Old-School Baby Girl Names From The 1920s That Are Surging In Popularity

Like many things, the answer to your baby name dilemma might be in the past. While there's a lot to be said for modern baby names that feel shiny and new, looking back to the 1920s is a great unexpected resource for baby name inspo, especially since many of the most popular names from that time have returned to their former glory. It's part of a larger trend that's seeing the revival of vintage baby names that feel fresh in 2026.

"Names that once felt dusty or forgotten are now being lovingly reclaimed," baby-name consultant Taylor A. Humphrey explained to Yahoo Life in 2025. "In a fast-paced, tech-saturated world, parents are reaching back in time for names that feel timeless, classic, and meaningful." While vintage monikers for baby girls might feel like "grandma names," Humphrey noted that part of the increasing appeal might be the fact that "names anchor the next generation in something enduring, eternal, soulful and time-tested."

The 1920s are particularly influential because of the 100-year rule which tends to govern baby-naming trends. Put simply, expecting parents are generally turned off by the names that were trendy in more recent history, but love to go back a full century to scout ideas, from those that are inspired by flowers to those dripping in elegant, old-world allure. "We saw a major revival of turn-of-the-century names in the 1990s and early 2000s when names like Henry, Jack, Emma and Grace began making their return to the top 100 most popular baby names list," Humphrey added. Following suit, the baby names of the 2020s have been unconsciously informed by the trends of the 1920s, and for little girls especially, many of the choices are simply divine. 

It doesn't matter what decade it is — botanical names for baby girls will always be in demand. Looking back at the top baby names of the 1920s, as recorded by the Social Security Administration, it's clear that there were a few classic options that were huge at the time, and they're returning to the top of the charts a century later. Violet was in the top 100 baby girls' names of the 1920s, and The Bump shows that it's jumped right up to number 12 in 2026. This feminine moniker instantly conjures images of its namesake purple flowers, making it a sweet and gentle vintage choice.

We can't talk about vintage botanical names without mentioning Rose, which is short and unpretentious, and yet somehow retains that romantic feeling anyway. The mother of all floral names, Rose was in the top 25 names of the 1920s, and it's still a mainstay all these years later. The beauty of Rose is that it works so well as a middle name, and A-listers adore it. Lady Gaga's baby girl has this classic name that many Hollywood moms love to use, from Kelly Clarkson to Rihanna. 

If you love botanical names but don't necessarily want to name your baby girl after a flower, you could consider Hazel, which refers to the hazel tree but is also associated with hazelnuts and their corresponding color. This was one of the top names of the 1920s, and sprang right up to number 20 in 2026. Or there's Florence, which is commonly thought of as the Italian city known for its art and culture, but actually means "blossoming." It came in at number 21 in the 1920s and has been surging back to popularity since the 2010s.

Many parents think of their daughters as princesses, but you could take it one step further by actually giving your baby girl a name fit for a queen. There were quite a few trendy baby names in the 1920s that were inspired by royalty, perhaps because royals were the original influencers. One of the most popular choices, as per the Social Security Administration, was Victoria. After reigning as queen of England for over 60 years, she died at the start of the 20th century, but her legacy lived on. Victoria is even more fashionable in the 2020s, according to The Bump, beating out modern choices like Addison and Zoey.  

The 1920s came before Queen Elizabeth II's reign, but still, the name Elizabeth was the 11th most popular name of the decade. It was already a regal choice before the late queen ascended to the throne, most notably belonging to Elizabeth I, who ruled in the 16th century. It might be because of the enduring reputation of Elizabeth II, but the name has risen to number 16 on the list of the most popular baby girl names of 2026.

Eleanor is a similarly vintage-sounding, royal-coded baby name that's back en vogue. It was one of the top 30 baby girl names of the 1920s, and 100 years later, it sits just outside of the top 10. The most famous royal Eleanors were Eleanor of Aquitaine and Eleanor of Castile: both foreign-born women who became queens of England. For a more modern nod to the royals, though, you could consider Charlotte, after Princess Charlotte of Wales. It was one of the most in-demand names of the 1920s, and is just about at the top of the list for 2026, too.

