It doesn’t need to be Women’s History Month (which is in March) or Mother’s Day (which is in May) to celebrate all the famous mothers out there raising their children. It’s not an easy job and while they often have help from their significant other, they still deserve our full appreciation.
Every year, we see new celebrity couples – and non-couples – welcome a baby boy or baby girl to the world. Sometimes it’s their first, other times it’s not. Either way, these famous mothers are left with a lot of pressure as they must raise their child with the entire world watching every step.
With the amount of attention famous mothers receive, any mistake will go viral immediately. Not only that, but they have to deal with all the paparazzi that want photos of the newborn – let’s not forget Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were offered $3 million for the first photo of their baby!
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Popular Baby Names Inspired by Famous Mothers
We’ve already seen several celebs welcome newborns this year, including Maria Cahill, Missy Peregrym, Sophie Turner, Juliana Custodio, Pippa Middleton, Danielle Panabaker, Lyndsy Fonseca, Nicky Hilton, Daniella Pick, Allison Williams, Rihanna, Grimes, and much more.
And with five months remaining in the calendar year, there will be plenty more famous mothers to join the party in the coming months. Of course, that’s nothing compared to the nearly 385,000 babies born worldwide every year – that’s a lot of couples trying to figure out the perfect name.
While there are plenty of ways to find inspiration when naming your child, many people turn to famous mothers and celebs that have had an impact on their lives – directly or indirectly. To help you out, let’s take a look at 30 incredibly-beautiful baby names inspired by famous mothers.
30. Alicia
Famous Mother: Alicia Keys
Alicia is derived from the Spanish name Alice and German name Adalheidis (Adelaide). It means noble and exalted, two favorable traits in a baby girl. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Alicia Keys – the American singer and songwriter has two children with her husband Swizz Beatz.
29. Keyshia
Famous Mother: Keyshia Cole, Keyshia Ka’Oir
Keyshia is a popular African-American name for a baby girl of Nigerian descent – meaning ‘favorite’ or ‘precious.’ They are often known as peacemakers and helpers of the world.Two famous mothers with this name are Keyshia Cole (an R&B singer) and Keyshia Ka’Oir (wife of Gucci Mane).
28. Maria
Famous Mother: Maria Sharapova
Maria is a name with a variety of origins, including the Roman name Marius, Greek name Μαρία, Hebrew name Miriam, and Aramaic name Maryam. It means “of the sea,” “bitter,” “beloved,” or “rebellious.” One of the most famous mothers with this name is Maria Sharapova, a retired professional tennis player who won five Grand Slam singles tournaments in her career.
27. Eliza
Famous Mother: Eliza Dushku
Eliza is a shortened version of Elizabeth – another name we’ll get to below. The first known origin of the name was in the 16th century, but it was the English that are credited with the shortened version. Eliza means ‘joyful’ or ‘pledged to God.’ One of the most famous mothers with this name is Eliza Dushku, who gave birth to her second son last year with husband Peter Palandjian.
26. Constance
Famous Mother: Constance Wu
Constance is a Latin name that isn’t as popular as it should be – likely because most people don’t think of it. It means ‘constant’ and has several other variations, including Connie, Constancia, and Constanze. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Constance Wu, an American actress who gave birth to her first child in 2020 with boyfriend Ryan Kattner.
25. Emma
Famous Mother: Emma Stone
Emma is derived from the German word ‘ermen’ – which means ‘whole’ or ‘universal.’ Ithas been one of the most popular baby girl names in the world for over a decade and is commonly used as a shortened form of longer names that start with ‘Em.’ One of the most famous mothers with this name is Emma Stone – the American actress welcomed her first child in 2021 with husband Dave McCary.
24. Kristen
Famous Mother: Kristen Bell
Kristen is both a baby boy and baby girl name, though it has become much more popular among girls in the United States. In general, it’s the Breton, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian name for Christian – other forms include Kristin, Christen, Kristinn and Christine. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Kristen Bell, an American actress who has two daughters with Dax Shepard.
23. Kamala
Famous Mother: Kamala Harris
Kamala is a name you won’t see often, but might become more popular now for obvious reasons. The name means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit, a language with deep roots in South Asia and, more specifically, India. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Kamala Harris, who became the first ever female Vice President of the United States in 2021 – she’s a stepmother to Doug Emhoff’s two children.
22. Jennifer
Famous Mother: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer is actually the Cornish form of Guinevere, though the English version didn’t become popular until the 1900s. It’s also derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar and Old Irish name Findabair – the name means ‘the fair one.’ There are a lot of famous mothers with the name, including Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Garner – all of which are talented actresses.
21. Priyanka
Famous Mother: Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Priyankera’ and ‘Priyankara,’ making it a popular name in both Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It means lovable, amiable, happy, outgoing, and showing frequent acts of kindness. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Priyanka Chopra, an Indian actress and singer who had her first child in 2022 with husband Nick Jonas.
20. Diana
Famous Mother: Princess Diana, Diana Ross
Diana is a name of Italian origin that was derived from the Greek and Roman goddess of hunt, Diana. It means “heavenly”, “holy”, “divine” and has several different variations, including Daiana, Dianella, and more. Two of the most famous mothers with this name include Princess Diana (Diana, Princess of Wales) and Diana Ross (an American singer and actress).
