Retro Baby Names
160 Retro names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Retro baby names are names that skip a generation or two, reaching back to the mid-20th century for something warmly familiar rather than brand new. Think of the Peggys and Berts who might have been your grandparents’ classmates — names that feel cozy, characterful, and a little bit brave to use again today.
What makes a name feel “retro”?
Retro names usually belong to one of two eras: the buttoned-up 1940s and ’50s, when Shirley, Phyllis and Doc were common, or the looser, sitcom-friendly ’70s and ’80s. Both eras share a plainspoken, unpretentious charm that’s easy to love from a comfortable distance.
Retro girl names
Girls’ picks lean sweet and spunky at once — Angie, Penny, Darla, Cassie, Roxanne and Heather all carry that easy, girl-next-door familiarity.
Retro boy names
Boys’ retro names skew friendly and a little rough-and-tumble: Buddy, Opie, Van, Arnie and Donny all sound like the kid next door in an old family photo.
Retro nicknames with staying power
Some of the best retro picks were nicknames first, like Jackie, Marcie, Vanna and Sue — short, warm, and instantly likable.
Every name below links to its own page with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation — so you can hear it before you choose.
Retro Girl Names
Angie#705 in the U.S.Short form of Angela, from Latin angela, from Greek angelos (ἄγγελος), meaning 'messenger' or '▶Penny#740 in the U.S.Short form of Penelope, from the Greek Penelope (Πηνελόπη), meaning 'weaver' (from pene, the we▶Darla#941 in the U.S.English name derived from darling, an Old English term of endearment meaning beloved one or dea▶Cassie#1273 in the U.S.Shining upon man; she who entangles men▶Roxanne#1275 in the U.S.Bright, dawn, little star▶Kristen#1278 in the U.S.Follower of Christ, Christian▶Robyn#1296 in the U.S.Bright fame, shining with renown▶Patricia#1302 in the U.S.Noble, patrician, of noble birth▶Britney#1333 in the U.S.From Britain or Brittany, the Celtic region▶Heather#1352 in the U.S.The heather plant, a flowering shrub of the Scottish moors▶Stacy#1395 in the U.S.Resurrection, the one who will rise again▶Shirley#1453 in the U.S.Bright clearing or meadow, from Old English scir (bright) and leah (clearing)▶Jackie#2284 in the U.S.Pet form of Jacqueline — feminine of Jacques (James/Jacob), Hebrew 'supplanter, holder of the h▶Lennie#3137 in the U.S.Diminutive of Leonard or Lena/Helena. Through Leonard: from Old German 'leon' (lion) and 'hard'▶Marcie#3144 in the U.S.Diminutive of Marcia, the feminine form of Marcus/Martius, from the Roman god Mars; meaning 'de▶Tommie#3159 in the U.S.Feminine diminutive of Thomas, from Aramaic 'toma', meaning 'twin'; carried into English via Gr▶Yadira#3436 in the U.S.Of uncertain origin; a twentieth-century Mexican favorite, with proposed but unproven links to ▶Christy#3449 in the U.S.Pet form of Christine and Christina, from Latin Christiana, 'follower of Christ'▶Tanya#3493 in the U.S.Russian pet form of Tatiana — from the Roman family name Tatius, its own meaning lost — long an▶Candy#3758 in the U.S.Pet form of Candace — the royal title of ancient Kush, 'queen mother' — and the sweet word itse▶Rikki#3796 in the U.S.Pet form of Erika ('eternal ruler') or Frederica ('peaceful ruler') — a doubled-k mid-century f▶Starla#3801 in the U.S.Mid-century American elaboration of Star — Old English steorra — with the friendly -la ending▶Vanna#3802 in the U.S.Short form of Giovanna or Ivana — feminine forms of John, 'God is gracious'; also Cambodian van▶Rocky#3860 in the U.S.Pet form of Rocco (Germanic, 'rest') or simply the rock-solid word — a boxing-ring name crossin▶Misty#4084 in the U.S.From the English word misty, 'covered with mist, hazy' — a soft nature word-name▶Mandy#4154 in the U.S.Pet form of Amanda — Latin amanda, 'lovable, worthy of love'▶Brandi#4290 in the U.S.