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A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

  1. Glenn

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "a narrow valley"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Lucca

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Luca; Italian place name

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "hound (or wolf) of the plain"

    • Description:

      Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
  4. Cascade

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "waterfall"

    • Description:

      It's a nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls. But also a dishwashing detergent.
  5. Lollie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charlotte, Laura, Dolores, and similar

    • Meaning:

      "free man; laurel; lady of sorrows"

    • Description:

      A sweet and rare nickname for Charlotte. Lollie would also work as a short form of other names with a strong L sound, such as Laura, Lauren, Dolores, Lola, Lorelei, Louisa, Elodie, Lois, Ottilie, Olive, Ololade, and beyond. Also spelled as Lolly, it featured in the US Top 1000 back in the late 19th century, and when combined with its alternative spelling, more than 60 girls have received it as a stand-alone since the 2000s.
  6. Frazier

    • Origin:

      Variation of Fraser

    • Meaning:

      "strawberry"

    • Description:

      Stylish way to name your son after basketball great Walt -- though Walt is sounding fresh again too.
  7. Ashby

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree farm"

    • Description:

      This Ashley-like surname name actually made the US Top 1000 around the turn of the 20th century. Used very quietly today in equal numbers -- about a dozen each -- for boys and girls. Ashby is a major thoroughfare in Berkeley, California.
  8. Marble

    • Description:

      Marble is an unusual male given name derived from the English word for the smooth, hard metamorphic rock used in sculpture and architecture. As a name, it falls into the category of object or substance names that occasionally appear as given names. Marble has never been common as a first name, with virtually no presence in naming statistics or historical records for widespread use. It may be chosen for its associations with durability, smoothness, beauty, and value. The name also evokes classical art and architecture, perhaps suggesting refinement and timelessness. As with many uncommon object names, Marble might be seen as a distinctive, modern choice that stands out from traditional naming conventions, though its rarity means it lacks established naming traditions or cultural significance.
  9. Crane

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "crane"

    • Description:

      This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane.
  10. Godiva

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "God's gift"

    • Description:

      Whether you think of the chocolates or the naked long-haired lady on the horse, Godiva is a name with baggage no child should have to carry.
  11. Sherman

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "shearer of woolen cloth"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel

    • Description:

      Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.
  13. Doutzen

    • Origin:

      Dutch, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Dutch supermodel Doutzen (pronounced doubt-son) Kroes has introduced us to a name from the Netherlands that might have a hard time in an American classroom and is nowhere near as glamorous as its bearer.
  14. Fate

    • Origin:

      Short form of Lafayette, French, English word name

    • Meaning:

      "faith; predestined, destiny, chance"

    • Description:

      Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word name among English speakers, akin to Destiny, Chance, Blessing, and Chosen. Around six boys are given the name Fate each year in the US, though 2023 saw it rise a little, with ten babies receiving the name.
  15. Evenie

    • Description:

      Evenie is an uncommon feminine name with obscure origins, possibly serving as a variant of Evonne, Yvonne, or Eugenia. It may also derive from the Greek 'eugenes' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble,' or potentially function as a diminutive form of Eve, which means 'life' or 'living one' in Hebrew. The name has never achieved widespread popularity, remaining a rare choice across English-speaking countries. With its soft sounds and vowel-rich pronunciation, Evenie carries a gentle, lyrical quality that fits with contemporary naming trends favoring melodic feminine names ending in '-ie' or '-y.' The name's rarity gives it a distinctive quality, while its phonetic similarity to more familiar names like Evelyn or Evangeline makes it accessible. For families seeking an uncommon yet melodious name, Evenie offers uniqueness without being entirely unfamiliar.

  16. Jamesetta

    • Description:

      Jamesetta is a feminine name derived from James, which comes from the Hebrew name Ya'akov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter.' This feminine variation adds the diminutive suffix '-etta,' creating a more delicate form of the masculine classic. Jamesetta gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s. The name carries a vintage charm while honoring the enduring legacy of James, one of history's most consistently used names. It may be chosen to honor a father or grandfather named James while giving a distinctly feminine identity. Notable namesakes include American R&B singer Jamesetta Hawkins, better known by her stage name Etta James.
  17. Fritzie

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Frederica

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi/Fritzie shows signs of rising again,
  18. Laverne

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "springlike"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "falconer"

    • Description:

      Faulkner is an old occupational surname that was used for someone who kept and trained falcons when falconry was a popular sport in medieval Europe. Anyone using it in contemporary America would probably be honoring Southern novelist William Faulkner. While we love the author, Falconer would probably be a slightly easier name to carry on the playground.
  20. Lyn

    • Origin:

      Variation of Lynn, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "lake"

    • Description:

      Lynn was a Top 100 girls' name in the US from the 1940s through the 60s, and shortened form Lyn's popularity followed the same trajectory. Today, Lyn is far more often found as a name suffix, in popular names such as Evelyn and Brooklyn down to hundreds of invented choice from Timberlyn to Summerlyn. Big sister Lynn was given to only about 50 baby girls in one recent year, and Lyn to only six. While we don't foresee an imminent comeback, Lyn and Lynn could definitely rise in the coming decades via the Hundred Year Rule.