19. Halsey
Famous Mother: Halsey (Ashley Nicolette Frangipane)
Halsey can be used as both a boy’s and girl’s name – it was largely made popular by a World War II hero, William Halsey Jr., but remains popular today because of female singer and songwriter Halsey (born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane). The name means ‘hallowed island’ and is of English descent. Similar names include Hailey, Halston, Hayley, Hazel, and more.
18. Olivia
Famous Mother: Olivia Munn
Olivia is a Latin name that’s derived from the word ‘olive,’ which means ‘peace.’ The name dates back as far as the 13th century, but was made popular when William Shakespeare used the name in the Twelfth Night. It’s one of the top 100 names in the world and is extremely popular in Australia. One of the most famous mothers with this name is the actress Olivia Munn, who shares a child with comedian boyfriend John Mulaney.
17. Mindy
Famous Mother: Mindy Kaling
Mindy is often used as a shortened version of Melinda, but can be seen as a name on its own today. It means ‘gentle one’ or ‘honey’ in Greek, ‘love’ in Old German, and ‘bitter’ in Hebrew. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Mindy Kaling, who currently has two children – a son and a daughter – though she has never revealed the biological father (even to friends).
16. Chrissy
Famous Mother: Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy is a Latin name that is usually a shortened version of Christine, Christian, Christina, or Christy – though it can also be seen on its own. It means ‘follower of Christ’ and is popular among religious families. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Chrissy Teigen, an American model and TV personality who shares two children with singer and songwriter John Legend.
15. Reese
Famous Mother: Reese Witherspoon
Reese is derived from the Welsh name Rhys, which was originally given to males – though Americans have popularized the name for females, as well. It means ‘fiery,’ ‘ardent,’ ‘ardor,’ or enthusiastic.’ One of the most famous mothers with this name is Reese Witherspoon – the American actress and producer has three children with two different fathers.
14. Serena
Famous Mother: Serena Willaims
Serena is a Latin name derived from the word ‘serēnus,’ which means ‘tranquil,’ ‘serene,’ and ‘clear.’ One of the first known uses was Saint Serena of Rome, a martyr and Christian virgin. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Serena Williams – the future Hall of Fame tennis player has won 23 Grand Slam tournaments and shares one child with husband Alexis Ohanion.
13. Elizabeth
Famous Mother: Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth is a name that dates back to The Old Testament – derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning ‘God is my oath.’ It’s also used in the New Testament – derived from the Greek name Elisabet. Two of the most famous mothers with this name are Queen Elizabeth II (ruler of the United Kingdom) and Elizabeth Warren (US Senator for Massachusetts).
12. Jill
Famous Mother: Jill Biden
Jill is derived from the Latin name Juliana (meaning ‘youthful’) and short for Gillian – though it’s often seen on its own as Jill. The shortened form means ‘child of the gods,’ which can be a great way to honor your child. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Jill Biden, the current First Lady of the United States. Her husband, Joe Biden, took office in 2021.
11. Jessica
Famous Mother: Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jessica Simpson
Jessica has been one of the most popular girl’s names in the United States for a long time, but it’s derived from the Hebrew name Iscah. It means ‘to behold,’ ‘God beholds,’ or ‘to see before.’ The name isn’t as popular as it once was, but some of the most famous mothers with the name include Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Simpson – not bad company to be in.
10. Blake
Famous Mother: Blake Lively
Blake can be used as both a boy’s and girl’s name, meaning ‘fair-haired, dark.’ It was originally made popular by the character Blake Carrington of Dynasty, but more recently made popular by Blake Lively. The American actress is married to Ryan Reynolds and the couple share three daughters together – James, Inez, and Betty. They’re what we call family goals.
9. Jada
Famous Mother: Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada is derived from the Hebrew word ‘yahda’ for ‘he knows’ and the Arabic name ‘Jayda,’ which means ‘good and beautiful woman.’ It’s a variant of the word ‘jade,’ which is a precious stone. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Jada Pinkett Smith, who shares two children with her husband Will Smith – Jaden Smith and Willow Smith.
8. Angelina
Famous Mother: Angelina Jolie
Angelina is derived from the Greek word ‘angelos,’ which means ‘messenger.’ It’s a diminutive form of Angela and is a popular Italian girl’s name. In some rare cases, it’s spelled Angellena or Angileena. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Angelina Jolie – the actress and humanitarian has six children, three of which are biological and three of which are adopted.
7. Michelle
Famous Mother: Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle is derived from the French name ‘Michele,’ which means ‘who resembles God.’ It was a popular name for baby girls in the 1960s and 1970s and while it’s not as popular today, it’s still a beautiful name worth considering – especially if you’re a family of faith. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States and wife of Barack Obama – who she shares two children with.
