Baby names can be a black hole. Figuring out what to name a child is daunting, but it can also be fun. It's also seemingly endless when it comes to all the possibilities out there. There are modern names, hipster names, and "hottest," — the most popular names. Names are such a big deal that the US Social Security Administration releases a list of the most popular baby names of the year. Throughout the past decade, Emmas, Olivias, Jaydens, and Liams have consistently topped the list. They're fresh and cute and feel very "now." But some parents don't want their kid's name to be the most popular. Maybe they're generally unconventional people who have always steered away from the fads.
And some parents have a popular name and know what it's like to be designated the fifth Jessica in the class and forever branded as "Jessica L." No matter the reason, some parents try to dig through culture, history, celebrity kids' names, and every other avenue to find something different and special. Sometimes it may be true that the freshest and most unusual names are actually the oldest!
Yes, naming a child after a grandparent is already a thing for many people, but going back a little farther can mean finding great names that fell off the popularity charts. These underused classics now sound distinctive again and many hit the sweet spot of classic, hipster, and unusual!
So let's look back at names that might have been only been cool in yesteryear. As we know from baby name trends in the past, names can be saved from extinction, and many names are actually due for a comeback.
We compiled a list of Old-World names that are just waiting to make a resurgence. Will babies of 2030 and beyond start the trend? We sure hope so!
MARTHA
In addition to being the first name of the first first lady of the United States, Marthas have been significant for a long time. A Martha figures in the biblical story of Lazarus, and more recently we've had the maven of all things domestic, Martha Stewart, and grand dame of modern dance, Martha Graham. The name come from the Aramaic language, and it means "lady."
EVERETT
Everett comes to us from Old Germanic and Old English, and it means "brave, strong boar" or "brave as a wild boar." It's definitely a name with staying power. It has been a consistently popular boys' name for more than 140 years, peaking at 81st in 1906, and since 2001, it's been riding another wave of popularity.
EMIL
Emil is derived from an old Roman family name and is the male counterpart to Emily. The original name means "rival" or "to strive or excel." Among the most appropriate and accomplished bearers of this name was Emil Zatopek, the great Czechoslovakian distance runner of the mid-20th century.
ALONZO
Alonzo is another distinguished name, attributed mainly to Italian and Spanish origin. Its meanings include "noble" and "ready to battle." The Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes used it as the first name of the character who renames himself "Don Quixote" in the classic novel.
AUGUST
August is a name for a baby that means business. It comes from the Latin for "great," "magnificent," "esteemed," and "venerable." In fact, it had so much cachet that more than one Roman emperor had it as part of their title in the form, Augustus. But if that seems a bit much for a baby to carry, "Augie" and "Gus" are also derived from it.
GROVER
The name Grover has graced various famous personalities from a former president of the United States to a much more well-known and beloved Sesame Street character. It comes from English, and originally meant, fittingly enough, "from the grove." It also came into use as an American version of the German and Swiss name Gruber.
EULA
The musical name Eula is derived from the even more melodic Greek name Eulalia, which means "good speaking," "wealthy," or "gem of the sea." It's also used as a variation of the name Ula, which has Scandinavian, Celtic, and Hawaiian roots. An unusual name possessing both beauty and simplicity.
MAUDE
The name Maude comes down to us from Hebrew, Old German, and even French, derived variously from Madeline, Matilda, and Maud. In whichever version, it means "woman of Magdala, mighty in battle," so it conveys determination and strength. A popular nickname is Maddy.
FRANK
The sturdy directness of Frank never goes out of style. Even outside its use as a name, frank as a word indicates indicates simplicity and honesty. And though it can't get any plainer, it lends itself to softening with a nickname such as "Frankie." Originally an Old German term meaning "Frenchman," it's famous bearers range from crooner Frank Sinatra to architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
MARY
Mary is a name that has definitely stood the test of time. It's been used by monarchs and popular singers alike. The name is the English version of "Maria," and comes originally from the Hebrew Maryam or Miriam. Various meanings have been attributed to Mary, including "drop of the sea," "bitter," and "beloved."
