When it comes to choosing a baby name, there’s no single right or wrong approach. The most enjoyable part of the process for many is simply testing out names. Some people start by saying the name aloud. If it feels natural, it might be the one. Another approach is to try pairing a first name with a middle name. Yell the full name—”Olivia Quinn!”—and if it flows easily, it could be a top contender.
While many methods are available for choosing a baby name, one method stands out: the B.A.G. method, which stands for Baby, Adult, Grandparent. This method tests whether a name sounds cute for a baby, appropriate for an adult, and fitting for a grandparent. For example, “Grandpa Finn” is a name that works at all stages of life.
Jen Hamilton, a labor and delivery nurse and mother of two, is a big fan of this idea. In a viral video that has garnered over five million views on Instagram and TikTok, Hamilton advocates for “old-person” baby names. She believes vintage names are a timeless choice.
Hamilton’s experience as a nurse has given her a unique perspective on names. She encounters many babies, and she enjoys when a baby shares a name with a grandparent. Vintage names, she explains, have a certain charm.
In her viral video, Hamilton shares a memorable story about a baby named “Bruce,” who weighed just four pounds. She compares naming a baby with an old-fashioned name to naming a dog with a human name. It creates a warm and fuzzy feeling. She points out that it’s not uncommon to meet a dog named “Kevin” or “Jennifer,” which only adds to the appeal of old-fashioned names for babies.
Hamilton also offers her take on popular baby name trends. Names ending in “leigh” or “ley,” like Rayleigh or Ainsley, became popular in the 2010s. However, Hamilton feels the trend is overdone. While she doesn’t think these names are bad, she prefers names that evoke a stronger, more traditional image. For example, she imagines walking into a room with a baby named “Lucille” and calling out, “It’s hard work being a baby in the morning, isn’t it, Lucille?” She enjoys the idea of addressing a baby by an old-fashioned name in everyday situations.
The appeal of “old-person” names is clear to Hamilton. While popular names often reflect current trends, vintage names stand out for their uniqueness and timelessness. Hamilton herself finds these names especially endearing.
Commenters on Hamilton’s video share their favorite old-fashioned names. Many people look to family traditions or the Baby Boomer generation for inspiration. Others simply love the idea of giving their child a name that sounds mature or classic.
One Instagram user, @ewestcooks, jokingly proposed naming their daughter “Gertrude” if their next baby is a girl. Hamilton responded with excitement, suggesting they could call her “Gertie.”
Other users shared stories of their own children with vintage names. @allieanne89 introduced her daughter, Evelyn, and her friends Penny, Eleanor, and Ruth as “The Golden Girls.” Another user, @lafalca, mentioned their daughter, Hazel Evelyn, who shares a name with their grandmother.
Old-fashioned names for boys are also popular. @wendy_bronze shared that they named their baby boy “Walter,” and others mentioned names like Jack, Hugh, and Wendell as examples of old-fashioned charm.
As this trend gains momentum, it’s clear that many parents are finding joy in the nostalgic appeal of vintage names. Whether inspired by family traditions or the timeless nature of the names themselves, “old-person” names are making a comeback.
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