6. Gabrielle
Famous Mother: Gabrielle Union, Gabrielle Anwar
Gabrielle is a feminine name derived from the French boy’s name Gabriel – it means ‘God is my strength.’ Gabriel was one of the seven archangels to speak with Mary about her pregnancy, making this an excellent name for a family of faith. Two of the most famous mothers with this name include Gabrielle Union (mother of one and stepmother of three with Dwyane Wade) and Gabrielle Anwar (mother of two to two different fathers).
5. Kate
Famous Mother: Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, Kate Moss, Kate Beckinsale
Kate derives from the Latin name ‘Katharina’ and Greek name ‘Aikaterina,’ and is often used as a nickname for Katherine or Catherine. Other variants include Cait, Caterina, Katy, Katie, Katelyn, Kathleen, Katrina, and Kayta. Some of the most famous mothers with this name are Kate Moss, Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, and Kate Mara.
4. Meghan
Famous Mother: Meghan Markle, Meghan Trainor
Meghan is an alternative spelling of the name Megan, which is of Welsh origin and means ‘pearl.’ In some languages, it also means ‘strong’ and ‘capable.’ One of the most famous mothers with this name is Meghan Markle – also known as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. She shares two children with her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
3. Viola
Famous Mother: Viola Davis
Viola is derived from the Latin and Italian word ‘violet.’ Much like the name Olivia, this name was popularized by William Shakespeare in Twelfth Night. The name isn’t as popular in the United States as it once was, but it’s still a popular girl’s name in Italy. One of the most famous mothers with this name is Viola Davis – the American actress and producer is an adopted mother to one and stepmother to two with husband Julius Tennon.
2. Maya
Famous Mother: Maya Angelou, Maya Moore
Maya has several different origins. For example, Maya was the mother of Greek god Hermes, but was also the earth’s mother and goddess of spring in Roman mythology. It’s also an alternative name for Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. Two of the most famous mothers with this name include Maya Angelou (a famous poet) and Maya Moore (a pro basketball player).
1. Amal
Famous Mother: Amal Clooney
Amal is both a boy’s and girl’s name of Hebrew and Arabic descent – the name is featured in the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible. It means ‘labor,’ ‘hard work,’ ‘hope,’ and ‘pure.’ One of the most famous mothers with this name is Amal Clooney – the barrister is married to George Clooney and the couple share fraternal twins together. They’re one of Hollywood’s power couples.
Which Famous Mothers Will You Name Your Children After?
Naming your child is never easy – it’s like getting a tattoo, a decision you’ll have to stick with the rest of your life. While there are ways to go back and change it – much like there are ways to get rid of a tattoo – it can be a damaging, awkward, and tedious experience for the child in question.
That’s why it’s imperative you find a baby name that you like – one that fits your child best. It might take nine months of pregnancy – or even longer, if it’s something you’ve been thinking about for a while – before the right name comes along. But when it comes, it’s a beautiful thing.
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Whether or not you’re naming your child after one of the many famous mothers in the world today, we’d like to take this moment to congratulate all the new famous mothers, as well as the famous mothers-to-be and the 385,000+ other mothers that will welcome a newborn this year.
If you liked these famous mother-inspired names, keep reading for old-fashioned names for baby girls born today. Sometimes called “old lady names” these classics still slap today.
Check Out These Charming Old Lady Names for Baby Girls!
Old Lady Names That Start with A
Names like Alice and Adelaide are making a comeback today. What other old lady names that start with A should expecting parents explore?
- Ava – A German name for girls, meaning “nobility”
- Anastasia – A name from Greek that’s popular in Russia, meaning “resurrection”
- Adeline – Related to Adelaide but not as popular, Adeline originated in French as a diminutive form of Adele, meaning “nobility”
- Alma – A most gentle appellation from Latin, meaning “nurturing”
- Agnes – A Latin name from Greek, meaning “pure”
- Agatha – A name steeped in mystery, not popular in the US since the 1940s, meaning “good woman”
- Alberta – An English, feminine form of Albert, meaning “noble” and “bright”
- Antonia – A name of Latin origin, meaning “priceless one”
- Adelaide – A name of German origin that’s on the rise in just about every majority English-speaking country today, meaning “noble”
- Ada – Another German name from the same root that brings us Adelaide, Adeline, etc., meaning “noble”
Old Lady Names That Start with B
Brooklyn and Bella are currently the two most popular names for girls that start with B. But, what old lady names are parents looking over?
- Beatrice – A mildly popular name for babies today, Beatrice comes from Latin and means “bringer of happiness”
- Bea – We love this diminutive form of Beatrice so very much that we had to also suggest it, Bea once was a standalone favorite before she started collecting dust!
- Bess – Bess is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, a name coming from Hebrew and meaning “pledged to God”
- Blanche – A Golden Girls name last popular in the 1960s, Blanch comes from French and means “white”
- Blythe – A unique name from Old English that originated as a nickname for someone who is carefree, meaning “happy”
- Bertha – Is it time to bring Bertha back? The name has been out of favor for decades, but we see potential in this German name that means “glorious”
- Betty – A diminutive form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Bernice – A name of Greek origin, with a winning meaning: “she who brings victory”
- Bernadette – A name of German origin that has not been popular for newborns since the 1980s, meaning “brave as a bear”
- Beulah – A name that was last openly given in the 1960s, Beulah has Hebrew origin and means “married”
Old Lady Names That Start with C
Names like Charlotte and Camila never really went out of style. What other names that start with C should parents bring back? Check out these old lady names!
