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Historic Name News

Historic names drawn from a range of periods of the past, from Ancient Rome to the late 20th century, are the focus of the news stories and analysis here. If you're interested in finding historic names for your baby or in expanding your knowledge about names throughout history, this is the category for you. You can also search Historic Names by list.

Inspirational Names of Forgotten Feminists
Fri Mar 08 2024

Inspirational Names of Forgotten Feminists

Discover 20 of the most intriguing obscure names belonging to some incredible forgotten feminists from around the world.
Baby Names Before 1850
Wed Feb 28 2024

Baby Names Before 1850

What did parents name their children before official records began? Records from a hundred years ago show that the choices go far beyond John and Mary — and some of them could inspire you today.
Presidential Names for Babies: Who's Winning?
Mon Feb 19 2024

Presidential Names for Babies: Who's Winning?

Presidential names for babies are breaking popularity records for girls and boys, hitting their highest ranks ever. Here are 25 of the best, ranked.
African-American Heroine Names
Fri Feb 16 2024

African-American Heroine Names

Notable African-American heroines inspire a range of names to look up to, from the well-known to the underappreciated.
African American Names: Early Day, Place, and Word Names
Fri Feb 09 2024

African American Names: Early Day, Place, and Word Names

The earliest African American names included day names, place names, and word names that sound very 21st century.
A Brief History of Black Names
Fri Feb 02 2024

A Brief History of Black Names

Scholars have long considered distinctively Black names to be a product of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, but recent research shows that Black names have been around for centuries.
These Trendy Names Are More Traditional Than You Think!
Tue Jan 16 2024

These Trendy Names Are More Traditional Than You Think!

You wouldn't have guessed that these trendy names with contemporary sounds have been around for centuries (in some cases, millennia).
Names Honor Martin Luther King Jr
Mon Jan 15 2024

Names Honor Martin Luther King Jr

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, we look at some of the most important names in the inspiring civil rights hero’s public and private life.
Top Baby Names by Letter Through the Ages
Mon Jan 08 2024

Top Baby Names by Letter Through the Ages

Let's take a look at the most popular names for each letter across the past four generations: from the great-grandparents of babies born today to the names filling kindergarten rosters in 2024 and beyond.
Best Rare Names from 100 Years Ago
Thu Jan 04 2024

Best Rare Names from 100 Years Ago

The coolest rare names from 100 years ago that were fashionable during the Roaring Twenties, but feel fresh and unique today.
Christmas Names for Girls
Sun Dec 17 2023

Christmas Names for Girls

Christmas names for baby girls, from the classic Holly and Ivy to the new-styled Dove or Lumi.
Christmas Names for Boys
Sat Dec 16 2023

Christmas Names for Boys

Christmas names for baby boys range from the classic Joseph or Emmanuel to modern-style Drummer or Dove.
Moonstruck Names: Lunar names from Calypso to Cressida
Wed Nov 15 2023

Moonstruck Names: Lunar names from Calypso to Cressida

Shimmering moon names drawn from the worlds of Greek myth and Shakespeare's plays.
Popular Names Your Mom Never Heard Of
Fri Nov 10 2023

Popular Names Your Mom Never Heard Of

We crunched the numbers to reveal the modern baby names most likely to get that “His name’s what?!” reaction from Grandma. These names were all given to over 1000 babies last year, but were entirely absent from the charts three decades ago.
These Names Are Older Than You Think
Fri Oct 20 2023

These Names Are Older Than You Think

Some ancient names have aged so well that their antique origins can be hard to reconcile with the image they conjure up today. From Candace to Chad, discover 25 of the most surprising ancient names here.
Character Names: Finding the perfect one
Sat Oct 07 2023

Character Names: Finding the perfect one

Character names can be as difficult as baby names. Here are some tips from a writer on finding good ones.
Do You *Really* Know What These Names Mean?
Wed Oct 04 2023

Do You *Really* Know What These Names Mean?

You've looked up the meaning of your favorite name, you love it... and then another source says it means something totally different! How do you know which one is right? Aili Winstanley Channer explains why, for many well-known names, there's room for both.
Where to Find A Cool Vintage Girl Name
Mon Oct 02 2023

Where to Find A Cool Vintage Girl Name

So you’re looking for cool vintage girl names. The perfect name has to have style. It has to have charm! It shouldn’t be common. We get it. Yes, these seemingly elusive qualities are hard to capture all in one name, but hey, that’s why we’re here.
Truly Unique Names You’ll Never Meet IRL
Mon Sep 25 2023

Truly Unique Names You’ll Never Meet IRL

Truly unique baby names we can (almost) guarantee you'll never hear in the wild! From Anstice to Zennor, these 20 cool choices have never charted in the US.
Traditional Boy Names: The Ultimate Guide
Tue Sep 12 2023

Traditional Boy Names: The Ultimate Guide

Traditional boy names are cool and classic, and never out of style (although not always popular!) Check out our ultimate guide to finding the perfect one.
Vintage Surname Names Come Back Around
Sat Sep 09 2023

Vintage Surname Names Come Back Around

Vintage surname names? Yes, this modern trend isn't so modern after all. See the top surname names from a century ago, along with unique choices from our secret source.
Elizabeth: The Name That Has Everything
Fri Sep 08 2023

Elizabeth: The Name That Has Everything

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, who died one year ago today, a deeper look at her extraordinary name and its many amazing variations.
Saint Names: Patrons of the Arts
Sat Sep 02 2023

Saint Names: Patrons of the Arts

Saint names are spiritual and significant, and these beautiful options are perfect for parents of a creative persuasion. Patron saints of painters and poets, bookbinders and architects might give heavenly inspiration to a budding artist.
Ancient Names for Babies
Sun Aug 27 2023

Ancient Names for Babies

Ancient Greek and Roman baby names are rising in popularity for modern babies.
Victorian Baby Names Revive an Era
Thu Aug 03 2023

Victorian Baby Names Revive an Era

Victorian baby names feel fresh and strong, even as other vintage names rise up the charts. We round up the best popular and unique Victorian picks.