There's something so amazing and romantic about the stars of the oldest movies. It was such a young medium, there were a lot of techniques that still needed to be figured out — and acting styles were much broader back then. But the stars who spoke to our grandparents' and great-grandparents' hearts still connect with us today. We love celebrating the earliest Academy Award winners, the people who laid the foundation for a style of artistic expression that has gone from short, simple films to becoming an enormous and powerful means of expression and a major world industry. The early days of film set up archetypes that follow us to this day: There's the ingenue, like early film star Lillian Gish, now portrayed by stars like Amanda Seyfried, and the party girl, originated by Louise Brooks, now pretty much owned by Lindsey Lohan.
For more movie-themed names, we definitely recommend checking out some baby boy names inspired by epic movies, which will probably start a binge watching session. Or, take name inspo from summer blockbusters. If that's too modern, try names from classic films that aren't quite all the way back to the silent era. Those with a tender heart might want to consider names connected to our favorite total romantic comedies. Darker tastes might look to horror movies for the perfect name for LO, which can be lovelier than we had imagined (and the kid doesn't have to be told the inspiration until they're much, much older)! Parents-to-be with a sense of humor will no doubt look to baby names inspired by great comedies, which may be easier to share with kids when they're younger (although not always — some of these are super funny, but are better for the adults)!
CLARA
Clara Bow was an American actress who became perhaps the biggest star of the silent film era. She was literally the first "It Girl" after her film, It, rocketed her to stardom. We love the name Clara because it's old-fashioned while still feeling modern and fresh.
LILLIAN
Lillian Gish had a film acting career for 75 years, and was one of the first stars ever shot on screen. Known as an absolutely ethereal beauty, as well as a talented writer and director, she is known as the First Lady of American Cinema. We adore the name Lillian and think it would be a lovely way to honor the first real movie star.
BROOKS
Louise Brooks was a famous silent movie star known for her iconic short haircut, which spurred a wave of imitators. She was also known for being one of the first flappers. We love her last name, Brooks, as a first name for a baby boy — or a cool girl.
EVELYN
Evelyn Nesbit was an actress in the silent film era, but she was also a famous model and chorus girl. As a model, she became famous as one of the original Gibson Girls. We love the name Evelyn, which is terribly elegant and pretty without being old-fashioned.
CHAPLIN
Charlie Chaplin is perhaps the best-remembered actor from the silent film era. He was an amazing comedian who inspired everyone who saw him, and his career spanned over 75 years. His films are often ranked on the lists of the greatest films of all time. We love the name Charlie for a girl or a boy, but Chaplin is a superb name for a boy.
THEDA
Theda Bara was a famous silent film actress and an early sex symbol of the modern screen. Known as the original vamp, with roles that highlighted her exoticism. We love the name Theda because it's so old-fashioned and unusual, but still pronounceable (and not old-fashioned in a bad way, like Mildred).
KEATON
Buster Keaton, born Joseph Francis Keaton, was a famous American comedian and actor in the silent film era. We love the name Joseph (although we don't know how great a name Buster is) but we think Keaton is a striking name for a baby boy or girl.
JOHN
John Barrymore started as a famous stage actor, but became one of the early stars of the silver screen. He was perhaps the patriarch of the famous acting Barrymore family, whose most famous living member is Drew Barrymore. We love the simplicity and grace of the name John.
RAMON
Ramon Novarro, born Jose Ramón Gil Samaniego, was a Mexican-born silent film star, and known as a primary love interest of many ladies on the silver screen. We love the name Ramon, and the beautiful work he did opposite stars like Greta Garbo.
LON
Lon Chaney was a silent film star known primarily for early horror films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. We think the name Lon, which in Chaney's case was short for Leonidas, is handsome and old-fashioned while still being easy for Americans to pronounce.
RICHARD
Richard Barthelmeiss was the star of Broken Blossoms opposite Lillian Gish, and was a leading man in many silent films. He also was one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscars today. We love the name Richard for how classic it is.
CONRAD
Conrad Veidt was a German actor of the silent film era, famous for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Different From the Others. Married to a Jewish woman, Veidt and his wife fled Germany after the Nazis came to power, and settled in Britain. We love the name Conrad, which also reminds us of author Joseph Conrad.
MAX
Max Linder, born Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle, was a French actor and producer making silent movies. He was arguably the first international movie star, and played similar characters, creating a type for himself. We adore the name Max, whether on its own or as a shortening for Maximilien or Maximilian.
MONTE
Monte Blue, born Gerard Montgomery Bluefeather — what a name, right? — was a primary romantic leading man of the silent film era. He was handsome and talented. We love the name Monte, either as a shortening of a name like Montgomery or as a name on its own.
MAE
Mae Murray was a silent film star and icon of her era. Known as "The Girl With The Bee-Stung Lips" and "The Gardenia Of The Screen," she was terribly beautiful. We love the spelling of the name "Mae," as it also reminds us of Mae West and feels old-fashioned without being stuffy.
GLORIA
Gloria Swanson was one of Cecil B. DeMille's top box office draws, and one of the most famous actresses in silent movies. Later, she played an aging silent film star in Sunset Boulevard, one of the most brilliant films of our time. We think the name Gloria is stunning and would honor a remarkable actress.
SHEARER
Norma Shearer was a silent film star, making 13 silent films for MGM Studios, who also had a longstanding career in the talkies. She was nominated for the best actress award from the Academy five times, and won in 1930. We think her last name, Shearer, would be an excellent one for a boy or a girl.
ALICE
The beautiful Alice Terry began her career in silent film, and expanded it with her husband, Rex Ingram, for several decades. They co-directed several works together. We adore the name Alice, which feels like an unusual one these days.
CONSTANCE
Constance Talmadge, sister of Nora and Natalie Talmadge, was a beautiful actress of the silent screen. She and her sisters all had excellent acting careers, but Constance had the most personality, with an irreverence and sense of humor that came through in her work.
MARY
Mary Pickford, born Gladys Louise Smith, was a Canadian-born American actress who had a career that lasted over 50 years. She was a co-founder of her own film studio, and won the second-ever Academy Award for best actress. We love the classic name Mary, too.
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