Top 100 old lady names for baby girls
Want to know which lovely traditional baby girl names are making a comeback? We've put together a list of 100 gorgeous old lady names for parents looking for a baby girl name with a sense of history.
Clothes, hairstyles, music genres and even old forms of tech... trends that seem outdated and old-fashioned one minute are suddenly all the rage the next. And, it's no different when it comes to baby names. Given names tend to operate in a cycle with names that are really popular one generation not being used for many years afterwards, before making a big comeback.
Choosing an old lady name inspired by a grandmother or elderly family member/ friend you've grown up with and loved is a special way to honour your heritage and can feel comforting and nostalgic. If you choose an old family name it's also a wonderful way to keep a tradition going into the new generation.
Many names that you'd currently associate with old ladies are becoming very popular with new parents, with classrooms full once again of little Evies, Mabels and Elsies. Some of the names on this list have been popular for generations and never fall out of fashion – think Elizabeth and Charlotte – while others lost favour back in the early decades of the 20th century, but are gradually working their way back up the list of popular baby girl names now. If you're looking for baby boy names inspiration, check out our Top 200 Korean boy names for some unique options. You can also explore names from other cultures, including French baby boy names and their meanings and the Top 200 Greek baby boy names.
Whichever name you choose for your baby girl from this list, it'll have a real sense of tradition and timelessness to it and will definitely go down well with older members of your family!
Classic old lady names
Think of your grandma or an old lady you know and chances are you'll find her name of this list. These names are classic and traditional and have been loved by generations of mothers and fathers. A classic old lady name from this list will be easy to spell and very familiar to any adults today so will make life nice and easy for your daughter. Some have well-known shortened versions that can make them sound cuter and more modern if you prefer, such as Mo instead of Maureen and Winnie instead of Winifred.
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1. Agnes
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: pure, holy
2. Anne
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: grace
3. Bertha
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bright
4. Doris
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: gift
5. Edith
- Origin: English
- Meaning: prosperous in war
6. Edna
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: renewer
7. Eileen
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: bright, shining
8. Ethel
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: noble
9. Evelyn
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wished-for child
10. Geraldine
- Origin: German
- Meaning: spear ruler
11. Gladys
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: princess
12. Glenda
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: fair, good
13. Hilda
- Origin: English
- Meaning: battle
- Also: Hylda
14. Irene
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: peace
15. Jean
- Origin: French
- Meaning: 'God is gracious'
- Also: Joan
16. Judith
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: 'woman from Judea'
- Also: Judy
17. Lillian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: lily
- Also: Lilian
18. Margaret
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: pearl
19. Marjorie
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: pearl
- Also: Marjory, Margery
20. Mary
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: drop of the sea, beloved
21. Maude
- Origin: German
- Meaning: powerful battler
- Also: Maud
22. Mavis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: songbird
23. Maureen
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: 'drop of the sea'
- Also: Mo
24. Phyllis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: foliage
25. Sybil
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: prophetess, oracle
26. Sylvia
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: from the forest
- Also: Sylvie
27. Vivian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: life
28. Winifred
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: friend of peace
- Also: Winnie
Common old lady baby names
The names on this list are those special names that never seem to go out of fashion and you'll find them always hoovering someway in the middle of the most popular baby name lists. If you always want your baby's name to sound current and classic then choosing a name from this list is an excellent idea.
29. Agatha
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: good, honourable
30. Bridget
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: 'exalted one'
31. Charlotte
- Origin: French
- Meaning: free woman, little, petite
32. Eleanor
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: 'God is my light'
33. Elizabeth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: 'My God is an oath'
34. Grace
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: grace of God
35. Helen
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: bright, shining light
36. Mabel
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: loveable
37. Maeve
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: intoxicating, she who rules
38. Rose
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: rose
- Also: Rosie
39. Ruby
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: ruby, from the gemstone
40. Ruth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compassionate friend
Cool old lady names
It might sound like a bit of an oxymoron, but yes there is such a thing as a cool old lady name! These names might be old fashioned and have been used years ago but now they're starting to sound modern again. Many of the names on this list are short two-syllable names, which is a current trend, and work really well with lots of surnames.
