A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

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.

Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.

The New Jersey cities of Camden and Trenton are in, but the name of the state has not caught on to anywhere near the same extent, possibly due to its association with knitted pullovers and reality TV. Nevertheless, Jersey peaked as a masculine name in 2022, when it was given to around 60 boys.

One of the few Lu- names that you've probably never heard of, Lulie could prove a good alternative for Luna, Lucy, and Lula.

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

Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.

A sweet (literally) and rare nickname for Charlotte. Lollie would also work as a short form of other names with a strong L sound, such as Elizabeth, Lauren, Lola, Lorelei, and Louisa.

A sunny sounding name, Mayella is a smoosh name with various meanings, depending on which etymological root you follow for May. The name is perhaps most associated with Mayella Ewell in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a character whose loneliness and desperation spark the main plot of the book. This may well put parents off using the name and it is only ever given to a handful of girls every year.

Otilie is a feminine name of German origin, derived from the medieval name Odilia, which comes from the Germanic elements 'odo' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune' and 'hild' meaning 'battle.' Saint Odilia was a revered 7th-century abbess who became the patron saint of Alsace and is associated with healing eye afflictions. Otilie has variations across Europe including Ottilie (German), Odile (French), and Ottilia (Latin). Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name maintains popularity in Central Europe. With its vintage charm and elegant sound, Otilie appeals to parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name. Its association with a saint gives it religious significance for some families.

When actress Shannyn Sossamon dubbed her newborn Audio Science, it sent out some definite shock waves. We don't recommend Audio or Video for even the most intrepid baby namer.

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.

A lesser-used presidential choice, with a charming, buccaneering sound. Fictional bearers include the Marvel Comics character James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, as well as the heroine of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan.

Cinnie is a feminine name with vintage charm, likely originating as a diminutive form of names like Cynthia, Cindy, or Lucinda. With its cheerful, affectionate quality, Cinnie embodies the sweet nickname-as-given-name trend popular in earlier eras and experiencing periodic revivals. The name has a nostalgic, homespun appeal reminiscent of rural Americana. While never ranking among the most popular names, Cinnie has historical usage particularly in the Southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name's simplicity and friendly sound make it accessible across cultures, while its relative rarity gives it distinction. Cinnie strikes a balance between familiar and uncommon, offering a gentle alternative to more widely used feminine names.

Eliette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of names like Elie (the French version of Elijah) or Elizabeth. The name carries the meaning 'the Lord is my God' through its connection to these Hebrew-origin names. With its distinctly French flair, Eliette combines elegance with a gentle, sophisticated sound. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has maintained modest usage in France and French-speaking regions. The name offers a refined alternative to more common El- names, appealing to parents seeking something melodic with European charm. Eliette's soft syllables and graceful ending create a name that sounds both classic and somewhat unexpected, conveying femininity with subtle strength.

Readers who remember J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey have probably forgotten that the character was male (nee Zachary). Nowadays the somewhat loopy spin on Zoe is associated with actress Zooey Deschanel.

Vocal name seldom heard, with most elle-ending names these days dropped in favor of the more straightforward Elle and Ella.

Lion is a masculine name with straightforward derivation from the powerful animal, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility across many cultures. With Germanic, French, and English language roots, Lion functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of names like Lionel.

Suzie (and Susie) was the one of the It Nicknames of midcentury America, right up there with Debbie and Kathy.

Lucca first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012 and has been trending upwards.