Classic Baby Names
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Ancient Greek Names
Greek mythology has been a major baby name trend in recent years and has led to thousands of babies being born with once-unusual names like Penelope, Atlas, and Calliope. Now we are moving beyond names from solely mythology and considering names that were used in Ancient Greek culture. There is some crossover between these categories, although Greek children were usually given variations of the names of gods and goddesses, rather than the actual divine name. Along with Alexandra and Zoe, Greek girl names in the US Top 700 include Anastasia, Chloe, and Irene. Boy baby names ranking highly include Alexander, Damon, Leonidas, Orion, and Theodore. In Greece, popular names include Athanasios, Eirene, Nicholas, and Sophia. Along with familiar choices like Jason, Gregory, and Melissa, you’ll find many intriguing names from Ancient Greece that are waiting to be discovered. For more Greek names, take a look at our lists of Greek Goddess Names and Greek Baby Names for Modern Kids.
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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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Best Vintage Names for Girls
by Pamela Redmond Vintage girl names are back in a big way, as chic as vintage clothes and furniture. Of course, not every vintage girl name is stylish – we may never see the comeback of Ethel or Bertha – but many retro names such as Cora and Iris are being dusted off and restored to their former glory by modern parents. Along with Cora and Iris, other vintage names for girls in the US Top 200 include Alice, Arabella, Clara, Daisy, Esther, Josephine, Lydia, and Sadie. Unique vintage names for baby girls on the rise include Cordelia, Imogen, Posey, and Susannah. Vintage baby names combine tradition and uniqueness and may also be used to honor a family member or hero from the past. The vintage baby names for girls that are most fashionable today include the following.
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Bible Names for Boys
Bible names for boys have dominated the US popularity list for its entire history, with Biblical names Jacob and Noah taking the top spot for nearly twenty years until recently, when Liam took over. Along with Noah and Jacob, other Bible baby names in the Top 25 for boys include James, Benjamin, Elijah, Lucas, Ethan, Samuel, and David. Unique biblical boy names gaining visibility – in the UK and Australia as well as the US – include Asher, Cyrus, Ezra, and Thaddeus. As parents are searching for uncommon but meaningful names for their sons, the Bible can be a great source of inspiration. Browse the full list 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 in the US since the beginning of name history, with the ultimate Bible girl name Mary dominating the number one spot until the early Sixties, and Sarah ranking among the top five throughout the Eighties. Along with Mary and Sarah, other biblical girl names in the Top 10 for decades include Elizabeth, Hannah, Deborah, and Ruth. The Bible is also the unlikely source for some of the trendiest girls' names, including Delilah – the top girl name starting with D – as well as Ada, Phoebe, Lydia, Naomi, and the many 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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Biblical Baby Names
Biblical baby names have been in style since the 1960s, when parents started to revive such boy names from the bible as Samuel and Joshua, Aaron and Adam. Over the decades, biblical names for both boys and girls have become popular. Witness Noah and Jacob, both Number 1 boy names, along with Ethan, Rebecca, Rachel, and Abigail. More recently, Biblical prophet names like Abraham and Moses, long thought too antiquated for babies, have been resurrected, as parents look deeper and deeper into the Bible in search of more unique bible names. Here is the full complement of biblical baby names, both popular and unique, in use today.
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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 group 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
The Christian baby names on this list are names that have significance in Christian religions, rather than Christian names as a synomym for first names. 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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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 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 Boy Names
Classic baby names for boys, those that have been well used in the English-speaking world over time, are an elite group. Classic boy names may come from the Bible, be traditional saints' names or royal names, or be names with roots in ancient languages, such as Jacob and Alexander. Along with Jacob and Alexander, other classic boy names in the US Top 20 include William, James, Benjamin, Michael, Daniel, Matthew, Henry, and Joseph. Some classic names for boys that are not used as often as they used to be include Philip, Francis, Harry, and Hugh. Most classic boy names have ranked highly for more than a century and have been widely used for hundreds of years. The boy names that rank as classics today include the following.
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Classic Celebrity Baby Names
We love to make lists of outlandish celebrity baby names, from Apple to Pilot Inspektor. But how about the countless celebrities who stick to the classic baby names? We're not just talking about Will and Kate, either. These classic baby names have appeared in first place on high profile birth announcements in the last few years,, surprising and delighting us with their traditional take on naming a 21st century celebrity kid.
