Classic Baby Names
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Antique Baby Names Back in Style
Vintage baby names have been on the rise for several years now, with some antique names climbing popularity lists and reaching the heights of style. If you like vintage or classic baby names that have been in hiding for a few generations, one of these may appeal to you -- but don't be surprised if you meet a lot of other babies with these historic names.
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Bible Names for Boys
Bible names have been popular for boys for more than a generation now, with classic Biblical boys' names Aaron and Adam giving way to new favorites such as Asher and Ezra. No matter how many historic masculine names parents revive from Biblical sources, there always seem to be new choices on the table. If you like classic names for boys, the Bible is one of the best historic sources. Here's our collection of Biblical baby names for boys, both familiar and unusual.
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Bible Names for Girls
Bible names for girls have been popular for girls for more than a generation now, with classic names such as Mary and Anna giving way to newly popular names such as Ada and Abigail. Many of the best-known Hebrew names for girls come from the bible, both the Old Testament (Sarah, Rachel) and the New Testament (Susannah, Tabitha). And the Bible is also the unlikely source for some of the trendiest girls' names, including Delilah, the top D-starting name for girls, along with Chloe, Phoebe, and all variations of Eve. Here's our complete collection of biblical baby names for girls. Click here for our list of Bible Names for Boys.
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Boy Names ALWAYS in the Top 1000
There are just over 200 baby boy names that have been on the Top 1000 since 1880, when the U.S. Social Security office began tracking baby names. The classic boy names here are included among that elite that has been perennially popular. For the full group plus analysis, see our blog on perennially popular boy baby names.
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Christian Baby Names
Names that have significance in Christian religions are different from what are commonly known as Christian names, a term that means simply first names. This list focuses on baby names that relate to all forms of Christianity. Many Christian baby names come from the Bible, particularly the New Testament stories related to Jesus Christ. Other names with meaning in Christian religions relate to saints or figures central to Christianity such as Martin Luther. Baby names that might be considered Christian in the religious sense follow.
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Christmas Baby Names
Names for a baby born at Christmastime can be especially festive and creative, drawing from all aspects of the holiday season. For more ideas, see the Christmas Baby Names blog.
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Classic Baby Names
What are the most classic baby names for girls and boys? While there are hundreds of classic baby names from the Bible, ancient cultures, and other traditional sources in common use today, these are our picks for the most, um, classic classic baby names.
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Classic Baby Names for Boys
Classic baby names for boys, those that have been well used in the English-speaking world over time, are an elite group. While many Biblical baby names certainly qualify, we've grouped most of those on their own list. Here are the classic boy baby names that remain.
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Classic Baby Names for Girls
Classic baby names for girls, those that have been well used in the English-speaking world over time, are an elite group. While many Biblical names certainly qualify, we've grouped most of those on their own list. Here are the classic girl baby names that remain.
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Classic Baby Names with a Twist
What if you love classic baby names but want something more original? Or if you're looking to honor a relative but want to spin their classic name a bit differently? Without getting into too-crazy spelling variations or too-easy international forms, here some twists on classic baby names.
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Classic Girl Names That Aren't Boring
If your tastes run toward classic baby girl names but you want a name that sounds interesting and distinctive, consider these girl names that are traditional but not boring.
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Cool Classic Boys’ Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
These classic boys’ names include choices from ancient cultures and the Bible, names sailing out of style along with those heading in.
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Cool Classic Girls’ Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
Classic baby names are not always popular names. These classic girls' names are also unusual, hiding below the Top 1000.
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Early African-American Names
Early American slave rolls are filled with classical and biblical names designed to show off the slave-owners' education and not normally used for whites; variations of African day names and place-names; along with other unusual names more closely identified over the years with black than white American culture. Some of the most notable:
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Fashionable Classic Baby Names
Can classic baby names also be fashionable? We think so: Witness several of the centuries-old names at the top of the popularity list today. There are other names that are both classic and stylish even if they're not yet visibly in the Top 100. Of course, not every classic name is fashionable or vice versa, but these qualify.
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Feminine Girl Names
If you like decidedly feminine girl names, consider this collection of names with (usually) soft sounds, (often) vowel endings, and (always) a decidedly sweet, dainty image. Of course, girls' names can also be strong, powerful, wise, and all these other positive qualities that can apply to both genders, but these girls' names have an overarching feminine image.
