What is a vintage girl name?
If you want a baby name that will not only evoke rose-tinted memories of the past but won’t date badly, you could consider a classic such as Charlotte and Elizabeth. Both these beautiful names have been around for centuries, stylishly standing the test of time but never hitting the top of the charts, meaning that they never truly go out of fashion.
But many names with old-fashioned appeal are what the ONS refers to as ‘comeback kids.’ These are names that were popular back in the day and then fell out of favour for decades. With enough time having passed for new parents to think of these ‘forgotten’ names as fresh and new rather than fusty, they’ve returned, screeching back up the name popularity charts.
Popular ‘comeback kid’ vintage names for girls include Victorian era names, Florence and Elsie. Another choice is Mabel, which was popular during Victorian times but fell out of favour from the early 20th century and was forgotten for almost a century. In 2001, only 20 babies in England and Wales were given the name Mabel. But during the noughties, as Victorian ‘granny chic’ names became popular, Mabel climbed steadily up the name charts. It hit a peak in 2022, according to the latest ONS stats, when it reached number 50 in the top 100 for England and Wales.
You don’t have to travel too far back in time to select a vintage name. After the rise of Victorian baby names in the early noughties, names from the 1920s, such as Daphne, Penelope and Joan (or Joanie), have come back in style. The way naming trends go, a new era is sure to hit the mainstream soon and we reckon mid-century names (1950s and 1960s) are due a reappearance. Mary and Gloria are cool vintage names from this time period.
Another type of old-fashioned girl name is the vintage nickname name. Back in the day, when times were more strait-laced and buttoned up, baby girls were given ‘Sunday best’ names such as Catherine, Margaret or Mary which were then shortened to cutesy nicknames for everyday use.
Some of these nickname names appear to bear no relation to the original name. For instance, did you know Polly started out as a nickname for Mary, while Peggy was an old school nickname for Margaret? Strange but true…
Nowadays, these traditional nicknames have become established and much-loved standalone names in their own right. These include Maisie and Peggy (short for Margaret); Mamie (short for either Margaret or Mary); Polly, Molly and Minnie (short for Mary); Kitty (short for Catherine or Katherine); Sadie and Sally (short for Sarah); Eliza, Betsy, Betty, Lizzie, Eliza and Elsie (short for Elizabeth). Even Lily could be used as a diminutive for Elizabeth as well as being a flower name in its own right.
If you’d prefer a rarer vintage name for your baby girl, consider Maud, which has similar Victorian vibes as the very popular Mabel but is much less well-used, outside the top 2000 in the official ONS rankings - or outside the top 3000 for the less-known spelling, Maude.
And how about a vintage name which ticks two old-fashioned boxes in one? Clara not only has Victorian vibes but also shimmers with Roaring Twenties glamour, in honour of 1920s silent movie star, Clara Bow. Clara is currently at number 93 in the ONS list but Taylor Swift’s brand new song Clara Bow is sure to see this name sky rocket in popularity.
Without further ado, let’s travel back in time to discover more gorgeous vintage names for baby girls in 2026.
Popular old-fashioned girls’ names
1. Ada
Origin: German
Meaning: Noble
2. Alice
Origin: German
Meaning: Noble
3. Amelia
4. Anna
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Grace, favour
5. Ava
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bird
6. Beatrice (or Beatrix)
7. Bella
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Beautiful
8. Bonnie
9. Charlotte
Origin: French
Meaning: Free woman
10. Clara
11. Daisy
Origin: English
Meaning: From the flower
12. Edith
13. Eleanor (or Elinor)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my light
14. Elizabeth
15. Eliza
Origin: Hebrew, English
Meaning: Pledged to God
16. Elsie
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Pledged to God
17. Emilia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Rival
18. Emily
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Rival
19. Emma
Origin: German
Meaning: Whole/great
20. Eva
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Life or breath
21. Evelyn
22. Florence
23. Grace
24. Gracie
25. Hannah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Favour, grace
26. Imogen
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: Maiden
27. Isabella
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my oath
28. Isabelle (or Isobel)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my oath
29. Harriet
Origin: German
Meaning: Home ruler
30. Iris
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Rainbow
31. Ivy
Origin: English
Meaning: Fidelity
32. Jessica
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God behold
33. Lara
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Laurel leaf
34. Lucy
Origin: English
Meaning: Light
35. Lily
Origin: English
Meaning: Purity
36. Lottie
Origin: French
Meaning: Strong woman
37. Mabel
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Loveable
38. Maeve
Origin: Irish
Meaning: She who rules
39. Maisie
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Pearl
40. Margot (or Margaux)
Origin: French
Meaning: Pearl
41. Maria
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Of the sea
42. Millie
Origin: English
Meaning: Gentle strength
43. Molly (or Mollie)
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Star of the sea
44. Nancy
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Grace
45. Olive
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Olive tree
46. Penelope
Origin: Greek
Meaning: One who weaves
47. Phoebe
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Bright/pure
48. Rose
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Rose/flower
49. Rosie
Origin: English
Meaning: From a rose
50. Ruby
51. Scarlett
Origin: English
Meaning: Red
52. Sophie
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Wisdom
53. Violet
What Mumsnetters think of popular old-fashioned girls’ names
“Love the name Lara. And the beautiful piece of music, 'Lara’s Theme' from Dr Zhivago.” - Mumsnet user, Orphlids
“I have a Violet. Still utterly adore it. No regrets.” - Mumsnet user, Lavendersparkles22