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Published 15:54 21 May 2026 BST
New research analysing Social Security Administration baby name data has shown a major revival in old-fashioned names. While these names were once out of fashion, they have now been reimagined as timeless and elegant for today's parents.
Here are some of the top old-fashioned baby names that are currently trending for parents in 2026.
Meaning "healthy" and "famous warrior", the French-inspired name originally rose to popularity over a hundred years ago. Eloise's popularity faded away for a while, but is becoming increasingly common once again due to the beloved Eloise children's books. The name has made its way back into the top 100 baby names over the past few years.
This name has seen an increase in attention following Taylor Swift’s emotional song Marjorie from her album Evermore. The song, which has over 300 million streams, has introduced the name to a new generation. The feminine classic name means "pearl", and comes from Greek, Scottish and French origins.
Mabel was an immensely popular name during the early 20th century, and has seen a major resurgence in recent years due to its cosy and vintage feel. Coming from Latin origins, Mabel directly translates to "lovable" or "dear".
A classic name of Irish origin is also surging in popularity. Maeve, meaning “intoxicating” or “she who intoxicates,” has become a new favourite for parents drawn to names with lots of history that also feel modern at the same time.
For boys, classic names are dominating lists, with names such as Arthur and Theodore rising in popularity this year.
Theodore is a classic boy's name, coming from Greek roots. The name directly translates to "gift of God", and has soared in popularity over the past decade, notably due to the rise of the easy and adorable nickname of "Theo".
Similarly, Arthur has seen a massive rise in usage. The Welsh-inspired name was once common in the early 1900s, and is believed to be translated from the Celtic word for "bear".
What is your favourite old-fashioned baby name?
