Baby Names From The 1910s That Are Making A Comeback
When choosing a name for their bundle of joy, parents often want to ascribe meaning to it, whether it be from a beloved relative or baby names inspired by their favorite Hallmark actors. Some new moms and dads even look to the past for inspiration, and these days, the trend has shifted from modern names to those that have a vintage feel. Perhaps folks are scrolling through their family trees or just love nostalgia, but you'll likely be meeting someone with a name you haven't heard in quite some time. The 1910s specifically have so many monikers that your grandparents or great-grandparents shared, and they're popping up again.
Baby names tend to lose traction over the years, only to become popular again after a few generations. "Names that were popular 100 years ago seem to be the ones that are becoming popular now. We chose the names Rose and Alfie because they are closely associated with our grandparents' and great-grandparents' generations," one mom told BabyCenter. In short, something you may have thought of as antiquated is on-trend again, and these names will likely be booming in the upcoming years.
Names from your childhood books are rising in popularity again
We all have favorite reads from our formative years that gave us so much joy (and still do), so you'll be happy to know that there's a rise in baby names inspired by classic novels that book lovers will adore. For example, Alice, as in "Alice in Wonderland," was among the top 20 most popular names in the 1910s, per the SSA. It lost traction since then, only to regain favor among parents around 2006, and ranking 65th in 2025. "The Wizard of Oz" fans may prefer Dorothy, which was one of the top five names for over a decade since 1910 before slowly declining in popularity. It was at 421 in 2025, so we predict it'll become big again.
Your fave authors can also provide inspiration for names, such as Frances Hodgson Burnett who wrote "The Secret Garden." Frances was ranked 9th in the 1910s and stayed in the top 10 for 14 years. The name dipped to 828th in popularity in 2007, but grew steadily over the years, with it sitting at 318 in 2025. While it may not be in the top 100, the slow incline shows that it's trending yet again and will quite possibly keep rising.
Many parents are choosing floral names from the 1910s
When deciding on baby names, looking to nature for inspiration is always a good idea. Names that sound flowery are so pretty and evoke feelings of calmness and a connection to the earth. The 1910s were full of such monikers, including Florence, which has Latin roots and means "blossoming" and "flourishing." It was extremely popular in that decade and beyond, but by 1941, Florence didn't make the top 100. However, since 2020, it's climbed the charts from 763 and jumped up to 391 in popularity as of 2025. Hazel is another plant-based name that was popular during the 1910s, with a steep decline in the '70s, but it's regained traction as one of the top 20 girl names of 2026.
Rose is a classic baby name inspired by your favorite sitcom, "The Golden Girls," and was one of the 20th biggest picks for a decade since 1910. It remained in the top 100 for years until the '60s and wavered back and forth for years, but stood at 114 in 2025, which proves the name is trending again. Or, you could go with Violet, especially if you love the color purple. The floral name was favored by so many in the early 1900s but saw a continuous decline starting in the '20s. It seems the 100-year rule is in full effect, as it's the 13th most popular name in 2026, making it a sweet choice for those expecting a baby girl.
Names that start with E were popular in the 1910s and have made a comeback
Names beginning with the letter "E" have always been popular over the decades, and the 1910s saw a huge surge in parents naming their girls Evelyn. It remained one of the 20th most popular names for two decades and started losing momentum around the '40s, but currently stands in ninth place. It's not surprising, as Evelyn is so lyrical-sounding and can be shortened to Evie, Eve, or Lyn. Another "E" name that has made a comeback is Eleanor, which was wildly popular in the first half of the 20th century and stands at 23rd as of 2026. Its shorter counterparts, Ellie and Ella, are also high on the list of the most popular names of the year, so those could be an option for expecting parents as well. And while Elsie isn't as popular currently, it was so in the 1910s and has steadily rebounded to 123rd as of 2025.
It seems parents also love boy names that start with "E," with Everett even more popular now than it was in the 1910s. It's ranked 77th and means "wild boar," making it a strong contender for outdoor-loving folks. If it's a mouthful for a young child, Ever or Rett are adorable nicknames that can carry them into their adult years. For a gender-neutral name, Ellis can be considered, although it was mainly used for males in the 1910s. It's not given as much these days, but it's climbed up considerably in popularity since the Y2K era, so don't be surprised if you meet someone with the name in the near future.