Many vintage names are frilly and romantic, but there are also plenty of options from the 1920s that have more understated energy. Looking at the Social Security Administration's list of popular names during the decade, it's clear that several are simple, warm, and wholesome, and because their moment in the sun lasted for a few decades, we now think of them as classic early- to mid-20th century names. Take the name Dorothy, which most people associate with 1939's "The Wizard of Oz." It was the second most popular name of the 1920s, before starting to decline around the 1960s, per The Bump. While it's still not the most in-demand name of 2026, it has been on a clear upward trajectory since the 2010s. 

A name with a similar vibe is Betty, which landed in the top five baby girl names of the 1920s. A diminutive of Elizabeth, Betty experienced a steep drop in traction in the second half of the 20th century, but has been rising again in the past few years (via The Bump). Then there's Nora, which is one of the most popular names of 2026, actually overshadowing its original likability in the 1920s. With its rounded sound and familiar vibe, Nora is another solid choice when you're looking for that simple yet warm classic baby girl's name.

Speaking of rounded sounds, you could always consider Ruby. A winner both in the 1920s and in 2026, Ruby is a nature-inspired name that has more charm and sparkle than other similar options. It's a little bit more fiery than other classic names, but still feels familiar and unfussy. Or you could go for the pretty Lucy, which is also even more fashionable now than it was in the 1920s. 

The 1920s were a goldmine of short baby names that are still somehow whimsical and romantic. These kinds of names tend to inhabit a sweet spot, possessing that fairytale quality without being overly fussy. Ella is a great choice if you like this kind of name, and it was in the top 100 baby names of the 1920s according to the Social Security Administration. There are plenty of longer names that have this same sound, from Arabella to Isabella, but the two-syllable Ella has a more refined feeling. 

You might also like Clara, which remains a top choice a century later, per The Bump. It's lyrical and pretty, like Ella, but it's doubly romantic because of its association with "The Nutcracker" and Christmas. If you like Clara but you prefer a version that doesn't end in an "a" sound, you could try Claire instead. Even shorter with one syllable, it's the French version of the Latin Clara, which means "clear" and "bright." Unlike other names on the list, Claire has consistently stayed popular over the past 100 years, rather than dropping to the bottom of the charts. Because it's a monosyllabic name that doesn't end in an "a" sound, Claire is a tad less fairytale-like than Clara, but still a beautiful choice with an overall romantic vibe.

If it's fairytale energy you want, who can go past Alice? The ultimate name that conjures images of fantasy and adventure, Alice is also a French name that was beloved in the 1920s. It lost its spark not long after, experiencing a major decline before making its comeback around the turn of the millennium, and it's still on the rise (via The Bump).

The best part about choosing a vintage name from the 1920s is that many of them sound elegant and graceful, oozing with old-world charm. There are a few of these names that end in an "ine" or "yn" sound, like Evelyn — which is also a baby name from the '60s returning to the zeitgeist. The Social Security Administration reports that this was the 12th most popular baby girl name of the 1920s, and today, it's risen all the way to number eight, per The Bump. Of course, Evelyn opens a world of opportunities, from Eva to Evie, but the original form maintains that sense of polish.

Madeline has a similar sound to Evelyn and, likewise, it can be shortened to several nicknames. It's unmistakably vintage, being trendy in the 1920s, and could also be pronounced in a few different ways. You could say "Mad-eh-lin" or "Mad-eh-line," the latter matching the iconic cartoon character created by Ludwig Bemelmans. Following the popularity of the animated show "Madeline" in the '90s, it's no wonder that millennials are using this name for their baby girls in 2026! Though it's spelled slightly differently, Vivian also has the same kind of feel: It's sophisticated and clearly from another time, and can be shortened to Viv. Sought after in the 1920s and in the 2020s, it's certainly a name with some staying power.

Finally, along these lines, there's Josephine, the feminine answer to Joseph. The sound of this vintage name is even more European than the others, and there's a world of options for shortening it into a nickname. This moniker was one of the trendiest in the 1920s, and while it still hasn't surpassed that original level of fame a century later, it's definitely having a resurgence.