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Feminizations
Feminizations are, in the classic sense, feminine variations of male names rather than unisex baby names. You may be attracted to these baby names because you want to name a daughter after dad or grandpa, or maybe you simply love the traditional feel of many of these baby names.
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Girl Names ALWAYS in the Top 1000
These perennially popular girl names have all appeared on the Top 1000 list for every year since the U.S. government started keeping records in 1880. While many are names you'd expect to be classics, such as Elizabeth and Sarah, there are lots of surprises here.
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Girls' Names With Gravity
For many parents, girls' names (and boys' names too) should carry more than an attractive sound and appealing image; they should have real history behind them. These names relate to a range of impressive personages, real and imagined, and also have both breadth and depth in terms of the meaning they convey. Inspired by a fascinating discussion on our forums, here are some girls' names with history and weight.
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Gladiator Baby Names
Gladiator baby names -- boys' names from Ancient Rome -- are suddenly hot again after a couple of millennia, thanks to Hunger Games, HBO's Rome, Atticus Finch, and Russell Crowe. If you're looking for a baby name for your own little gladiator -- or emperor or god, for that matter -- consider the following.
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Greek Baby Names for Modern Kids
Classic Greek baby names are a rich source of modern names, But which Greek names work best for today's babies? Some names of ancient gods and goddesses have become newly baby-appropriate, while there are many other traditional names that have Greek roots. Here is our pick of the best Greek baby names today.
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Hebrew Baby Names
Hebrew baby names include many of the most popular names used in the contemporary Western world. Names from the Bible along with names used in contemporary Israel are worth consideration. Here is a selection of the most widely-used Hebrew names for babies. If you're interested in finding a Hebrew name for your child, whether a modern or traditional choice, also see our full lists of Hebrew names for girls and Hebrew names for boys.
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International Variations of Margaret
Margaret is among the most classic baby names, with a wide range of intriguing variations throughout the Western World.
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International Variations of Mary
Mary may not be exactly stylish among baby girl names now, but as the top girls' name for centuries, it's spawned many intriguing international variations.
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Jane Austen Baby Names
If you're a fan of Jane Austen, you might draw inspiration for baby names from her characters. These classic baby names are perfect for parents who value strength, sophistication, and substance.
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Literary Baby Names
Literary names, drawn from the characters in books for both adults and children as well as from the names of well-loved authors, are gaining in popularity. Literary names we are hearing more of these days include the following. For a more complete collection, check out our lists of Literary Names for Girls and Literary Names for Boys.
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Mary's Stylish Variations
What can we say? There's still something about Mary -- even after a 400 year run -- that's made it a solid option for countless folks who adore its symbolic value. But don't be afraid to jazz things up a little. Here are some timely, fresh-faced variations of this traditional name.
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Mythological Baby Names for Boys
Baby names inspired by mythological figures are on the rise, inspired by the use of mythological names for boys in the Hunger Games series. The pantheon of Greek and Roman deities and other classical mythological figures can provide an abundant source of audacious baby names, all combining deep history with not-heard-in-a-long-time freshness. Mythological names that might sound right for modern baby boys include:
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Mythological Baby Names for Girls
Mythological baby names for girls can impart both tradition and strength to a child. The pantheon of Greek and Roman deities and other classical mythological figures can provide an abundant source of audacious options, all combining deep history with not-heard-in-a-long-time freshness.
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Nicknames for Elizabeth
Elizabeth is one of those classic, widely-used baby names that has an entire raft of nicknames, going in and out of style over time. There's a pet form of Elizabeth that's right for any child.
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Old Lady Names
Old lady names are cool by virtue of their very disdain for fashion. These kind of old school names are connected to tradition rather than modernity and gloss. What gets confusing is whether stylish vintage names like Adeline or Cora really qualify as Old Lady Names anymore, or if a name needs to be a bit dusty and unfashionable to qualify as Old Lady. We've tried to make this list inclusive, pulling in all types of Old Lady Names. For more on the If you're interested in learning even more about these kinds of vintage names check out our original blog on Old Lady Names for more commentary and ideas.