- Cora – A delightful name from Greek, related to the mythological Persephone, meaning “maiden”
- Cordelia – A name that made a brief return to the US popularity charts in 2014, Cordelia is an underutilized gem from Celtic origin, meaning “daughter of the sea”
- Celia – A favorite of Shakespeare, Celia has been mildly popular in recent years, the name has Latin origins and means “heavenly”
- Constance – An English virtue name from Latin, an appellation that gave way to a multitude of Connies, meaning “steadfast”
- Cornelia – A virtuous ancient Roman name, meaning “horn”
- Coretta – Despite belonging to the admirable Coretta Scott King, Coretta is a name that has not been popular in the US since the 1970s, an English form of Cora, meaning “maiden”
- Clyde – A unisex Scottish river name that should be put to good use for girls today
- Clarabelle – A name that was last popular for baby girls in the 1930s, from Latin, meaning “bright and beautiful”
- Clementine – A French name from Latin, meaning “merciful”
- Celeste – A perennial favorite, from Latin, meaning “heavenly”
Old Lady Names That Start with D
One of the old lady names winning a lot of hearts these days is Delilah which ranked in the US top 100 names for girls recently. What other names should parents revisit?
- Dorothy – An English form of a Greek name, meaning “gift of God”
- Dinah – An Old Testament charmer that’s scarcely heard today, meaning “God will judge”
- Delia – A name steeped in Greek mythology, Delia comes from the name of an island inhabited by Apollo and Artemis, meaning “from Delos”
- Daphne – An appellation that has made a huge comeback in recent years, Daphne comes from Greek and means “laurel tree”
- Delphine – Yet another Greek name, however, this one has not been popular in the US since the 1960s, Delphine means “dolphin”
- Delta – We promise we had no intention of going full-on Greek for the D names, but we have yet another charmer from the Mediterranean, Delta refers to a letter from the Greek alphabet, not popular in the US since the 1930s
- Dora – A name that saw its height before 1950, Dora comes from Greek and means “gift”
- Dahlia – A Swedish surname-name, meaning “Dahl’s flower”
- Dorcas – A name used by Ancient Romans and later the Puritans, Dorcas ultimately comes from Greek and means “gazelle”
- Doris – A name that was most popular before 1960, Doris also originated in Greek and means “gift of the ocean”
Old Lady Names That Start with E
Evelyn and Emma are two of the hottest names for girls today which is great because the names are very old but still feel fresh! Take a look at some more old lady names that start with E!
- Edith – A name that’s making a bit of a comeback these days, Edith has English origins and means “prosperous in war”
- Edie – A cute diminutive form of Edith that many Ediths prefer to be known by, Edie Sedgwick, Edie Falco, and Little Edie are a few famous examples
- Esther – A perennial favorite, Esther has Persian origins and means “star”
- Etta – A diminutive form of Henry and Henrietta, meaning “estate ruler”
- Effie – An English name from Greek, meaning “pleasant speech”
- Edna – One of America’s most beloved names until the middle of the 20th century when it began to fade, Edna means “delight”
- Elsie – A Scottish diminutive form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Enid – A name that was most popular in the 1920s, from Welsh, meaning “spirit”
- Evelyn – An English name from French and German, meaning “desired” and “island”
- Ethel – An English name, meaning “noble maiden”
Old Lady Names That Start with F
We are not sure why so many names that start with F sound like old lady names, but it’s a feature! Faith and Fiona are the two most popular F-names today, what others should expecting parents consider?
- Flora – A mythological Roman goddess of spring and flowers, Flora sounds delightfully old-fashioned, this appellation means “flower”
- Florence – For some reason, parents have been looking over Florence for decades, this charming Latin name means “prospering”
- Frances – The third most popular F-name for girls today, meaning “free man”
- Fay – Last popular in the late 1960s, Fay originated in English and means “fairy”
- Frederica – A name from German, meaning “peaceful ruler,” last popular in 1911!
- Felicia – Don’t say “bye” to this Latin appellation from Felicity, meaning “lucky”
- Francine – A French diminutive form of Francoise, meaning “from France”
- Fanny – A name only popular in the US before the 1950s, a diminutive form of Frances, meaning “free man”
- Felicia – One of the old lady names that persisted through the 1980s, Felicia comes from Latin and means “lucky”
- Fran – A diminutive form of Frances, meaning “free man”
Old Lady Names That Start with G
Gianna and Grace are two timeless names that new parents are choosing for their daughters today. What are some old lady names to also consider?
