Retro Names: Which Great-Grandparent Names Are Becoming Popular Again

Why Names from the 1900s to 1930s Are Making a Comeback

In onomastics, there is the so-called 100-year rule. It states that first names often need about three to four generations to be perceived as fresh and usable once more. Many expectant parents find the names of their own parents (roughly from the 1960s to 1980s) too everyday or outdated. The names of grandparents (1940s to 1950s) often still feel a bit too stern. In contrast, the names of great-grandparents—dating from the decades before and after World War I—have gained enough temporal distance to sound appealing again.

From an onomastic perspective, the period between 1900 and 1930 was shaped by a blend of influences: On the one hand, traditional Old High German names were given, while on the other, Latin, Greek, and biblical names were strongly represented. The trend toward shorter forms (such as Frieda instead of Friederike) was also already gaining traction in the 1920s. Below, you will find a selection of names from this era that are very present once again today.

Classic First Names for Girls

Alma
Alma has multiple name origins: Latin almus means "nourishing," Spanish and Portuguese alma means "soul," and Modern Hebrew alma means "young woman." In addition, a short form of names containing Amal- is possible. These derivations are to be distinguished from one another. The name is short, ends with a vowel, and fits well into contemporary naming patterns.

Charlotte
Charlotte is documented as a French feminine form of Charles (Karl). The Old High German word stem karal means "free man," from which the meaning "the free woman" can be derived for Charlotte. The name offers numerous nickname options, such as Lotte or Charlie.

Clara / Klara
The name traces back to the Latin word clarus. Its confirmed meaning is "bright," "shining," or "famous." Both spellings are historically documented and are still common today. The variant with C often appears somewhat more international, while the one with K feels more traditionally German.

Emma
Emma goes back to the Germanic name element ermen, which means "all-encompassing" or "great." Emma originally arose as a short form for names starting with this element, such as Ermintrud. Today, the name stands entirely on its own.

Frieda
Frieda is documented as a short form of names containing the Old High German element fridu (peace, protection)—such as Elfriede or Friederike. In the 1920s, Frieda was very frequently given as an independent name, a trend that is repeating itself today.

Grete
Grete is a traditional short form of Margarete. The underlying root is the Greek word margarites, which means "pearl." While Margarete is given less frequently today, the short, concise form Grete captures the current spirit of the times perfectly.

Helene
Helene is a Greek name that is also passed down in the form Helena. "The shining one" is a widespread interpretation derived from the Greek word for "torch." The original meaning of the name has not been definitively clarified.

Ida
Ida belongs to a Germanic name family containing the element id. This is frequently linked to "work" or "deed." The older meaning of the word has not been established beyond doubt; "the industrious one" remains an interpretation.

Luise
Luise is the feminine form of Ludwig. The name is composed of the Old High German words hlut (loud, famous) and wig (battle). Alongside Luise, the French spelling Louise was also widespread in the 1910s.

Martha
Martha traces back to the Aramaic word marta. Its documented meaning is "the lady" or "the mistress." The name has a solid, clear sound and is pronounced as written in German, where the "th" does not represent an English sound.

Mathilde
This name is composed of the Old High German elements maht (power, might) and hiltja (battle). Mathilde was long considered very stern, but is being chosen more frequently again today thanks to softer short forms such as Tilda or Hildi.

Classic First Names for Boys

Anton
Anton goes back to the Roman family name of the Antonii (Antonius). The exact etymological meaning of this family name is unclear, but its origin in ancient Rome is certain. Anton was a standard name in the early 20th century and is once again today.

Arthur
Arthur's exact origin has not been definitively clarified. One explanation connects the name to the Celtic word for bear; other origins are also discussed.

Carl / Karl
The name is based on the Old High German word karal, which means "free man." In the 1900s to 1920s, Karl was one of the most common names in the German-speaking area. Today, the spelling Carl is often preferred, as it appears somewhat softer and more international.

Emil
Emil goes back to the Roman family name Aemilius. A connection to the Latin aemulor, "to emulate," is a widespread explanation. However, the older meaning of the family name has not been definitively clarified.

Friedrich
Friedrich is composed of the Old High German words fridu (peace, protection) and rihhi (ruler, power). The name has a long tradition in German princely dynasties and is often used today in combination with the everyday nickname Fritz.

Oskar
Various origins are documented for Oskar. It is often derived from Old English (Osgar) or Old Norse (Asgeirr), combining the words for "deity" and "spear." However, there is also an Irish derivation in which the name means "deer lover." A single sweeping meaning would be too imprecise here.

Otto
Otto is based on the Old High German word ot, which means "possession," "wealth," or "heritage." Originally, Otto was a short form for names starting with "Ot-" (such as Otfried). As a palindrome, the name reads the same forwards and backwards.

Theodor
Theodor comes from Greek and is composed of theos (god) and doron (gift). The documented meaning is "gift of God." With Theo, the name offers a very popular and short everyday variant.

Walter
Walter is composed of the Old High German elements waltan (to rule, govern) and heri (army). While the name was long seen as a typical "grandpa name," the 100-year cycle is bringing it back into focus for expectant parents today.

Checking the Harmony with the Last Name

If you decide on a name from the period between 1900 and 1930, it is worth taking a close look at how it pairs with your last name. Many retro names have very distinctive endings. Names such as Friedrich, Karl, or Walter end in hard consonants. If your last name also begins with a hard consonant, a slight pause may be necessary when speaking (example: Friedrich Kramer).

Conversely, if the first name ends with a vowel, as in Emma, Ida, or Otto, and the last name begins with the same vowel, the names often blend together when spoken aloud (example: Otto Oesterle). It is best to say your favorites aloud several times along with your last name to get a feel for the rhythm and speech flow. Syllable length also plays a role: A short first name like Carl often pairs well with a multi-syllable last name, while a longer first name like Charlotte nicely balances a short last name.

How to Make Your Joint Selection

With such an abundance of historical names, taking a structured approach is helpful. In the HeyName app, you can search specifically for names that match your criteria. For instance, use the filters to display only names of a specific length or with a particular starting letter.

You can rate the suggested names independently of each other as "Favorite," "Maybe," or "Not a match." Because you can connect your devices via an invitation, you will immediately see which names both of you have marked as a favorite. These mutual matches then provide an excellent foundation for discussing your shortlist together and trying out how the first name sounds with your last name or an optional middle name.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

Back to this topic: History and inspiration