If you’re pregnant, know someone who is, or just love dreaming about baby names for a potential future child, grandchild, niece or nephew, then you’re in the right place.

While we love a lot of different baby names, choosing just the right one can sometimes be difficult. Sometimes, instead of going with the latest, trendiest name out there, it can help to look at the popular names of days gone by.

Today we’re looking at vintage baby names, some of which are gaining in popularity and others that are due for a comeback. Perhaps you’ll find the baby name you’ve been searching for on this list.

First, let’s talk about girls’ names.

According to the Social Security Administration, the number one most popular baby name in 2023 was Olivia followed by Emma, Charlotte, Amelia and Sophia, but let’s travel back in time to the 1930s to see what was popular back then.

In 1930, the number one most popular girls baby name was Mary. That’s a wonderful name that makes us think of both the mother of Jesus and the wife of George Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” as well as the title character in the film “Mary Poppins.” It doesn’t get more classic and lovely than a name like Mary, after all, if she’s anything like Mary Poppins she’ll be “practically perfect in every way.”

The second most popular baby girl name in 1930 was Betty, which makes us instantly think of actresses Betty Davis and Betty White. And the third most popular baby girl name in 1930 was Dorothy, which makes us think of the staring character in “The Wizard of Oz.” If you’re a Wicked fan, Dorothy could be a great subtle way to pay homage to the Broadway musical and film adaptation without strapping your bundle of joy with a name like Elphaba or Glinda.

 

Other vintage girl names worth considering include Patricia, Doris, Lois and Alice.

Now let’s talk about boys’ names.

In 2023, the most popular name for a baby boy was Liam. This doesn’t seem too surprising since our kids have multiple friends with the name Liam. This name was closely followed in popularity by Noah, Oliver, James and Elijah.

Now, let’s turn to the 1930s for inspiration. In 1930, the most popular baby boy’s name was Robert. Robert seems like a nice solid name, and we can think of many famous Roberts, like Robert Redford, Robert Pattinson, Robert Downey Jr, and Robert DeNiro. Surely a name like Robert almost equals fame and success.

The second most popular baby boy name in 1930 was James followed by John. Interestingly, James was almost as popular in 2023 as it was in 1930! James makes us think of characters from the Bible as well as famous actors. We again think of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the star of the film, James (Jimmy) Stewart. Other famous James’ include James Cameron and James Earl Jones.

As far as John, that’s also a Biblical name, plus there are many famous Johns including John Wayne, John F. Kennedy, John Travolta and John Stamos.

Other vintage boy names worth considering include Paul, Kenneth, Harold and Walter.

Did any of these vintage baby names resonate with you? Which vintage baby names do you think need to make a comeback?