Choosing a baby name can be a fun but also challenging task. If you know you’d like vintage baby girl names, that’s half the battle. You’re able to narrow down to vintage names and exclude anything trending right now.
Naming your little girl will be one of the most precious parts of your pregnancy. Hunting down names, making a list of your favorites, pairing first and middle names, and saying your favorite names out loud paired with her last name is such a special experience.
And while it can be overwhelming to find the best name for your baby, try not to get too overwhelmed because you’ll come across the perfect name for your daughter just at the right time.
In this article, we go over the top vintage names of 1920 and also include less popular names from that decade. In addition, we paid 10 popular girl names from 2021 with great vintage names from the ’20s to give you ideas of how a popular name can sound with a vintage middle name.
Want some guidance on choosing vintage baby girl names? Consider the following:
- Consider the meaning of the name: Look into the origin and meaning of different names to find one that resonates with you and your family.
- Think about the nickname potential: Consider if the name has any potential nicknames and if you are comfortable with those.
- Consider the initials: Think about how the name will look and sound with your last name, and consider how the initials will look.
- Take your time: Don’t feel pressured to choose a name right away. Take your time and wait until you feel certain about the name you have chosen.
- Discuss with your partner: Choosing a baby name is a big decision and it’s best to discuss it with your partner and see if you are both on the same page.
- Listen to your intuition: Trust your gut feeling and choose a name that feels right for you and your family.
- Take inspiration from other sources: such as literature, historical figures, mythology, or other cultures.
Remember, there is no “perfect” name, and the most important thing is to choose a name that you and your partner love and that feels right for your family.
If you set your expectations for the perfect name too high you might become overwhelmed and frustrated. It’s best to find a large list of names you like and then narrow down a smaller list.
Sit with the names you like, say them out loud with your last name, or middle names you like… eventually, the best name for your daughter will land in your heart.
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Vintage baby girl names
In this article, we’re going to highlight the decade of the ’20s. We wanted to kick off this vintage baby girl names series with a decade full of rich history. And frankly, really fun girl names to pick from!
Here’s a bit of history from the ’20s:
- The 1920s is often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” because of the sense of prosperity and optimism that existed during the decade.
- In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.
- The 1920s saw a rise in jazz music and dance, with the Charleston becoming a popular dance craze.
- The decade also saw a rise in new technologies, such as the first commercial radio broadcast in 1920 and the first feature-length motion picture, “The Jazz Singer,” in 1927.
- The stock market reached an all-time high in September of 1929, signaling the start of the Great Depression, that lasted throughout the 1930s.
- The 1920s also saw a rise in the popularity of automobiles, leading to the development of new roads and highways.
- The decade also saw the rise of flappers, young women who embraced a more liberated lifestyle, with shorter hairstyles, shorter skirts and more freedom in their behavior.
- The 1920s also witnessed the rise of organized crime, particularly the rise of prohibition-era gangsters such as Al Capone in the US.
- The decade also saw the rise of the Lost Generation, a group of expatriate American and British writers and artists who lived in Paris during the 1920s, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.
I don’t know about you, but reading the popular names of the 1920s makes me picture these women in that decade and how they felt getting the right to vote, or picturing women dancing to jazz music, or riding down the road with their beau.
Why choosing a vintage name is a good idea
There are several reasons why someone might choose to give their baby girl a vintage name.
Some reasons include:
- Tradition: Vintage names often have a long history and cultural significance, which can make them feel traditional and timeless.
- Uniqueness: As vintage names are less common today, they can make your child’s name stand out and be unique.
- Meaning: Many vintage names have deep meanings and significance that can be meaningful to the parents.
- Elegance: Vintage names often have a classic, elegant feel to them, which can be seen as timeless and sophisticated.
- Sentimental: Many vintage names have sentimental value, such as being passed down from a family member or having a special significance to the parents.
It’s important to remember that the most important thing is to choose a name that feels right for you and your family, regardless of whether it is considered vintage or not.
Although there are many beautiful and unique names to choose from, and you’re likely to find the perfect vintage fit, if you don’t – it’s okay to let that idea go and move onto different naming ideas.
Popular girl names of the ’20s
Top 10 according to the social security administration
- Mary
- Dorothy
- Helen
- Margaret
- Ruth
- Mildred
- Virginia
- Elizabeth
- Frances
- Anna
Our Favorite names from the ’20s that didn’t make the top 10
- #12: Evelyn
- #16: Florence
- #18: Lillian
- #20: Rose
- #25: Eleanor
- #26: Ruby
- #34: Hazel
- #39: Esther
- #59: Viola
- #66: Ida
- #77: Violet
- #80: Alma
- #83: Mabel
- #89: Leona
- #98: Lena
- #113: Georgia
- #139: Lula
- #151: Olive
- #174: Sadie
- #251: Ina
- #265: Elonora
- #271: Eugenia
- #294: Winnie
- #299: Adelaide
- #328: Corinne
- #379: Nola
- #445: Birdie
- #498: Veda
Popular first and vintage middle name ideas
Pairing a vintage 1920s name with a popular name from 2021
- Emma Ruth – Emma was #2 in 2021 and Ruth was #5 in the ’20s
- Harper Maxine – Harper was #10 in 2021 and Maxine was #81 in the ’20s
- Amelia Marian – Amelia was #4 in 2021 and Marian was #73 in the ’20s
- Scarlett Louise – Scarlett was #20 in 2021 and Louise was #19 in the ’20s
- Aria Mable – Aria was #22 in 2021 and Mable was #148 in the ’20s
- Gianna Eleanor – Gianna was #13 in 2021 and Eleanor was #25 in the ’20s
- Everly Rose – Everly was #50 in 2021 and Rose was #20 in the ’20s
- Aurora Leona – Aurora was #36 in 2021 and Leona was #89 in the ’20s
- Chloe Aileen – Chloe was #24 in 2021 and Aileen was #305 in the ’20s
- Avery Jo – Avery was #19 in 2021 and Jo was #444 in the ’20s
Wrapping up: Why choosing a vintage name for your daughter may be a great idea
Not everyone loves a vintage name and that is perfectly okay. As shown earlier in this article, you can use a vintage middle name paired beautifully with a trendy name.
However, if you love a vintage name, these are great reasons to use one.
- Timelessness: Vintage names often have a long history and cultural significance, which can make them feel traditional and timeless.
- Uniqueness: Vintage names are less common today, which can make your child’s name stand out and be unique.
- Meaning: Many vintage names have deep meanings and significance that can be meaningful to the parents.
- Elegance: Vintage names often have a classic, elegant feel to them, which can be seen as sophisticated and timeless.
- Sentimental value: Many vintage names have sentimental value, such as being passed down from a family member or having a special significance to the parents.
- Fewer association with pop culture figures: Vintage names are often not associated with recent popular culture figures, celebrities or characters from TV shows or movies.
- Cultural heritage: Vintage names can reflect and honor cultural heritage, tradition and history.
- Avoiding name fads: A vintage name can be a way to avoid naming your child something that is currently popular but may fall out of favor quickly.
Happy baby naming!
And, if you use a name from this list, I would LOVE to hear about it. You’re free to email me anytime, here.
Wishing you all the best with your new little bundle of joy.
Further reading:
Middle names for Isabella – if you’ve chosen the name Isabella, this is a great list!
Baby name hub – find all the baby name articles in one convenient location
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Mom to Littles is a passion project of long-time stay-at-home mother of three boys. Nell loves to write about baby names, pregnancy advice, best baby products, and self-care for new moms. You’ll find MomtoLittles.com to be a place for real talk and a warm hug from a friend for the mom of little children.
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