Consider researching the names of your ancestors. There might be some real gems already in your family. You can also check out this list of some of the cutest, sharpest, most wearable vintage names.

Ada

Origin: Nigerian, IgboMeaning: First daughter Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adanna, Adaugo, Adaobi Famous Namesakes: Nigerian gospel singer Ada Ehi; Nigerian artist and poet Ada Uchechukwu; English writer and computer programmer Ada LovelacePeak Popularity: Ada is the 184th most popular girl’s name of 2020. It hit peak popularity in the year 1901, ranking 66th.

Alice

Origin: GermanMeaning: Noble, exaltedAlternative Spellings & Variations: AlyceFamous Namesakes: Canadian writer Alice Munro; American suffragist Alice PaulPeak Popularity: Alice was most popular at the turn of the 20th century, ranking in the top 10 every year from 1905 to 1910. In 2020, Alice was the 76th most popular name for baby girls, slightly down from a recent peak of 70th in 2017.

Beatrice

Origin: Dutch, English, German, FrenchMeaning: Delivers joy, blessed, travelerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Bea, Beatrix, Beata, Trixie, ViatrixFamous Namesakes: Princess Beatrice of England, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson; Beatrix Potter, English author; Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Queen of the NetherlandsPeak Popularity: The name Beatrice spent years as one of the most popular in the U.S., remaining in the top 100 through 1934 and peaking at 36 in 1910. It ranked 550th in 2020.

Betsy

Origin: HebrewMeaning: God is my oathAlternative Spellings & Variations: Beth, Bethia, Betsey, Betty, ElizabethFamous Namesakes: American actress Betsy Ann Brandt; American fashion designer Betsey JohnsonPeak Popularity: Betsy was most popular in 1959, ranking 227th. After dropping out of the top 1,000 in 1995, Betsy has re-appeared once since, in 2006.

Blanche

Origin: FrenchMeaning: White, fairAlternative Spellings & Variations: Blanchette, Blanch, Blanca, BiancaFamous Namesakes: Queen-consort of Lous VII of France, Blanche of Castile; mother of King Henry IV of England, Blanche of Lancaster; American actress Blanche Bates; American actress and poet Blanche Marie Louise OelrichsPeak Popularity: Blanche was a top 100 name in the early 1900s (peaking at number 58 in 1902) but it slowly declined in use from 1920 to 1960. It was no longer a top 1,000 name by 1965.

Cecilia

Origin: Latin, WelshMeaning: BlindAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cecelia, Cicilia, Sicilia, Sicelia, Cecile, Cecily, Celia, Ceil, Ceci, Cece, SissyFamous Namesakes: Norwegian boxer Cecilia Braekhus; Spanish actress Cecilia Freire; American portraitist Cecilia BeauxPeak Popularity: Cecilia has been in the top 500 for more than a century. It was number 199 in 1900 and number 147 in 2020.

Colette

Origin: French, GreekMeaning: Victorious, triumphantAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kollette, Kolette, Collette, Colletta, Collett, Collete, Collet, Coletta, Coleta, NicoletteFamous Namesakes: American pair skater Colette Appel; American artist Colette Calascione; American singer-songwriter Colette CarrPeak Popularity: Colette was a constant on the top 1,000 list from 1928 until 1986, when it disappeared. It re-emerged in 2012 and was number 529 in 2020.

Daisy

Origin: BritishMeaning: Day’s eyeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Daisee, Daizy, Dasie, DaysiFamous Namesakes: Model, actor, and MTV’s first Latina video host, Daisy Fuentes; English actress Daisy RidleyPeak Popularity: Daisy peaked in the top 1,000 names in 1900 at number 81. It has been in the top 200 since 1990.

Dorothy

Origin: GreekMeaning: Gift of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dorothea, Dorathy, Dorthie, Dora, Dorothee, Dorothia, Dolly, Dory, Dori, Dot, DottyFamous Namesakes: American figure skater Dorothy Hamill; Hungarian singer Dorothy MartinPeak Popularity: Dorothy spent many years in the top 10, reaching number 2 in the 1920s. It was much more popular in the early part of the 20th century. In 2020, it ranked number 534, having risen steadily from 2005 when it briefly dropped out of the top 1,000.

