Unique Names from History
Updated Sun Jun 21 2026
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Unique baby names aren't only the new and the invented; there are also many highly unusual names with deep historic roots. Celebrities have chosen unique historical names such as Hero and Lozen for their children.
Along with Hero and Lozen, other fashionable and unique names from history that would work well on modern babies include Alaric, Cassia, Cato, Eluned, Isolde, Leonidas, Meliora, and Xerxes. Among those with the strongest ties to their historical figures are Cicero, Godiva, Nefertiti, and Siddhartha.
Read more about this topic in our overview on unique names of every kind. Here's a selection of the most intriguing, but you'll find many more in our lists of mythological names, biblical names, and names from ancient cultures.
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- Leonidas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lion"Description:
Leonidas is an ancient name that has started rising again along with centuries-old names such as Augustus and Cato. The original Leonidas was the most famous of Sparta's warriors, sacrificing his life at the Battle of Thermopylae; there is also a saint Leonidas.
- Alia
Origin:
Arabic feminine form of AliMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
Alia is the most classic and feminine form of Ali, one of the 99 attributes of Allah within Islam. Meaning "supreme, exalted, high, sublime", it is pretty, powerful and spirited.
- Alethea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"truth"Description:
Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now, thanks to its similarity to Athena, Ophelia, and Alessia, and because it gets you nickname Thea.
- Cato
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"all-knowing"Description:
Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman antiquity.
- Seneca
Origin:
Latin surname and Native AmericanMeaning:
"people of the standing rock"Description:
Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex.
- Theodosia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia" is a song in the smash musical Hamilton), and it was the birth name of silent screen vamp Theda Bara. Theodosia actually appeared on the US popularity lists in the 1880s and 90s.
- Livia
Origin:
Diminutive of Olivia or LatinMeaning:
"blue, envious"Description:
Though it sounds like a chopped-off variation of Olivia, which means olive, the distinctively attractive Livia has been an independent name since the days of the ancient Romans, when it belonged to Livia Drusilla—the powerful wife of the Emperor Augustus—and is still commonly heard in modern Italy.
- Achilles
Origin:
Greek, meaning unknownDescription:
The name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel, Achilles is more popular in its international form, Achille, which is popular in France, Italy, and Belgium. This variation did however appear briefly on the US Top 1000 list in 2015, perhaps owing to its similarity to the likes of Atticus, Adonis, and Apollo. It has declined in use since then, but is nevertheless chosen for around 160 babies each year.
- Zillah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"shade"Description:
A light, bohemian-sounding biblical name, mentioned in the bible as a wife of Lamech, one of the first men.
- Alaric
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"all-powerful ruler"Description:
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
- Galen
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"calm, healer"Description:
Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The name still projects a gentle, scholarly image, while sharing sounds with more popular names like Aiden and Nathan. Bonus: it's also an anagram of Angel.
- Leif
Origin:
Swedish; Danish; NorwegianMeaning:
"heir, descendant"Description:
Leif is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks to Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, and is still one of the best, with a pleasant aural association with the word leaf.
- Solon
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the wise one"Description:
Despite the reputation of the sagacious ancient Greek lawmaker, this name hasn't moved to the modern world.
- Jevon
Origin:
Welsh, variation of EvanMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Yet another offshoot of the original John, also sometimes used as Jevan or Yevan.
- Josias
Origin:
Latin variation of Josiah, HebrewMeaning:
"God supports, heals"Description:
An attractive, surprisingly uncommon variation of Josiah. To give you an idea of how comparatively rare Josias is, there were about 200 baby boys named Josias in the US last year, versus nearly 6000 named Josiah.
- Corinna
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Delicate and gentle old-fashioned name, the kind found in early English poetry. While Corinna and the original Green Korinna are technically diminutives of the ancient Kore, now the popular Cora, this name will often be mistaken for other similar-sounding though unrelated names, such as Karenna. But it's pretty and is backed by more tradition than you'd guess.
- Lambert
Origin:
French and GermanMeaning:
"land brilliant"Description:
Ancient saint's name used for cowardly cartoon lion.
- Drusilla
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fruitful"Description:
Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.
- Ragna
Description:
Ragna is a feminine name with deep Norse roots, derived from the Old Norse elements "regin" meaning "advice, counsel, or divine powers" and "ar" meaning "warrior." It can be interpreted as "warrior of the gods" or "divine counselor." Historically significant in Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Iceland, Ragna was carried by several notable figures in Norse sagas. The name experienced a modest revival in the early 21st century as interest in Norse mythology and Viking heritage increased. Ragna projects an image of strength, wisdom, and connection to ancient traditions. Its distinctive sound and powerful meaning appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth and feminine strength outside mainstream options.
- Margery
Origin:
Medieval variation of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
An old royal name in England and Scotland that's also spelled Marjorie. Popular in the Middle Ages and Tudor period, it was revived at the end of the 19th century, peaked in 1921 and dropped off the list in 1958, enough time to be reconsidered as a Margaret alternative. The name Margery Daw is familiar via the seesaw nursery rhyme and Margery Williams wrote the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit..
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