CORDELIA
Cordelia means "heart of the sea" or "daughter" and also has the classy advantage of being the same name as a key character in Shakespeare's drama King Lear. Royal and vintage, we're on board. She can be called Cordy or Cori for short.
MINNIE
Minnie Mouse probably holds the claim to being the most famous bearer of this Old World name, but picture it on a little girl? It's still adorable. It's allegedly a form of "Miryam," which is the name of the '60s fictional character Mrs. Maisel.
ALICE
Alice is another older name, but it has achieved staying power across pop culture, from the timeless fame of Alice in Wonderland to contemporary author Alice Walker. Alice first became popular in France and Britain in the 12th century.
GEORGE
George may be making a comeback, thanks to Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge giving their son, Prince George, the name. But one doesn't have to stem from a long line of kings to have it. It actually has Greek origins and has a Roman tie through a martyred soldier from Palestine.
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HENRY
Henry just sounds so sweet. At the same time, it carries a strength and history that a young boy — and young man — can grow into as he matures. It's a name of German origin, and one borne by numerous kings past, so it also has a natural regal air to it.
CHARLES
Charles is another royal-associated name. It means "free man" and topped the most-popular name lists throughout the 1880s. Charles Darwin, a popular figure at this time, may or may not have something to do with that.
FLORENCE
The most popular Florence today comes from the band Florence and the Machine, but the name has roots much further back than that. It's Latin and means "flourishing, prosperous." It sounds like an ethereal name, with infinite nickname potentials.
IDA
Ida could make a comeback as the next Ava. Both names have three letters, but are simple and feminine. It's a German name, brought to England, and means "work" and "labor." It's also "the name of a mountain on the island of Crete where, according to Greek myth, the god Zeus was born."
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HARRY
The first association that comes to mind when we think of Harry is likely to be the fictional character Harry Potter. It's definitely more popular as an English name, but because of the books' popularity in the US, the name could make a resurgence.
ARTHUR
Arthur is a name that has its earliest regal use in the sixth century. There's also its tie to the Middle Ages thanks to King Arthur and his knights. And who wouldn't hope their son had some of the characteristics of such a noble literary figure?
EDISON
Edison probably initially evokes the famous American inventor who placed his imprint on so many aspects of modern life, but its origins lie in Old English where it was commonly a last name. But as a first name, it has surged in popularity in recent years.
BEATRIX
Beatrix Potter, the creator of the Peter Rabbit books, came to mind when this name appeared in our search, but the name has an identity all its own. It has both soothing and adventurous meanings, including "she who brings happiness" and "voyager."
HARVEY
Thanks to shows such as Riverdale, which takes place in a comic book-inspired world, older names like Archie are coming back into the limelight. This includes, Harvey, the boyfriend of Sabrina the teenage witch, which is also a comic-turned-sitcom-turned-Netflix series.
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HILDA
Hilda has also experienced a resurgence in popular culture, thanks also to the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series on Netflix. It definitely carries powerful overtones, as it stems from the German word "hild," which means "battle."
ISOLDE
Isolde is Welsh of origin, and it means "ice ruler." It's said to have gained popularity from a folk story of two lovers, Tristan and Isolde, which is set in the sixth century. The story has carried enough romantic power to be the subject of opera and film.
MABEL
Mabel is a sweet, down-to-earth name that means "lovable and dear." During the Middle Ages, the use of the name Amabel was more common. But over the centuries, it was ultimately shorted to Mabel.
LUTHER
Luther is a name with a long, strong history, going back to the famous 17th century priest and theologian Martin Luther. But as a first name, it may be most associated with R&B singer Luther Vandross. Historically, the name means "army people."
CLARK
Yet another comic book character name, Clark (as in Clark Kent from Superman) means "scribe" or "secretary." For much of the 20th century, its standard bearer was actor Clark Gable. It originated as a surname in England but over time has risen in popularity as a first name.