Elaine

Origin: French, Greek, EnglishMeaning: Bright, shining lightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Eilanie, Elaene, Elain, Elainia, Elan, Elanna, Elauna, Elayn, Elayna, Elayne, Elena, Laine, Laney, LanieFamous Namesakes: Elaine Hendrix, American actress; Elaine May, American director and actress; Elaine Hamilton-O’Neal, American painter; Elaine Miles, American actress; Elaine Stritch, American actress and singerPeak Popularity: Elaine has been popular for well over 100 years. It was in the top 100 from 1923 to 1957. In the past decade, it has risen from 797 (in 2010) to 519 (in 2020).

Eleanor

Origin: GreekMeaning: Light-hearted or a shining lightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Eleanora, Elynore, Elanore, Eleonor, Elinor, Ellinore, Lenore, NoraFamous Namesakes: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; British actress Eleanor Tomlinson; American actress Eleanor ParkerPeak Popularity: Eleanor was a top 100 name for many years, especially in the early to mid-1900s. After a few decades of declining use, it is making a huge comeback. It ranked number 22 in 2020.

Eloise

Origin: French, GermanMeaning: Healthy; wideAlternative Spellings & Variations: Elle, Ellie, Eloisa, LoisaFamous Namesakes: American actress Eloise Mumford; children’s book character Eloise, who lives at the Plaza HotelPeak Popularity: Eloise has boomed in popularity in recent years. The name dropped off the top 1,000 list from 1966 to 2007, but has climbed quickly since its return in 2008. Eloise reached its highest rank yet, 138, in 2020.

Evangeline

Origin: GreekMeaning: Bringing good newsAlternative Spellings & Variations: Evangelina, Evangelica, Evangelyne, Eva, LinaFamous Namesakes: Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly; American author Evangeline WaltonPeak Popularity: Evangeline was a top 1,000 name until 1967 when it fell off the list. Then, nearly 40 years later in 2006, it reemerged as a top 1,000 name. In 2016, it had its most popular year in over 100 years when it reached 241st place.

Faye

Origin: British (Old English)Meaning: Stems from the word ‘fae’, which means fairyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Fay, FaieFamous Namesakes: American actress Faye Dunaway; rodeo star Faye Blackstone; blues singer Faye Adams; snowboarder Faye GuliniPeak Popularity: The name Faye was at its peak of popularity in 1934, when it ranked 146th. In 2020, 409 babies were named Faye in the U.S., putting it in 687th place.

Ida

Origin: GreekMeaning: From Mount Ida, the Mountain of the Goddess; diligent and hardworkingAlternative Spellings & Variations: Idaea, Idaa, Iida, Ieda, Idalie, Idette, Idetta, IdellaFamous Namesakes: Civil rights leader Ida Wells; First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley; American painter Ida Applebroog; British actress Ida LupinoPeak Popularity: Ida was ranked at number 30 in 1900 and was a top 100 name until 1931. It fell off the top 1,000 list in 1987.

Jacqueline

Origin: French, HebrewMeaning: The one who comes after, the replacementAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jacalin, Jacalyn, Jackaline, Jackalinne, Jackelyn, Jackette, Jacki, Jackie, Jackie, Jacklin, Jacklyn, Jacklynn, JacklynneFamous Namesakes: Former First Lady Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis; American singer and actress Jacqueline Emerson; American Olympic heptathlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee; American author Jacqueline CareyPeak Popularity: Jacqueline has been a top 1,000 name for over 100 years. It was number 843 in 1900 and made the top 100 in 1928. It spent most of the last century in the top 100, reaching its highest rank of 37 in 1961 and 1964. It was number 442 in 2020.

Lorraine

Origin: French, LatinMeaning: From the province of LorraineAlternative Spellings & Variations: Laraine, Larayne, Lareine, Lareyne, Larraine, Lauraine, Lorain, Loraine, Lorane, Lorayne, Lorena, LoretteFamous Namesakes: American actress Lorraine Bracco; American ice dancer Lorraine McNamara; American playwright Lorraine Vivian Hansberry; American soccer player Lorraine Ming “Lorrie” FairPeak Popularity: Lorraine was a top 100 name in the U.S. from 1918 to 1948. After that, it saw a slow decline in popularity until it fell off the top 1,000 list in 1996.

Lois

Origin: GreekMeaning: Great; the best; superiorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Loes, Loise, Louise, LouisFamous Namesakes: American actress Lois Chiles, American writer Lois LowryPeak Popularity: Lois was a top 100 name from 1902 to 1953, then it declined in popularity. It last ranked in the top 1,000 in 1983.

