10 Baby Names That Were Once Considered “Grandparent Names” but Feel Cool Again

Once associated with grandparents and great-grandparents, names such as Theodore, Evelyn, Henry and Alice are finding new life with today’s parents. The revival shows how quickly an old-fashioned name can become fashionable again. (Pexels).

Baby-name trends have a funny way of circling back, and names that once sounded like they belonged at a grandparents’ reunion are appearing on birth announcements again. In fact, vintage baby names have moved firmly into the mainstream, with Theodore, Henry and Evelyn among America’s top names for babies born in 2025. Parents seem increasingly drawn to names that feel familiar without sounding tied to one fleeting trend. A century-old name can also offer something many modern parents want: history, recognizable spelling and plenty of personality. Here are 10 former “grandparent names” that suddenly sound surprisingly cool again.

1. Theodore Has Gone From Stately To Stylish