Names with Old Hollywood Glam!
by Ruth Fitzpatrick
Few things are considered more glamorous than the world of Old Hollywood: the sultry looks, the outrageous jewels, and, of course, the actors and actresses themselves! And one thing old Hollywood knew: the power of a good name. Many actors and actresses had their names changed by their studios to make them sound more masculine, more glamorous, or just plain more marketable! Few people would know who Archibald Alec Leach was, but that's because he became the iconic Carey Grant!
Here are our top 10 favorite names with a tinge of Old Hollywood glam:
Clark A really powerful sounding name with some definite Superman street cred, Clark is a short and sweet name that could be perfect for your little man! It's increasing in popularity but still relatively unique. Could be a good one for a heartthrob in the making!
Marilyn No Old Hollywood list would be complete without this name. A combination of the names Mary and Lynn, Marilyn can't help escape the association with all things sensuous. Despite its glamorous connections, Marilyn is still quite a fairly unusual choice for prospective parents in the US; last year it only just made it into the top 500.
Spencer With an aristocratic connection to Princess Diana (née Spencer) along with plenty more of the British upper classes, this name could be forgiven for sounding a little haughty. But instead it sounds noble rather than proud and friendly rather than snobbish. This poetic name deserves a way bigger platform than it's given here in America.
Bette The name of not one, but two Old Hollywood megastars, Bette has been overshadowed by its incredibly popular parent, Elizabeth. But both Bette and Betty have a playfulness (and uniqueness!) which sets them apart from the classic Elizabeth, and are very worthy of prospective parents' consideration. That being said, few actresses epitomize the excesses and grandeur of Old Hollywood more than Elizabeth Taylor, so whichever variant you choose: you're on to a blockbuster!
Gregory Meaning 'vigilant, a watchman', Gregory is an incredibly dignified sounding name, and is of course associated with the extremely popular and intellectual Hollywood actor and humanitarian, Gregory Peck. It sounds a lot more powerful and significant than the diminutive Greg, which has seen its popularity dwindle in recent decades.
Vivienne Effortless classy with a charming touch of je ne sais quoi, Vivienne is an extremely sophisticated though vivacious choice. Much more chic and feminine than the more popular Vivian, this French name means 'life'.
Marlon A bold choice which will be instantly associated with the original suave superstar, Marlon Brando. Despite it being easily recognizable, this will definitely be a unique choice. It sounds masculine thanks to its namesake, but not too macho.
Sydney Though it is considered a unisex name – and we are taking inspiration from actor, Sidney Poitier here – Sydney is now overwhelmingly given to baby girls in the US. It's seen a decrease in popularity since its heyday over a decade ago, but it does seem like it might be due its come back soon. Its meaning derives from a French contraction of 'St. Denis', but most prospective parents today will probably associate it more with the sunny beaches of Australia's largest city.
Humphrey A Germanic name meaning 'peaceful warrior', this is definitely one of the more archaic names on the list. It's a unique sound name which suits its meaning very well: slightly gruff and masculine, but definitely a lot cute and cuddly. It's more popular in Britain than in America, where it's considered quite aristocratic. Stateside, it's of course going to be linked with Humphrey Bogart. Maybe it's one to consider for your new leading man!
Ingrid Still very popular in its Scandinavian homeland, Ingrid never really managed to break into the US. Meaning 'fair, beautiful', some American parents might be put off by its slightly guttural sound. However it's a unique choice – last year it was only ranked #871 – and could easily become the new Heidi! The name comes from the Norse god, Ing, who represented fertility, prosperity and peace, giving it a nice mythological background, and it's still dusted with a bit of Old Hollywood stardust, thanks to Swedish-born Ingrid Bergman.
