Vintage Baby Names From The '30s And Beyond That Have Seriously Dwindled In Popularity

Baby names and fashion have much more in common than people think: Both are used for expression, both carry hidden meanings, and both are cyclical in nature. Just as style trends rise and waver in popularity, so too do baby names — seriously, take a look at these Old Hollywood-inspired baby names that still sound so glamorous today. But amongst the majority of names that have enjoyed a revival, there are also those that are no longer in demand. 

Vintage baby names have been making the rounds in the 2020s, particularly those that peaked about a century ago. There are plenty of old-school baby girl names from the 1930s and beyond that are still making their comeback, from Emma and Annie to Ruby and Bonnie. And while it's nice that everyone loves them again, the truth is these super-popular choices have their downsides. As they've risen to the top of endless lists, they've also lost their rarity. 

For parents who don't want their child to be one of three, four, or five with the same name in a classroom, you'll want to consider those vintage monikers that never saw a resurgence. In many cases, they still ooze that '30s charm, featuring beautiful sounds and carrying traditional, admirable meanings, but without feeling saturated and overdone. According to the Social Security Administration, the following names thrived back in the '30s, and are still waiting to be used today.

Despite the revival of vintage baby names in the 2020s, there's a select handful that haven't seemed to pop in a similar fashion to the likes of Evelyn, Violet, and Theodore. A subset of these seem to end in the letter S, or at least end in an "S" sound. Take Gladys. It's every bit as retro as the more popular Eleanor or Delilah, but it hasn't risen back to the heights it once achieved. A pity, because this name with Welsh and Latin roots is equal parts feminine and strong, carrying the simultaneous meanings of "princess" and "small sword." 

Similarly, we have Phyllis, a Greek name which means "foliage" or "greenery." According to The Bump's data, this name began to fall out of favor around the late '70s, and it's yet to make a comeback. Then there's Janice, which doesn't end in the letter S but has the same vibe. A biblical moniker which means "God has been gracious," it's a classic choice, and you'll have the added benefit of not having to share it with a million other parents you know. Despite being made famous by the cartoon comedy "Family Guy," the name Lois also hasn't won over modern audiences like it did in the 1930s. Translating to "superior" and "most beautiful," it's delightfully unexpected in today's world. Finally, there's the similar-sounding Doris, another Greek name which simply means "gift."

Some of the most popular boys' names in the 1930s also ended in S, and they've all but disappeared from the charts today. For an uncommon choice, consider Dennis, which has a classic American feel thanks to the vintage cartoon "Dennis the Menace." Otherwise, there's Morris, a rare boys' name with Gaelic and Latin roots. 

Naming your baby after someone is the most effective way to shut down decision paralysis, and the 1930s had quite a few options that have been used by popular and even iconic figures in media since. Unlike the baby names inspired by your favorite sitcoms, however, these are pretty obscure in today's nurseries. Consider the name Edna. It has Gaelic origins and was a hit in the 1930s, meaning "renewer" and "rejuvenation." It also happens to be name of one of the most famous TV teachers ever: Mrs. Edna Krabappel, who stopped appearing on "The Simpsons" in 2013 following the death of her voice actor Marcia Wallace. Despite this legacy, we hardly ever hear Edna used today.

If you're a fan of vintage cartoons even older than "The Simpsons," you might go for Wilma, as in Stone Age girl boss Wilma Flintstone of "The Flintstones." This German name hasn't had a revival like its fellow 1930s chart-toppers, so it's a good way to ensure your child stands out. Even more iconic is the name Thelma, which was one of the most popular monikers in the 1930s and was used decades later for the legendary character in "Thelma & Louise." The film has since become a symbol of feminism and female empowerment, but newer generations haven't embraced Thelma (interestingly, Louise has risen back to popularity).

The boys' name Wilbur sounds very similar to Wilma, but it actually belongs to another famous character: Wilbur, the lovable pig in "Charlotte's Web." In other cases, it might not go down well to name your child after a member of the porcine family, but Wilbur is more adorable than the majority of human characters in both film and literature. 

