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A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

  1. Malou

    • Origin:

      Combination of Mary and Lou

    • Meaning:

      "bitter; renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      This charming name, popular in France and the Netherlands, has not traveled to the U.S. yet but would make a modern way to honor grandma Mary or Louise, or as a perfect short form of Mary Louise. Or, with the growing fashion for nickname names, it can stand perfect well on its own. One of several similar variations — Lou, Lilou, Louane — in vogue in Europe.
  2. Pip

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philip

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.
  3. Charlene

    • Origin:

      English feminization of Charles, German and French

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlene is a Charlotte variation that, along with similar names like Arlene and Marlene, spiked in popularity in the 1940s and fifties, reaching a high of Number 100 in 1949. Most parents today would prefer one of the note classic versions -- or even nickname Charlie.
  4. 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.

  5. Mauve

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "violet-colored"

    • Description:

      Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names, Mauve has the added benefit of being similar to stylish Maeve and classic Maude.
  6. Bunny

    • Origin:

      Animal name or English diminutive of Berenice, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings victory"

    • Description:

      Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny?
  7. Pepper

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "berry"

    • Description:

      There's a football player called Pepper (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) Johnson -- but the name has yet to make waves for boys. Given to around 5 boys each year, the musical link to The Beatle's album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club might appeal to some.
  8. Clarice

    • Origin:

      Medieval form of Clarita, a derivative of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"

    • Description:

      If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the Lambs pronunciation. Clarice was the name of the wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, and Clarice Cliff was a famed British ceramics artist. Though a Top 300 name from 1906 to 1934, modern parents might prefer the more delicate Clarissa.
  9. Lynx

    • Origin:

      Animal name

    • Description:

      One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
  10. Katerina

    • Origin:

      Macedonian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek form of Katherine

    • Description:

      Katerina and its near-identical twin Katarina have a pleasingly lilting European sound, though for some Americans they may be uncomfortably close to Katrina, which will be linked for a long time to the hurricane that devastated New Orleans.
  11. Lake

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
  12. Winsome

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "agreeable, lighthearted"

    • Description:

      A sweet, modern descriptive name, with a wholesome and winning feel, Winsome means "appealing, fresh, simple, innocent" or "cheerful and lighthearted." Some may find it a little too cutesy, but with Dolly, Birdie, Sunny, and Blessing on the rise, it could fit right in. Nicknames Winnie and Winn are an added bonus.
  13. Radley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "red meadow"

    • Description:

      Radical Bradley. Radley is also the surname of one of the heroes of To Kill a Mockingbird. Boo Radley is a reclusive and mentally challenged neighbor who saves the Finch children.
  14. Oak

    • Origin:

      English tree name

    • Meaning:

      "tree from the genus Quercus"

    • Description:

      Oak, a symbol of solidity, strength, and longevity, is joining Cedar and Pine as a viable name, one that would work especially well in the middle.
  15. 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.
  16. Alvin

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "noble friend, friend of the elves"

    • Description:

      Alvin has a sturdy, no-frills sound that belies its somewhat whimsical meaning. Interesting potential namesakes include British rocker Alvin Stardust, and US footballer Alvin Williams, and African-American dance legend (and activist) Alvin Ailey.
  17. Marilla

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "shining sea"

    • Description:

      Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.
  18. Denver

    • Origin:

      English or French place-name and surname

    • Meaning:

      "from Anvers"

    • Description:

      Before there was Aspen, Denver was the Colorado city name of choice, and it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 after a 14 year absence as a stylish two-syllable boys’ name with its trendy -er ending. Its decade of greatest use was the 1920s, when it reached as high as Number 422.
  19. Scottie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "Scot"

    • Description:

      A sweet, slightly old-school nickname name with a cheerful image, Scottie was originally used as a petname for someone from Scotland, or who spoke Scottish Gaelic. Stylish for boys in the 70s and 80s when the solid Scott was enjoying its US heyday, it has since shifted into a predominantly feminine name.
  20. Essie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Esther, Persian, or Estelle, French

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Cute short form of Esther, now associated with the iconic nail polish brand.