- Geraldine – An appellation that was most popular before the 1950s, Geraldine has French and German origins and means “ruler with the spear”
- Gertrude – An old favorite that gives you the option of using the very grandma-nickname Trudy, Gertrude comes from German and means “strength of the spear”
- Gretchen – This name for girls has not moved the needle in decades, Gretchen also has German origins and is related to Margaret, meaning “pearl”
- Greta – A name that’s mildly popular today, also German and a diminutive of Margaret, meaning “pearl”
- Guinevere – A treasure of a Welsh name, meaning “white ring”
- Goldie – A bright name that was last popular for babies in the 1950s, Goldie comes from Yiddish and means… “gold”
- Gladys – A very popular name in the early 20th century, from Welsh, meaning “land”
- Gussie – A diminutive form of Augusta, a popular choice until the 1940s, meaning “greatest”
- Georgia – A name that’s on the rise again today, a feminine form of George, from Greek, meaning “farmer”
- Griselda – A name from German, meaning “grey battle”
Old Lady Names That Start with H
Harper is the most popular baby name beginning with H today. Due to its contemporary literary credentials, this appellation does not feel like a grandma name at all! Let’s take a look at some that do.
- Hazel – A top 50 name for babies, Hazel is a delightful name, meaning “hazelnut tree”
- Hermione – Thanks to Harry Potter, this name is at least on parents radars once more, the name comes from Greek, meaning “messenger”
- Hester – A name from the Persian Esther that emerged in the Middle Ages, also meaning “star”
- Henrietta – A German name from Henry, meaning “estate ruler”
- Harriet – A name that could be mounting a comeback very soon, another femme form of Henry
- Hedwig – A polarizing appellation, Hedwig has not been popular in the US since the 1920s, meaning “war”
- Hattie – An English diminutive form of Henrietta, meaning “estate ruler”
- Hephzibah – An old-fashioned name from Hebrew, meaning “she captures my delight”
- Hortense – A name of Latin origin, meaning “of the garden”
- Hulda – A Hebrew name that was last popular in the US in the 1920s, meaning “lovable”
Old Lady Names That Start with I
As with names that start with F, so many of the names for girls that start with I sound antique. Ivy and Iris and are the most popular names that start with I today. Do either sound particularly new and novel to you? Let’s check out some other vintage gems.
- Imogen – A name from Celtic tradition that was misspelled by Shakespeare for it to appear in its most popular form today, Imogen means “maiden”
- Ida – One of our very favorite old lady names that we want expecting parents to consider! Ida was last popular in the early 1980s. It comes from German and means “industrious”
- Irene – A name originating in Greek that belongs to a goddess of peace, thus, this appellation means “peace”
- Ines – A Spanish (Inez) and Portuguese form of Agnes, last popular in the 1920s, meaning “pure”
- Ingrid – A name that’s coming back, from Norse, meaning “In is beautiful”
- Ibbie – A Spanish diminutive form of Isabel, meaning “pledged to God”
- Idella – A variation of Ida, meaning “industrious”
- Iris – A name that’s experiencing a comeback, Iris is of Greek origin and means “rainbow”
- Ivy – Another name that’s on the rise today, Ivy is an English botanical name
- Isobel – A Scottish form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
Old Lady Names That Start with J
The most popular name for girls is unquestionably a grandma-name. Josephine is a top 100 name for girls and despite some ups and downs, has been in the top 500 since the 1880s! What other J-names sound vintage?
- Judith – A hugely popular name in the 1940s, Judith has since faded. This Hebrew name means “woman of Judea”
- Joanne – Once one of the most popular names for baby girls, Joanne is the French form of Johanna, meaning “God is gracious”
- Janice – One of the many forms of Jane that emerged in the middle of the last century as favorites, Janice means “gracious gift”
- Jacqueline – Still a popular choice today, a French form of Jacques, meaning “supplanter”
- Jolene – While this name is a modern invented one first appearing on the baby name popularity charts in 1920, it just fits in with these other old lady names!
- Jemima – Last popular in the US in the 19th century, Jemima is one of the old lady names with Hebrew origins that means “dove”
- Josephine – A French, feminine form of Joseph, meaning “Jehovah increases”
- Juliet – An English name from Latin, a form of Julius, meaning “youthful”
- June – A vintage-sounding month name, relating to the Roman goddess Juno
- Jill – An English diminutive form of Juliana, meaning “youthful”
Old Lady Names that Start with K
Kinsley, a very fresh name for girls today, is the most popular K-name for girls and it only emerged as such in the early 2000s. What more traditional names are out there?
- Kay – Unpopular since the 1980s, Kay is an English diminutive form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
- Kathy – Yet another diminutive form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
- Kathleen – An anglicized form of the Irish name Caitlin, itself from Katherine, also meaning “pure”
- Keziah – An Ancient Hebrew name that means “cassia”
- Kitty – Popular until the 1960s, Kitty was a favored form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
- Katrina – A German form of Katherine, also meaning “pure”
Old Lady Names That Start with L
Luna is a wildly popular name for girls today! It was unpopular for 100 years before it returned to favor. You could consider that a factor for calling it an old lady name, but it does not have that vintage feel. It just sounds romantic! What names that start with L qualify as old lady names?
- Lavinia – An unpopular choice for girls since the 1930s, Lavinia comes from Latin and means “from Lavinium”
- Leona – An appellation that has made a mildly successful comeback, Leona comes from Latin and means “lion”
- Leonora – An Italian name and form of Eleanor, the meaning is unknown!
