Historic and Vintage Names · Classic Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 20 pages
of 20
Greek
"viable, survivor"
Zosimus is a quirky Z starting name with a long history. It has been the name of several early saints and a pope, as well as the Byzantine author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the…
English, Anglo-Saxon
"healing spring; holy spring"
Saint Alkelda was a semi-legendary Anglo-Saxon princess, who was also either a nun or abbess of a monastery in the north of England. She was killed by Viking women during Danish raids in the 8th…
Welsh, Irish, Scottish, English
"little raven; descended from Branan, little raindrop; hazel trees"
A Celtic name of various origins and meanings, Brannoc could work as a surname style choice and an update on the likes of Brandon and Brendan. As a Welsh name, it could combine the element Bran…
"pious"
A pious and saintly name of Late Greek origin, Eusebios translates more literally to "good worship". It may be more familiar (though still rare) in its international forms, Euseby, Eusebio, and…
Old English form of Eusebios, Greek
Bubbly and unexpected Euseby combines the sounds of Barnaby and Eugene. It derives from the Latin name Eusebios, a pious name that more literally means "good worship". Borne by several saints, in its…
Latin
"greatest"
A rare saint name, more commonly transcribed in its French form, Maxellende, Maxellendis is associated with a 7th-century French martyr, who is invoked to cure eye diseases and is considered the…
French form of Maxellendis, Saint name
A rare saint's name, Maxellende was a 7th-century martyr, associated with the French Catholic church. She is invoked to cure eye diseases and is more generally the patron saint of the visually…
Variation of Maxellende, French
A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and…
Saint name, exact etymology unknown
The name of a 6th century Christian saint, Arthelais was the daughter of a Roman official who had to flee to Italy after the emperor Justinian tried to compromise her vows of chastity. She was…
Mohawk
"she who puts things in place; she who bumps into things"
Tekakwitha was a 17th-century Mohawk woman, who survived the smallpox epidemic that killed her family. She is known for rejecting pressures from those around her to give up her Catholic beliefs and…
Irish form of Maiella, Italian
"great"
Borrowed from the name of a massif (or a compact group of mountains) in Abruzzi, Italy, Maiella is used as an Italian surname, notably by the 18th century saint, Gerardo Maiella. Regarded as the…
Welsh
"lovely, blessed, and fair"
Strong and intriguing with a touch of mystique, Ceinwen is a rare Welsh name, which has been used sparsely and sporadically in Wales since the '90s, peaking in 2017 when it was given to 7 babies…
"assembly of Hermes; marketplace by the boundary marker"
A bold though slightly clunky saint name, Hermegoras was borne by the first bishop of Aquileia in Italy in the 3rd century. Blending the name of the messenger god Hermes with the Greek agora , the…
Cornish
"lucky"
Saint Madern, also sometimes referred to as Saint Madron, was a Cornish monk and hermit sanctified in the 6th century. The Cornish village of Madron is named after him.
Spanish, Italian, Greek
"epiphany, appearance, manifesation"
A feminine form of Epifanio, Epifania may also be spelled as Epifanía in Spanish. Derived from the Greek epiphaneia via the names Epihanes and Epiphanios, it has both spiritual and secular…
An obscure Cornish saint's name that can also be considered a place name — Madron is a Cornish village named for the saint.
Slavic
"glorious rule"
Ladislas is a masculine name of Slavic origin, derived from the elements 'vlad' meaning 'to rule' and 'slava' meaning 'glory' or 'fame.' This regal name has been borne by several kings and nobles…
Feminine form of Justus, Latin
"just"
Justa is an ancient saints' name. Saints Justa and Rufina were martyred sisters who are today the patron saints of Seville in Spain. While Justice and Justus have caught on as names, Justa remains…
Dutch variation of Julia, Latin
"youthful or sky father"
This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.
"doorway"
Januarius is a masculine name of ancient Roman origin, derived from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, and endings. Historically significant as the name of an early Christian…