Marian

Origin: Dutch, Hebrew, French, English Meaning: Drop of the sea, grace and mercy Alternative Spellings & Variations: Marien, Marie, Mariam, Mariana, Mariane, Marion, Maryann, Maryanne Famous Namesakes: Marian Ellina Stamp Dawkins, British biologist and professor of ethology at the University of Oxford; American activist Marian Wright Edelman Peak Popularity: Marian was a top-100 name in the U.S. from 1912 to 1934, but has since seen its popularity wane. It most recently appeared in the top 1,000 in 2000.

Margaret

Origin: GreekMeaning: PearlAlternative Spellings & Variations: Margret, Marguerite, Margarita, Maggie, Meg, Peg, Peggy, Margo, Margaux, Marge, MargieFamous Namesakes: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; American comedian Margaret Cho; former Canadian First Lady and mother of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Margaret TrudeauPeak Popularity: A hundred years ago, Margaret was a top-5 name, and it spent many years in the top 5. It is still quite a popular name, ranking 126th in 2020.

Nora

Origin: Arabic, Irish, French, German, EnglishMeaning: Light, honorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Noor, Noora, Noortje, Nore, Nori, Nóri, NoraleeFamous Namesakes: Nora Ephron, American film director and producer; Norah Jones, American singer-songwriterPeak Popularity: Nora was a popular name in the U.S. in the early 1900s. After falling out of favor for several decades, it has seen a strong resurgence and returned to the top 100 in 2013. The highest it has climbed since then is number 28, in 2017.

Ophelia

Origin: GreekMeaning: HelpAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ofelia, Ofilia, Ophelie, OphelyaFamous Namesakes: Ophelia Dahl, co-founder of Partners in Health and daughter of author Roald Dahl; Ophelia Saint Grohl, daughter of musician Dave GrohlPeak Popularity: Ophelia dropped out of the top 1,000 from 1959 to 2014. Recently, it has jumped from 979th place (2015) to 391st (2020).

Penelope

Origin: GreekMeaning: WeaverAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nelly, Pen, Penn, Penny, Pennie, Peneli, Penelopi, PennelopeFamous Namesakes: Spanish actress Penelope Cruz; English actress Penelope WiltonPeak Popularity: In the 1920s Penelope broke into the top 1,000 names in the U.S. It made it to the top 200 names in 2010, and rose to number 25 in 2020.

Ramona

Origin: SpanishMeaning: Wise protectorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ramonna, Ramonha, Ramonah, Romona, Remona, Raymona, Raimona, Ramonda, RayFamous Namesakes: English actress Ramona Marquez; American reality TV star Ramona Singer; Swiss soccer player Ramona Bachmann Peak Popularity: Ramona has been a popular name for girls for more than a century. It reached its highest rank in 1928 at 117. In 1989, it dropped off the top 1,000 list, but it popped back up again in 2016 and was number 816 in 2020.

Sylvia

Origin: LatinMeaning: ForestAlternative Spellings & Variations: Silvie, Silvia, SylvieFamous Namesakes: Queen Silvia of Sweden; Italian tennis player Silvia Farina Elia; Governor-General of New Zealand Silvia Cartwright; American author and poet Sylvia Plath; Rhea Silvia, mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of RomePeak Popularity: Sylvia peaked at number 50 in 1937. Since 1999, it’s hovered around the halfway point of the top 1,000 list.

Arthur

Origin: CelticMeaning: Noble one; bearAlternative Spellings & Variations: Art, Arth, Artair, Arte, ArtusFamous Namesakes: Scottish physician and novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; American tennis player Arthur Ashe; American playwright Arthur Miller, Canadian-American TV presenter Art LinkletterPeak Popularity: Arthur was number 15 in the U.S. in 1900 and a staple in the top 100 until 1970. After declining to 390th place in 2010, Arthur is rebounding in popularity and ranked 162nd in 2020.

Atticus

Origin: GreekMeaning: From Attica, an area in Greece that includes AthensAlternative Spellings & Variations: Aticus, Addicus, Attikus, Attickus, AttiFamous Namesakes: American actor Atticus Shaffer; English musician Atticus RossPeak Popularity: Atticus hit the top 1,000 list in 2004 and is rising in the ranks. It was number 300 in 2020.

Barry

Origin: Irish, GaelicMeaning: A sharp spear; fair-headed Alternative Spellings & Variations: Báire, Baire, Barrie, Barie, BairreFamous Namesakes: American singer Barry Manilow; American singer Barry WhitePeak Popularity: Barry was a top 100 name from 1941 through 1969, reaching a high rank of 61 in 1962. It began to drop its position in the 1990s and eventually fell off the top 1,000 list in 2005.

