1900s Baby Names: Traditional and Surprising Vintage Finds

Let’s talk rare names from 1900s, that distant time when cars and telephones were the latest technology. Las Vegas was founded in 1905. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity was new.

It’s easy to believe that names in that sepia-toned era were traditional. All John and Mary.

Actually? At the turn of the twentieth century, well over 100 years ago, parents were naming their children all sorts of creative and surprising names. 

We’ll talk about the most popular names from the years 1900 to 1909, as well as some rare names from 1900s, too.

The data for this list can be found at the Social Security Administration’s website. 

Before we look at some surprises from those years, let’s review the favorites.

MOST POPULAR BABY GIRL NAMES FROM 1900 to 1909

1. Mary
2. Helen
3. Margaret
4. Anna
5. Ruth
6. Elizabeth
7. Dorothy
8. Marie
9. Florence
10. Mildred
11. Alice
12. Ethel
13. Lillian
14. Gladys
15. Edna
16. Frances
17. Rose
18. Annie
19. Grace
20. Bertha
21. Emma
22. Bessie
23. Clara
24. Hazel
25. Irene
26. Gertrude
27. Louise
28. Catherine
29. Martha
30. Mabel
31. Pearl
32. Edith
33. Esther
34. Minnie
35. Myrtle
36. Ida
37. Josephine
38. Evelyn
39. Elsie
40. Eva
41. Thelma
42. Ruby
43. Agnes
44. Sarah
45. Viola
46. Nellie
47. Beatrice
48. Julia
49. Laura
50. Lillie
51. Lucille
52. Ella
53. Virginia
54. Mattie
55. Pauline
56. Carrie
57. Alma
58. Jessie
59. Mae
60. Lena
61. Willie
62. Katherine
63. Blanche
64. Hattie
65. Marion
66. Lucy
67. Stella
68. Mamie
69. Vera
70. Cora
71. Fannie
72. Eleanor
73. Bernice
74. Jennie
75. Ann
76. Leona
77. Beulah
78. Lula
79. Rosa
80. Ada
81. Ellen
82. Kathryn
83. Maggie
84. Doris
85. Dora
86. Betty
87. Marguerite
88. Violet
89. Lois
90. Daisy
91. Anne
92. Sadie
93. Susie
94. Nora
95. Georgia
96. Maude
97. Marjorie
98. Opal
99. Hilda
100. Velma

POPULAR NAMES FROM 1900s for GIRLS READY FOR REVIVAL TODAY

Let’s look for names that would’ve been familiar, even popular in the early 1900s. None of these are top baby names in the 2020s. They’ve been overlooked, or just overdue for rediscovery – but they could be gorgeous choices for a daughter now.

ALMA

An old school name with several meanings and origins, Alma wears well in the 2020s because it coincides with the Spanish word for soul.

BETTY

How can it be that early 2000s hit Mad Men didn’t boost Betty? Or all those Taylor Swift songs? In fairness, Betty ranked in the US Top Ten from the 1920s through the 1940s, remaining in the Top 1000 into the 1960s. An awful lot of Elizabeths probably answered to Betty in the same decades, too. That means the name might’ve deserved a good, long rest. But now? It’s a logical successor to Sadie and company.

FLORA

We love Nora and Cora. And floral names dot the current US Top 1000. It’s a logical moment for the revival of Roman goddess name Flora.

LOIS

Yes, Lois is the mom on Family Guy, a name so mired in middle age that it’s unthinkable for a baby now. Except Lois Lane, intrepid reporter and a love interest to Superman himself, is constantly reinvented. And lately, daring namers have been considering and choosing Lois once more.

LULA

It’s an overlooked vintage name once used as a short form of Louisa. Today, you might’ve heard it in the Pitbull single “El Taxi” or as the name of Liv Tyler’s daughter, Lula Rose.It works effortlessly in English andSpanish, another bonus.

MARIE

For years, Marie has been tucked in the middle. Back in the 1900s, the French form of Mary ranked in the US Top Ten. 1903 was the year Marie Curie shared the Nobel Prize in Physics, making her the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. It’s immediately familiar, sweetly French, and strongly associated with capable, powerful women.

NELL

Nickname Nellie feels vintage and sweet, a sister for Sadie. But there’s a polished strength to Nell. It’s Elle with a little more sound, a strong, spare choice in the key of Blair and Sloane, Jane and Ruth.

OPAL

Gemstone names like Ruby are nicely established choices, serving as color names, too. Opal, though? It comes in many colors, often a milky white with an interesting, almost rainbow-like sheen. Opal is ultimately derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “jewel.” Stylish parents are rediscovering this name now. (It’s even on the list of Zootopia production babies!)

