Old money names evoke images of established wealth, exclusive social circles, and a timeless sense of elegance. This aspirational lifestyle, characterized by prestigious country clubs, elite private schools, and leisurely holidays, is increasingly capturing the public imagination. The “old money aesthetic” is no longer confined to fashion runways showcasing pleated skirts and pearl necklaces, but is permeating popular culture, from hit television series like Succession and The Gilded Age to the curated vintage inspiration flooding social media. This fascination has extended to baby names, with parents seeking monikers that carry the weight of history and tradition.
The Significance of Old Money Baby Names
Choosing an old money name is about more than just sounding sophisticated; it’s about forging a connection to the past. This connection can be literal, through the use of family surnames or the tradition of passing down significant first names through generations. It can also be more subtle, an echo of the refined “old money” style.
While “old money” parents often gravitate towards classic baby names, like Eleanor and Caroline for girls, or William and John for boys, the true mark of an old money name often lies in the surname. Common first names become distinctly “old money” when paired with a distinguished surname as a middle name – think Eleanor Vanderbilt or William Astor. In isolation, these first names, while classic, may not immediately project that specific pedigree.
The essence of old money names is their history. While some might perceive them as stylish or trendy (overlapping with the appeal of preppy names), the old money aesthetic prioritizes a feeling of historical weight, dignity, and a touch of timelessness over fleeting trends.
The moment an old money name gains mainstream popularity, it risks losing its cachet and becoming associated with “new money.” Names like Collins and Daphne for girls, or Rory and Remington for boys, once considered old money, have become too fashionable and trendy, now suggesting a more contemporary or aspirational wealth. Similarly, overtly designer-inspired names like Dior and Kenzo are considered distinctly “new money” and even gauche within established circles. True old money style favors understated elegance and even quirky, less common names that are so “out” of mainstream fashion, they become inherently “in.”
While inheriting old money may be beyond reach, bestowing an “old money” name is a tangible way to evoke that heritage. Exploring Old Money Last Names is a key part of this process.
Exploring Old Money Girl Names
Old money girl names often possess deep historical roots, frequently drawn from mythology or literature, such as Antigone and Cressida. Interestingly, some traditionally boy names for girls, like Bryce and Schuyler, also resonate with the old money aesthetic, suggesting a certain nonconformist elegance.
While contemporary parents might shy away from names like Allegra (due to its association with allergy medication) or India (due to its colonial connotations), the old money sensibility often disregards these modern associations, focusing instead on the name’s historical and familial resonance.
Discovering Old Money Boy Names
Old money boy names encompass a spectrum from the minimalist (Penn, Ward) to the more elaborate (Archibald, Orlando). Many originated as surnames, like Sinclair and Sumner, and have been adopted as given names within old money families for generations, blurring the lines between surname and given name.
Mirroring the trend with girl names, certain traditionally feminine names adopted for boys can also embody the old money aesthetic. Historically male names such as Aubrey and Courtney, while now more commonly female in general usage across the US, have maintained their masculine identity within old money families, showcasing a distinct naming tradition.
The Power of Old Money Last Names
Old money last names hold significant weight in establishing lineage and pedigree. They are frequently employed as first names – and particularly as middle names – within families of established wealth. This practice of passing down distinguished surnames serves to connect a child to their ancestry, and historically, it played a role in solidifying inheritance and family legacy.
The following list showcases old money last names, including those associated with some of the most recognizable old money families, as well as other surnames commonly found in old money circles and on historical records.
- Astor
- Beaton
- Belmont
- Cabot
- Carnegie
- Chandler
- Clay
- Clifford
- Collier
- Compton
- Conway
- Cromwell
- Darling
- Delano
- Denison
- Fairfax
- Fawcett
- Fielding
- Fitzgerald
- Forbes
- Gardiner
- Gilmore
- Greville
- Hale
- Harcourt
- Hawthorne
- Huntington
- Ingram
- Lennox
- Livingston
- Lowell
- Macy
- Manning
- Merrick
- Milford
- Montgomery
- Pembroke
- Percy
- Randolph
- Rockefeller
- Salisbury
- Sinclair
- Stanhope
- Sterling
- Sumner
- Talbot
- Templeton
- Thorndike
- Van Buren
- Vanderbilt
- Vaughan
- Warwick
- Wentworth
- Wharton
- Winthrop
Exclusive Old Money Family Names
Beyond recognizable surnames, there exists a select tier of names so uncommon that their usage is largely confined to specific old money families. For those “in the know,” these names serve as immediate indicators of heritage and lineage, allowing one to trace ancestry through the given name alone.
Old money family names often lean towards the decidedly unfashionable. Their appeal isn’t rooted in trendiness; rather, their use is dictated by familial tradition, a way to honor a grandfather Almeric or a great-great-aunt Candida. It’s a choice driven by legacy rather than contemporary style.
Old money family names differ from old money last names in their historical context. Family names boast a long-standing tradition of use as first names within specific families. They also tend to be more discreet. While a name like Astor or Wharton overtly declares wealth, names like Denham or Fidelia whisper it with quiet confidence.
The Charm of Old Money Nicknames
While many old money names carry a formal and reserved air, old money nicknames often offer a playful and irreverent contrast.
Some old money nicknames are clearly derived from given names – Nan, a common diminutive of Anne or Nancy, or Flip, originating from Philip. However, many of these nicknames are more loosely connected to, or entirely independent of, the formal given names.
The use of suffixes like Jrs, IIIs, and IVs is prevalent in old money families, and many distinctive nicknames arose as a practical way to differentiate between family members with the same given name across generations. Trey is a standard nickname for a III, Fritz has historically been used for a V, and Chip famously derives from the phrase “chip off the old block.”
Eurostyle Influences in Old Money Names
Many old money families trace their origins to Europe – particularly Scotland, England, the Netherlands, and Germany. Consequently, Eurostyle names are frequently found within elite family trees, reflecting these ancestral connections.
Historical figures like Ailsa Mellon, daughter of Andrew Mellon, exemplify this trend. More contemporary examples include Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy, and Dimity Hardwick, daughter of Lydia Hearst, all bearing Eurostyle old money names that reflect their rich family histories.
Discover Your Posh Name
Intrigued to find an old money name that resonates with your own style? Take our quiz, What’s Your Posh Name? for a fun exploration – you might just find the perfect upgrade for your moniker.
