Just like fashion trends, many baby names come back in style and rise in the ranks of popularity time and time again. In fact, the ‘100-Year Rule’ for baby names theorizes that popular names have a three-generation cycle. So, in 2025, we’re seeing 1920s baby names—like Evelyn, Alice, Arthur, and Theodore—coming back in a big way. But many of us welcoming babies right now may want to honor another generation instead: baby boomers. After all, naming a child after a beloved grandparent is a lovely gesture, with many parents-to-be looking to their family tree for baby name inspiration.
If you’re like me, your baby boomer parents might’ve been born toward the later end of that generation, which spans from 1946 to 1964. Some of the names across this time span will one day fall under the category of vintage baby names. Nonetheless, they’re classic names for sure. For example, for girls, popular names from this generation include names like Barbara, Nancy, and Sandra. In contrast, for boys, you’ve probably heard names like Dennis, Michael, and Robert.
If you’re paying tribute to your little one’s grandparent—but want their name to still sound modern—I’ve rounded up the best alternatives to the names that reigned supreme from 1946 to 1964. Keep reading for the cutest names for boys and girls that still give a sentimental nod to the most classic baby boomer names out there.
Modern Alternatives to Girl Baby Boomer Names
With names inspired by your little one’s grandparents, like Linda, Nancy, and Carol, come the cutest baby name alternatives. However, it’s essential to note that these names are so charming that I highly recommend adding them to your list of baby names, whether you’re naming a child after a grandparent or not. For example, how lovable are the names Linnie for Linda and Mila for Michelle? Need a little more inspiration? Of course, I’ve rounded up the best names for each!
If you want to honor a Linda…
- Linnie
- Linden
- Lindy/Linde
- Melinda
- Bella
Names that honor a Barbara…
- Bea
- Bobbie
- Babs
- Briar
- Basia
If you want to honor a Jennifer…
- Jenny
- Jane
- Jenna
- Guinevere
- Fiona
Baby names to honor a Michelle…
- Elle
- Mimi
- Shay
- Millie
- Mila
- Michaela
If you want to honor a Lisa…
- Lisette
- Elisa
- Lili
- Alice
- Liza
Baby names to honor a Nancy…
- Annie
- Cece
- Grace
- Nanette
- Nannie
- Nora
Names to honor a Judith or Judy…
- Jude
- Birdie
- Jada
- Ruthie
- Julia
If you want to honor an Eileen…
- Lena
- Ellie
- Elin
- Elena
- Eliana
If you want to honor a Mary…
- May
- Marigold
- Maribel
- Miriam
- Marion
- Maria
Baby names to honor a Sandra…
- Andie
- Cassandra
- Cassie
- Alexandra
- Sandrine
- Sadie
If you want to honor a Susan…
- Susie
- Susannah
- Suki
- Sunny
- Senna
Names to honor a Patricia…
- Patrice
- Pia
- Pippa
- Patli
- Peyton
- Tish
If you want to honor a Carol…
- Caroline
- Carolyn
- Cameron
- Cora
- Carlie/Carly
- Clara
- Charlotte
Name alternatives to honor a Karen…
- Kara
- Kaia
- Kay
- Katherine
- Rena
- Wren
Modern Alternatives to Boy Baby Boomer Names
While baby boomer boy names are already adorable, having a retro and modern twist to them is just as charming, too. From Archie to Mikey to Pierce, don’t overlook these sweet names for a baby boy. These boomer name alternatives have similar meanings or sounds to the originals. To make the baby naming process easier on you, I’ve listed the best options below! Although they’re so cute that you may have a hard time narrowing it down to one.
If you want to honor a Richard…
- Richie
- Archie
- Rocky
- Dixon
- Rory
Baby names to honor an Edward…
- Teddy
- Edmund
- Eddie
- Edison
- Cedric
- Ward
If you want to honor a Michael…
- Mikey
- Micah
- Miguel
- Mitch
- Mac
Names to honor a Robert…
- Robbie
- Bobby
- Bo/Beau
- Crosby
If you want to honor a Jeffrey…
- Jay
- Rey
- Joel
- Jett
Baby names to honor a David…
- Davis
- Dean
- Dawson
- Davy
If you want to honor a Dennis…
- Dane
- Darian
- Declan
- Denver
- Denzel
- Dino
Names to honor a Gary…
- Grayson
- Gray
- Gage
- Gavin
- Garrett
If you want to honor a Paul…
- Palmer
- Pierce
- Paxton
- Parker
Baby names to honor a Mark…
- Miles
- Mack
- Max
- Mason
- Maddox
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