Bartholomew

Origin: GreekMeaning: Son of the farmerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Bartolomeo, Bartolo, Bartol, Bart, Bartlett, Mees, MiesFamous Namesakes: Fictional character Bart Simpson; American football player, Bart StarrPeak Popularity: Bartholomew appeared as a top 1,000 name 11 times between 1902 and 1971 with a peak rank of 800 (back in 1906).

Cyril

Origin: GreekMeaning: Masterful; from the LordAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cyryl, Cyrill, Ciril, Cyral, Cyrell, Kyril, Kyrill, Kyrillos, Cyrillus, Cirillo, CyFamous Namesakes: American magician of French, Moroccan and Japanese descent, Cyril Takayama; American professional skateboarder, Cyril JacksonPeak Popularity: Cyril was number 263 in 1902. It hung on as a top 1,000 name until 1967, when it dropped off the list.

Dennis

Origin: GreekMeaning: Festive; fun; a follower of DionysosAlternative Spellings & Variations: Denis, Dennes, Denes, Denny, Dennie, Denzel, Dennison, Denys, DenFamous Namesakes: American comedian Dennis Miller; American actor Dennis Quaid; American actor and singer Dennis DayPeak Popularity: Dennis is an established name with lasting popularity for well over 100 years. It was most popular in 1949, when it reached number 16. It has seen a decline in the last 20 years and in 2020 dropped out of the top 500 (to number 646).

Ellis

Origin: English, WelshMeaning: BenevolentAlternative Spellings & Variations: Elis, EllysFamous Namesakes: British director and actor Ellis Jones; British speedway rider Ellis Perks; American talk show host Ellis CannonPeak Popularity: The name has been a top 100 boy’s name in England and Wales since 2014. In the U.S., Ellis has been a popular name since 1900, peaking in 1902, and was featured in the top 500 boy names for many of those years. Currently, it sits at number 325.

Elroy

Origin: Irish, English, FrenchMeaning: The king, a young person with red hairAlternative Spellings & Variations: Elroye, Kilroy, Ilroy, Leroy, Gilroy, Elry, RoyFamous Namesakes: American football player Elroy Hirsch; American television comedy writer Elroy SchwartzPeak Popularity: Elroy was most popular during the first half of the 20th century. Its best year was 1922 with a rank of 438. It dropped off the top 1,000 list in 1970 and is now quite a rare name.

Everett

Origin: Old English, GermanMeaning: Brave as a wild boarAlternative Spellings & Variations: Everette, Everitt, Everet, Everrett, Evert, Evrett, Everard, RhettFamous Namesakes: American baseball player Everett Scott; American actor Everett McGillPeak Popularity: In the U.S. Everett has been a popular name since 1900, with peak popularity in 1906. Since 2018 it has featured in the top 100 boy names.

Ezekiel

Origin: HebrewMeaning: God will strengthenAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ezequiel, ZekeFamous Namesakes: American football players Ezekiel Elliott and Ezekiel AnsahPeak Popularity: Ezekiel ranked 562 in 1900 but started to gain ground in the 1990s. It became a top 100 name in 2017 and was number 65 in 2020.

Felix

Origin: LatinMeaning: FortunateAlternative Spellings & Variations: Feliks, Felics, Phelix, FeliceFamous Namesakes: Composer Felix Mendelssohn; daredevil Felix Baumgartner; Nobel laureate physicist Felix BlochPeak Popularity: Felix has consistently ranked in the top 400 for over 120 years. It ranked 170 in 1900 and 225 in 2020.

Fletcher

Origin: English, Scottish, IrishMeaning: Arrow makerAlternative Spellings & Variations: FletchFamous Namesakes: British artist Fletcher Sibthorp; American landscape architect Fletcher Steele; American sculptor and painter Fletcher BentonPeak Popularity: Fletcher was most popular in the U.S. back in 1900. It dropped off the top 1,000 in 1987, but returned in the early 2000s. Its most popular year recently was 2018, when it ranked 606th.

Francis

Origin: LatinMeaning: Frenchman, freemanAlternative Spellings & Variations: Francois, Frank, Frankie, FranklinFamous Namesakes: American singer Frank Sinatra; 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis; American film director Francis Ford CoppolaPeak Popularity: Throughout the early 1900s, Francis was a top 100 name. It declined steadily until 2009, when it ranked 676th, but has since returned to the top 500 and ranked 481st in 2020.

