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.
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.
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.
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.
Wed Jul 31 2024
Ancient Names for Babies
Ancient Greek and Roman baby names are rising in popularity for modern babies.
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.
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.
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.
Sun May 12 2024
Mom Names: the New Generation
Today's Mom Names are the Cool Girl Names of the 1980s and 90s. Is yours one?
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.
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.
Mon Apr 15 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.