10 vintage baby names for your little bundle of joy

Naming the baby can be as fraught as it is fun.

The Man and I couldn't agree on anything, natch. I was also receiving the most outlandish suggestions from my mother who I thought would have reasonably conservative taste, not so. Aeneas anyone? Didn't think so, it kind of rhymes with penis doesn't it? And any time I mused on a name to any of my friends they would immediately ruin the name by saying something like, "I knew a Daisy once, she was the biggest slut." Great there goes Daisy out of the running. In the end I went with a name that was unusual-ish without being too celeb-baby wacky and that according to my research was last popular in the 1800s. This I believe is a good route to finding a cute name that won't lead to your child being referred to a "Jack 4" or "Emily 19" in school. Ten vintage baby names to inspire you 1. Alvin Origin: English Meaning: "Noble friend, friend of the elves" Famous namesake: Well the chipmunks spring to mind. 2. Clyde Origin: Scottish Meaning: It's the name of a river in Glasgow, Scotland Famous namesake: Well as one half of the crime duo Bonnie & Clyde you may be setting the child up for infamy...let's hope not. 3. Elmo Origin: Italian from German Meaning: "Protector" Famous namesake: The bab will be in esteemed company in the shape of Elmo of Sesame Street and Saint Elmo patron saint of sailors. 4. Melvin Origin: Scottish/English Meaning: "council protector" Famous namesake: Melvin Bragg, English polymath and all-round over-achiever. A good role model for any kid.. 5. Stanley Origin: English Meaning: "Near the stony clearing" Famous namesake: Kubrick, Tucci, Stan Lee – All Stanleys we know and admire 6. Edith Origin: English Meaning: "Prosperous in war" Famous namesake: Edith Piaf and Edith Wharton are two trailblazing "Ediths" to provide role models for little Ediths everywhere. Maybe don't show your little Edith Grey Gardens though. 7. Imogen Origin: Celtic Meaning: "Maiden" Famous namesake: British singer-songwriter, Imogen Heap formerly of Frou Frou. 8. Matilda Origin: German Meaning: "Battle mightly" Famous namesake: Probably our favourite Roald Dahl character of all time. 9. Clementine Origin: French Meaning: " Mild, merciful" Famous namesake: Apart from "My darling Clementine" there's not too many famous ones kicking around. 10. Sylvia Origin: Latin Meaning: "From the forest" Famous namesake: The doomed Plath does spring to mind, but there're many happy connotations for this feminine name also.