Top 20+ Vintage Baby Names That Need to Make a Comeback

Many of the names on this list reached peak popularity in the 1800s, meaning they've dropped off most modern parents' radars—but we think it's high time they made a comeback! Consider one of these elegant, classic monikers that would make your grandmother proud.

1) Alice

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Your daughter might be tempted to head down the rabbit hole with this old-fashioned name.

2) Arthur

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

This English name comes from the Roman clan Artorius, meaning noble and courageous. (Think of the legendary King Arthur!)

3) Barbara

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Your little one can go by Barb, Babs, or Barbie for short.

4) Benedict

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Given the popularity of British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, we think this name deserves to make a comeback.

5) Bertha

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Meaning "bright one," this 6th century name originated in Germany.

7) Eleanor

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Eleanor is a sophisticated name with two adorable options for nicknames: Ellie and Nellie.

8) Eloise

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Just like the mischievous little girl at the Plaza Hotel, this name is all vintage charm.

9) Ethel

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

This Old English name is derived from the longer moniker Etheldreda, meaning noble and strength.

10) Eugene

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

The name of the prince in Disney's Tangled, it's also been the name of several saints and four popes.

11) Francis

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

This Latin baby name is commonly found in Shakespearean plays.

12) Gerald

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

A German name meaning of "rule of the spear," this name is perfect for your future adventurer.

13) Hugh

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

This classic name means intelligent—so the stakes are high for little ones with this moniker!

14) Mabel

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Originally Amabel during the Middle Ages and 19th century, the name shortened version is cute as a button.

15) Margaret

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

An old-fashioned name often used for queens and saints back in the day, it's now usually shortened to Maggie or Meg.

16) Minnie

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

The last time this name was super popular was at the beginning of the 20th century, but we think this name should no longer just be reserved for Mickey's lady pal.

17) Ralph

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Most popular from the1870s to the 1920s, this simple and refined name needs to make a comeback.

18) Shirley

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Child star Shirley Temple made this moniker iconic during the 1930s.

19) Theodore

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

With President Teddy Roosevelt in office during the early1900s, the moniker took reign as one of the most popular names of the time.

20) Walter

1) Alice, 2) Arthur, 3) Barbara, 4) Benedict, 5) Bertha, 7) Eleanor, 8) Eloise, 9) Ethel, 10) Eugene, 11) Francis, 12) Gerald, 13) Hugh, 14) Mabel, 15) Margaret, 16) Minnie, 17) Ralph, 18) Shirley, 19) Theodore, 20) Walter

Once seen as a noble name thanks to Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Walter Scott, this moniker also means "army ruler."

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