- Letitia – A name that fell from favor completely by the 1980s, Letitia comes from Latin and means “joy”
- Lois – The name of Superman’s love interest was wildly popular before the 1960s, this name comes from Greek and means “desirable”
- Lucinda – A most popular choice in the late 19th century, Lucinda has fallen off the radar, the name comes from Latin and means “light”
- Lucretia – A name born by abolitionist Lucretia Mott, Lecretia has not seen favor in almost a hundred years! The meaning of this name is unknown!
- Lucasta – An English name from Latin, meaning “pure light”
- Letha – A name from Greek mythology, meaning “forgetfulness”
- Lillian – An English name from Latin, meaning “lily” or “pledged to God”
- Lottie – An English diminutive form of Charlotte, meaning “free man”
- Louella – An English combo-name that was last popular in the 1960s, Louella means “renowned warrior” + “all”
- Lula – A diminutive form of an Lu-name, that can mean “renowned warrior”
Old Lady Names That Start with M
Mia, Mila, and Madison are three timeless classics that are currently enjoying the most love from new parents. Let’s take a look at other M names with vintage appeal.
- Mabel – A beguiling Latin name, a form of Amabel, meaning “lovable”
- Miriam – A Hebrew (and likely Egyptian as well) name, a form of Mary, meaning “bitter”
- Minerva – Popular before the 1950s, Minerva has Latin origins and means “intellect”
- Marjorie – A Scottish name, a form of Margaret, meaning “bitter”
- Martha – A hugely popular name in the US that has been on the decline since the 1950s, Martha comes from Aramaic and means “lady”
- Maude – A name that has not been popular since the early years of the 20th century, Maude comes from Matilda and means “mighty in battle”
- Mamie – A diminutive form of Margaret or Mary, meaning “bitter” or “pearl”
- Matilda – A German name, meaning “mighty in battle”
- Minerva – A name belonging to the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva is of Latin origin, and means “intellect”
- Madge – A diminutive form of Margaret that fell from favor by the 1950s, meaning “pearl”
- Mina – A multicultural favorite that’s on the rise again today, Mina is one of the old lady names with a variety of meanings as it is used in at least six different languages
More Old Lady Names Starting with M
We have even more old lady names that start with M because there are so many names M-name that have fallen out of fashion but should definitely return.
- Mavis – A name that’s returned to the US top 1000 in the last couple of years, from French, meaning “songbird”
- Mildred – You will be hard-pressed to find anyone under 50 named Mildred today! The name has English origins and means “gentle strength”
- Millicent – Last popular during the roaring twenties, Millicent comes from German and means “strength in work”
- Minnie – A top 10 name in the 1880s, Minnie has fallen from those great heights! It’s a diminutive form of Minerva, meaning “intellect”
- Muriel – A poetic Celtic name that needs some love today, Muriel means “from the bright sea”
- Myrtle – Once a hot literary name appearing in such titles as Meet Mr Mulliner and The Great Gatsby, Myrtle, a botanical name, has lost its luster today
- Mahala – A name that has not been popular since the early 1900s, Mahala is of Hebrew origin and means “tender”
- Marion – An English and French diminutive form of Mary, meaning “bitter”
- Mercy – An English virtue name that is on the rise again after falling from favor for over 100 years
- Meta – A name that predates Facebook, meaning “daisy” or a diminutive form of Margaret meaning “pearl”
- Molly – An English diminutive form of Mary, meaning “bitter”
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Old Lady Names That Start with N
Nora and Nova are the two most popular names that start with N today. Both sound too new for our tastes! Let’s find some appellations with that granny charm!
- Nellie – Once one of the hottest names a baby could get, Nellie comes from Eleanor and means “horn”
- Nancy – A grandma-name that has stood the test of time, Nancy is a diminutive form of Ann and means “grace”
- Nadene – A name with Russian and Slavic origins, meaning “hope”
- Nanette – A French diminutive form of Anne, meaning “grace”
- Nell – Another diminutive form of Eleanor, Nell has not been popular since the 1950s!
- Nettie – A sweet name that was a top 100 choice before 1901! The name is diminutive form for a combination of Hebrew and English names, meaning “plant”
- Norma – An English name from Latin, meaning “of the north”
- Nancy – An English diminutive form of Ann, once one of the most popular names in the US, meaning “grace”
- Nina – A Russian name that comes from a variety of appellations that end with -nina
- Nora – An Irish form of Honora, from Greek, meaning “light”
Old Lady Names That Start with O
The most popular name for girls at the moment is Olivia. It’s a timeless classic that deserves to enjoy so much favor! Let’s find older names that we should dust off!
- Opal – Opal has made a comeback in recent years after losing luster for about 60 years. Opal has Sanskrit origins and means “gem”
- Odette – A French name from German, meaning “wealthy”
- Ottilie – Last popular in the 1900s, Ottilie comes from German, a form of Otto, meaning “wealthy in battle”
- Odile – Another German name popular in the early 20th century that you seldom encounter today is Odile, meaning “wealthy in battle”
- Odessa – A Russian place name that was popular in the US until the early 1950s
- Odelia – Another vintage favorite, from Hebrew meaning “I will praise the Lord”
- Olive – A name of Latin origin, meaning “olive true”
- Ora – One of the old lady names that was last popular in the 1960s, meaning “prayer”
- Ophelia – A name that fell of the popularity charts for over 40 years, Ophelia is back today and it means “help”
- Oriana – A vintage Latin name, meaning “dawn”
Old Lady Names That Start with P
Penelope, a storied name from Greek mythology, is currently the most popular P-name for girls. Let’s find more old lady names that start with P!
