A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names
- Graydon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of the gray-haired one"Description:
Waspy, but preferable to Nanny Diaries satiric name Grayer. Grayton Greydon, Greyton.
- Abbott
Origin:
English, Hebrew, AramaicMeaning:
"priest; father"Description:
Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones, used to describe the head of a monastery or a prominent church figure, such as a priest. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be seen as a slight drawback, that's hardly stopped Abner or Abraham rising up the charts, and besides, there's nothing wrong with a gentler boy name.
- Doutzen
Origin:
Dutch, meaning unknownDescription:
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.
- Costello
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"from England"Description:
The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.
- Wynette
Description:
Wynette is a feminine name of Welsh and Old English origin, derived from 'Wyn' meaning 'fair' or 'blessed' combined with the French diminutive suffix '-ette,' creating the meaning 'little fair one' or 'little blessed one.' The name gained notable recognition through American country music legend Tammy Wynette in the 20th century. Despite this association, Wynette remains relatively uncommon as a given name. It has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking distinctive names with historical roots. The name's unique combination of Welsh origins and French styling gives it a sophisticated yet approachable quality. While never reaching widespread popularity, Wynette carries a musical legacy and conveys a sense of gentle beauty and blessing.
- Cashmere
Origin:
Word name, English from HindustaniMeaning:
"fine, downy wool"Description:
Cashmere is soft, luxurious — and way out of the ordinary. One of the unique names found in The Hunger Games series.
- Kelsie
Description:
Kelsie is a feminine name that emerged as a variation of Kelsey, which originated as an English surname derived from place names meaning 'Ceol's island' or 'ship's victory'. This spelling variation gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s as parents sought softer, more distinctly feminine versions of unisex names. Kelsie presents a youthful, friendly quality with its ending 'ie' sound, which gives it a more overtly feminine touch than the original spelling. The name peaked in popularity around 1995 in the United States but has since declined, making it less common for newborns today. Kelsie evokes a sense of approachability and warmth while maintaining a modern feel. The name balances familiarity with uniqueness, being recognizable without being overly common.
- Fulton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fields of the village"Description:
One of the surname names used more in the last century, à la Milton and Morton.
- Frazier
Origin:
Variation of FraserMeaning:
"strawberry"Description:
Stylish way to name your son after basketball great Walt -- though Walt is sounding fresh again too.
- Satchel
Origin:
American nicknameDescription:
First Woody Allen, then Spike Lee named their children to honor the great early black pitcher, Leroy "Satchel" Paige. A bit luggage-related for non-celebrity use, however.
- Ophelie
Origin:
French variation of OpheliaMeaning:
"help"Description:
Though this name properly takes an accent over the first e, most Americans would probably have trouble pronouncing it with French elan.
- Elfie
Description:
Elfie is a charming feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'alf' or 'elf', which in Germanic mythology referred not to tiny creatures but to supernatural beings of great beauty and power. It can also be a nickname for names like Elfrieda or Elizabeth in some cultures. The name evokes qualities of whimsy, magic, and enchantment, with its fairy-tale associations giving it a playful, ethereal character. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Elfie has experienced periodic interest, particularly in European countries. Its brevity and sweet sound appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet endearing. The name's magical connotations give it a sense of wonder and imagination.
- Bernie
Origin:
English diminutive of Bernadette, Bernadine, or Bernice, GermanMeaning:
"brave as a bear"Description:
Bernie is an old school unisex nickname name, on the order of Bobbie or Willie. But with Billie and her tomboyish crew coming back, it's time to get Bernie on your radar! Bernie has a certain vintage charm and is boosted by the funky clunky Bernadette long form.
- Offie
Origin:
Diminutive of Ophrah, HebrewMeaning:
"fawn"Description:
A very old-fashioned nickname for the biblical city name Ophrah.
- Paulie
Origin:
Variation of Paul, LatinMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paulie is one short form that never caught on the way Stevie and Danny did, except for the sadistic mama's boy on The Sopranos. Pauley buttons it up and turns it into a surname.
- Sweeney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"the little hero"Description:
The double 'e' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one known as Mad Sweeney who spent his life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Another possible drawback is the association with Sweeney Todd, the bloodthirsty butcher of Sondheim stage-musical fame.
- Coretta
Origin:
English, elaborated form of CoraDescription:
Famous as the name of the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Lollie
Origin:
Diminutive of Charlotte, Laura, Dolores, and similarMeaning:
"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.
- Ettore
Origin:
Italian variation of HectorMeaning:
"holds fast"Description:
Has a lot more charm than the ancient Hector.
- Pistol
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"fiream"Description:
A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the 2020s.
Introducing the Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.