Old-Sounding Contemporary Names

There are two general categories of names: traditional and contemporary. A name's category depends on its usage history, feel, and overall style. However, this does not mean that names can't sound as if they belong to the opposite category.

One such category is old-sounding contemporary names. Many bloggers have discussed new-sounding traditional names, but they rarely discuss the other way around. Just as a name with a sense of history, like Cleo and Nolan, can feel modern, a name with little to no history can feel old. Many of these names sound old because they structurally resemble more traditional choices or combine traditional sounds. 

Here are some contemporary names that sound like they could be more traditional:

Azalea

Azalea is a flower name that structurally resembles classic Amelia along with containing the first syllable of Zadie. Azalea also sounds as feminine as classic Daisy and vintage Violet. In terms of usage, though, Azalea was never popular among English-speakers and only entered the top 1000 over this past decade. 

Bellamy

Even though this is unisex in usage, Bellamy sounds like a girls' name. It mixes the sounds of vintage Bella and classic Amy. The result is a surname name. As with many feminine surnames, Bellamy is modern in usage. It only entered the charts for the first time in 2018. 

Bowie

Despite being a surname-name, Bowie's "ow" sound from vintage Howard puts it in line with vintage nickname-names like Alfie and Reggie. Musical association David Bowie adds to the name's vintage sound. Yet, Bowie has only ranked in 2018. 

Clover

This green plant name mixes the first syllable of new classic Chloe with the "ver" sound of Beverly. Despite its vintage sound, Clover hasn't even made the charts yet. 

Cohen

Cohen rhymes with classic Owen along with containing the "co" sound of Cole. This name didn't rank before the twenty-first century, though. 

Easton

Easton structurally resembles Ethan. It also contains the ending sound from retro Austin. Easton may sound like it has history, but it didn't enter the charts until the mid-1990s. It has since entered the top 100. 

Everly

Everly structurally resembles Emily, mixing it with the sounds of Evelyn and Beverly. Another father that makes this name sound old is that it's mostly feminine in usage. However, this is a truly new name that only entered the charts in 2012. Since it reached the top 100 so quickly, Everly is probably going to date to this era. 

Hendrix

Hendrix connects to rock-and-roll artist Jimi Hendrix. It is a surname mixing the sounds of Henry, Adrian, and Felix. The name has only been in the charts this past decade, though. 

Indigo

Indigo is a unisex color name that resembles a dark shade of blue. It also combines the sounds of India and Margot, two traditional feminine names. Indigo closely resembles the traditional male name Inigo as well. Indigo has never been common for either sex, though. 

Jameson

Jameson is an surname-y elaboration of classic James, mixing it with the structure and ending of Emerson. The name has only ranked since 1969 and is near peak popularity today. 

Juniper

Juniper combines the sounds of June, Philippa, and Esther in one elaborate tree name. For boys, Juniper connects to a few saints. The name also has some history for girls, but most of its feminine usage has occurred over the past decade. 

Lotus

Lotus, like Azalea, is a flower name as feminine as Daisy and Rose. Lotus is additionally just a letter away from vintage Lois. Lotus has yet to catch on among English-speakers, though. 

Madrid

Madrid, as in the capital of Spain, mixes the sounds of classic Madeline and Nordic Ingrid. Despite this, Madrid is a new place name possibility that has yet to catch on.

Phoenix

Phoenix connects to a mythological immortal bird, but that doesn't make it traditional for boys. Anyway, it sounds old because it resembles the sounds of Phineas, Felix, and Enoch.  

Prairie

Prairie rhymes with Mary while also containing sounds from Priscilla and Claire. Laura Ingalls Wilder's historic novel Little House in the Prairie adds to Prairie's old-fashioned sound. Yet, it is still a contemporary grassland-inspired alternative to Savannah.

Romilly

Romilly combines the sounds of traditional Rosalind, Millie, and Emily. Thus, it's not surprising this name sounds like it has plenty of history. Romilly is a surname, though. As with many surname-names, Romilly is contemporary for girls. 

Ryland

Ryland resembles the structure of Roland and contains sounds from new classic Ryan. It has ranked since 2003 and peaked less than ten years ago. 

Selah

Selah is a Hebrew word from the Bible. It also structurally resembles classic Sarah. It also has beginning sounds from vintage Sadie or retro Sheila, depending on pronunciation. Either way, Selah is a modern choice that has been rising up the charts for the first time since the mid-2000s. 

Wilder

Wilder mixes the sounds of Wyatt, Kyle, and Alexander into a structure resemblant of classic Oliver. Historical associations such as author Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) add to the name's old-time feel. However, Wilder did not start to rise in use until the mid-2010s. 

What are your favorite old-sounding contemporary names? Which names would you add to this list?