Historic and Vintage Names · Classic Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 20 pages
of 20
Scandinavian
"knot"
More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.
English
"strong bear cub"
Also spelled as Swithun, this rare choice was notably borne by a 9th-century bishop who became the patron saint of Winchester (England) and of the weather. Said to be the one to pray for during a…
Latin
"white"
Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.
German
"brave as a bear"
Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name. Saint Bernardine of Siena was, surprise!, a man, also called Bernardino, a…
Greek
"manifestation of god"
An ancient saint's name, modernized as Theofanis in Greek.
French variation of Latin
"good"
The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.
"prayer"
A famous seventh-century saint and church historian whose name has not survived as well as his works. Known as the Venerable Bede, this Benedictine monk is considered the first known writer of…
Short form of Bardolph or Aboriginal
"water"
Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo , which refers to the Tibetan…
"masculine, virile"
St. Arsenius (or Arsenios) the Great was a 5th-century Roman saint remembered for his influence on asceticism.
"gift of Artemis, goddess of the hunt"
This name has a nice mythological, historical, Three Musketeers-ish ring.
Feminine variation of Aquilo, Latin
"eagle"
A lot of parents claim to want a name that's different, but if you really do, Aquilina, modern-feeling but based on an ancient favorite, would be one good choice.
"God spear"
Ansgar is an ancient name still used in modern times, especially in Scandinavia. Saint Ansgar is the patron of Scandinavia. The name Ansgar may be related to Oscar, so you can use it to honor an…
Latin form of Albert, German
"noble, bright"
Albertus is the Latin form of Albert, a masculine name derived from the Germanic elements 'adal' (noble) and 'beraht' (bright), thus meaning 'noble and bright' or 'nobly famous.' This classical form…
