50 Old-Fashioned Baby Names That Will Melt Your Heart

So, your mom wants you to name your newborn bundle of joy after your great-great-great grandmother. Don’t fight it. Old-fashioned uncommon baby names —with their hip and stylish nod to the past—are kind of the cutest.

In fact, there’s a whole theory to support the trend of bringing new life to old-fashioned baby names dubbed the 100-Year Rule; per the rule, it takes 100 years for an old-fashioned name to cycle back into style. But don’t sleep on any of these adorable names that are totally timeless. Check out our carefully curated list of vintage monikers, which includes options for boys, girls and unisex choices, too.

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Old Fashioned Baby Names for Girls

1. Florence

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This classic name of Latin origin means “to flower and flourish” (and possibly “to wear a flower crown at all times”).

2. Alice

Meaning: “Nobility.” This name of German origin was popularized in 1865 thanks to some dude named Lewis Carroll.

3. Gertrude

This badass German girl's name means “spear of strength” (kind of like her mama).

4. Pearl

A Latin name with a meaning of “the finest of its kind,” and also “skilled at picking out jewelry.” Obviously.

5. Maude

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A riff on Matilda, this fierce moniker has Old German and Welsh origins, and a meaning of “battle-mighty.” (As in, who runs the world? Maude.)

6. Beulah

Pronounced “bee-ooo-lah,” this Hebrew name technically means “married” (but only if she wants to be).

7. Rosemary

Here, an aromatic herb and a compromise 19th-century moms made when they couldn’t pick between “Rose” and “Mary.” This one means “dew of the sea.”

8. Dorothy

“Gift of God” is the meaning of this name of Greek origin. She reportedly loves ruby slippers, yellow brick roads and the state of Kansas.

9. Evelyn

This name of British origin means “wished-for child.” And when it comes to old-fashioned baby names, you’d be hard pressed to find a better fit for a rainbow baby. BRB, sobbing.

10. Phyllis

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This elegant name of Greek origin means “greenery” and “foliage.” It also has ties to the mythological daughter of a king who died of heartbreak and turns into an almond tree.

11. Darla

This name of English origin means “darling” and “beloved." (A good fit, right?)

12. Bea

A shortened, American version of the Latin name Beatrice—this one-syllable moniker is perfect for a newborn bundle of joy; it means “bringer of happiness

13. Edith

“Prosperous in strife” is the particularly hopeful meaning of this beautiful name of Old English origin, which was the given name of talented French singer Edith Piaf.

14. Marilyn

This vintage name of British, Welsh and Hebrew origin has numerous meanings, including “star of the sea,” “rebellious” and “wished-for child.”

15. Susan

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Or Suzy for short. This classic name has Hebrew origins and a meaning that suggests innocence and purity: “lily of the valley.”

16. Dot

This cute one-syllable moniker is actually just a nickname for Dorothy, so it has the same Greek origins and meaning of “gift of God.”  That said, Dot can be used as a stand alone name as well and certainly has a lot of personality.

17. Henrietta

Henrietta, the feminine form of Henry, has powerful vibes and a meaning to match: “home ruler.”

18. Dolly

Dolly is a vintage nickname for both Dorothy and Dolores, but (the very awesome) Dolly Parton proves it can stand on its own. The meanings are “gift of God,” “emotion” and “sorrowful.”

19. Vera

Once quite popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, this one has fallen out of fashion. (Ironic, since it’s the name of a pretty famous fashion designer.) Nevertheless, it’s a very pretty choice for a girl that has Slavic origins and a meaning of “faith.”

20. Lillian

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This soft and melodic moniker has Latin origins and a meaning of “purity” that has ties to the flower.

21. Ruby

Ruby is a name of Latin and French origin that’s directly related to the namesake gemstone and has a meaning that reflects its deep red color. That said, I’m getting bubbly vibes with a side of Southern charm from this one.

22. Agatha

Here, a rather austere sounding name of Greek origin with a desirable meaning of “good” and “honorable.”

Old-Fashioned Baby Names for Boys

23. Clarence

Clarence has Latin origins and a meaning of “bright,” “shining” and “gentle.” I think it pairs well with a tweed blazer.

