Classic Baby Names · Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
Telegraph Baby Names
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Hilma
German
"protective helmet"
Hilma is heard in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and sometimes used as a shortening of Wilhelmina--though there are more appealing German names for girls . to be found. Hilma Wolitzer is an…
Ruaridh
Ruaridh is a masculine Scottish Gaelic name pronounced roughly as "ROO-a-ree." It derives from the Old Irish name Ruaidrí, combining the elements "ruadh" meaning "red" and "rí" meaning "king," thus…
Pierre
French variation of Peter
"rock, stone"
One of the most familiar — if not stereotypical — Gallic names. Pierre was a Top 5 name in France from the 19th century through 1940 and is now on a steady decline in its native land. In the US,…
Rainnie
Rainnie is an uncommon feminine name that evokes natural imagery through its connection to rain. It may be a variation of Rainey or Raine, with the double 'n' and '-ie' ending giving it a more…
Carmichael
Scottish
"fort of Michael"
Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.
Phillipa
Phillipa is the feminine form of Philip, derived from Greek roots meaning "lover of horses." This elegant name has historical usage throughout Europe, with particular popularity in Britain and…
Finetta
Finetta is a feminine name with Italian and French influences, functioning as a diminutive form of names like Serafina or Josephine. The suffix '-etta' adds a meaning of 'little' or 'small,' giving…
Lorcan
Irish
"little, fierce"
Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence…
Posy
English
"a bunch of flowers"
A sweet, nostalgic nosegay kind of name, Posy has been long fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is still rarely heard in the US, though it could be…
Italo
Italian
"from Italy"
You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo…
Maurice
English and French from Latin
"dark-skinned"
In the USA, Maurice was in the Top 200 for most of the 20th century; since 1990, however, it has been on a slow and steady decline. This name has the potential for some old-school cute nicknames such…
Fitzjames
English surname
"son of James"
One of the lesser-heard (but possibly most usable) members of the quirky, dintinguished "Fitz" names.
Mei
Chinese; Hawaiian
"beautiful; plum"
Homophonous with Mae and May, the beautiful (literally) Mei is poised to climb the charts. The hero of the 2022 Disney/Pixar film Turning Red is a Chinese-Canadian teen named Meilin "Mei" Lee, which…
Mei hua
Chinese
"beautiful flower"
A sweet Chinese name combining the elements Mei (beautiful) and Hua (flower).
Helga
Scandinavian
"holy, blessed"
A traditional Nordic name, Helga was extremely popular throughout Scandinavia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Germany, it was a Top 10 pick from 1924 to 1943. And it still ranks in the…
Venetia
Italian place-name
Venetia, the name of the region encompassing Venice, has a radiant, picturesque authenticity, as do the related Venezia and Venice. Venetia is the title of a novel by Benjamin Disraeli centering on…
Ranieri
Ranieri is a masculine name of Italian origin, derived from the Germanic name Rainer or Rainier, composed of the elements "ragin" (advice, counsel) and "heri" (army). It represents a distinctly…
Mackay
Gaelic
"son of Aodh"
MacKay is the Anglicized form of Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh" in Gaelic. Aodh is the origin of names such as Aidan and Hugh, making McKay a subtle way to honor people with those names. It could…
Montague
Literature, French
"pointy hill"
The family name of Shakespeare's Romeo, Montague has a touch of old-fashioned grandeur about it. With clunky-cute nickname Monty and similar sounds to Montgomery, it has been used as a given name…
Taran
Celtic
"thunder"
Taran mac Ainftech was King of the Picts, a people who lived mainly in Scotland, in the 7th century. His name is a relative of the Celtic god of thunder Taranis, a counterpart to Thor. Taran is…