The 20 vintage baby names making a comeback in 2024

Choosing a name for your soon-to-be-born baby is one of the most significant decisions a parent can make.

Some expectant parents shun tradition when naming their new arrival, opting for unique names like Crispin or Reverie. While others gravitate towards trendy, hipster names that are modern and stylish, such as Axel, Presley, or Wyatt.

However, recently, a heart-warming trend of classic, old-world names for babies appear to be making a comeback. Some names that were once considered outdated are now back in vogue, and some rather charming and unique monikers are gaining popularity.

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Celebrities are also jumping on the vintage name bandwagon. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have named their three children James, Betty, and Inez, three timeless yet elegant choices that have stood the test of time. Frank and Christine Lampard named their eldest daughter Patricia in 2018 in honour of the former Chelsea footballer's mother.

Elsewhere, Lily Allen and Katherine Heigl have also chosen traditional names like Ethel and Adelaide. Studying Office of National Statistics (ONS) data and the National Records of Scotland (NRS), the research team at SnappyWords has shed light on this ongoing name trend and provided a list of vintage baby names, they say, will continue to make a comeback in 2024.

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Looking at key trends in baby names since 1935, they analysed their popularity over the years. More specifically they have identified comeback names that left the top 100 and then came back after a few years - following up this pattern up to 2023, the latest data available.

A spokesperson from SnappyWords, said: "Opting for a vintage name that's fallen out of common use is a way to seem original or creative without being too audacious. It might be a surprising pick, yet not an unfamiliar one.

"Old-fashioned baby names carry a rich history. Over time, many have taken on charming qualities that parents admire.

"Names like Cordelia, Julia, Gloria and Adelaide may seem romantic and have royal and elegant rings, while Atticus and Earl feel bold. Henry, Oliver and Louis are hard to resist because of their deeply rooted Royal associations, while Betty and Inez were popular in the 20th century and present a charming simplicity.

"The popularity of these vintage names is on the rise, thanks to their elegant and historic appeal. It's no surprise that more and more people are choosing them for their new-borns."

Are you an expectant parent in need of a little inspiration? If so, check out the list of the top 20 vintage baby names now making a comeback below.

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List of the 20 top vintage names that are now making a comeback

1. Cordelia
18,170th most common name in the world (Approximately 51,131 people bear this name)

2. Julia
205th most common name in the world (2,633,946 people bear this name)

3. Betty
299th most common name in the world (2,076,536 people bear this name)

4. Dorothy
553rd (1,398,060 people bear this name)

5. Florence
361st (1,816,109 people bear this name)

6. Henry
296th (2,088,627 people bear this name)

7. Oliver
1,212th (779,785 people bear this name)

8. Vincent
472nd (1,540,963 people bear this name)

9. Patricia
59th (5,611,684 people bear this name)

10. Earl
3,687th (285,392 people bear this name)

11. Gloria
132nd (3,346,290 people bear this name)

12. Adelaide
5,681st (184,828 people bear this name)

13. Inez
9,887th (103,398 people bear this name)

14. Evelyn
457th (1,558,331 people bear this name)

15. Estelle
4,837th (216,505 people bear this name)

16. James
27th (8,807,695 people bear this name)

17. Atticus
411,730th (434 people bear this name)

18. Louis
469th (1,544,657 people bear this name)

19. Edwin
408th (1,687,100 people bear this name)

20. Chester
9,323rd (110,265 people bear this name)