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Old Man Names
Old man names like Max and Sam and Henry have been used for babies for so long now that they no longer sound like old man names. But don't worry, there are plenty more where those came from. To qualify as a cool old man name, a name has to feel both classic and slightly moth-eaten, like the perfect vintage suit. Here are the names for boys we consider Old Man Names.
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Old-Fashioned Baby Names
Old-fashioned baby names sound new again: We mean the gently old-fashioned vintage names last popular a century ago. Some of the old-fashioned baby names recommended for your consideration today include:
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Papal Names
The selection of Pope Francis I has added a new name to the ist of papal names, which began in the year 32 with St. Peter. Here are some other names of popes that are still usable today--many of them worn by multiple bearers.
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Popular Bible Baby Names
Bible baby names have been among the most popular classic names over the past several decades. Old Testament Names for boys, particularly, have been high on the popular baby names list, but some Biblical girls' names are also longtime classic favorites. Here's a selection of the most popular Bible baby names for someone who wants a historic name that also feels right for a contemporary child.. For more unusual yet still classic name choices, you might also want to check the Cool Bible Baby Names list.
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Roman Names
Roman Names are suddenly hot and fresh again as baby names, partly thanks to The Hunger Games, the futuristic book that featured Roman names for most of the male characters, partly because of the HBO series Rome, and also thanks to the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird and its hero Atticus Finch. Roman baby names on today's roster include several familiar choices along with even more fascinating names yet to be revived.
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Royal Baby Names
Royal baby names are those used by royal families in recent years. The royal names here include those used by British royal parents as well as those from other countries throughout Europe, including Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Many of the names of contemporary royal children have been used by royal families over the centuries, while some are newcomers to the royal name lexicon. Royal baby names include:
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Royal Names for Boys
Royal names for boys on this list are those used by the British royal family for over a thousand years. Among current royals, Charles, William, and George are the names of the male heirs to the throne. Other royal male names in use in the UK now include Andrew, Edward, Philip, and James. Some of the royal baby names for boys you might consider are:
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Royal Names for Girls
Royal baby names on this list come from those used by the British royal family over the centuries. Royal names for girls you might consider include:
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Saints' Names For Boys
It is tradition, though no longer a requirement, in the Roman Catholic Church for a child receiving baptism to be given a saint's name. However, even parents who don't find themselves particularly religious have begun to take interest in the rare, uplifting, and sometimes unheard-of names of saints for their sons and daughters. This list includes a wide range of appealing saints' names for boys.
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Saints' Names for Girls
Saints' names may no longer be required for a Roman Catholic baptism, but many parents choose to honor saints with their children's names anyway. Beyond religious strictures, you might be interested in saints as inspirational namesakes or as a source of unusual ancient names. This list includes a range of saints' names for girls, from the classic to the cool to the rarely-heard.
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Traditional Baby Names
Traditional baby names, by our definition, are those that have been used consistently in English-speaking countries for centuries -- and are still in widespread use. Traditional baby names might not be the most exciting choices in the book, but they are the most reliable. Here are some of the top traditional baby names for both boys and girls.
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Unusual Antique Baby Names
If you're looking for somewhat unusual vintage baby names, rare names with a solid history and vintage charm, these classic names are just that. Dating back to Great-Grandma's day, these historic names been retired long enough to feel young and fresh again.
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Unusual Biblical Baby Names
The Bible is full of names, many of them having grown more popular as baby names over recent years but hundreds of others still unusual. Unusual biblical baby names for boys and girls from both the Old and New Testaments include the following.
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Victorian Royal Baby Names
Queen Victoria named six of nine children after either herself or her husband Prince Albert, making the royal baby names from the 19th and early 20th centuries a cozy bunch. The full list of royal names from the Victorian era includes:
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Vintage Baby Names
Vintage baby names are among the most fashionable today, for girls as well as boys. Choosing a vintage name can give you the best of all worlds, drawing on classic inspiration with modern style. Vintage baby names are drawn from the popularity lists of a hundred years ago, from classic literature along with biblical and royal sources. Here, a list of the vintage baby names stylish today.
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Vintage Baby Names for Boys
Vintage baby names for boys are in style now, along with vintage clothes and furniture. The most popular and stylish vintage baby names for boys include the following.
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Vintage Baby Names for Girls
Vintage baby names for girls are as chic as vintage clothes and furniture. The vintage baby names for girls that are most stylish today include the following.
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