Look back a few generations and you'll find some great baby names to use today. Here's a guide to trendy and unusual old-fashioned names.
Old-fashioned baby names-- or names that were popular several generations ago-- appeal to many parents. Many of these names have not been used much for many years, and therefore they have a surprisingly "fresh" feel to them. On the other hand, because these are old names, they have a classic appeal as well. Old-fashioned names often have a quaint cuteness that befits a little girl, but also are substantial enough to follow a girl into adulthood.
If you're looking for an old-fashioned name for a baby girl, here's a guide to help you out.
Trendy Old-Fashioned Names
Since old-fashioned names have a wide appeal, some of them have caught on and become trendy. If you'd rather use a more unusual name, these are names to avoid. On the other hand, if you'd like to give your child an old-fashioned name that doesn't stand out as too unusual, consider these popular choices for your little girl.
Abigail
Alexandra
Anna
Ava
Chloe
Elizabeth
Ella
Emma
Emily
Grace
Hannah
Isabella/Isabel
Julia
Mia
Olivia
Sarah
Sophia
Up and Coming Old-Fashioned Names
These old-fashioned names haven't become as widely used as the trendy names, but they're gaining in popularity and may become trendy in years to come. Consider these names if you'd like to give a child a name that's fairly common, but not too common.
Bella
Caroline/Carolyn
Charlotte
Clara
Gracie
Ellie
Lillian/Lily
Sadie
Sophie
Victoria
Unusual Old-Fashioned Names
These are old-fashioned names that haven't been rediscovered yet, but that have a fresh enough feel to work for a little girl in the modern world. Give these a try if you want to give a girl a unique spin on the old-fashioned name trend.
Annabelle/Annabella
Arabella
Beatrice
Doris
Dorothy/Dorothea
Greta
Gwendolyn/Gwen
Hazel
Helen
Jane
Jill/Jillian
Mathilda
Margaret
Nora
Penelope
Rosalie
Rose
Old-Fashioned Names to Avoid
Some old-fashioned names probably aren't coming back any time soon. These names don't just sound old-fashioned-- they sound old.
The copyright of the article Old-Fashioned Baby Names for Girls in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Old-Fashioned Baby Names for Girls in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
thank you. it was a good selection. i needed it cuz my friends keep calling
me karen so now i call them, barbra, shirley, zelda, millecent, birtha,
greta, doris, and charlotte.
Dec 4, 2008 9:23 AM
Guest
:
This is great! We are looking for an unusual/non-popular name for our next
child. We named our first Greta 3 years ago and have not heard another one
since. :)
Dec 23, 2008 6:03 AM
Guest
:
i know a greta..
Apr 30, 2009 6:20 PM
Guest
:
my youngest child has a neat name and i was looking up to see what it
means its a very old name . Campsie . if any one could please tell me what
it means please email me betty43719@yahoo.com
May 1, 2009 9:37 PM
Guest
:
Call me old fashioned..but i'm diggin on all these names! lol
May 2, 2009 11:33 AM
Guest
:
My step cousin's name is Millicent. She's a normal teenager, but you could
pass her for a 20-year-old model. So, don't you say that her name is old.
But, besides that one name, I like all of the other names. (Or at least the
idea of some of the names.)
May 6, 2009 1:20 PM
Guest
:
Know of any good girl's names using Kenneth and James....Kenna Jamison,
Kennah Jame, etc.
May 7, 2009 12:12 PM
Guest
:
I love these names!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
May 7, 2009 4:59 PM
Guest
:
I like the name Mabel, I don't think it sounds nearly as old as the other
ones. Lol the other ones in the 'avoid' section are just scary!
May 8, 2009 6:50 PM
Guest
:
I'm trying to write a book and I was looking for an old-fashioned name for
a strict mom. I came up with Mildred. Thanks!
May 16, 2009 10:03 AM
Guest
:
I'm from north england and these names are really popular. I know
loads of people called sarah, mia, ava, rose, ellie, olivia and especially
grace. I'd go for foreign names my girls are called Amelie-Blake and
Avannah-Belle they are unusual but still fit in with popular names
May 22, 2009 10:00 PM
Guest
:
do anyone know what Ameeka stands for as little girl name?
Jun 5, 2009 10:29 PM
Guest
:
Thanks to this site I found a name for my little girl. I have not heard of
any Jillians in the town where I live in so I thought it'd be a pretty
name.
Jun 17, 2009 4:13 PM
Guest
:
My two year old daughter is named Mabel Virginia (my two grandmothers) and
I can't tell you how many compliments the name Mabel gets! I love it, too!