-i spelling of Brandy — from the word brandy (Dutch brandewijn, 'burnt/distilled wine')▶Bev#5587 in the U.S.Bev is the everyday short form of Beverly, an English surname and place name from Old English b▶Deloise#7474 in the U.S.Deloise is a genuine early-to-mid-century American coinage, best read as a blend of Delores and▶Judee#7961 in the U.S.A phonetic respelling of Judy, the familiar form of Judith — from the Hebrew Yehudit, 'woman of▶Peggy#8281 in the U.S.A pet form of Margaret — from the Greek margarites, 'a pearl' (via Meg/Peg)▶Phyllis#8282 in the U.S.From the Greek phyllis, 'foliage; a green bough/leaf' (in myth, a Thracian princess turned into▶Sue#8338 in the U.S.A pet form of Susan/Susanna — from the Hebrew shoshannah, 'a lily; a rose'▶Velma#8369 in the U.S.A form of Wilhelmina — from the Germanic wil, 'will; resolve', + helm, 'helmet; protection', he▶Bettie#8505 in the U.S.A pet form of Elizabeth — from the Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is my oath; God is abundance'▶Carlene#8520 in the U.S.A feminine form of Carl/Charles — from the Germanic, 'a free man/woman'▶Dianne#8552 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Diane/Diana — from the Latin, 'divine; heavenly' (Diana, the Roman goddess o▶Dovey#8555 in the U.S.From the English word dove — a little dove (a symbol of peace and love), used as a term of ende▶Lorrie#8717 in the U.S.A pet form of Laura/Lauren — from the Latin laurus, 'the laurel/bay tree' (a symbol of victory ▶Martie#8747 in the U.S.A pet form of Martha (and Martina) — from the Aramaic marta, 'a lady; a mistress; the mistress ▶Mitzy#8761 in the U.S.A spelling of Mitzi — a German pet form of Maria/Miriam ('beloved; bitter; drop of the sea'); r▶Percy#8804 in the U.S.A pet form of Percival — from the Old French perce val, 'pierce the valley'; also an English/No▶Buffie#9442 in the U.S.Buffie is a spelling of Buffy, a nursery pet form of Elizabeth (from Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is m▶Jacquie#9809 in the U.S.Jacquie is a pet form of Jacqueline, the French feminine of Jacques (James/Jacob), from the Heb▶Jacalyn#9873 in the U.S.Jacalyn is a phonetic respelling of Jacqueline, the French feminine of Jacques (James/Jacob), f▶Lindee#10803 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Lindy (a pet form of Linda or Belinda) — Linda meaning 'pretty' (Spanish▶Stacie#10953 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Stacy, a short form of Anastasia, from the Greek anastasis, 'resurrection▶Lekisha#11238 in the U.S.Lekisha is a coined African American name built from the Le- prefix and Keisha, itself a popula▶Rozie#11918 in the U.S.A phonetic spelling of Rosie, the affectionate pet form of Rose, from Latin Rosa ('rose'). Swee▶Tenille#12014 in the U.S.Tenille is a spelling of Tennille, a modern name popularized by singer Toni Tennille; its ultim▶Debby#12058 in the U.S.Debby is a friendly spelling of the short form of Deborah, from Hebrew devorah, 'bee.' In the B▶Brandie#12345 in the U.S.A spelling of Brandy, from the word brandy (via Dutch brandewijn, 'burnt wine') used as a name,▶Cindi#12770 in the U.S.Cindi is an -i spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia, from Greek Kynthia, 'woman from Mo▶Kathie#12794 in the U.S.Kathie is an affectionate spelling of the pet form of Katherine, traditionally derived from Gre▶Kristi#12804 in the U.S.A short, friendly form of Kristin or Christine, ultimately from Greek Christos ('anointed'), gi▶Kristie#12805 in the U.S.A short, affectionate form of Kristin or Christine, from Greek Christos ('anointed'), carrying ▶Krysten#12808 in the U.S.A y-spelling form of Kristen or Christina, from Greek Christos ('anointed'), carrying the sense▶Kymberly#12815 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Kimberly, an English place and surname name traceable to Old English roo▶Lakeisha#12825 in the U.S.A modern African-American coined given name pairing the popular prefix La- with Keisha (itself ▶Lorie#12872 in the U.S.Lorie is a pet form and spelling variant of Lori, itself short for Laura (from the Latin laurus▶Louanne#12875 in the U.S.Louanne is a compound of Lou (short for Louise, feminine of Louis, 'famous warrior') and Anne (▶Luann#12877 in the U.S.Luann is a compound of Lou (short for Louise, feminine of Louis, 'famous warrior') and Ann (fro▶Lynsey#12892 in the U.S.A respelling of Lindsay/Lindsey, an English surname and place name meaning 'Lincoln's marsh isl▶Sharyn#12901 in the U.S.Sharyn is a 1940s-styled