Classic Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 25 pages
of 25
Catalan form of Roderick, German
"famous ruler"
Saint Roderic was a priest in Spain who was persecuted by the Moors. Another form of this name is Ruderic.
Latin from Greek
"of Delphi; womb"
Delphina is another form of the sleek French Delphine, rising in popularity. The Blessed Delphina was a Provencal nun.
Latin and Dutch
"supplanter"
Latin form of Jacob, also used in Dutch and Afrikaans.
Norse
"ancestor's relic"
Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical…
"lordly"
Cyrilla is an obscure feminization of Cyril that's a bit buttoned-up but also intriguingly unique, with an authentic pedigree. Spelling Cirilla is more visible thanks to The Witcher series, in which…
Italian, feminine variation of Dominic
"belonging to the Lord"
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this…
Feminine variation of Germain, French
"from Germany"
Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough -- which just might make it the perfect blend of the two cultures. All forms of…
Latin, Spanish
"cheerful"
Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert…
Feminine variation of Joaquin, Spanish
"God will judge"
As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.
Slavic
"beloved of the people"
This Slavic classic name might begin to make its mark with American parents, what with the growing popularity of the short form Mila. Borne by a tenth century saint who had been a princess from…
Latin
"brotherly; from Germany"
First used by the ancient Romans to describe a tribe of people, Germanus of Auxerre was a bishop and saint in Gaul.
English
"famous, brilliant"
Years ago we might have said that this name was unthinkable, but with clunky, old-fashioned names being so popular right now — consider Augustus, Stanley, Wilfred, etc — what's to stop Cuthbert from…
Diminutive of Johan, German variation of John
"God is gracious"
Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century…
Scandinavian
"knot"
More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.
"white"
Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.
Irish
"virtue"
Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread…
Greek
"most beautiful"
Calista Flockhart may have made her variation of this beautiful Greek name familiar to modern Americans, but the even-edgier x version was the name of an earlier feminist heroine: a character in Kate…
Latin, a Roman clan name
Rarely heard in modern times, it was used by Norman Mailer for the hero of his book The Deer Park .
"the sea"
The name of several early saints, including one, Pelagia the Penitent, a beautiful and licentious dancing girl who repented, then, disguised as a man, spent the rest of her life living alone in a…
