.
- Salvatore
Origin:
Italian variation of SalvatorMeaning:
"savior"Description:
For every Tio Salvador in a Latino family, there's a Zio Salvatore in an Italian one. Having always ranked in the US Top 1000, it is in danger of falling off the charts very soon.
- Sylvester
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
This name of three early popes has been associated in recent years with a cocky cartoon cat ("Thufferin' thuccatash!") and the Italian Stallion hero of the Rocky and Rambo movies (who was born Michael) — and yet we think it just might be ready to move further back into the mainstream.
- Effie
Origin:
English diminutive of Euphemia, GreekMeaning:
"pleasant speech"Description:
Effie is the old-fashioned short form for Euphemia. It shares a vintage charm with Hattie and Letty although is much rarer than either. Effie is a character in The Hunger Games and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
- Reginald
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"counsel power"Description:
Now seen as the chap in the smoking jacket in a 1930s drawing-room comedy, Reginald has actually been on the US popularity list every year since 1880.
- Lyle
Origin:
Scottish and English from FrenchMeaning:
"someone who lives on an island"Description:
Straightforward single-syllable name, though children named Lyle may get tired of hearing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". Lyle was at the height of fashion in the 1920s, which makes him due for a comeback right about now. The double L certainly gives it a fashionable sound.
- Glenn
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"valley"Description:
Glenn appealed to a lot of post-World War II parents for its cool, leafy image, also calling up the Big Band sounds of Glenn Miller and the calm, composed image of actor Glenn Ford, whose name at birth was the Welsh Gwyllyn. It could possible be in line for a comeback in the more nature-evoking spelling of Glen, as used by Glen Campbell, or possibly even the Welsh Glyn.
- Isidore
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of Isis"Description:
Isabel, Theodore, and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? Yet to see any big moves up the charts, Isidore was given to more than 30 boys in a recent year: twice the number it was given to a decade ago.
- Betsy
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a comeback, pigtailed Betsy could return as well.
- Gulliver
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"glutton"Description:
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
- Lois
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"most desirable"Description:
The eternal fiancee of Superman turned sweet gray-haired lady who's always available to babysit her grandkids turned....hot new baby name?
- Millicent
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"Description:
Combining the mild and the innocent, this sweet and feminine name is worthy of a comeback, in the mode of Madeline and Cecilia. Its original, also attractive form is Melisende, which came from Germany to France and was borne by a daughter of Charlemagne.
- Jimmy
Origin:
Diminutive of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Every other little kid's name in 1957 but few Jameses are called Jimmy today; they're more often James or Jamie.
- Abraham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abraham is among the most classic baby names that's still widely-used today, popular for its references to both the Bible and American history. The Biblical Abraham was the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and is considered the founding father of the Jewish people. He was originally named Abram, until, according to Genesis, he was told, "No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations."
- Dexter
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dyer, right-handed"Description:
The jazzy, ultra-cool Dexter, like most names with an "x," has a lot of energy and dynamism.
- Evelyn
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"desired; or water, island"Description:
Renowned English author Evelyn Waugh pronounced his name "EEV-lin" (fun fact: his first wife, also named Evelyn, was referred to as "She-velyn"). But "EV-uh-lin" also works, and is probably the most familiar pronunciation of the name today.
- Floyd
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"gray-haired"Description:
Floyd was a Top 100 name from the 1880s to the 1940s that somehow developed an almost comical hayseed persona along with a touch of retro jazz cool; it's beginning to appeal to parents with a strong taste for the quirky.
- Mattie
Origin:
Diminutive of Martha or MatildaMeaning:
"lady; battle-mighty"Description:
Mattie, which might be a short form of Martha, Matilda, or even Madeline, ranked among the Top 100 names for girls in the 1880s and in fact, has held a place among the Top 1000 for most of U.S. naming history. It fell off the popularity charts in 2015 and makes a cute, tomboyish option.
- Rosamund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"horse protection"Description:
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation.
The Nameberry App Is Live

Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

