Ruby
Phoebe
Hazel
Lots of Hazels.
No one is named Brittany or Kaitlin anymore because the “old lady names” have made a strong comeback. Does this mean the elderly women in today’s world should feel glad that their generation has been so plated in gold that the next generation carries their names? Or do today’s “old ladies” hear of this naming trend and simply feel old?
How Can Christians Face Aging with Hope?
Aging can feel intimidating in a world where youth, novelty, and visibility are on a pedestal. In American culture, this is certainly the case. Both modern medicine and crunchy homeopathy offer their version of anti-aging remedies. Whether creams, Botox, oils, or even surgery, society has placed a prize on the physical appearance of youth.
I can’t say that I’m not a consumer of this social demand. I yank out gray hairs, I own anti-aging cream, and I get fidgety when I’m filling out medical forms and have to scroll and scroll to reach my birth year.
So what does this youthful phenomenon say not only about our culture but also about us as Christians as we awkwardly face the unavoidable reality of aging?
Why Does Scripture Value Wisdom More Than Appearance?
A foreign exchange student from South Korea attended school with my class during our junior and senior years. I distinctly remember walking into the cafeteria right behind him and being completely offended when he allowed the door to slam in my face.
As a Southern gal, I was accustomed to men waiting in all sorts of weather, no matter how long, to hold the door open for me. It’s simply part of our regional culture, but in my haughty, youthful naivety, I didn’t understand just how different countries’ customs (aka priorities) can be.
“Excuse me. Why did you let the door slam in my face?” I asked.
He looked confused.
“In America, you hold the door open for ladies,” I explained.
“Oh, in my country, we do that for the older generations,” he respectfully responded.
In that moment, I realized no one was being rude (except me for demanding that the door be held open), and that neither of us understood the other’s definition of societal respect.
In other countries, notably throughout Asia, it’s not youth or even the fairer sex that receives the highest honor. It’s the elderly. The older you are, the more respect you receive. Why? Because these countries have prioritized wisdom above appearance.
And doesn’t Scripture encourage us to do the same, to prize the state of the head and heart over fleeting looks?
“True beauty does not come from outward things like fancy hair or gold jewelry. It comes from a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
“Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Reward her for her work—let her actions result in public praise.” Proverbs 31:30-31
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise…” Ephesians 5:15
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Colossians 4:5
Why Are Younger Generations Drawn to Older Ways?
I’ve always been an old soul. I spent many evenings in my college days eating lunch with my grandparents, watching them can fruits and vegetables, light kerosene lamps, sew patches in worn clothes, and navigate life with a decades-proven faith in Jesus.
But even today’s youth who don’t see themselves as old souls are unknowingly leaning into the simpler ways that only our oldest generations understand.
Vintage house decor is trending. People are now social media influencers, literally paying their bills by making videos of how they are turning their homes into “Grandma’s house”. Crocheting classes are offered in all sorts of business establishments. Made-from-scratch dinners are the ultimate sign of adult success.
We long for the wisdom of older generations and the simpler living that invites us to step away from today’s information overload. How ironic it is that we have Google at our disposal, but it’s our grandparents who truly have most of life’s answers?
What Is the Difference Between Information and Wisdom?
We want AI to regurgitate information to us, often to handle an immediate problem. These facts help us avoid problems, but wisdom helps us navigate them. So when our not-so-black-and-white situation leaves us without a step-by-step guide, we can lean into wisdom.
As Christians, we have infinite wisdom at our disposal because we serve an intimate, humble God who longs to be our best friend and father. He wants what’s best for us. He wants to share His secrets with us, and He wants us to live with confidence in His sovereignty.
This is where joy and freedom are found, and though I’m only in my thirties, I’ve come to see that joy is the most beautiful thing a person can wear. It doesn’t fade with time. It doesn’t require cream or injections. Not only that, but joy gives itself to others, too. It can be passed along, shared with any willing soul.
We hope that names like Stella, Bonnie, Eloise, and Mabel will sound vintage and unique. We want the aesthetic of these old lady names. But deep down, I believe we want something more.
We want the security, the secrets behind the survival, of those who have made it through the life season we are struggling in now.
I wonder how many of us would truly give up our youthful skin for confidence, or how many of us wouldn’t mind gray hair if it meant not feeling the pressure to dye it. I wonder if what we want is freedom from man’s expectations.
And in this wondering, I think God is kindly, patiently reminding us that satisfaction will never come from anything in this world. After all, everything here will return to dust. It will rust, crumble, and disintegrate. It will cave to this fallen world. In the end, when Christ returns, it will all be ash.
Why Does Godly Wisdom Point Us Toward a Better Home?
But our souls and the joy, freedom, and wisdom from the Almighty that we have will never die.
This is why our value is eternal. This is why the “old ways” draw us in. This is why our eternal God promises ultimate fulfillment in Him.
So rather than just giving our children old names, may we teach them to walk in the wisdom of the generations of the faith.
May Hebrews 11 be your family’s banner, the wisdom and love that fill every crack and cranny in the floors, hover over each doorpost, and rest in each person’s heart as they come and go.
“These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16
Frequently Asked Questions about Aging, Wisdom, and Old-Fashioned Names
- Why are old-fashioned baby names becoming popular again?
Old-fashioned names often carry a sense of heritage, warmth, stability, and timelessness, which may explain why many parents are drawn to them again. - What does the Bible say about aging?
Scripture often connects age with wisdom, faithfulness, and honor, reminding believers that a life shaped by God carries beauty beyond outward appearance. - Why does Scripture value wisdom more than appearance?
Appearance changes with time, but wisdom formed by the fear of the Lord can bless families, communities, and future generations. - What is the difference between facts and wisdom?
Facts give information, but wisdom helps us apply truth faithfully, especially when life does not come with simple step-by-step answers. - How can Christians face aging with hope?
Christians can face aging with hope because their worth is not rooted in youth, beauty, or cultural visibility, but in Christ and the eternal home He has prepared.
For Further Reading
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/KMNPhoto
Originally published September 01, 2026.
