💡 GOOD TO KNOWUse popular names like Dorothy and Harold for background characters and rarer ones for stars.
Use popular names like Dorothy and Harold for background characters and rarer ones for stars.
The 1920s, or the Roaring Twenties, were the decade of jazz clubs, flapper dresses, silent films and secret bars during Prohibition in the United States. The names people carried then have a warm, vintage sound today: Dorothy, Mildred, Harold, Clarence. Many have come back into fashion, while others feel like they belong on a black-and-white movie poster.
This 1920s name generator pairs first names that were popular in that decade with surnames from the many families living in American cities at the time. Use it for a Great Gatsby themed party, a murder mystery night, a jazz-age novel, a 20s gangster role-play or a vintage photo caption.
How to use the 1920s name generator
- Choose Male, Female or Any in the Style box.
- Press Generate names to get ten 1920s names.
- Add a slang nickname from the list below for a flapper or gangster feel.
- Copy the name or tap the heart to save it for your party guest list.
Popular names of the Roaring Twenties
In the United States, the top baby names of the 1920s included Robert, John, James, William and Charles for boys and Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret and Betty for girls. Beyond those big names, the decade loved sturdy choices like Harold, Walter and Raymond, and soft, old-fashioned names like Mildred, Thelma, Gladys and Hazel.
Many of these girls' names are back in style today. Hazel, Ruby, Evelyn, Mae and Clara sound fresh again, while names like Mildred and Bernice still feel firmly vintage. That makes the decade a great place to look for a baby name with history.
Surnames of a changing America
The 1920s came after a huge wave of immigration, so American cities were full of Irish, Italian, German, Polish and Jewish families. Surnames like O'Brien, Rossi, Kowalski, Goldberg and Schmidt sat side by side in New York and Chicago. A 1920s story feels more real when its characters come from different neighbourhoods and backgrounds.
1920s slang nicknames
The Twenties had famous slang, and a nickname from it instantly sets the mood. Many of these words were used to describe people, so they work well in front of a first name or on their own for a character at a speakeasy table.
- Dapper Dan: a well-dressed man.
- Sheik and Sheba: a handsome man and an attractive woman, after a popular silent film.
- Dame or Doll: a woman, often used in gangster stories.
- Big Cheese: the boss.
- Flapper: a young, modern woman who wore short dresses and loved jazz.
Example names and what makes them work
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Harold Fitzgerald | A classic Twenties first name with a surname that nods to the jazz age. |
| Zelda Malone | A spirited name that suits a flapper who dances until dawn. |
| Clarence 'Big Cheese' Costello | A sturdy 1920s name with a slang nickname for a gang boss. |
| Dorothy Kowalski | One of the most popular girls' names of the decade, very believable. |
| Mabel Delaney | Sweet and vintage, good for a speakeasy singer or telephone operator. |
| Irving Shapiro | A city name that fits a newspaper reporter or a jazz bandleader. |
| Hazel Romano | A vintage name that is fashionable again, mixed with an Italian surname. |
| Elmer Dempsey | Down-to-earth, ideal for a mechanic or a boxer in a 1920s story. |
Tips for picking the right name
- Use popular names like Dorothy and Harold for background characters and rarer ones for stars.
- Mix Irish, Italian, Polish and Jewish surnames to reflect real 1920s cities.
- Add a slang nickname in quotation marks for gangsters and party guests.
- For a murder mystery night, print each name on a card with a 1920s job.
- Pick a vintage name that is trendy again if you want a baby name with history.
Common questions
What were the most popular names in the 1920s?
In the US, Robert, John, James, William and Charles led for boys. Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret and Betty led for girls. Names like Harold, Walter, Mildred and Ruth were also very common.
What is a good 1920s flapper name?
Short, lively names fit a flapper well, such as Zelda, Mae, Betty, Ruby or Lois. Add a nickname like 'Doll' or a playful surname for a party character who loves jazz and dancing.
Can I use these for a Great Gatsby party?
Yes. Give each guest a name card with a 1920s name, a nickname and a job like bootlegger, singer or heiress. It helps everyone stay in character and makes the night more fun.
Are 1920s names coming back?
Many are. Hazel, Evelyn, Ruby, Clara, Arthur and Louis are popular baby names again. Vintage names often return about a hundred years later, when they start to sound fresh instead of old.