Gilbert

Origin: French, GermanMeaning: Pledge, promiseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Bert, Bertie, Gibbon, Gibby, Gil, Gilber, Gilbert, Gilberto, Gilburt, GillFamous Namesakes: American basketball player Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr.; English writer Gilbert Keith Chesterton; American actor/comedian Gilbert Gottfried; Mexican-born American actor Gilbert RolandPeak Popularity: Gilbert was number 146 in 1900 and a top 200 name until 1969. It has since fallen in the ranks and dropped out of the top 1,000 in 2017.

Glenn

Origin: Irish, Scottish, GaelicMeaning: From the small valleyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Glen, Gleann, Glyn, GlinnFamous Namesakes: Singer Glenn Frey, musician Glenn MillerPeak Popularity: The name Glenn was popular in the U.S. in 1900 with a rank of 118. It was a top 200 name until 1978. After that, it slowly faded in use and dropped out of the top 1,000 in 2009.

Herbert

Origin: GermanMeaning: Illustrious warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Herb, Herbie, BertFamous Namesakes: American president Herbert Hoover; American pianist and composer Herbie Hancock; American jazz musician, Herb AlpertPeak Popularity: From the 1880s until the 1980s, Herbert was a top 500 name. It fell off the top 1,000 list in 2003.

Howard

Origin: Scandinavian, EnglishMeaning: Noble watchmanAlternative Spellings & Variations: Howie, WardFamous Namesakes: Canadian comedian, Howie Mandel; American radio host, Howard SternPeak Popularity: Howard was at its most popular back in 1920. In recent years, it has hovered around the very bottom of the top 1,000.

Jude

Origin: Latin; GreekMeaning: PraisedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Judah, JuddFamous Namesakes: British actor Jude Law; British actor Jude WrightPeak Popularity: Jude entered the top 1,000 in 1954, staying on the bottom half of the list until 2002. After that, it rose to a high of 152nd place in 2019.

Lane

Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the narrow road or one who takes the narrow pathAlternative Spellings & Variations: Laen, Lain, Laine, LayneFamous Namesakes: American singer Lane Brody; American actor/producer Lane Carlson; American actor Lane Davies; American actor Lane Edward Garrison; American football coach Lane Monte KiffinPeak Popularity: Lane has been a top 1,000 boys name since 1929 with a peak in 1995. It is not on the top 1,000 list for girls, although the spelling Layne is, along with Lainey and Laney.

Louis

Origin: French, GermanMeaning: Brave warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lew, Lewis, Lou, LuisFamous Namesakes: American jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong; American baseball player Lou Boudreau; French inventor Louis Braille; American baseball player Lou BrockPeak Popularity: Louis is a centuries-old name that was number 26 in 1900 and number 260 in 2020. The Spanish spelling, Luis, is more popular at number 137, while Lewis ranks lower, at 498.

Myron

Origin: GreekMeaning: Like Myrrh and the aroma of a fragrant oil or spiceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Miron, Myren, Miren, MyreonFamous Namesakes: American chef Myron Mixon; American animator Myron WaldmanPeak Popularity: Myron had its most popular year in 1931 when it reached 192. It has slowly gone out of fashion and fell off the top 1,000 list in 2001.

Oscar

Origin: Old English, Gaelic, Old Norse Meaning: Friend to the deer; Spear of the gods Alternative Spellings & Variations: Óscar, Oskar Famous Namesakes: Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde; Guatemalan-American actor Oscar Isaac Peak Popularity: Oscar has maintained popularity in the U.S. since 1900. In 2020, it ranked 215th.

Otis

Origin: GermanMeaning: WealthyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ottis, Otys, OttoFamous Namesakes: American singer Otis ReddingPeak Popularity: Otis was out of the top 1,000 names from 1995 to 2014 and now sounds like a fresh choice. It returned to the top 1,000 in 2015, and in 2020 it was 649th.

Reuben

Origin: HebrewMeaning: Behold a sonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ruben, ReuvenFamous Namesakes: American author and chess player Reuben Fine; American leader of organized labor Reuben G. SoderstromPeak Popularity: Reuben was more common at the beginning of the 20th century than at the beginning of the 21st century. It ranked 212 in 1900 but has slowly declined over the years to a rank of 919 in 2020.

Silas

Origin: LatinMeaning: Of the woodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Silvanus, Silvano, Si, SylisFamous Namesakes: American actor Silas Weir Mitchell; American author Silas HousePeak Popularity: Silas ranked 249 in 1900 but slowly declined in use to a rank of 975 in 1970. However, its popularity began to rise in the 2000s, and by 2020 it ranked 100th.