RUTH

An Old Testament name with plenty of strength and character.

SALLIE, SALLY

We love Sarah nickname Sadie, and -L names like Ellie and Millie. Sallie fits right in. A note on spelling: the -ie version was more popular for many years; only in the 1930s did Sally become the preferred spelling.r

VERA

You know all of those V names I listed above, when talking about Virginia? The same applies for Vera! Except that while Virginia feels like a delicate name, I find Vera daring – a name I associate with an early aviatrix, or maybe a flapper. (Yes, the 1900s are too early for both of those things. What passed for daring around 1902? I’m not sure …) The name has ties to words meaning faith, but also truth, making it a meaningful choice for a daughter.

WINIFRED

As delightfully antique as favorites like Charlotte or Marion, Winifred has recently started attracting attention again. For now, it remains antique, richly meaningful, and strong.

RARE NAMES FROM 1900s FOR GIRLS STILL UNDERUSED NOW

During the early 1900s, these dozen names would’ve been in use, but they were pretty uncommon. Today? They’re (mostly) familiar, but no one is using them for their daughters now, either. That might signal an opportunity for a great stands-out/fits-in choice.

CECILE

A French form of Cecilia, Cecile is less dated than Diane, more unexpected than Marie.

DINAH

A sister for Clementine, with plenty of spark.

ESTELLA

Related to the Latin word for star, Charles Dickens made Estella literary in Great Expectations.

FERN

Gentle nature name with all the appeal of Charlotte’s Web.

IONE

A Greek name in the key of Chloe and Zoe, pronounced with three syllables. It means “violet flower.”

LEDA

A name from Greek myth with multiple possible meanings and origins.

MILLICENT

Delicate, vintage name with delightful nickname choice Millie

NOVELLA

It sounds like a modern coinage – Story meets Isabella. But Novella has been around for ages.

POLLY

Molly was a favorite for years, and we love names like Penelope and Piper. Why not Polly?

RHEA

Rhymes with Leah. Except Leah is an Old Testament name, while the name Rhea appears in both Greek and Roman myth.

SUSANNA

Like Clementine and Dinah, we sing out Susanna in a traditional song. It’s as lovely and long as Olivia or Eliana, but surprisingly overlooked. Possibly that’s thanks to Susan’s status as peak Boomer name, but Susanna seems distinctly different.

VESTA

The Roman goddess of the hearth, and an intriguing V name that’s seldom heard.

MOST POPULAR BABY BOY NAMES FROM 1900 to 1909

1. John
2. William
3. James
4. George
5. Charles
6. Robert
7. Joseph
8. Frank
9. Edward
10. Thomas
11. Henry
12. Walter
13. Harry
14. Willie
15. Arthur
16. Albert
17. Clarence
18. Fred
19. Harold
20. Paul
21. Raymond
22. Richard
23. Roy
24. Joe
25. Louis
26. Carl
27. Ralph
28. Earl
29. Jack
30. Ernest
31. David
32. Samuel
33. Howard
34. Charlie
35. Francis
36. Herbert
37. Lawrence
38. Theodore
39. Alfred
40. Andrew
41. Elmer
42. Sam
43. Eugene
44. Leo
45. Michael
46. Lee
47. Herman
48. Anthony
49. Daniel
50. Leonard
51. Floyd
52. Donald
53. Kenneth
54. Jesse
55. Russell
56. Clyde
57. Oscar
58. Peter
59. Lester
60. Leroy
61. Ray
62. Stanley
63. Clifford
64. Lewis
65. Benjamin
66. Edwin
67. Frederick
68. Chester
69. Claude
70. Eddie
71. Cecil
72. Lloyd
73. Jessie
74. Martin
75. Bernard
76. Tom
77. Will
78. Norman
79. Edgar
80. Harvey
81. Ben
82. Homer
83. Luther
84. Leon
85. Melvin
86. Philip
87. Johnnie
88. Jim
89. Milton
90. Everett
91. Allen
92. Leslie
93. Alvin
94. Victor
95. Marvin
96. Stephen
97. Alexander
98. Jacob
99. Hugh
100. Patrick

POPULAR NAMES FROM 1900s for BOYS READY FOR REVIVAL TODAY

As with the girls’ list, these names were well-used during the early 1900s. Today, though? They’re relatively rare. And yet, they might fit right in with current favorites like Oliver and Theodore, handsome choices for boys with history and style.

ALVIN

Before there was the singing chipmunk, Alvin was a streamlined version of many an Old English name. Nineteenth century parents embraced these throwbacks. Maybe we should, too. After all, Alvin shares the ‘v’ of Oliver and Everett. Al is as approachable as Max or Gus. Or maybe shorten Alvin to Vin? It works just fine for Mr. Diesel.

