During my friend’s baby shower, we asked her what she would name her precious bundle. She told us she was thinking about old-money baby names. She continued that yes, there’s something undeniably charming about contemporary names, but why settle for the ordinary when she can infuse her little one’s identity with a dash of aristocratic flair? Fair point, indeed.
If you’re wondering about this new naming trend, read on to enter the world of monikers that screams “legacy.”
What are Old Money Names?
Old money names aren’t just names; they’re pedigrees, heirlooms passed down through generations. They capture a rich heritage of wealth and status. There’s also a sense of timeless quality that makes them stand out among trendy, celebrity names. Also, don’t be surprised if you see them on the birth certificates of aristocrats, socialites, and captains of industry.
So, does it mean you must be born into a blue-blooded lineage to give your baby an old money name? Not at all! In fact, part of its charm is its universality. So no matter your background, you can give your little one a sophisticated and charming moniker.
Why are Old Money Names Making a Comeback?
Imagine you’re at the playground and you call out “Seraphina” or “Thaddeus” – heads are sure to turn! There’s something comforting about honoring tradition, especially when the world feels like it’s constantly changing. That’s precisely why old money names are coming back. They’re like anchors tethering us to a bygone era.
These elegant names can also whisk us away in a Bridgertonesque time of horse-drawn carriages and sprawling estates. Oh, the grace and romance! For parents like us who value authenticity, these names are a gentle nod to our heritage while allowing us to keep our identities.
Old Money Names for Girls, Their Origins, and Meanings
These names have a unique charm that can add old-world elegance to your little lady’s aura.
- Adeline: German; noble or nobility
- Agnes: Greek; pure or holy
- Alice: German; noble or of noble birth
- Amelia: German; means work
- Anneliese: German; grace or favor
- Arabella: Latin; yielding to prayer
- Aurelia: Latin; golden or the golden one
- Beatrice: Latin; blessed
- Camilla: Latin; young ceremonial attendant
- Caroline: French and German; free woman or strong
- Cecily: Latin; blind or dim-sighted
- Celeste: Latin; heavenly
- Charlotte: French; free man
- Constance: Latin; steadfast or constant.
- Cordelia: Celtic; heart
- Cressida: Greek; gold
- Dorothea: Greek; gift of God
- Eleanor: Hebrew; light
- Eloisa: German; famous warrior or healthy
- Estelle: Latin; star
- Eugenia: Greek; well-born or noble
- Evangeline: Greek; positivity and joy
- Felicity: Latin; Felicity
- Francine: Latin; free one or French
- Gabriella: Hebrew; God is my strength
- Georgina: Greek; farmer
- Helena: Greek; bright or shining light
- Henrietta: German; home ruler
- Isabella: Hebrew; God is my oath
- Josephine: Hebrew; God will increase
- Katherine: Greek; pure
- Lavinia: Latin; to wash
- Louisa: German; renowned warrior or famous in battle
- Madeleine: Hebrew and Greek; tower
- Margaret: Greek; pearl
- Matilda: German; mighty in battle
- Octavia: Latin; eighth
- Odette: French; wealthy
- Penelope: Greek; weaver
- Regina: Latin; queen or ruler
- Rosalind: German; gentle horse
- Sabrina: Celtic; fair river
- Seraphina: Hebrew; ardent
- Sophronia: Greek; self-controlled or prudent
- Sylvia: Latin; forest
- Tatiana: Latin; of the Sabine people
- Veronica: Latin; true image
- Victoria: Latin; victory
- Wilhelmina: German; willful protector
- Winifred: Welsh; fair one
Old Money Names for Boys, Their Origins, and Meanings
Your little gentleman will get a boost of confidence with these names fit for a future world leader or a CEO.
- Albert: German; noble and bright
- Ambrose: Greek; immortal or divine
- Archibald: German; genuine, bold, and precious
- Augustus: Latin; majestic or venerable
- Barnaby: Aramaic; son of consolation or son of prophecy
- Benedict: Latin; blessed or fortunate
- Cecil: Latin; blind or dim-sighted
- Clarence: Latin; bright or clear
- Clement: Latin; mild or merciful.
- Cornelius: Latin; horn or horn-shaped
- Duncan: Gaelic; brown warrior
- Edgar: Old English; wealthy spear or fortunate and powerful
- Edmund: Old English; wealthy protector
- Eugene: Greek; well-born or noble
- Fitzgerald: Old French; son of Gerald, rule of the spear.
- Frederick: German; peaceful ruler
- Gideon: Hebrew; hewer or feller
- Gilbert: German; bright or shining pledge.
- Harrison: English; son of Harry
- Humphrey: German; peaceful warrior.
- Ignatius: Latin; fiery or ardent
- Jasper: Persian; treasurer
- Julius: Latin; youthful or downy-bearded
- Lancelot: Old French; servant
- Leopold: German; bold people
- Lysander: Greek; liberator or freer
- Maximilian: Latin; the greatest
- Nathaniel: Hebrew; gift of God
- Oscar: Old English and Old Norse; divine spear
- Percival: Old French; pierce the valley
- Percy: French; pierce the valley
- Quentin: Latin; fifth
- Reginald: Latin; counsel power
- Roderick: Old German; famous ruler
- Rupert: German; bright fame
- Seymour: Norman French; marshy land near the sea
- Stanley: Old English; stone clearing or stony meadow
- Thaddeus: Aramaic; heart or courageous heart
- Thelonious: Greek; lordly or masterful
- Theodore: Greek; gift of God
- Ulrich: Old High German; prosperity and power
- Valentine: Latin; strong or healthy
- Vincent: Latin; conquering
- Walden: Welsh; forest valley
- Winston: Old English; joy stone or joyful town
- Xander: Greek; defender of the people
- Xavier: Basque; new house or bright
- Yves: Old German; yew or archer
- Zachary: Hebrew; remembered by God
- Zephyr: Greek; west wind or gentle breeze
Choose an Old Money Name for Your Little Aristocrat
Beyond their linguistic appeal, old money names connect to the past and link one generation’s heritage to the present. They’re a beautiful legacy that can remind children of where they come from and the values their family holds dear.
It can be tiresome to live in a world of trends and fads. So why not shake things up? As my friend told us, there’s something extraordinary about honoring tradition and celebrating a timeless name that’s strong and elegant.
We’d love to know your favorites. Comment on the box below and let’s see what old money name comes on top.
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