20 Vintage Baby Names(01 of21)
Open Image ModalFor Girls(02 of21)
Open Image ModalBerylGiven to only three babies in 2013, Beryl is one of the jewel names that first became popular in the late 19th century. Varieties of the precious stone include emerald and aquamarine as well as the traditional red beryl.Novelist Beryl Bainbridge and iconic artist Beryl Cook are among famous bearers. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(03 of21)
Open Image ModalJosephineAlthough "Jo" can still be heard as a shortening of Joanna or Joanne, the name Josephine has largely fallen out of favour -- only 187 girls were called it in 2013 -- but we think it deserves to make a comeback. After all, Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women" remains a popular classic, so why not the name of its spirited heroine? (credit:Getty)
For Girls(04 of21)
Open Image ModalAudreyBanish all thoughts of Coronation Street's Audrey Roberts from your mind, and focus instead on the timeless elegance and sophistication of Audrey Hepburn. Still an icon to girls and women today, the actress' sense of style, charm and devotion to charity work make her a worthy namesake. In fact, the US is already taking notice -- Audrey is now among the top 50 girls' names stateside. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(05 of21)
Open Image ModalSylviaFrom a Latin root meaning "woods," Sylvia has a delicious snaking sound to it which indeed calls to mind a forest of whispering trees. Although only 42 girls were named Sylvia in 2013, it could easily sit alongside the likes of Amelia, Olivia and Sophia, all of which made the top 20 the same year. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(06 of21)
Open Image ModalMarthaLong-ignored, Martha is now steadily marching its way back up the baby name list. In 1996, it was languishing at 214th, but in 2013 it had risen to 73rd most popular name choice for girls in the UK.Biblical in origin, it means "lady" and was famously borne by Martha Washington, the original First Lady of the USA. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(07 of21)
Open Image ModalNoraA snappy, no-nonsense name which retains a feminine ring, this is the perfect candidate for a revival. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(08 of21)
Open Image ModalClaraClara Bow, nicknamed "The It Girl" for her indefinable on-screen charisma, made a splash with 1920s audiences for her scandalous portrayals of feisty, modern women in films like "The Wild Party" and "Ladies of the Mob." What better choice, then, for a 21st century baby name?Derived from the Latin word for "clear" or "bright," Clara comes from the same name family as Clare/Claire and the Italian name Chiara. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(09 of21)
Open Image ModalLillianLily is riding high in the name popularity stakes at the moment, and this elongated French version of Lily makes for a nice twist on the current trend.Namesakes include fiery left-wing playwright Lillian Hellman and silent movie icon Lillian Gish. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(10 of21)
Open Image ModalMabelThe name has enjoyed a sharp rise in popularity in recent years, so get in while you can. Shorten it to 'Mabes' or 'Mabey' for a more contemporary feel. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(11 of21)
Open Image ModalEstherOne of the Jewish heroines of the Old Testament, Esther -- which comes from the Persian for star -- was a popular name choice back in 1914, but was given to only 329 girls last year.Combining the regal dignity of its biblical namesake with a unique sound which eschews the usual feminine name endings like "a" and "ia," Esther is a great compromise between tradition and innovation. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(12 of21)
Open Image ModalErnestA Victorian favourite with a solid, reliable ring to it, Ernest, or Ernie, is a name on the rise (it's risen almost 1000 places in popularity since 1996) so get in before it takes off big time.It means "serious," and like many popular 19th century names it comes from German. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(13 of21)
Open Image ModalFrankYou'd trust a Frank, wouldn't you? British parents have already dipped their toe in the water with "Frankie," which is currently the 62nd most popular name for baby boys. But why not go the whole way, with a classic masculine moniker borne by luminaries such as Sinatra? (credit:Getty)
For Boys(14 of21)
Open Image ModalIvorOnly 19 babies born last year were given the name Ivor, which comes from Old Norse and means "bow warrior." It has always been most popular in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall, so it's a great choice if you want to pay tribute to Gaelic heritage. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(15 of21)
Open Image ModalEdmundOnce a firm fixture in the top 100, Edmund has slid down to 837 over the years, but it would be a shame to lose one of the oldest and most venerable names in English history. It can also be shortened to the more ordinary Eddie, which is always an advantage for a child with an uncommon name as they reach the self-conscious adolescent years. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(16 of21)
Open Image ModalArnoldAlfie and Archie have both proven so popular in recent years, and we think Arnie fits in with that trend perfectly. Mark our words, it's due for a comeback. Best of all, it comes from Germanic words meaning "eagle power," which is an awesome anecdote for the playground. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(17 of21)
Open Image ModalEdgarEdgar, which means "blessed spear," has already had one massive comeback in its time, so it can surely do it again. A common name in Anglo-Saxon England, it faded out after the Norman invasion, only to spring back to life in the 18th century and remain a firm favourite throughout the Victorian and Edwardian era. Famous bearers include author Edgar Allan Poe. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(18 of21)
Open Image ModalDouglasOne of the most powerful clans in Scottish history, Clan Douglas exerted tremendous power in the Lowlands for hundreds of years. The name, which means "dark stream" has been given to boys as a first name since the 16th century, and was still the 57th most popular choice in 1914, although it has since fallen to 338th place. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(19 of21)
Open Image ModalVictorAlthough ancient in origin (from the Latin meaning victor, unsurprisingly), Victor remained a rare name choice until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria's popularity sent parents scurrying in search of a masculine equivalent. When giving your baby boy a solid start in life, you can't do better than a name that literally means winner. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(20 of21)
Open Image ModalEdwinLike Edgar, Edwin was a popular Anglo-Saxon name which faded from use after the Norman conquest, only to make a return in the 19th century, as in Charles Dickens' final novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Fact: it was the given name of Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(21 of21)
Open Image ModalClarenceOriginating from the name of a royal dukedom, Clarence still carries an air of class and refinement, even if it has almost completely disappeared from use -- only four boys were given the name last year. Perhaps these days it seems a bit of a mouthful, but in the 19th century friends and family frequently shortened it to Clare (pronounced klar), Clancy or Clarrie. (credit:Getty)