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A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

  1. Tate

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "cheerful"

    • Description:

      Though Tate is used almost exclusively for boys, we can see Tate as a stronger surname alternative to Kate or a clipped form of Tatum.
  2. Ellison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Ellis"

    • Description:

      Updates Allison—which everyone will misunderstand it as. But it's definitely a fresh spin on the Ellie names, and a rising surname name choice for girls.
  3. Hansel

    • Origin:

      German diminutive of Hans

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.
  4. Kiefer

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "barrel maker; pine"

    • Description:

      Kiefer is a strong occupational surname associated with "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but one that could well join the other 'er' surnames currently in favor. Keifer is a German surname transferred to first name use, derived from two old Germanic words, kien and forhe, both of which mean "pine tree."
  5. Bertram

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bright raven"

    • Description:

      Last in fashion in the 1930s, Bertram might once have been firmly in the best left in the past category, but with sweet nickname Bertie and the cool option of Bram, Bertram might just be one to reconsider. Fitting in with other clunky vintage options like Chester, Sidney, Abram, Ebenenzer, and Wilfred, Bertram is a literary option, appearing as the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster and on a character in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well.
  6. Maxim

    • Origin:

      French variation of Maximus

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      Although often connected to the men's magazine title, Maxim is a chic and powerful name for a little boy. It's proving moderately popular too, having been in the Top 1000 in the US since the year 2000.
  7. Ffion

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "foxglove"

    • Description:

      This unusual (to non-Welsh speakers) is near the top of the charts in Wales, carried by the recent taste for native Welsh names. Those in Wales say it's already on the way down, but for outsiders wanting to honor their Welsh heritage, it still makes an intriguing choice.
  8. Louella

    • Origin:

      English, combination of Louise and Ella

    • Description:

      A combo name that was used in the early 19th century, but has always been overshadowed by its sleeker counterpart, Luella. By blending Ella with Louise, Louella could mean "battle famous fairy maiden" and using the 'Lou' spelling means it remains more closely tied to Louise which may be more appealing to anyone hoping to use it as an honor.
  9. Violetta

    • Origin:

      Italian, Russian and Hungarian variation of Violet, English

    • Meaning:

      "purple"

    • Description:

      With Violet in vogue, this vibrant international variation has been on the rise since the 2010s. Vintage and floral like its more popular sister, Violetta has a slightly softer sound and a touch of extra flair. Given to 135 girls in a recent year, it also gets you to nicknames Etta, Vita, and Lettie.
  10. Prescott

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "priest's cottage"

    • Description:

      Prescott is one of several distinguished, upper-crusty surnames beginning with P.
  11. Channing

    • Origin:

      English or Irish

    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"

    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
  12. Randall

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "shield-wolf"

    • Description:

      Medieval name without much of a future.
  13. Eda

    • Origin:

      English, Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy, well-mannered"

    • Description:

      An medieval English diminutive of Edith, which could make an unusual addition to simple vintage revivals like Eva, Ada and Ida. In Turkish, it means "well mannered".
  14. Lafayette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "faith"

    • Description:

      Foppish name with a distinguished forebear, French general Marquis de Lafayette, who fought in the American Revolution. It accounts for the L in L. Ron Hubbard. Old-time short form: Fayette or Fate.
  15. Chevy

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Chevalier

    • Meaning:

      "horseman, knight"

    • Description:

      Eternally tied to the surname Chase, via the old English battle and ballad, the DC suburb, and the goofy SNL pratfaller (who was born Cornelius). It entered the US Top 1000 in 2014.
  16. Woodrow

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "row of houses by a wood"

    • Description:

      Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.
  17. Suede

    • Origin:

      French, word name

    • Meaning:

      "Swedish"

    • Description:

      In the nineties there was a "One Life to Live" soap opera character named Suede, but few fans picked up on it. Now however, parents may be reconsidering Suede, given its similarity in sound to Sage, Wade, and Zade and the recent interest in Denim, and unique word names more generally.
  18. Tycho

    • Origin:

      Greek, Dutch, Old Norse

    • Meaning:

      "hitting the mark; chance, luck; thunder"

    • Description:

      A name with a number of variations including the Danish Tyge, the Swedish Tyko, and the Dutch Tygo, which are popular throughout modern Europe. Tycho was also the name of both a 5th century Greek saint and the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe.
  19. Vince

    • Origin:

      Short form of Vincent, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "conquering"

    • Description:

      Vince is not a short form that often stands alone on the birth certificate, the way Jack or even Joe does, but it has certain credibility as the name always used for football great Vince Lombardi. And as a diminutive for Vincent, it's a far sight better than Vinnie or Vinny or even Vin.
  20. Marcie

    • Description:

      Marcie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Marcia or Marcella, which themselves derive from Latin names related to Mars, the Roman god of war. Sweet and approachable, Marcie peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, embodying the friendly, girl-next-door quality popular during that era. While it has declined in usage since then, Marcie maintains a cheerful, vintage charm that has attracted renewed interest among parents seeking retro names with character. The name carries associations of warmth and friendliness, partly influenced by the character Marcie from the Peanuts comic strip. As a standalone name rather than a nickname, Marcie offers an unpretentious simplicity with a pleasant, familiar sound.