Like Helen, Margaret is another old lady name that hasn’t quite transcended its old ladyishness. At once rich and strong, it’s got a long royal history and almost as long a list of nicknames, from the classic Meg and Margo to the stylish Mamie and Maisie. Margaret Bourke-White was one of the greatest American photographers.
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
Josephine peaked in 1918, but has been making a major comeback of late, with some colorful namesakes including Napoleon’s Empress, Jo in Little Women, and Josephine Baker, the African-American singer and dancer who was a sensation in 1920s Paris and became an international humanitarian. We’re also crazy about short forms Jo and Josie.
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
This classic name means “bright, famous, little bird.”
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
Winifred, which completely dropped off the Top 1000 radar in 1965 and has barely been heard from since, may be the most old ladyish of our favorite old lady names, but who can resist the winning nickname Winnie? Or the more unisex Freddie? Well-known Willies include Mrs. Mandela, Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, and, of course, Winnie the Pooh.
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
This Greek name means “myrrh.”
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This Latin name means “woods, forest.”
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
A floral name from Latin meaning simply “rose.”
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
Ada is an old lady name that’s simple enough to appeal to the modernist, who may also be inspired by namesake Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron and the first female “computer programmer.” Do you fear that Ava is being overused? Consider the name Ada then!
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
This name has an English origin and means “woman of honor.”
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro
This name has a Norman origin, but its modern use comes from an English surname.
Categories: Old Lady Names Tags: baby, best, cool, lady, names, old, old-fashioned, retro