- Pearl – Thankfully this Latin gem-name has finally made a comeback, keep it going!
- Prudence – A virtue name that’s been unpopular for decades, Prudence deserves to make a comeback too.
- Prue – A diminutive form of Prudence that was a standalone favorite at the same time, also meaning “caution”
- Priscilla – A grandma-name that’s had real staying power, Priscilla comes from Latin and means “ancient”
- Philomena – A name that peaked in the 1940s, Philomena has Greek origins and means “lover of strength”
- Phyllis – A fashionable choice for decades, is it time for Phyllis to have a renaissance? This Greek name means “green bough”
- Penny – Okay, so we are cheating a bit as Penny is a form of Penelope, meaning “weaver”
- Paula – A Latinate feminine form of Paul, meaning “small”
- Peggy – A hugely popular mid-century name that’s fallen from favor, Peggy is one of the old lady names from Margaret, meaning “pearl”
- Polly – A curious favorite until the 1970s, Polly is a form of Molly, which itself is a form of Mary, meaning “bitter”
Old Lady Names That Start with Q
Queen and Quinn are the only two names that start with Q in the US top 1000 baby names. Just those two! Let’s discover some with some old lady flair!
- Quincy – A French name from Latin, meaning “fifth son”
- Queenie – With Queen in the top 1000, is it time for Queenie to stage a comeback? It was once a popular choice for babies born between 1880-1920
- Quintessa – Although it sounds fake to our ears today, Quintessa is a real appellation from Latin meaning “essence”
- Quitterie – Quitterie has always been a rare choice in the US but it’s heating back up in Europe today. Quitterie is a French name meaning “the red one”
- Quince – A name from Latin that describes a “pear-like fruit”
Old Lady Names That Start with R
Riley is the most popular name for girls that starts with R followed by the attractive old lady name Ruby. What other possibilities are out there?
- Ruth – A perennial favorite, Ruth’s popularity has dipped slightly recently. A name with Hebrew roots, Ruth means “compassionate friend”
- Rosalind – A hot name in the 1940s, it’s time to bring this gem back! Rosalind comes from Latin and means “pretty rose”
- Reba – A name belonging to a country star that has seen brighter days, Reba comes from Hebrew and means “fourth born”
- Retta – A surprisingly popular name for girls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Retta comes from Latin and means “speaker”
- Rhonda – A super fresh name from the 1960s, Rhonda comes from Welsh and means “noisy one”
- Roberta – Hottest in the 1930s, Roberta has been lukewarm today. The name comes from German, meaning “bright fame”
- Rolanda – A German name, a form of Roland, meaning “famous in the land”
- Roseanne – An actual name that was popular in the middle of the last century, simply a combination of Rose and Anne
- Rena – A gorgeous vintage Hebrew name, meaning “joyful song”
- Ramona – A Spanish variation of Ramon, meaning “wise protector”
- Rosemary – A Latin botanical name that means “dew of the sea”
- Ruby – One of the old lady names that’s staged a comeback in recent years, Ruby comes from Latin and means “red precious stone”
Old Lady Names That Start with S
Sophia is on-trend for girls despite it being an ancient name. There are many appellations that start with S that are old lady names. Some are enjoying a renaissance and others are waiting to be rediscovered. Check them out!
- Stella – A top 50 name that fell out of favor for decades is solidly back, it’s a Latin name, related to Esther, meaning “star”
- Sadie – A name from Hebrew, related to Sara, meaning “princess”
- Sylvia – An appellation that’s been on the decline since the 1940s, Sylvia is still with us but it is hardly as popular as it once was, the name means “from the forest”
- Selma – An evocative name from German that has not been a popular choice since the 1950s, meaning “godly helmet”
- Sybil – Unpopular since the 1970s, Sybil comes from Greek and means “prophet”
- Sandy – A diminutive form of Sandra or Alexandra, from Greek meaning “defending men”
- Sheryl – A form of Cheryl, from Charlotte, meaning “free man”
- Sophronia – A forgotten name of Greek origin, meaning “sensible”
- Samantha – A name that spent 1907 to 1964 off of the popularity charts, Samantha is back today, of Hebrew origin, meaning “told by God”
- Scarlett – A name that’s seen some of its most popular years ever in recent decades, Scarlett means “red”
- Susan – A name that’s been on a steep decline since the 1960s, Susan is of Hebrew origin and means “lily”
Old Lady Names That Start with T
The most popular name for girls that start with T today is Taylor. That seems to new for us! Let’s find the old lady names that start with T!
