Old fashioned girls names are becoming increasingly popular. We're not talking about your mum's generation of names like Susan and Karen, we're talking 'old lady chic'. These names refer to those which were popular around 100-years ago that are growing in popularity again. Think names like Ada, Martha and Florence to name a few.
These lovely vintage baby girl names are traditional, but are now quite rare so can sound unique in the classroom. Many can also be shortened to cute nicknames for your daughter if they're a little too long in sound. Alternatively, there are plenty of one-syllable girl names available too.
When looking for an old-fashioned girl name, many parents look back on their family tree, to see what their great or even great-great-grandparents were called. Not only will this give you plenty of name ideas, but there will also be some sentimental meaning behind the name too.
Need some more persuading?
Take a look at our list of the best old-fashioned baby name ideas along with their meanings that are making a comeback:
Old fashioned girls names for your baby
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Florence - meaning ‘in bloom’. Also an Italian city.
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Adeline - variant of Adelaide, meaning ‘noble’.
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Cora - This lovely short Greek name means ‘maiden’.
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Mabel - meaning ‘loveable’. Although the name Mabel is very old and dates from the fifth century, it did not become popular until the nineteenth century, when the novel The Heir of Redclyffe was published.
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Dixie - French, meaning ‘tenth’. Usually used as a term for the South of the USA.
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Iris - This pretty Greek name means 'rainbow'.
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Winifred - Winnie Old English, meaning ‘holy and blessed’. Famous Winifreds include Winifred Atwell, prison breaker Winifred Herbert, author Winifred Mary Letts and South African activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
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Agatha - This name derives from the Greeks, meaning good and honorable.
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Edith - meaning ‘prosperity through battle’. Pulitzer Prize-winner Edith Wharton is the author of The Age of Innocence. Actress Edie Falco starred in The Sopranos.
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Dorothy - This is a fun English name meaning God's Gift, we also love that it's from Wizard of Oz.
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Cecilia - meaning ‘blind one’. Associated with the song ‘Cecilia’ by Simon and Garfunkel.
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Sybil - This is a Greek name meaning Prophetess or oracle. It was recently made famous in Downton.
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Eunice - Greek, meaning ‘victorious’. A spelling alternative to Unice.
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Pearl - meaning ‘pale gemstone’. Pearl Buck was an American author.
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Tallulah - This Native American name means ‘leaping water’.
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Muriel - We do love this sweet Irish Gaelic name meaning ‘sea-bright’.
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Etta - Shortened form of Henrietta, meaning ‘ruler of the house’. Etta James was a singer-songwriter known for her blues and soul records.
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Maggie - meaning Pearl and is of English origin. Maggie is a diminutive form for the name Margaret.
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Glenda - This is a popular Welsh name meaning ‘fair and good’. It's also a variation of Glenna and Glynda.
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Beatrix - it means "she who brings happiness", and sounds like a classic name.
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Mildred - We love this sweet English name, meaning ‘gentle strength’.
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Constance - Deriving from the Latin name Constanza, this name means ‘steadfast’.
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Elsa - meaning ‘consecrated to God’. Elsa the Snow Queen is one of the lead characters in Disney’s Frozen.
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Maude - German, meaning ‘battle-mighty’. Usually associated with the character of Maude Flanders from The Simpsons or the film Harold and Maude.
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Agnes - Greek, meaning ‘virginal’ or ‘pure’. St Agnes of Rome is the patron saint of chastity and girls, amongst other things.
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Martha - meaning ‘lady’. Found in the Bible. Martha Lane Fox was a leading dotcom entrepreneur in the 2000s, later becoming the youngest female member of the House of Lords.
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Orla - meaning ‘golden lady’. Orla Kiely is an Irish fashion designer.
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Mavis - If you're really looking for a grandma style name, Mavis is a great choice, meaning songbird.
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Nell - meaning ‘light’. May have roots in old German nelle, meaning ‘crown of the head’, perhaps suggesting an obstinate person.
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Eleanor - This has always been a very popular name meaning light-hearted; shining light and is of Greek and French origin.
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Wilhelmina - meaning ‘strong- willed warrior’. There are dozens of members of the German royal family who have been named Wilhelmina.
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Julia - meaning ‘youthful’. Famous Julias include actresses Julia Roberts and Julia Sawalha and TV chef Julia Child, while famous Julies include three Golden Globe and BAFTA- winning actresses: Julie Andrews, Julie Christie and Julie Walters.
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Ethel - This is an English name, meaning ‘noble’
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Maeve - Irish Gaelic, meaning ‘intoxicating’.
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Ruth - A Hebrew name meaning ‘friend and companion’.
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Irene - This is a Greek name meaning ‘peace’. Alternative spellings are Irelyn, Irena, Irina, Irini.
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Elspeth - This is the Scottish form of the classic name, Elizabeth and means ‘my God is my oath’.
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Anthea - meaning ‘flowerlike’. Famous Antheas include presenters Anthea Turner and Anthea Redfern, and director Anthea Benton.
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Edna - This is a Hebrew name meaning 'pleasure' and is popular in a number of countries.
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Emily - meaning ‘rival, eager’. Emily Dickinson is one of the most well- known poets of the nineteenth century. A very popular name choice in recent years.
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Lois - This is a lovely German name, meaning ‘renowned in battle’.
Don’t worry if your due date is fast approaching and you still haven’t found a name that feels like the one. Head to our baby name generator where you’ll find thousands of names to fall in love with, from more traditional sounding names, to unique baby names from all around the world including old fashioned boy names.