ARTHUR

Is it fair to call Arthur a neglected gem anymore? The name of Camelot’s legendary king was a steady Top 20 favorite throughout the decade. But it’s also climbing now, along with similar names like Asher, Archer, and Archie.

EDWIN

Classic Edward isn’t among the most popular baby names now, but it’s an enduring choice. Edwin feels just a little different – there’s a fleet, bright quality to this name. That’s almost certainly thanks to the “win” syllable. But Edwin doesn’t mean victory; instead it comes from ead – wealth combined with wine – friend.

FELIX

A Latin name that means lucky or fortunate, Felix has a long history of use as a first name, never leaving the US Top 1000. It’s actually more popular now that it was in the 1900s or 1910s, but still feels like a vintage choice.

FRANKLIN

A Founding Father surname, Franklin shares the intelligence and good sense of Ben. It shortens to friendly Frankie. And it fits nicely with so many two-syllable boys’ names ending with N, too.

HOWARD

This name has potential, especially with non-traditional nicknames like Hoby. It peaked around the year 1910, and has been falling in use for ages. That might make it the perfect time to reconsider Howard for a new generation.

LLOYD

It’s not as if Lloyd has disappeared entirely over the last four or five decades. LEGO’s animated Ninjago series gave us a Lloyd. John Cusack starred as Lloyd in 1989 classic Say Anything. Neither of those characters inspired parents, but Lloyd’s strong sound has some enduring appeal.

PHILIP, PHILLIP

Around a dozen years ago, hit sitcom The Office put this name at the center of a baby name debate. Would Jim and Pam use it for their second child, after Pam’s grandpa? Or would Angela name her son Philip … after her cat? It’s a traditional choice, and if nickname Phil doesn’t hit right? Another possibility is Pip, as in Great Expectations.

OTIS

A surname originally derived from Otto, Otis is very Redding. It’s cool and relaxed and established, too. It feels a little like Owen meets Atticus, with lots of stylish sounds.

PERCY

As in Jackson, the hero of a many-booked series, as well as a successful Disney Plus adaptation of the series. That Percy is short for Perseus, but Percy started out as a surname brought to England by the Normans.

RUFUS

An old school name meaning red, Rufus feels like an edgy, indie pick. And okay, maybe a little bit of a popular choice for dogs in recent years. But if kids and canines can share Charlie, Leo, and Luna, why not Rufus, too?

WILLIS

William-derived surname Willis fits in nicely with boys’ names ending in S, and still gets to use nicknames Billy (why not?) and Will (obviously).

RARE 1900s BOY NAMES STILL UNDERUSED NOW

ALONZO

A handful of Visigothic names survived and were Latinized – like Alphonsus, meaning noble and ready. Spanish and Portuguese royals answered to Alfonso. It was shortened to Alonso, and then Alonzo in American English, where a number of famous athletes have kept it in the spotlight.

AMBROSE

A smart, capable kind of name with a truly memorable meaning: immortal.

CAREY, CARY

As dashing as legendary leading man Cary Grant, this Irish surname name sometimes leans feminine. That’s down to Caroline and Carrie. But properly speaking, Carey and Cary are unisex and absolutely ready for a comeback.

FRITZ

Friendly German nickname for Frederick that stands on its own.

GOLDEN

Like Novella earlier on this list, Golden feels very 2020s. Except this shining name has a longer history than you might get.

HOUSTON

Austin, Dallas, Denver … why not Houston? Like so many place names, it was originally a surname. (The Texas city is named for Sam Houston.) Also spelled Huston, it originally meant “Hugh’s town.”

NOBLE

A virtue name with a long history of use, Noble fits with favorites like similar-sounding Nolan, as well as meaningful picks like Legend.

OLIN

A rare Scandi cousin to classic Olaf, similar to chart-toppers Oliver and Olin. We also recently learned Olin is the name of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ youngest child and only son.

PRENTICE

A polished surname name, Prentice comes from the word apprentice.

RANSOM

If you think of a ransom note, this is an odd word name choice. But this reflects a Christian perspective; Jesus gave his life to “ransom” – or save – humanity from sin. It’s an archaic use of the word, but familiar in a religious context. Fans of Knives Out might recall that Chris Evans played Ransom Drysdale in the first movie.

THERON

A Greek word meaning hunter, Theron fits in with current names right now that it’s hard to believe it’s not more common.

WALTON

Surname name ultimately derived from Walter, with an intriguing mix of pop culture associations. 

What’s your favorite of the rare names from 1900s (1900 to 1909)?

First published on March 30, 2016, this post was revised on April 2, 2025.