Vintage Girl Names That Begin With B

Expecting a baby girl and looking for a beautiful old-fashioned baby name beginning with B? Whether your ideal baby name is a short and sweet throwback (Bea, Belle, Bess) or a long and elaborate retro moniker (Beatrice, Bernadine, Bernice), we have some interesting options lined up for you. So grab a cup of tea, kick up your feet, and look closely: you just might find the perfect old-fashioned B name for your baby-to-be on this list!

1. Bonnie. This B name may seem a little dated, but it still has a place in the modern baby naming lexicon.
2. Beatrice. This old-school name has it all: a sophisticated sound, Catholic cred via Saint Beatrice of Silva, a nice selection of short forms, and a touch of royal glam via Princess Beatrice.
3. Birdie. If you're dreaming of an vintage nature name for your little one, Birdie transitions from the sky to the crib with style.
4. Barbara. For some parents, this name summons the famous Christian martyr Saint Barbara; for others, it brings to mind the legendary singer, actress, and filmmaker Barbara "Barbra" Streisand.
5. Billie. A Top 100 choice back in the 1930s. Tennis fans may appreciate the link to tennis legend Billie Jean King.
6. Belle. This B-name meaning "beautiful" would make a wonderful first name for a beautiful little girl (that is, for any and every little girl).
7. Betty. An Old Hollywood darling, made famous by everyone from Betty Hutton to Betty White to Betty Grable. Golden Age Hollywood actresses aside, there's also the 20th century feminist writer and activist Betty Friedan, the 38th first lady of the United States Elizabeth "Betty" Ford, and the fictional character Betty Boop.
8. Brenda. This girl's name had a long run of popularity in the 20th century but has since faded from use.
9. Bethel. This biblical B name found some favor in the late 1910s and early 1920s but never took quite hold.
10. Bea. A sweet name that sounds vintage and modern at the same time. Can also be a nickname for Beatrice.
11. Bernice. This biblical name has been in hiding for a while now, and you're unlikely to hear it called out on a playground anytime soon.
12. Bertha. Worn by everyone from saints and queens to playwrights and actresses, this multi-layered name goes back eons as a given name. But be warned: Many people will still associate the name with the huge German cannon used in World War I.
13. Bessie. Dreadfully antiquated? Or poised for a comeback?
14. Beulah. Continuing with biblical place names, next up is the beautiful Beulah. In the Old Testament, Beulah is used to refer to the land of the people of Israel to which they must return.
15. Bonita. A mid-century sensation with a (literally) cute meaning: it means "pretty" or "cute" in Spanish and Portuguese.
16. Bertie. A nickname for Alberta but also a given name on its own, at the height of its popularity more than a century ago.
17. Bettie. A spelling variation of Betty.
18. Blanche. A long-lost French import.
19. Bette. Has Bette been uncool long enough to sound young and fresh again? We'll let you decide...
20. Bernadine. This B-name has long been buried in the attic, and as of 2024, is not showing any signs of a comeback.
21. Berta. A spelling variation of Bertha and a nickname for names ending in -berta (e.g. Roberta, Alberta, Gilberta).
22. Berniece. A spelling variation of Bernice.
23. Beryl. Or could this oldie with dinstinct British charm be the neglected gem you're seeking?
24. Bess. All the old-school charm of Bessie, without any extra frills.
25. Besse. Pared-down version of Bessie.
26. Bettye. A spelling variation of Betty.