A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

  1. Arlie
    • Arnie
      • Origin:

        Short form of Arnold, English from German
      • Meaning:

        "ruler, strong as an eagle"
      • Description:

        Arnie is a nerdy-tipping-into-cute nickname that may rise again, if not for this generation of babies then for their babies. Look for it in the nurseries of 2050.
    • Arthur
      • Origin:

        Celtic
      • Meaning:

        " bear"
      • Description:

        Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
    • Artie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Arthur, Celtic
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        Artie is a cute short form rarely given on its own, unlike the more grownup Art. But for a young Arthur, it's adorable.
    • Ashby
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "ash tree farm"
      • Description:

        This Ashley-like surname name actually made the US Top 1000 around the turn of the 20th century. Used very quietly today in equal numbers -- about a dozen each -- for boys and girls. Ashby is a major thoroughfare in Berkeley, California.
    • Athena
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "from Athens"
      • Description:

        The given name Athena was derived from the city name Athens, which is of uncertain origins. In Greek mythology, Athena is the name of the daughter of Zeus who was the goddess of wisdom, warfare, handicrafts, mathematics, and courage, among others. She was the great patroness-goddess of the city of Athens. In the Odyssey, Homer describes her as 'sparkling-eyed Athena.'
    • Athie
      • Atlas
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "bearer of the heavens"
        • Description:

          Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
      • Atticus
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "from Attica"
        • Description:

          Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
      • Attie
        • Auden
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "old friend"
          • Description:

            A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
        • Audie
          • Audio
            • Origin:

              Word name
            • Description:

              When actress Shannyn Sossamon dubbed her newborn Audio Science, it sent out some definite shock waves. We don't recommend Audio or Video for even the most intrepid baby namer.
          • Bambi
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Bambina, Italian
            • Meaning:

              "child; baby girl"
            • Description:

              Although Disney's cute deer was a male, Bambi has always been used for girls. It first appeared on the charts in 1943, the year after the Disney movie was released. Bambi featured in the Top 1000 from 1954-1964 — a decade where girl names ending in I, like Lori and Teri, were big — and again from 1977-1982.
          • Bartholomew
            • Origin:

              Aramaic
            • Meaning:

              "son of the furrow"
            • Description:

              Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish nickname. That character, by the way, has the full name of Bartholomew JoJo Simpson, and creator Matt Groening came up with Bart as an--uh oh--anagram for brat. Two old alternate nicknames are Barty and Tolly.
          • Bastian
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Sebastian, Latin from Greek
            • Meaning:

              "man of Sebastia"
            • Description:

              In Spanish cultures, and spelled either Bastian or Bastien, this is a fairly common nickname name. The German fantasy children's book The Neverending Story features a young boy character called Bastian Balthlazar Bux, and it has also been seen in several screen versions.
          • Bates
            • Origin:

              English diminutive of Bartholomew
            • Description:

              Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".
          • Beale
            • Origin:

              English from French
            • Meaning:

              "fair, handsome"
            • Description:

              Surname of a character in Henry James' What Maisie Knew.
          • Bear
            • Origin:

              Animal name
            • Meaning:

              "bear"
            • Description:

              Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and more recently Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu., followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize. It's part of a current trend normalizing once aggressive animal names like Wolf and Fox. Bear is now Number 218 on Nameberry and in the Top 900 in England.
          • Beau
            • Origin:

              French
            • Meaning:

              "handsome"
            • Description:

              Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau has been on the Social Security list non-stop since 1969.