In recent years, parents have been increasingly opting for unique and unconventional baby names. However, there are some once-popular baby names that have fallen out of fashion and into obscurity. These “forgotten” names may have once been common, but they are now rarely heard among the younger generation.
Despite the odds, some of these forgotten baby names made a comeback in 2022. From classic names to more unusual ones, parents are rediscovering the beauty and charm of these old-fashioned monikers. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the forgotten baby names that are making a comeback, and take a closer look at what’s driving this trend.
These Baby Names Made a Comeback After Being Out of the Top 1000 for 10 Years
The baby name database, Namberry, looked at names that returned to the top 1000 most popular names for girls and boys list and tallied the appellations that had been off of it for at least ten years. In total, they found over 300 names that returned! We will share our favorites that we feel offer the most style and appeal to new parents today. Next to each name, we will include the date for the last time the name ranked in the top 1000.
Best Names for Girls with Truly Vintage Vibes
- Dorah (1923)
- Doretta (2004)
- Etta-Mae (1932)
- Lulla (1950)
- Virgie (1997)
Best Names for Boys That Have a Vintage Sound
- Alfonse (1998)
- Dolph (1994)
- Florence (1968)
- Leverett (1965)
- Lyall (2008)
- Rauf (2008)
Baby Names for Girls That Have a Modern Style
- Alayzah (2010)
- Artis (1984)
- Azaia (2007)
- Kienna (2009)
- Kimana (2007)
More Girl Names That Have a Modern Twist
- Makaira (2006)
- Nerina (1975)
- Xaira (2007)
- Xenna (2005)
- Zoanne (1969)
Names for Boys That Have Modern Sound to Them
- Adari (2004)
- Azareel (2008)
- Bodan (2007)
- Brye (2003)
- Dreylin (2010)
More Boy Names That Came Back But Sound New and Modern
- Jekhari (2009)
- Kenzy (2008)
- Minos (1946)
- Quaylen (2003)
- Symeir (2009)
- Vero (1928)
Word Names for Girls That Made a Comeback
- Friday (1982)
- Jolly (2007)
- Opaline (1954)
- Sincerely (2006)
More Word Names for Girls That Returned
- Strawberry (2006)
- Vista (1976)
- Wave (1927)
Word Baby Names for Boys That Staged a Comeback
- Daisy (2010)
- Eternal (2010)
- Fern (1970)
- Gold (1923)
- Herald (1997)
- Hickory (1973)
More Word Baby Names for Boys That Returned
- Laurel (1993)
- Luckie (2005)
- Marsh (1994)
- Quetzalcoatl (2000)
- Timberland (2006)
- Vesper (1928)
Baby Names for Girls Inspired by Surnames and Places
- Bryden (2009)
- Chapell (1989)
- Cheslie (1993)
- Fenley (2008)
- Hardy (1932)
- Mclean (2004)
Names for Boys from Last Names and Place Names
- Barrie (1997)
- Beecher (2008)
- Brigden (2010)
- Delman (1969)
- Dover (1973)
More Place and Word Names for Boys
- Ferrari (1991)
- Harlowe (1935)
- Hershey (1982)
- Hoover (1988)
- Hoy (1976)
RELATED: 55 Forgotten But Wonderful Old Fashioned Baby Names We Hope Make a Comeback
Even More Place and Word Names for Boys That Came Back in 2022
- Kantrell (2009)
- Lowe (1966)
- Marden (2002)
- Wilburn (2008)
- Woodford (1969)
Over-the-Top Baby Names for Girls to Return
- Artemisa (2005)
- Aviara (2002)
- Carletta (2007)
- Damina (1990)
More Maximalist Names for Girls
- Ismaela (2007)
- Kaliyanna (2010)
- Meleya (2006)
- Odetta (1976)
Even More Bigger Than Life Appellations for Girls
- Robina (1993)
- Savilla (2009)
- Vivana (2006)
- Zenora (1959)
Big and Bold Baby Names for Boys That Returned
- Alpheus (1993)
- Emeril (2009)
- Lauriano (2004)
- Melquiades (2009)
- Valeriano (2005)
International Baby Names for Girls That Landed in the Top 1000 Once More
- Catalin (2003)
- Duniya (2009)
- Eilin (2008)
- Enika (1982)
- Esenia (1992)
More Girl Names from Around the World
- Esmerai (2008)
- Florecita (2009)
- Gio (2006)
- Keahi (2009)
- Lieselotte (1970)
- Nilay (2009)
Even More Names for Girls with International Flair
- Onelia (1991)
- Pavlina (1997)
- Renuka (2005)
- Ronak (1982)
- Sapir (2006)
Worldly Names for Boys to Make the List
- Aciano (2010)
- Adetola (1989)
- Benedicto (2009)
- Enno (1925)
- Ephron (1996)
Multi-Cultural Names from Around the World for Boys
- Juri (1974)
- Kealoha (2009)
- Luisandro (1997)
- Mardochee (2007)
- Nisan (1994)
- Olav (1972)
Even More Cosmopolitan Baby Names for Boys
- Rameez (1999)
- Romolo (1994)
- Salil (2008)
- Wenzel (1952)
- Zuberi (1995)
Forgotten Nicknames That Returned as Popular Given Names for Girls
- Elvi (1927)
Lissie (2010) - Mac (2001)
- Maiken (2004)
- Nonie (1985)
More Nickname Baby Names for Girls
- Richie (1981)
- Roz (1964)
- Tessy (2001)
- Texie (1956)
- Trudi (2009)
- Val (1985)
Returning Nicknames as Given Names for Boys
- Arri (2010)
- Bubba (1991)
- Cejay (2010)
- Fredo (1985)
- Geordie (2007),
More Nickname Names for Boys
- Goldie (1997)
- Marti (2009)
- Pedrito (1995)
- Radu (2007)
- Rik (2009)
Pop Culture Influenced Baby Names for Girls That Returned
- Osha (2005)
- Thena (1978)
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 25 Forgotten Depression Era Baby Names That Are as Relevant as Ever
Pop Culture Baby Names for Boys That Came Back
- Mufasa (1995)
- Orbelin (2004)
- Tchalla (1975)
There you go! Now you know all the forgotten baby names that have returned to favor. Many of these options offer you the opportunity to choose a unique name that’s not fully mainstream. We wish you the very best luck as you search for the right name for your little one.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.
Baby Name Generator
No baby name sounding good? Want a quick way to generate unique baby name ideas? Try our baby name generator below!
Set your terms (sex of the baby, number of letters, popularity, etc.) and then get a list of names that meet your criteria. Maybe the perfect name is just waiting to be generated for you.