In a world where the magical elements of the bygone era have a way of finding their foothold back into modern usage, there’s always immense inspiration that we can derive from vintage trends. Whether it’s the world of music or fashion, you’ll often notice a fusion of vintage marvels with modern-day spunk. No surprises that when it comes to baby name trends, some classic choices never seem to lose their sheen. If you’re an expectant parent, stuck in the dilemma of choosing a name for your baby, here are top seven unique vintage names that you can consider:
For Boys:
- Harvey – If you’re a follower of the popular television series called Suits, you’ll surely resonate with this name immediately (ref. – Harvey Specter). The name Harvey is of British origin and was a highly popular name choice in the late 19th and early 20th century in England. It means “battle worthy”. If you want your little one’s name to exude power, Harvey is a great option.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Harvey Martin, Late Football Player
- Nathaniel – Literally meaning “Given of God”, the name Nathaniel has a Hebrew origin. Alternate variations of this name are Nathanael and Nathan. Nathaniel as a name has great literary significance (Sir Nathaniel in Shakespeare’s Love Labour’s Lost) along with some pop culture references too (Nathaniel Archibald, Gossip Girl). Nathaniel’s shortened versions are Nate or Nat.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Nathaniel Hawthorne, Late American Novelist
- Raymond – The name Raymond though is of German origin, it has varying meanings across cultures. In German, the name means “Wise Protector”, whereas it means “King of the World” in Latin. Either way, the name has a very royal feel attached to it. Its origin dates back to the year 1806.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Raymond J Barry, TV Actor
For Girls:
- Amelia – This charming name has Italian roots and means “industrious”. It defines a girl who is determined and ambitious, much like the American pilot Amelia Earhart. As the daughters of Kings George II and III were named Amelia, it also has close associations with the British royalty. Despite its glorious historic significance, Amelia has garnered popularity only recently.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Amelia Boynton Robinson, Civil Rights Activist
- Nora – Nora originates from the Greek name, Eleanora that means “light” and the Latin name, Honoria that means “woman of honor”. Alternative variations of this name are Norah, Noreen, and Norine. Nora is a gentle name for a baby girl that has gained immense amount of recent limelight because of singer Norah Jones. Nora also has certain classical connections, with a character in Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ (1879) named after it.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Nora Ephron, Late Writer
- Opal – Opal is a gemstone that derives its name from the Sanskrit word Upala, meaning “jewel”. In the ancient Roman culture, opals were considered as a good luck charm. It also holds a Victorian significance and was known to be Queen Victoria’s favorite gem. In the spiritual parlance, Opal is considered as a stone that inspires imagination and creativity.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Opal Hill, Late Golfer
- Evelyn – Back in the 17th century, Evelyn was an extremely popular name for boys, but along the years it’s started to be used to name girls. Evelyn is the English version of the French, Aveline that means “a hazelnut tree”. The name Evelyn has a very dainty and tender feel attached to it.
Notable Personality With The Same Name – Evelyn Alexandra Lozada, Reality TV Star
Hope these beautiful vintage names help you narrow down on your baby name options. Enjoy the wonderful name-game process! Heartiest congratulations on the good news!
Author Bio
Aradhana is from India. She is a veteran writer on topics concerning parenting, child nutrition, wellness, health and lifestyle. As a regular contributor to popular sites like Huffington Post,
Natural news, Elephant journal, Thehealthsite, Naturally Savvy, Curejoy and MomJunction.com, Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free
lifestyle.
