I’m a big fan of Hollywood films from the golden era. Most stars back then had their names changed to something that was easy to remember, looked good on a marquee, and sounded like a big STAH! Thus, Archibald Leach became Cary Grant and Norma Jeane Baker became Marilyn Monroe. Some stars, like Elizabeth Taylor, were born with silver screen-ready names. And a few of today's celebs have paid tribute to their favorite old time movie stars by naming their children after them. Mariah Carey chose Monroe, after Marilyn Monroe, and Nicole Richie went with Harlow, after Jean Harlow. Not sure if Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr chose Flynn because of Errol Flynn, but it's a cool name and even comes with its own motto ("In like Flynn").
Forgive the lack of a few major legends on this list, such as Katherine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, Norma Shearer and (my fave) Rita Hayworth. Their first names are too common, and no child should be saddled with their last names.
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Below, the world’s most glamorous old time Hollywood baby name list. Here's lookin’ at you, kid!
Do you have a favorite old time movie star you would name or have named your baby after?
Girls
1. Ava (after: Gardner)
2. Bacall (after: Lauren)
3. Bette (after: Davis)
4. Garbo (after: Greta)
5. Ginger (after: Rogers)
6. Harlow (after: Jean)
7. Hedy (after: Lamarr)
8. Ingrid (after: Bergman)
9. Lana (after: Turner)
10. Lombard (after: Carole)
11. Loren (after: Sophia)
12. Monroe (after: Marilyn)
13. Taylor (after: Elizabeth)
Boys
1. Astaire (after: Fred)
2. Brando (after: Marlon)
3. Burton (after: Richard)
4. Bogart (after: Humphrey)
5. Flynn (after Errol)
6. Gable (after: Clark)
7. Grant (after: Cary)
8. Mitchum (after: Robert)
9. Montgomery (after: Clift)
10. Olivier (after: Laurence)
11. Sinatra (after: Frank)
12. Taylor (after: Robert)
What's your favorite glamorous baby name?
Image via wolfsavard/Flickr
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Comments 26
I was born in the late 1950s, and my mom had to talk my dad out of naming me Marilyn. I am SO glad she did. I have dark brown hair am flat-chested and have a simple, non-descript name, just as I want it to be. Some of these names are too much to live up to! I did know a girl in high school, a very pretty honey-blond named Lana--she was able to live up to her name. I do, however, like the name Ava, and don't think it carries too much Hollywood "weight."
I hope no one names their kids Garbo, Lombard, or Bacall. All the others are nice though.
Why aren't the men's first names "good enough" to be considered vintage baby boy's names? I especially like Marlon and Cary.
Bacall and Garbo for girls??? really??? Aren't there enough weird baby names?
I think Greta, Lauren, Jean, and Carole would be great names due for a comeback.
How annoying, why don't they just use the first name!!??
While I like the name Olivier, the poor child would spend his entire life telling people, my name is not Oliver, its O-liv-e-ay which definitly sounds more girly that manly.
each to their own .. I like modern names
I would've thought my daughters name would make it, Scarlet, although hers is Scarlette for a bit of difference>.<