- Thea – A mildly popular name once more, Thea comes from Greek and means “godly”
- Theodora – A name that ceased being popular in the US in the 1950s, Theodora might be on its way back! This name means “gift of God”
- Thora – Last popular in the 1920s, Thora comes from Norse and means “thunder goddess”
- Thomasina – An English feminine form of Thomas, meaning “twin”
- Tanya – A Russian diminutive form of Tatiana, this name hit its height in 1970
- Terry – An alternative form of Theresa that was a top 30 pick in the 1950s, meaning “to harvest”
- Trish – A Latin name from Patricia, meaning “noble”
- Tamar – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “date palm”
- Tawny – An English color name, meaning “golden brown”
- Thirza – A vintage Hebrew name, meaning “harvest” and “delightful”
- Tillie – One of the old lady names that fizzled out by the 1950s, Tillie comes from English by way of German and means “battle mighty”
- Tabitha – An ancient name of Aramaic origin, meaning “gazelle”
- Tessie – An English diminutive form of Theresa, meaning “harvest”
- Tryphena – A name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning “softness”
Old Lady Names That Start with V
The stately Victoria is the most popular V-name for girls today. It’s a rather timeless name that’s been popular forever. Let’s find some neglected old lady names that start with V!
- Viola – A hugely popular name in Europe, Viola has not seen much favor in the US since the 1970s. The name has Latin origins and means “violet”
- Vivian – A name on the rise again, Vivian has Latin origins and means “life”
- Vera – Another name that’s heating up again, Vera comes from Russian and means “faith”
- Vada – Not just a weird name for the sweet girl in My Girl, Vada was a popular German name in the US until the 1940s, meaning “famous ruler”
- Vita – Another name from Latin, meaning “life”
- Vida – The Spanish form of Vita, both Vida and Vita fell from favor by the 1950s
- Verna – A seasonal Latin name, meaning “springtime”
- Vesta – Last popular in the 1940s, Vesta is of Latin origin and means “pure”
- Violet – One of the old lady names that’s more popular today than ever before, Violet comes from Latin and means “purple”
- Victoria – A name that’s never gone out of style, Victoria comes from Latin and means “victory”
Even More Old Lady Names That Start with V
How is it that so many V-names have fallen out of style? Check out more of them below!
- Violetta – An Italian diminutive form of Violet, Violetta was once popular in the 1930s
- Verena – A vintage find from Latin virtually unheard since the 19th century in the US, meaning “integrity”
- Vicky – A midcentury name that has seldom been used for babies over the last few years, a diminutive form of Victoria
- Vonnie – A Latin alternative form of Berenice, meaning “vera icon” or “true image”
- Virginia – An English name from Latin, meaning “pure”
- Valerie – A name that peaked in the 1960s, Valerie is of Latin origin and means “strength”
- Viveca – A Swedish name from Old Norse that means “alive” and “place of refuge”
Old Lady Names That Start with W
We move right along to W-names that have that quirky, antique quality you are looking for. Let’s jump right in!
- Wilma – A diminutive form of William not popular since the 1940s, meaning “resolute protector”
- Wilhelmina – Another diminutive form of William that has fallen from fashion
- Willa – One of the few William spin-off names to regain traction, currently a top 500 name
- Winifred – A hot as fire name in the 1920s, Winifred has Welsh roots and means “blessed peacemaker”
- Winnie – Although cute, this shortened form of Winifred has not been popular for years but it is on the upward trend since 2019
- Wanda – A name with Slavic origins that has not been hot since the 1970s, meaning “shepherdess”
- Waverly – First popular in 19th century England, Waverly is making waves today as a given name, meaning “of the meadow of aspens”
- Wendy – An invented name by Sir James Barrie for his play Peter Pan, Wendy is considered a diminutive form of Gwendolyn and means “white shadow”
- Wallis – An English name, meaning “a Welshman”
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Old Lady Names That Start with X, Y, or Z
It turns out there aren’t too many old lady names that start with letters nearing the end of the alphabet. Here are the few we did find for you!
- Yvette – Peaking in the 1960s, Yvette comes from French and means “yew tree”
- Yvonne – It’s a similar story for Yvonne, a name that means “yew wood”
- Yolanda – While there are some young people named Yolanda today, the appellation has not been widely applied since the 1970s. From Greek, this name means “violet flower”
- Zelda – Is it time to bring back this diminutive form of Griselda? The name means “gray fighting lady,” so… there’s that!
- Zenobia – Last popular in the 1920s, this name from Greek means “force of Zeus”
- Zillah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “shade”
- Ziva – An evocative name of Hebrew origin, meaning “life”
- Zola – A name that spent over 75 years off of the popularity charts, Zola is back today, meaning “earth”
- Zora – Peaking in 1885, Zora is on its way to staging a comeback as it has been trending up since 2018. The name has Serbo-Croatian origins and means “dawn”
- Zorina – A diminutive form of Zora, meaning “golden dawn”
- Zula – A name of Polish origin, meaning “lily”
There you go! We hope you adored and feel inspired by these old lady names that would sound just as good for an infant as they would for a grandma. Classic names hold history and famed namesakes past making for fun conversations with your child later in life. We encourage you to go vintage as you will not regret the heaps of charm these appellations bring.
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Baby Name Generator
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