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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tue Jul 25 2023
Judeo-Italian Names Honor History
Italian Jewish names, from the now-endangered Judeo-Italian language, are a rich set combining various cultural influences. We take a tour of the names once popular in the Italian Jewish community.
Sun Jul 09 2023
Exploring the Meaning of Julian
Our search for the meaning of Julian takes us through 3000 years of history, telling the story of Roman civilization from its foundation to its fall.
Mon Jun 19 2023
Black History Names: Barrier Breakers
Black history names include the extraordinary names of extraordinary men and women who achieved firsts in their chosen fields.
Fri Jun 09 2023
Baltic and Slavic Mythology Names
Greek and Norse mythology names are trendy and familiar, but what do you know about names from Slavic and Baltic mythology? Guest blogger Naomi Kaye Honova shares 40+ legendary names with Pagan roots.
Mon May 08 2023
Cornish Baby Names Blend Ancient and Modern
Looking for a name with Celtic heritage and a unique yet oddly familiar ring? Then look no further than the offerings from Cornwall.
Sat May 06 2023
Rare Royal Names Celebrate Coronation Day
As this weekend marks the first British coronation in nearly seventy years, we look into the names of the new King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as some names from their family trees – from the classic to the virtually unique.
Tue May 02 2023
The Mary Month of May
Can you still name a baby Mary? You can if you name her Manon, Marietta, or Minnie.
Thu Sep 29 2022
Unraveling the Origins of Evelyn
What is the meaning of Evelyn? Where does it come from? We take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the name Evelyn in search of the answers.