24. Harold

“Power,” “leader” and “ruler” are the meanings of this Old English boy’s name. But no pressure, baby.

25. Arthur

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Or Art for short. This name, which dates back to the Middle Ages when King Arthur ruled England, means “noble,” “courageous” and “strong as a bear.” Rawr.

26. Conrad

This sturdy name of German origin means “brave counsel” (but beware, giving advice makes him tired).

27. Winston

Winston is an English name with meanings of “joyful stone” and “from wine’s town.” In other words, a kid after our own heart.

28. George

George is a name of Greek origin with a pretty prominent royal legacy and a surprisingly humble meaning of “tiller of the soil” or “farmer.”

29. Archie

Archie is a seriously cute masculine name that was originally used as the shortened version of Archibald. I think we can all agree the nickname is better, which is why it’s commonly used as a given name now ( just take it from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ). Either way, it has a lovely meaning of “genuine,” “bold” and “brave.”

30. Gerald

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“Rule of the spear” is the fierce meaning of this classic boy’s name of Welsh and Irish origin.

31. Roland

This classic name apparently originates from Frankish (and frankly, I had to Google that origin—it’s a West Germanic language spoken in the Early Middle Ages) and has a meaning of “renowned land.” I think it sounds pretty smooth.

32. Ernest

“Serious” and “vigor” are the meanings of this German name, but due to its similarity to earnest , I think it’s a good fit for a sweet and humble kid.

33. Allan

Or Alan if you prefer. Either way, this name has mixed origins but is associated with France and the UK. It has a winning meaning of “handsome” and “peaceful.”

34. Louis

“Famed warrior” and “loot bringer” are the meanings of this French name . I’m rooting for the second meaning. After all, they say every baby is born with a loaf of bread under their arm, right?

35. Sinclair

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This name of French and Latin origin means “pure,” “renowned” and “holy.” In my opinion, it means “too cool for school.”

36. Edwin

This classic name of Old English origin has a humble sound and a fortuitous meaning of “wealthy friend.”

37. Melvin

Melvin has Irish and Scottish roots, bookish vibes and a meaning of “gentle chieftain.”

38. Walter

Walter is a lovely vintage name with a rather serious personality to it and a meaning to match: “commander of the army.”

39. Thatcher

Here, an occupational surname of British origin that’s evolved into a given name. It means “roof thatcher.”

40. Hudson

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This vintage moniker has been around for ages but still feels pretty fresh. Hudson is a Middle English name with Germanic roots and a meaning of “son of Hugh.”

41. Wallace

Wallace is an Anglo-Norman name with a sweet, gentle sound and a meaning of “Welshman” or “Celt.”

42. Desi

This name of Latin and Italian origin, made famous by Desi Arnaz, has a heartwarming meaning of “desired.”

43. Teddy

Of all the old-fashioned baby names for boys, this one might top the list when it comes to vintage cuteness. Teddy, a shortened version of Theodore, has French origins and meanings of “wealthy protector” and “God’s gift.”

Gender-Neutral and Unisex Old-Fashioned Baby Names

44. Merrick

This gender-neutral moniker has Welsh origins, a meaning of “ruler of the sea” and a powerful sound that’s well-suited to a kid who means business.

45. Flynn

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Originally used as a surname, this one-syllable Irish moniker means “ruddy” or “reddish complexion.”

46. Gene

I hate to play favorites, but I love this short and sweet name for both genders. It has Greek origins and a fitting meaning of “well-born.”

47. Tiegen

Tiegen is a gender-neutral name with Norwegian and Welsh origins, an energetic sound and a sweet meaning of “darling,” “pretty” or “beautiful.”

48. Mallory

OK, I’ve only ever seen this one used for girls, but apparently it actually has a history as a gender-neutral name of French origin. Unfortunately, its meaning is, well, “unfortunate.”

49. Easton

This unisex name of English origin has a habitational meaning that refers to settlements in the east (i.e., “east town”).

50. Indra

In India and Nepal, this melodic moniker is typically masculine; in Latvia, however, it’s favored for girls. I say that it can easily go both ways no matter where you live. It has a lovely sound and a poetic meaning of “possessing drops of rain.”

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