The Vintage Revival
Vintage baby names are experiencing a renaissance. Names that once felt reserved for grandparents — or even great-grandparents — are now appearing on nursery doors across the country.
According to baby name experts, names perceived as "senior" are making a comeback, following a 100-year naming trend. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Lanie and Oliver ranked number one in 2025. The trend is clear: what's old is new again.
Vintage Girl Names Making a Comeback
- Alma — Latin, "nourishing"
- Mavis — French, "songbird"
- Sybil — Greek, "prophetess"
- Opal — Sanskrit, "gem"
- Vera — Slavic, "faith"
- Hyacinth — Greek, "flower"
- Eloise — French, "healthy"
- Daphne — Greek, "laurel"
- Penelope — Greek, "weaver"
- Agnes — Greek, "pure"
- Beatrice — Latin, "she who brings happiness"
- Clara — Latin, "clear, bright"
- Dorothy — Greek, "gift of God"
- Edith — English, "prosperous in war"
- Frances — Latin, "from France"
- Gertrude — German, "spear of strength"
- Harriet — French, "estate ruler"
- Irene — Greek, "peace"
- Josephine — Hebrew, "God will increase"
- Katherine — Greek, "pure"
Vintage Boy Names Making a Comeback
- Hector — Greek, "holding fast"
- Wilbur — German, "resolute"
- Maurice — Latin, "dark-skinned"
- Gilbert — German, "bright pledge"
- Augustus — Latin, "great"
- Benedict — Latin, "blessed"
- Clarence — Latin, "bright"
- Desmond — Irish, "from Munster"
- Ernest — German, "serious"
- Franklin — English, "free landholder"
- Gerald — German, "rule of the spear"
- Harold — Scandinavian, "army ruler"
- Irving — Scottish, "green river"
- Leonard — German, "brave lion"
- Milton — English, "mill town"
- Norman — English, "northman"
- Oswald — English, "divine power"
- Percival — French, "pierce the valley"
- Reginald — Latin, "counsel power"
- Walter — German, "army ruler"
The "Dad Name" Resurgence
One of the most surprising trends of 2025 is the return of "dad names" — names like Jason, Samuel, Luke, Alexander, David, Daniel, Nathan, and Adam that were once dismissed as outdated but are now enjoying an unforeseen revival.
These names offer a sense of nostalgia and stability that resonates with millennial and Gen Z parents.