Serious Names

Eudora is the name of five minor goddesses of Greek mythology and a major goddess (in the person of Pulitzer Prize-winning Eudora Welty) of modern American literature. Eudora is pleasant and euphoneous and a possibility for rejuvenation.
 In Greek myth, Eudora was one of the Hyades, a set of sisters transformed into the star cluster that bears their name. 
 In Disney's The Princess and the Frog, Eudora was the name of Princess Tiana's mother, who was voiced by Oprah Winfrey, and of Mia Farrow's character in Zelig. Eudora is also a character in Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom, and was chosen by actress Marcia Gay Hardin for her daughter back in 1998.

Eudora

Rarely heard, and when it is, usually attached to a witch. Historically, though, Wanda was a legendary eighth century queen of Poland, and in literature it is the central character of Ouida's eponymous novel Wanda. A musical namesake is the great Polish harpsichordist Wanda Landowska.

Wanda

Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.
 Avis Everhard is the fictional narrator of the Jack London dystopian novel The Iron Heel. In the Harry Potter books, Avis is not a character, but a spell.

Avis

Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the
vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness. 
 The name emerged in eighteenth century Prussia when supporters of King Frederick the Great began to name their daughters in his honor, and is currently reporesented by opera star Frederica von Stade.
 Nicknames include the obvious Freddie, plus Rica and Fritzi.

Frederica

Singer Wainwright is the third in his family to carry this unusual name. 

There's a county in Virginia called Loudoun, named for a colonial governor.

Loudon

Serious names used to be favored for boys but recently it's been 

, such as Edith and Alice, that have gotten more attention, as parents try to do everything they can to help their daughters succeed in a serious world.

 include Charles, Dorothy, Edward, Faith, Frances, Louise, Nathan, and Victor. Many serious names could be considered stodgy or old-fashioned, but some, such as Alfred, Theodora, Winifred, and Howard, are in the beginning stages of a comeback.

. Many of today's parents want their children to grow into their adult names, rather than grow out of more juvenile choices.

Serious names are easiest to define by what they're not: They're 

not invented, not nicknames, not celebrity influenced

 (unless that celebrity is the Notorious RBG), not creative or fanciful in any way. They probably do not start with or even contain an X, a Z, or a Q. Serious names are 

, ready for a future as a lawyer, an accountant, or maybe President.

Serious names for boys and girls include the following choices.

Serious, straightforward, buttoned-up names for girls and boys with meanings, origins, and popularity (Page 6)