Why Traditional Names Like Barbara, Nora, and Eleanor are Making a Comeback
A visit to a nursery school in 2025 may introduce you to toddlers named George, Elijah, Hazel, Martha, or Winifred. These classic names, which have been out of favor for decades, are gaining popularity once again. Meanwhile, previously trendy names like Taylor are on the decline. Millennials are embracing what they refer to as “grandparent names,” as names that were once considered old-fashioned are now being cherished and reimagined.
“Names that were once considered outdated are now being rediscovered with love,” says baby-name consultant Taylor A. Humphrey. “In a world that is fast-paced and heavily influenced by technology, parents are turning to names from the past that feel timeless, classic, and significant. Names such as Mabel, Evelyn, Otis, or Theodore evoke a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for bygone eras.”
According to the latest list of popular baby names from the Social Security Administration for 2024, the top five girls’ names were Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, and Mia, while the top boys’ names were Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, and James. Compare this to the mid- and early-’90s when many of today’s parents were born, and you will find a completely different set of popular names. In 1994, the top five girls’ names were Jessica, Ashley, Emily, Samantha, and Sarah, while the top boys’ names were Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, and Tyler.
In the realm of baby naming, there is a phenomenon known as “the hundred-year cycle,” which suggests that every hundred years, an old-fashioned name becomes fashionable again. Jennifer Moss, founder and CEO of BabyNames.com, explains, “The generation having babies usually avoids using names from the generation before them because those names are deemed uncool or outdated. However, names from over 100 years ago seem to be acceptable.” Therefore, individuals in their 20s and 30s, who grew up surrounded by Jessicas and Chrises, are now gravitating towards names that were popular in the 1910s and 1920s.
Reflecting this trend, names that were popular in the 1920s, such as George, Barbara, and Eleanor, are experiencing a resurgence today. “Vintage names evoke a sense of nostalgia. Many of my clients look to their family tree for inspiration, often finding names from grandparents and great-grandparents,” explains Colleen Slagen, author of the upcoming book Naming Bebe.
Looking ahead to what’s popular in 2025, Moss notes that names starting with “El” like Eleanor, Eloise, and Elodie are trendy for girls, while old-fashioned names like Theodore, Oliver, Owen, Silas, and Jasper are popular for boys.
“For girls, popular names include Alma, Eloise, Flora, Mara, Margaret, Nora, and Bennett,” notes Humphrey. “For boys, trending names are Hayes, Lachlan, Palmer, Soren, Sterling, and Theodore. These names exude a sense of stability, sophistication, and strength, blending vintage charm with a modern twist.”
On the decline are the “aden” names like Braden, Jayden, Caden, and Aidan, as Slagen confirms their peak popularity in the early 2000s.
Humphrey observes a shift away from the once-popular name Isla, noting that it’s lost favor among recent parents. Just as in fashion, baby names reflect changing emotional and aesthetic preferences.
Moss comments on Liam being perceived as overused due to its popularity in recent years.
Meanwhile, old-fashioned names are making a comeback. Barbara, Bob, and Agatha have seen significant increases in popularity from 2022 to 2023.
Humphrey suggests that choosing “grandparent names” allows parents to honor the past while shaping the future. These names offer a sense of tradition, timelessness, and depth in a fast-paced world, reminding us to pause and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.