respelling of Sharon, the biblical Plain of Sharon, a fertile coastal ▶Naylene#13034 in the U.S.Naylene is a modern American coinage: a Nay- opening plus the -lene ending familiar from Darlen▶Patty#13083 in the U.S.A traditional English pet form of Patricia, from Latin patricia, 'noble; of the patrician class▶Raeleen#13097 in the U.S.A modern blend of Rae (short for Rachel, Hebrew 'ewe') with the -leen/-lene ending drawn from n▶Richelle#13138 in the U.S.A twentieth-century blend, usually read as a feminine of Richard ('brave ruler', from Germanic ▶Robbi#13145 in the U.S.A pet form of Roberta or Robin, both from Germanic Hrodebert, 'bright fame' (hrod, 'fame' + ber▶Sherrie#13229 in the U.S.Sherrie is a spelling of Sherry, usually traced to the French cherie, 'darling; beloved' (and s▶Sondra#13250 in the U.S.Sondra is a twentieth-century American spelling of Sandra, itself a short form of Alessandra/Al▶Susy#13274 in the U.S.Susy is a spelling of Susie, the pet form of Susan and Susanna, from the Hebrew Shoshannah — 'l▶Tami#13288 in the U.S.Tami is a spelling of Tammy, the pet form of Tamara — from the Hebrew tamar, 'palm tree' — or o▶Tennille#13297 in the U.S.Tennille is a surname of probable French or Louisiana origin, turned into a girls' first name a▶Vallerie#13325 in the U.S.Vallerie is a double-l spelling of Valerie, the French form of the Latin Valeria — from valere,▶Tricia#13337 in the U.S.Tricia is a short form of Patricia, the feminine of Patrick — from Latin patricius, 'nobleman, ▶Patti#13460 in the U.S.A pet form of Patricia, from the Latin patricius, 'noble; of the patrician class.' A warm, retr▶Britani#13728 in the U.S.A streamlined spelling of Brittany, the region of northwestern France (Bretagne) settled by Bri▶Bunnie#13738 in the U.S.A spelling of the English endearment 'bunny' (a rabbit), long used as a term of affection and a▶Candie#13767 in the U.S.Candie is a sweet -ie respelling of Candy, itself a pet form of Candace, an ancient title of th▶Sherrell#13893 in the U.S.Sherrell is a modern American coinage joining the Sher- of Cheryl and Sheryl to the -ell surnam▶Eddy#13907 in the U.S.A pet form of names beginning Ed- (Edith, Edwina, Eden; for boys Edward, Edwin), spelled Eddy r▶Cindie#13909 in the U.S.Cindie is a stylized spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia, a Greek epithet of the moon-▶Jalesa#13938 in the U.S.Jalesa is a coined African American name of the Ja-/-esa sound family, with no documented ancie▶Geralyn#14010 in the U.S.A twentieth-century American blend: Gerald or Geraldine (Germanic ger 'spear' plus wald 'rule')▶Hollyann#14458 in the U.S.Hollyann is a compound American girls' name joining Holly — the evergreen holly tree, long tied▶Loreen#14486 in the U.S.Loreen sits between Lorraine — the French region, from a kingdom named for Lothair — and the -e▶Latrenda#14706 in the U.S.Latrenda is a coined African American name from the productive La- prefix and a -trenda base, i▶Kirsti#14747 in the U.S.Kirsti is a Norwegian and Finnish pet form of Kirsten, itself the Scandinavian version of Chris▶Latoshia#14789 in the U.S.Latoshia is a coined African American name from the La- prefix and a Toshia / Tosha base, the b▶Lorri#14849 in the U.S.Lorri is a stylized spelling of Lori, itself a short form of Laura (from Latin laurus, 'laurel'▶Salli#14899 in the U.S.A stylized respelling of Sally, historically a pet form of Sarah — from the Hebrew Sarah, 'prin▶Telma#15033 in the U.S.A form of Thelma, a name popularised (and likely coined) by novelist Marie Corelli in her 1887 ▶Pam#15216 in the U.S.Pam is the everyday short form of Pamela, a name invented by Sir Philip Sidney for his 1590s Ar▶Bobbijo#15569 in the U.S.Bobbijo is a compound American girls' name joining Bobbi — a pet form of Roberta, itself from t▶Debi#15615 in the U.S.Debi is a spare -i spelling of Debbie, the short form of Deborah, from Hebrew devorah, 'bee.' D▶Jerrilyn#15674 in the U.S.Jerrilyn is a mid-century blend of Jeri (from Geraldine, the feminine of Gerald, Germanic for '▶Christin#15727 in the U.S.Christin is a trimmed spelling of Christine or Christina, names built on Greek christianos, 'a ▶Sharri#15743 in the U.S.Sharri is a decorative respelling of Shari, itself a pet form of Sharon — a Hebrew place name m▶Candi#15748 in the U.S.Candi is an -i spelling of Candy, the short form of Candace (Candice), a title borne by queens ▶Lesha#15800 in the U.S.Lesha reads most naturally as a clipped form of Aleisha or Alicia — themselves relatives of Ali▶Chrissie#16203 in the U.S.Chrissie is an affectionate short form of Christine or Christina, from Greek christiana, 'a Chr▶Billiejean#16280 in the U.S.A joined double name pairing Billie (a pet form of Wilhelmina/William, 'resolute protector') wi▶Joani#16300 in the U.S.A spelling of Joanie, the pet form of Joan — the medieval feminine of John, from the Hebrew Yoc▶Tammi#16343 in the U.S.Tammi is a stylized spelling of Tammy, itself a short form of Tamara, from Hebrew tamar, 'date ▶Kathi#16614 in the U.S.Kathi is a streamlined spelling of Kathy, the short form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pu▶Lolamae#16643 in the U.S.A modern compound of Lola (a Spanish pet form of Dolores) and Mae (from May/Mary). A sweet, ret▶Nakeisha#16653 in the U.S.Nakeisha is a coined African American name built from the Na- prefix and Keisha, itself a popul▶Kandi#16839 in the U.S.Kandi is a K-spelled form of Candy, the affectionate short form of Candace -- a name from the a▶Laquanda#16949 in the U.S.Laquanda is a coined African American name of the later twentieth century, built from the produ▶Georgeann#16999 in the U.S.Georgeann is a compound of George and Ann. George comes from the Greek georgos, 'farmer, earth-▶Robbin#17106 in the U.S.Robbin is a doubled-consonant spelling of Robin, which is both the cheerful songbird and a medi▶Laquesha#17203 in the U.S.Laquesha is a coined African American name of the later twentieth century, built from the produ▶Diann#17254 in the U.S.Diann is a trimmed spelling of Diane, the French form of Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon a▶Suzan#17341 in the U.S.Suzan is a stylized spelling of Susan, from Hebrew shoshannah, 'lily' (later 'rose'), by way of▶Tiffani#17415 in the U.S.A spelling of Tiffany, from the Greek Theophania ('appearance of God; Epiphany'), a name once g▶Telisha#17454 in the U.S.Telisha is a coined African American name of the later twentieth century, built from the fashio▶Janyce#17648 in the U.S.Janyce is a stylized spelling of Janice, an early-1900s elaboration of Jane (from the Hebrew Yo▶Cyndy#17945 in the U.S.Cyndy is a stylized spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia, a Greek epithet of the moon-g▶Nikkie#18118 in the U.S.A respelling of Nicky/Nikki, the familiar form of Nicole — the French feminine of Nicholas, fro▶Kandie#18166 in the U.S.Kandie respells Candy, the affectionate short form of Candace — a name borne by ancient queens ▶Shellee#18385 in the U.S.Shellee is a decorative spelling of Shelley, which serves both as a short form of Michelle and ▶Tyeisha#20014 in the U.S.Tyeisha is a coined African American name that fits the popular Ty- prefix to the -eisha ending▶Tamesha#20155 in the U.S.Tamesha is a coined African American name built from the Ta- prefix and a -mesha / -eisha base,▶LynndiA modern respelling in the Lindy/Lynn family; Lynn comes from Welsh llyn ('lake; pool') or from▶
Retro Boy Names
Van#972 in the U.S.As a Dutch prefix, van means of or from, used in surnames denoting origin; also an Armenian nam▶Jeffery#1302 in the U.S.Pledged peace, peaceful pledge▶Opie#3191 in the U.S.Short form or nickname derived from Old English name Osbert or Oswald, or used independently; a▶Lavon#3354 in the U.S.American name in the La- plus -von pattern, coinciding with Hebrew lavan, 'white' — the root of▶Buddy#3795 in the U.S.From the American word buddy, 'friend' — likely a child's 'brother' — a warm nickname-name▶Doc#3810 in the U.S.From the title doctor (Latin docere, 'to teach') — frontier nickname turned given name▶Donny#3812 in the U.S.Pet form of Donald — Gaelic Domhnall, 'ruler of the world' — Osmond-warm▶Kurtis#3843 in the U.S.K-spelling of Curtis — Old French curteis, 'courteous, courtly' — hip-hop founding-father spell▶Arnie#8346 in the U.S.A pet form of Arnold — from the Germanic arn, 'eagle', + wald, 'power; ruler', hence 'an eagle ▶Bert#8368 in the U.S.A pet form of Albert/Robert/Herbert — from the Germanic beraht, 'bright; famous; shining'▶Billie#8369 in the U.S.A pet form of William — from the Germanic wil, 'will; resolve', + helm, 'helmet; protection', h▶Dudley#8471 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' (a person▶Gerry#8520 in the U.S.A pet form of Gerald/Gerard — from the Germanic ger, 'a spear', + wald, 'rule' (Gerald) or hard▶Gregg#8534 in the U.S.A spelling of Greg — a short form of Gregory, from the Greek gregorein, 'to watch; to be watchf▶Isadore#8566 in the U.S.A spelling of Isidore — from the Greek Isidoros, 'the gift of Isis' (Isis, an Egyptian goddess,▶Laverne#8671 in the U.S.From the French/Latin — variously 'of the alder grove' (verne, 'alder') and 'spring-like' (Lati▶Maynard#8712 in the U.S.From the Germanic Mainard — magin, 'strength/might', + hard, 'brave/hardy', hence 'brave streng▶Mel#8713 in the U.S.A pet form of Melvin ('a council friend/protector') and Melchior ('king of light/the city'); al▶Norvin#8750 in the U.S.From the Old English/Germanic — 'a friend from the north; a northern friend' (nord, 'north', + ▶Ogden#8759 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — the Old English ac + denu, 'the oak valley'; we note the place▶Rodger#8795 in the U.S.A spelling of Roger — from the Germanic hrod, 'fame', + ger, 'a spear', hence 'a famous spear; ▶Stan#8851 in the U.S.A short form of Stanley ('the stony clearing/meadow', English) and Stanislav ('glory of the cam▶Crosley#9158 in the U.S.An English surname and place name, 'clearing (or meadow) with a cross' (Old English cros + leah▶Ringo#9554 in the U.S.Best known as the stage name of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, adopted because of the rings he wo▶Dennie#9966 in the U.S.Dennie is the pet form of Dennis, itself from the Greek Dionysios, 'follower of Dionysus,' the ▶Durell#10089 in the U.S.Durell is a first-name use of the Norman-English surname Durrell, itself from Old French 'durel▶Jackey#10194 in the U.S.A phonetic respelling of Jackie, the affectionate form of Jack — itself a medieval English nick▶Darryn#11202 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Darren, an Irish/English name of uncertain origin, often glossed 'great' ▶Quayshaun#12010 in the U.S.Quayshaun is a coined African American name joining the fashionable Qua-/Quay- prefix to Shaun,▶Lanny#13366 in the U.S.Lanny is a diminutive nickname, used as a short form of Lawrence ('from Laurentum'; laurel-crow▶Lonny#13408 in the U.S.Lonny is a friendly spelling of Lonnie, the pet form of Alonzo and Alonso — Spanish and Italian▶Pat#13520 in the U.S.Pat is the clipped everyday form of Patrick, from Latin patricius, 'a nobleman, a patrician.' L▶Randie#13865 in the U.S.A respelling of Randy, the familiar form of Randall or Randolph — Germanic names built on 'rand▶Syd#13937 in the U.S.A short form of Sidney or Sydney, from an English surname and place-name generally read as 'wid▶Telly#13980 in the U.S.Telly is best known as a Greek-American pet form of Aristotelis (Aristotle) — the actor Telly S▶
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Frequently Asked
What are retro baby names?
Retro baby names are names that recall an earlier American era — typically the 1940s through the 1980s — rather than today’s trends. They feel nostalgic and character-rich because they were common a generation or two ago, not because they’re new inventions.
Why are parents drawn to retro names right now?
After decades of trend-driven, novel-sounding names, retro picks feel refreshingly grounded and easy to spell and say. They also carry a built-in sense of history and warmth, often tied to a beloved grandparent or relative.
What are good retro girl names?
Angie, Penny, Darla, Cassie, Roxanne, Heather, Shirley and Phyllis are classic retro girl names, spanning mid-century charm to ’70s and ’80s familiarity.
What are good retro boy names?
Buddy, Opie, Van, Arnie, Donny, Doc and Bert are retro boy names with an easygoing, old-fashioned warmth.
How many retro baby names are on More4Kids?
More4Kids lists 160 retro baby names, each with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, and an audio pronunciation.