41. Ada
- Origin: German
- Meaning: noble
42. Adeline
- Origin: German
- Meaning: noble
43. Cora
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: maiden
44. Dora
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: gift
45. Flora
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: flower
46. Frances
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: from France
- Also: Fran, Frannie
47. Lilibet
- Origin: English
- Meaning: 'God's promise'
48. Nora
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: light
49. Theodora
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: God's gift
50. Wilma
- Origin: German
- Meaning: resolute protector
Sweet old lady names
Old ladies and babies are almost as sweet as each other and in the grand circle of life it can be really lovely to name your new baby after someone old who has lots of life experience and wisdom to impart. The names on this list sound super sweet and many have gorgeous meanings to match such as prosperous and pearl.
51. Ailsa
- Origin: Scottish/Old Norse
- Meaning: supernatural victory
52. Audrey
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble strength
53. Bessie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pledged to God
54. Betty
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s promise
- Also: Bettie, Betsy
55. Clementine
- Origin: French/Latin
- Meaning: mild, merciful; after the fruit
56. Daphne
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: laurel or bay tree
57. Dorothy
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: gift of God
- Also: Dottie, Dot
58. Effie
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: well-spoken
59. Elsie
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: pledged to God
60. Eliza
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pledged to God
61. Evie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life or breathe
62. Florence
- Origin: Latine
- Meaning: prosperous, flowering
63. Lottie
- Origin: French
- Meaning: free woman, little, petite
64. Matilda
- Origin: German
- Meaning: strength in battle
65. Rita
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: pearl
Pretty old lady names
Looking for a name that's as pretty as your newborn? The old lady names below are really beautiful to say and write as many of them are inspired by flowers and the natural world.
66. Beatrice
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: she who brings joy, blessed traveller
67. Daisy
- Origin: English
- Meaning: From the flower, 'day’s eye'
68. Elspeth
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: chosen by God
69. Etta
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ruler of the home
70. Ida
- Origin: German
- Meaning: hard-working
71. Iris
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: rainbow
72. Ivy
- Origin: English
- Meaning: fidelity
73. Kitty
- Origin: English
- Meaning: little cat
74. Martha
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: lady, mistress of the house
75. Miriam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: of the sea
76. Molly
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: star of the sea
77. Olive
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: olive tree
78. Pearl
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: pearl
79. Penelope
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: weaver
80. Rosalind
- Origin: German
- Meaning: gentle horse
- Also: Rosalynd
81. Rosemary
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: after the herb
82. Violet
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: purple
Uncommon old lady names
If you like to stand out from the crowd, but want to find the holy grail of names – something unique but also rooted in history and tradition – then this is the list for you. Some old lady names were unusual choices even when they were first used and the names below have never managed to feature on any of the popular name lists throughout the years.
83. Beryl
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: light green gemstone
84. Blanche
- Origin: French
- Meaning: white, pure
85. Cecelia
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: hidden, blind
86. Edwina
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rich friend
87. Esther
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: star
88. Eunice
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: good victory
89. Gertrude
- Origin: German
- Meaning: spear, strength
90. Gloria
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: glory
91. Greta
- Origin: German
- Meaning: pearl
92. Gwendolen
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: white circle
- Also: Gwendolyn, Gwendolin and Gwen
93. Ingrid
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: 'Ing’s beauty' (Ing is a Norse god)
94. June
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: after the month of June
95. Mae
- Origin: English
- Meaning: after the month of May
- Also: May
96. Mildred
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: mild, gentle strength
97. Muriel
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: 'of the bright sea'
98. Myrtle
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: after the tree or shrub
99. Rhona
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: 'from the rough island'
100. Ursula
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: little bear
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