When it comes to naming a baby, it's a pretty big deal – and not a decision to be taken lightly. Some parents seek out a popular name (so the child has no issue with people pronouncing or spelling it), while others may want a moniker that evokes images of nature, or that has a literary feel to it. Or perhaps you're in the market for a name that conjures up the vibe of the Golden Age of Hollywood, which spanned from the 1910s to the 1960s: one full of glamour, art and that has a classic air to it.
It looks like that could well be the case for more and more families who are welcoming a bundle of joy, as the below names – all of which are associated with a famous face from days gone by – have been steadily creeping up (or in some cases, shooting to the top of!) the rankings in England and Wales, according to the latest baby names data from the Office of National Statistics. Others, we've added for fun as they're rare but remain every inch the Golden Era.
Here's a round-up of some old school Hollywood baby names, that would look just perfect in lights daaaaahhling!
Baby girl names inspired by old Hollywood
1) Ava: Coming in ninth on the list of most popular girl names in England and Wales in 2024, with an adorable 1,774 of them making their way into the world, Ava is also a nod to the American starlet, Ava Gardner. As well as her famed career on the big screen, Gardner was known for her love life: she married Frank Sinatra, composer Artie Shaw and fellow thespian Mickey Rooney.
2) Sophia: Number 13 on the list (behind Sofia at number 12!), this name could pay homage to the Italian firecracker, Sophia Loren, who at 90 is one of the final survivors of Hollywood's Golden Age.
3) Evelyn: Known for playing Suellen O'Hara in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind, actress Evelyn Keyes was a major Hollywood player – and a great source of baby name inspiration! The name 'Evelyn' was number 20 on the list in 2024.
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4) Grace: Number 25 on the most popular names list, Grace has an elegant and regal feel – just like Grace Kelly, also known as the Princess of Monaco.
5) Elizabeth: Another regal name thanks to the late Queen Elizabeth II and an homage to Elizabeth Taylor, this moniker appears on the list at number 62.
6) Clara: Actress Clara Bow was one of the greats, and the name itself has plenty of fans too coming in at number 84 on the top 100.
7) Lillian: A great springboard name for nicknames like Lily or Lil, it also evokes Lillian Gish; one of the earliest silent movie stars, whose career stretched seven decades in total. Lillian was #309 last year and the chosen baby name for 140 little ones.
8) Audrey: At number 355 on the list and the chosen name for 124 babies, Audrey, meaning 'noble strength', is hanging in there (although it ranked higher in 2019 at number 294, after being used for 165 babies).
9) Mae: A popular choice for double-barrelled first names (e.g. Elsie-Mae and Ivy-Mae), Mae as a standalone is number 443 on the list. It reminds us of Mae West, so expect your little one to be handful!
10) Monroe: The surname of the world's most famous Marilyn, Monroe was chosen as a name for 72 baby girls last year. A unique and sparkly choice (expect this baby to have a penchant for diamonds!).
11) Rita: Although lower down the list at number 625, this name was given to 62 little girls last year. Rita Hayworth, who was actually born Margarita Carmen Cansino herself, would be proud.
12) Loren: Looking for a rare name with a Golden Age feel? Five families welcomed a baby Loren last year.
Baby boy names inspired by old Hollywood
1) Freddie: A highly popular choice at number 13, Freddie can be shortened to Fred in honour of Fred Astaire, the all-singing, all-dancing, all-acting legend. As a standalone, the name 'Fred' placed #567
2) Henry: One of the biggest Golden Age stars was Henry Fonda – and his name lives on as the 14th most chosen on the list. Last year saw 2,360 Henrys welcomed in England and Wales.
3) Charlie: Like plenty of Charlie Chaplin's movies, this name is a big hit and the 17th most popular choice for baby boys today.
4) James: A good, classic all-rounder of a name (and one associated with many a big actor, such as James Cagney, James Stewart and, of course, James Dean). It's number 40 on the list today.
5) Frank: As in Sinatra, this name is number 194 and never really goes out of style in our humble opinion.
6) Spencer: A less popular choice but still a respectable number 210 on the list, Spencer Tracy (the first actor to win two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor) would be delighted, we're sure.
7) Orson: Orson Welles' Citizen Kane caused controversy when it was released in 1941 but went on to be thought of as a cinematic masterpiece. The name 'Orson' came in at 374 last year, and was chosen for 115 baby boys.
8) Gregory: Gregory Peck is synonymous with old Hollywood, and was the preferred name for 18 little ones last year.
9) Mickey: A unique choice, Mickey was number 1,595 on the list (with 16 babies receiving the name). Mickey Rooney, star of Babes in Arms (alongside Judy Garland) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (with Audrey Hepburn), could well have been the inspiration!
10) Brando: Chosen for just three baby boys last year, Brando (which is also the name of Barry Keoghan's son, in honour of his favourite actor Marlon Brando) is quintessential old Hollywood.
11) Burt: Chosen for just three baby boys last year, the name Burt was also the nickname of Burton 'Burt' Lancaster – famed for his star turns in From Here to Eternity, The Leopard and Sweet Smell of Success.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
