25 Retro Girl Names That Never Go Out of Style
Poodle skirts, drive-ins, black and white movies, and roaring muscle cars.
The first half of the 20th century was a major turning point for technology and society; the intersection between the past and the future. The names of this period are the same. They’re a unique splash of elegance and modern simplicity.
In this post we’re going to explore a few of my favorite retro baby names for girls. Now, “retro” is kind of a subjective term, but I tend to think of it as anything newer than “vintage” but older than “modern.” So, these retro girl names are from the 1920s to about the 60s.
Hopefully by the end of this list you’ll be inspired and find the perfect name for your little doll.
POSTS RELATED TO RETRO GIRL NAMES:
- 45 Beautiful Old Fashioned Baby Names
- 35 Powerful and Unique Biblical Baby Names for Boys and Girls
- 50 Unique Baby Names with Fantastic Meanings
25 Retro Girl Names That Never Go Out of Style
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.
Audrey
I don’t think it’s possible to have a list of retro girl names without including Audrey. Audrey Hepburn was one of the most iconic actresses during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her films are timeless and so is her name. Audrey is an English name meaning “noble strength.”
Alma
Looking for something a little more traditional? Alma is a classic name that comes from the Latin word almo, which means nourishing.
Betty
I love this simplified version of the old-fashioned name, Elizabeth. I’m always reminded of Betty Boop, the iconic cartoon from the 1930s.
Bonnie
Bonnie was ridiculously popular in the 1940s before it dropped off the charts in the 90s. It comes from the French word bonne, meaning good. Or, if you’re from Scotland, it can also be interpreted as “pretty.” I love this retro baby girl name because it’s simple and cute!
Cary
Are you waiting to learn the sex of your baby? Cary is a fantastic unisex name. Even better, the meaning is up for interpretation. Some believe it’s a Gaelic name, meaning “dark complected.” Others say it’s Latin for “pleasant stream.” It can be used for girls and boys, but I ways tend to think of An Affair to Remember’s Cary Grant.
Daisy
There’s something innocent yet vibrant about Daisy. Daisy was more popular in the early 20th century, but began to see an uptick in the 70s (I’m assuming after the movie version of The Great Gatsby was released).
Esther
Saying that Esther is a retro baby name is kind of a misnomer because it’s never really gone out of style. Esther is a fairly common Jewish/Persian name, meaning “star.”
Fran
Francis or Francine are popular retro girl names, but Fran seems to be the edgy, modernized nickname. Both names mean “from France” or “free man.”
Gail
This variant of the Hebrew name Abigail is always a classic. It means, “my father rejoices.”
Gwen
Thanks to modern celebrities, Gwen is a hot, hot name right now. It was also very popular in the 1940s and 50s. Gwen is usually short for Guinevere, meaning “blessed ring.”
Holly
Who could forget Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Holly is a classic, earthy name that never goes out of style.
Jean
This popular retro girl name hit its height in the 20s and spiked again in the 50s when Norma Jean Baker (aka Marilyn Monroe) hit the scene. Jean is the female version of John, which means “God is gracious.”
Hey, Mama! Looking for a childbirth class? Check out my round-up of the best online prenatal classes. Whatever your budget or birthing goals, let me help you find the right one for you!
Josie
I’ve loved Josie ever since I watched the 1970s show Josie and the Pussycats. Josie is usually used as a pet name for Josephine (God will increase) or Jocelyn.
Ilene
Ilene is certainly a unique baby name now, but at one time it was fairly popular. It’s Irish for beautiful bird. One songbird you might recognize is Ilene Woods, the voice actress of Cinderella.
Leslie
Leslie is a classic Scottish unisex name meaning “garden of holly.”
Lois
Lois, Superman’s favorite gal, made her first appearance in 1938, when the name was ridiculously popular. It’s actually a Biblical name that means “most desirable.”
Kay
Technically an unisex name, Kay was popular mostly in the 1940s. It means “pure.”
Marilyn
No list of retro baby names list is complete without Marilyn!
Marilyn saw a not-so-surprising spike in popularity in the 1950s and 60s. Actress, singer, and fashion icon, I think it’s pretty safe to say that Marilyn Monroe has immortalized the name.
The duplicity of Marilyn is really cool as well. Mary means “rebellion” while Lyn means “wished for.”
Maxene
The feminine version of Maximus or Maximilian, Maxene stems from the Latin word for the “greatest.” If you’re looking for retro baby names for girls that have the potential for a modern twist, this is perfect. I love the nickname Max!
Patsy
Patsy is a very popular retro baby name mean noble.
Penny
Prior to the 1960s, Penny was usually used as a nickname for Penelope.
Robin
Like Penny, Robin won its independence as a female name in the 1960s. Before this period, it was mostly used as a nickname for the old German name Robert. Typically, it’s thought to mean “bright.”
Susie
There’s a Susie in every generation, but it’s definitely making a comeback now. Most of the time, Susie is the shortened version of the name Susan or Susannah, meaning “lily.”
Verna
Classic and elegant, Verna is Latin for “spring green.” It was mostly popular in the early 20th century.
Winifred
Winifred was mostly popular in the 1920s, but it has certainly made a comeback lately. In fact, this name has appeared in three Disney movies. Winifred is a Welsh name that usually refers to the patron saint of virgins.
Do You Have Any Retro Names for Girls?
These are just a few of my favorite retro girl names. Hopefully one clicked with you!
It can be so difficult to find the perfect baby name. It took my husband and I two trimesters to figure out our second daughter’s name! If you’re still struggling to find “the one”, feel free to check out some of my other baby name round ups below.
Good luck!
POSTS RELATED TO RETRO GIRL NAMES: