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
None of my kids names are on the list though I like Grant, Ava, Sophia and Loren, Gable and Marlon. My mom named me Ginger but it isnt after Ginger Rogers. It was just after sugar spice and everything nice. Heh, yea if only she had known. Lol. My poor mama, I was a rotten brat.
Mariah Carey didn't just name her daughter after Marilyn Monroe but to honor her irish hertiage. I love most of those names along with for Girls Caroline Joanna/Joanne Kennedy Natalia [Natalie Wood's Real Name} Rebecca Rosalyn & Stephanie and for boys Andrew Holden Mark Paul Tony & Victor. Loren isn't Sophia's real last name Cicolone is she was given Loren when she came in 2nd place at the 1952 Ms Naples pagent aged 18
Though I do love me some Elizabeth Taylor, this was not the reason I chose to name my sweet daughter Taylor. I chose it because I liked the name, thought it was beautiful. I later discovered that Taylor is my Grandmother's maiden name, so everything worked out as it should.
I know a girl named Montgomery.