Some baby names are chosen because they sound nice, or because they pay tribute to someone. Others are chosen because of what they mean, and on that front, quite a few names that flourished in the '30s represent covetable values and virtues. Life is tough, so you may want to give your little one a name that is associated with strength, like Mildred. A British moniker, Mildred is a vintage name that still comes across as feminine, even without being frilly and soft. It means "gentle strength," which is an attribute that many parents might desire for their children.

Next, you have the longer and much more robust-sounding Geraldine, which unsurprisingly means "spear ruler." It's not a classic feminine choice, but it is traditional, vintage, and inherently strong. If you don't love the sound of it but still want a less common throwback name, you could opt for one of Geraldine's nicknames, like Gerry. "My great-grandmother was Geraldine," one Reddit user weighed in. "Everyone called her Jelly." Ending in the same sound as Geraldine, there's also Irene, which is shorter and perhaps more digestible. While Irene has a comparable strong sound, this Greek name means peace: an equally important virtue that you might want to wish on your child.

Despite their decline in popularity, these were in-demand names in the '30s and beyond, as was the boys' name Arnold. In today's world, most people might instantly think of action figure Arnold Schwarzenegger, who definitely summons the image of strength. Another German name, it means "eagle power," so even if you don't hear it that often anymore, it could be the one to help your child soar.

Many of the vintage girls' names from the 1930s that have risen back to the fore are popular again because of their multi-syllabic and romantic energy. Think Eliana or Penelope. You can still have this charming, old-world aesthetic for your baby name, without choosing an option that pretty much everyone else has chosen, too. One name that you might not have thought of is Virginia, a Roman word which means "maiden." It was hugely en vogue in the 1930s before declining in popularity around the late 1980s, per The Bump. While it's been steady for most of this millennium, it's nowhere near where it was.

You could also go with Dolores, another European name — this time with Spanish origins — which feels glamorous and charming. There have been a few fictional characters with this name, including Dolores Abernathy of "Westworld" and Dolores Madrigal from "Encanto," but it's still pretty rare today. Otherwise, there's Barbara, a bouncy Greek name with tons of vintage appeal that seems to have slipped through the cracks of the wider comeback of grandma-coded names. Like Dolores, Barbara has a bit more glamour to it, notably belonging to Barbra Streisand, Barbara Walters, and Victoria's Secret model Barbara Palvin. Also consider Beverly, inherently lavish thanks to its Hollywood connections, which few people realize is gender-neutral. 

Boys' names in the 1930s were rarely romantic, but a few had an airy quality, giving them more allure than the standard Jacks, Franks, and Pauls. Lawrence was a prominent name during the decade, as was the similar-sounding Clarence. The latter has British and French origins, and will definitely help to set your son apart from the crowd.

By now it's clear that just because these 1930s names aren't being sought out by modern parents, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them. Many of the most formerly popular and currently unpopular '30s names are warm, familiar, and unpretentious. They do have that understated grandma and grandpa quality, without being too flowery or bold. A good example is Martha. "The lady of the house" in Aramaic, this is another throwback name that makes you smile. Whether you're imagining Martha Stewart or Martha May Whovier from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," it's got a wholesome vibe about it. Or maybe Peggy, a Greek name meaning pearl, which is also unthreatening and down-to-earth despite belonging to 20th century jazz icon Peggy Lee. Plus, this is also a baby name inspired by legendary '60s model Peggy Moffitt.

Along these lines, you could also consider Donna, which literally translates to "woman" in Italian and means "lady of the house," or the Latin Norma. Both are simple, friendly, and entirely unexpected in the 2020s. Plus, the latter was the real name of Marilyn Monroe, symbolizing the very normal part of her existing behind the studio lights. Of course, the masculine equivalent is Norman, which would similarly be almost unheard of in nurseries today. 

The name Allen has a comparable feeling to Norman, and has been prominent in popular culture over the decades — even if it's taking a backseat now. Think British stars Lily and Alfie Allen, screen veteran Tim Allen, and though it's spelled differently, "Harry Potter" and "Love Actually" star Alan Rickman. As a bonus, this Gaelic name means "handsome." Finally, you could always go back to good ol' Larry, a staple in the '30s and all but forgotten today.