A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys, Caradoc is ultimately derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos meaning "loved", itself originating from the Celtic karu.

Famous as the name of the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

She's the bff of Blair, Blake, and Brooke who shop at Bergdorf's, Bonwits and Bendel's.

While actress Glenn Close didn't inspire many parents to give their daughters her name in particular, she did help launch a general trend toward boy names for girls.

An energetic, charmingly retro nickname, Suzy and all her sisters are off their fashion peak but will rise again around the middle of this century.

More usually spelled Stellan, this is a possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany.

Much stronger than Dale for a boy.

This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.

A variant spelling of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Vloggers The Bucket List Family have a son named Manilla.

Glimmer is shimmery but a little too showy, as is Glitter, a character on a TV sitcom-- while Glimmer appears in The Hunger Games.

Gill is a masculine name with multiple origins, functioning both as a standalone name and a diminutive of Gilbert or Gillian. Derived from the Old Norse 'gísl' meaning "hostage" or "pledge," it also has Middle English connections to Saint Giles. In some regions, particularly Scotland, Gill relates to the Gaelic word for "servant." As a surname-turned-first-name, it carries an understated strength and simplicity. Gill has maintained modest popularity throughout the decades, appreciated for its brevity and unpretentious style. The name suggests someone practical, reliable, and straightforward. Its single-syllable simplicity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient origins, making it a timelessly appealing choice.

Offbeat Anglicized form of the intractable Gaelic Rathnait.

An old royal name in England and Scotland that's also spelled Marjorie. Popular in the Middle Ages and Tudor period, it was revived at the end of the 19th century, peaked in 1921 and dropped off the list in 1958, enough time to be reconsidered as a Margaret alternative. The name Margery Daw is familiar via the seesaw nursery rhyme and Margery Williams wrote the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit..

New twist on Bennett. Mack Sennett was the early movie director known as the innovator of slapstick comedy.

Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.

Grantham is a masculine name derived from an English place name and surname, originating from the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire. The place name comes from Old English elements possibly meaning 'gravel homestead' or 'Granta's homestead.' As a first name, Grantham has remained exceptionally rare throughout history, primarily used by families with connections to the location or surname. The name carries aristocratic associations in Britain, particularly due to Downton Abbey's fictional Grantham estate. With its strong consonants and distinguished two-syllable structure, Grantham projects an air of tradition and English heritage. The name's rarity gives it distinction while its surname origins place it alongside other surname-as-firstname trends in contemporary naming.

A French form of Benedict that makes a smooth and elegant choice, although the pronunciation may trip people up in an English speaking environment.

An All-American, surname style Dale relative that finds place amongst similar names like Cullin and Hamelin as well as the more common Allen and Dylan. It is borne by Youtuber Dallin Lambert, of Della Vlogs.

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.