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.

Ancient Roman Names For Modern Babies
Fri Aug 01 2025

Ancient Roman Names For Modern Babies

Find out how the Romans really named their children — and which names from ancient Rome are making a comeback today.
Ancient Names for Babies
Thu Jul 31 2025

Ancient Names for Babies

Ancient Greek and Roman baby names are rising in popularity for modern babies.
The Lost Boy Names of 1880
Mon Jul 21 2025

The Lost Boy Names of 1880

Lum, Lyman, Lawyer: Hundreds of boy names popular in 1880 have been forgotten, except by us.
All-American Boy Names
Thu Jul 03 2025

All-American Boy Names

American baby names feel rugged and individualistic. They also capture the American spirit in a way that more traditional names might not.
Vintage Baby Names: Testing the 100-year rule
Sun Jun 01 2025

Vintage Baby Names: Testing the 100-year rule

Isabel and Oliver have come back, but what about Lula and Lyle?
Mom Names: the New Generation
Sun May 11 2025

Mom Names: the New Generation

Today's Mom Names are the Cool Girl Names of the 1980s and 90s. Is yours one?
Papal Names: A Modern Name for a Modern Pope
Thu May 08 2025

Papal Names: A Modern Name for a Modern Pope

Of the 80 names that have been chosen by Popes, here are our picks for a modern baby.
African-American Naming History: The evolution of Black names
Fri Feb 07 2025

African-American Naming History: The evolution of Black 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
Thu Feb 06 2025

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.
Quirky Saint Names to Spice Up Your List
Fri Jan 24 2025

Quirky Saint Names to Spice Up Your List

Exploring some of the most obscure and eccentric saintly names plucked from history and legend.
Back to School Names
Thu Sep 12 2024

Back to School Names

School is back in session, and here are the names filling today's classrooms...and yesterday's.
Truly Unique Names You’ll Never Meet IRL
Wed Sep 11 2024

Truly Unique Names You’ll Never Meet IRL

Truly unique baby names we can (almost) guarantee you'll never hear in the wild! From Antioch to Wildrose, these 20 cool choices have never charted in the US.
Vintage Surname Names Come Back Around
Mon Sep 09 2024

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.
Victorian Baby Names Revive an Era
Sat Aug 17 2024

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.
The Reddest and Bluest Baby Names
Tue Aug 13 2024

The Reddest and Bluest Baby Names

Analysis of the Reddest and Bluest baby names reveals unexpected trends that challenge the usual political stereotypes of Democrats and Republicans. The Reddest names buck convention with a nod to Americana, while the Bluest names embrace global traditions.
Vintage British Nicknames
Fri Jul 26 2024

Vintage British Nicknames

A fascinating compilation of lively, almost-forgotten old diminutives that deserve a new look, by Eleanor Nickerson aka Elea of the blog British Baby Names.
Doll Names: The History of Doll Names Through the Decades
Wed Jul 10 2024

Doll Names: The History of Doll Names Through the Decades

Through the years, from Barbara Lou to Barbie, dolls' ID tags have said a lot about name trends.
Unusual Bible Names Feel Fresh Again
Mon Jun 17 2024

Unusual Bible Names Feel Fresh Again

Unusual Bible names that are ready to make it in the modern world! From Ashbel to Zillah, these cool Biblical baby names feel unique, but totally on-trend.
Tue Jun 11 2024

Ann Alternatives: Updating a Classic

Looking for alternatives to Ann or fresh routes to Annie? We take a look all of her variations, from elaborations to combination names to international imports.
Vintage 1920s Names Sound New Again
Mon May 27 2024

Vintage 1920s Names Sound New Again

Vintage names popular a century ago are coming back into style. Discover which names are already back, which are up-and-coming, and a few we don't think will ever return.
Flower Name Meanings Hold Secrets
Fri May 03 2024

Flower Name Meanings Hold Secrets

Flower name meanings hold secrets related to sentiments and relationships that Victorians used to convey hidden messages. Discover the secret meanings of your favorite popular and uncommon flower names.
Updating Popular 1950s Names
Wed Apr 17 2024

Updating Popular 1950s Names

If you’re looking for ways to update popular 1950s names for a modern baby, the good news is that there is plenty of scope for creativity! You might choose a fresher version of the name or look to meaning or key sounds to find clever ways to reinvent important honor names.
Royal Baby Names Rule
Sat Apr 06 2024

Royal Baby Names Rule

Our ultimate guide to royal names! Discover popular and classic names fit for a king or queen, see what today’s princely parents are naming their children, and check out more names with regal meanings.
Baby Names As You've Never Seen Them Before
Fri Mar 22 2024

Baby Names As You've Never Seen Them Before

Name data is beautiful! From around the internet, here are some of our favorite graphics, maps and animations showing baby name trends over the years.
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.