Historic and Vintage Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
English variation of Varin, German
"to defend; one of the Varni"
The Germanic tribe known as the Varni took their name from the verb werren , meaning "to defend." The given name Varin derived from the tribe name, meaning "one of the Varni." The Varni were defeated…
English
"settlement by the weir"
Pronounced the same way as Warrick, Warwick is the name of an historic university town on the River Avon in England. The name is attached to several notable historical figures, both real and…
English, German
"son of Wilkin; resolute protection"
Probably too odd and elven for mainstream success, but there are certainly circumstances in which this would make a nice boys' name. It might be a nice way to honor a William from your family tree,…
Manx variation of William, German
"resolute protection"
Wilmot has the sort of old-school bookish charm of other surname-sounding names like Beckett, Everett, Griffith and Weston. This could be a good choice for families wanting to honor that special…
"bright battle"
Wybert is a medieval variation of the Old English name Wigberht, from the components wig , meaning "battle," and beorht , "bright."
Italian
"god is gracious"
Medieval Venetian form of John, which feels ripe for a comeback in 21st-century America.
Latin, combination of Alta and Luna
"high, sublime + moon"
Celestial, poetic, and powerful, Altaluna is a Medieval Italian name, combining the elements of Alta , meaning "high" – or "sublime" in a more poetic sense – and the on-trend Luna, meaning "moon".…