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ADELAIDE
Adelaide is more than just a city in Australia (the capital of the Australian state of South Australia). It's also an Old World name that means "noble" or "nobility." It can be shortened to Addie or Addy or even Adele.
FLETCHER
Fletcher is one of those names that typically serves as a last name, but that also works well as a first name. Famous holders of the name include Big Band leader Fletcher Henderson. It is derived from the French word for an "arrow maker."
INEZ
Believe it or not, Inez, which is the Portuguese version of Agnes, is an older name itself. It is derived from Greek and can be translated as "chaste, pure, sacred." The name has found its way into popular culture as the name for characters in the film Hairspray and TV series Futurama.
BRENT
Brent used to be a last name, but since the 1940s has become a popular first name as well. Meaning "the burnt" in Old English, it was originally the last name for a criminal who had been branded for his crimes. But despite this association, it's still a charmer.
FERN
Say hello to Fern! The Old English word for the leafy green plant, Fern is a sweet and sprightly name for a baby girl. It's also the name of the young girl who saves Wilber the pig in Charlotte's Web and is less common than similar floral names like Rose or Daisy.
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ELBERT
ADELHEID
A name fit for a princess, Adelheid has Germanic roots and means "nobility." Many members of the German and Austrian royalty were named Adelheid, and there are a few sweet variations of the name too, including Adelaide, Adele, and Heidi.
GRANVILLE
Although Granville has dropped in popularity since the 1880s, we think it's due for a comeback. Originally an Old French last name meaning "large town," Granville was also the name of British abolitionist Granville Sharp and Granville Woods, an inventor.
GUNHILDA
A totally quirky name that's bound to be one-of-a-kind in grade school, Gunhilda is an old Norse name that means "battle maid." Variations of this fearless name can be Hilda or Helga, but we think it's great as is. Perfect for a strong and brave little girl!
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ADELBERT
OLIVETTE
The origin for the name Olivia, Olivette is a Shakespearian name that will satisfy literary-leaning parents. Meaning "olive tree," William Shakespeare named an heiress Olivette in his play Twelfth Night. Both pretty and unusual, Olivette is a name that should be more popular.
ZION
An Old World name that also has biblical connections. In many religions, Zion is a term for the promised land, but what's most interesting is the name's recent burst of popularity. In 2017, the name cracked into the top 200 most popular baby names in the country.
KELTON
Meaning "town of keels," Kelton has English origins. And the unusual name also relates to shipbuilding. Although it might not seem like a name one hears too often, Kelton has become popular in recent years — particularly in the 2000s when the name seemed to have a boom.
ROSAMUND
A quintessentially British name, Rosamund was the name of Henry II's mistress,"fair Rosamond" Clifford. Rosamund is also the name of a character in George Elliot's novel Middlemarch and is of German origin. It also means "horse protection," although an alternative translation has the meaning as "rose of the world."
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ROLF
There is probably one famous Rolf that comes to mind, but unfortunately the musical mutt from The Muppets actually spells his name R-O-W-L-F — so close! Rolf is a German name that means "famous wolf" and is often the nickname of Rudolph. A different take is the name Rollo, or a more nature-loving parent might like the name Wolf.
SIMONETTA
An Italian name meaning "the harkening," Simonetta is a variation of the name Simona. The name is also steeped in fashion history; Simonetta Colonna was a key figure in the emergence of Italian haute couture. Similarly, Simonette also has an Italian flair.
RAINER
A traditional name for German boys, Rainer is still uncommon in the US. Meaning "wise army" in German, Rainer is both distinct but still feels contemporary with names that are already popular. Plus, any fan of The Simpsons will immediately be able to spot that it's the same name as the hilarious action star Rainer Wolfcastle.
VIVIANA
A little Viviana is destined to be full of life. Originating from the Latin word for "alive," Viviana has recently become more popular with parents. Viviana also is popular in Spain and Italy and is perhaps a more festive choice than the traditional Vivian.
