It’s easy to feel nostalgic for days gone by. It is even possible to feel sentimental about a time period you didn’t even live through. This phenomenon is seen in popular baby girl names. When considering what to name your daughter, you can draw inspiration from the past.
The seven names on this list are a great place to start. Old-fashioned names are classic, regal, and fun. They prove how cyclical life really is. Everything that is old will one day become new again. For even more inspiration check out these articles.
Edith
This moniker is English in origin and means "prosperous in war.” Ediths are tough cookies. This name was popular a hundred years ago and is ready for a comeback. It is already gaining popularity in London and Stockholm but has yet to be overdone in the United States. The name has served two first ladies well, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. It is the name of several English queens. More recently it was used in the Despicable Me franchise and on Downton Abbey.
Josephine
Josephine is the French feminine version of Joseph. It literally means “Jehovah increases” so it is a great name for those with religious values. Beyond religion, the name has a vast history. Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Empress Joséphine du Beauharnais used the name. Flash forward to Josephine Baker, a French-American civil rights activist, who also was given the name. It also has a literary background as the protagonist in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
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Olive
If you are looking for an alternative to the popular but overused name of Olivia, consider Olive. It was first popular at the end of the 19th century so it's ready for a comeback. Many celebrities are paving the way. Isla Fisher, Drew Barrymore, and Jake Owen have used the name for their children. The olive tree and branch have meaningful symbolism as well. They invoke thoughts of peace and wealth.
Lucinda
This name has a great literary history. It was created by Miguel de Cervantes and used in his masterpiece Don Quixote. The moniker is a variation of the name Lucia or Lucy and means light. Baby girls named Lucinda will create positive change in the world. It has served country singer Lucinda Williams well.
Aurelia
This Latin name means “ the golden one.” It is the feminine version of Aurelius which was a popular last name in ancient Roman times. If you are looking for your Roman Empire name, you found it. It is also the name of a coin in the same time period. Perhaps a baby girl with this name would go on to be big in the banking or investment world. Julius Caesar’s mom had the moniker, so it has a rich history.
Imogen
For fans of Shakespeare, Imogen is a natural choice. The Celtic name is found in his play Cymbeline. It is believed the current spelling came out of a misprint. The name was actually supposed to be spelled Innogen and was based on the wife of Brutus of Troy, Britain's first king. The moniker has served Grammy-winning musician Imogen Heap and renowned photographer Imogen Cunningham well.
Winifred
The last old-fashioned name on our list comes with two cool nicknames. You could call a baby girl Winnie or Freddie, depending on their personality. Winifred is Welsh in origin and means "blessed peacemaking.” The moniker was used by a Welsh saint, so girls with this name will grown into strong leaders who use their hearts. The name can be found in literary works The Forsyte Saga and Tuck Everlasting. It also appears in the musical Once Upon a Mattress and the movie Hocus Pocus.