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Classic Girl Names
Classic girl names include several of the Top 10 names for girls in the English-speaking world: Emma, Olivia, Charlotte, and Sophia. There are also unique girl names that can be considered classics, such as Cecilia, Daphne, and Flora. Many Biblical names for girls such as Ruth and Sarah qualify as classic names, as do girl names rooted in ancient cultures such as Diana and Alexandra. Along with Sophia and Emma, other classic girl names in the US Top 50 include Amelia, Abigail, Elizabeth, Victoria, Grace, Hannah, Eleanor, and Claire. Quirkier classic names for girls include Priscilla, Theodora, Georgia, and Felicity. If you choose one of these classic names for your baby girl, you can be assured you've given her a name backed by solid tradition and widespread acceptance. For even more girls' names rooted in history, browse our lists of Bible Names for Girls, Mythology Names for Girls, and Unique Classic Girls' Names.
Classic Girl 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 Boy Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
These classic boy names include choices from ancient cultures and the Bible, names sailing out of style along with those heading in. How can a name be cool and classic at the same time? It's deeply rooted in history, but it's also unusual, and these boys' names qualify on both counts. Our list of uncommon classic boys’ names includes such treasures as Amias, Rockwell, and Edmund. If you're looking for cool classic names for a baby boy, check out these 100+ options.
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Cool Classic Girl Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
Classic baby names are not always popular names. These classic classic girl names are also unusual, hiding below the Top 1000. For a name to be cool and classic, it has to be both out-of-the-ordinary and used over centuries, and the 100+ girls' names here qualify on both counts. Our list of uncommon classic girls’ names includes gems like Echo, Delphine, and Sybil. If you'd like to give your baby girl a name with deep roots that also stands out from the crowd, one of these classic-but-distinctive names for girls could be the right choice for you.
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Fashionable Classic Baby Names
Classic baby names that are also fashionable top today's popularity lists, with fashionable classic girl names Emma, Olivia, Sophia, and Charlotte ranking in the US Top 10, while James, William, and Benjamin make the Top 10 names for boys. Other fashionable classic baby names getting more popular include Adeline, Amelia, and Ella for girls; Henry, Oliver, and Theodore for boys. If your taste runs toward the more unusual, there are those fashionable classic names that don't quite make the Top 100, such as Hope and June for girls, Felix and Orion for boys. Of course, not every classic name is fashionable or vice versa, but these qualify on both counts.
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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 of Male Names
Feminizations are feminine variations of male names rather than unisex baby names: Alexandra not Alex, Charlotte not Charlie. You may be attracted to these baby names because you want to name a daughter after dad or grandpa but give her a distinctly feminine name. Or maybe you simply love the traditional feel of many of these classic baby girl names, which are rooted in tradition.
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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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Gorgeous Greek Goddess Names
Greek goddess names are making an unlikely comeback for 21st century babies, combining ancient roots with august namesakes and distinctive style. Some names of the Greek goddesses are well-known in the contemporary Western world, such as Iris and Selene, while others are used occasionally or have been asleep for centuries. Greek mythology is a rich font of names of goddesses as well as sirens, titanesses, nymphs, and muses. The complete list of Greek goddess names usable for your baby is here. Go here for goddess names from a range of cultures.
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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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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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Mythology Boy Names
Baby names inspired by myth and legend 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, such as Orion and Apollo, and other figures from Irish, Norse, African, Hindu, and other myths and legends can provide an abundant source of audacious baby names, all combining deep history with not-heard-in-a-long-time freshness.
Along with Orion and Apollo, other mythological boy names in the US Top 1000 include Arthur, Damon, Dylan, Finn, Jason, Jasper, Oscar, and Tristan. American parents most likely to choose names from European myths, but Asian and African countries have many gods with intriguing names, such as Kirin, and Shango, and Vishnu.
Mythology names that might sound right for modern baby boys include the following. You might also want to consult our specialized lists of Roman God Names or Mythology Names for Girls. -
Mythology Girl Names
Mythology baby names for girls can impart both tradition and strength to a child. The pantheon of Greek and Roman deities, such as Athena and Luna, along with figures from Celtic, Irish, Norse, Hindu and other classic myths and legends can provide an abundant source of audacious options, all combining deep history with not-heard-in-a-long-time freshness.
Along with Athena and Luna, other mythological girl names in the US Top 1000 include Aurora, Daphne, Iris, Lilith, Maeve, Maia, Penelope, and Phoebe. Norse and Hindu mythology names are less common among American parents, but offer such beautiful choices as Indira, Priya, and Signy.
If you'd like to browse even more mythology names for girls, have a look at our lists of Roman Goddess Names and Greek Goddess Names. -
Old Man Names
Old man names have been used for so long now that they've morphed into popular baby names: Henry and Samuel rank among the top names in the US, while in the UK, Harry, Leo, and Oscar are all among their most popular baby 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. Along with Henry and Samuel, other old man names in the US Top 500 include Arthur, Cyrus, Theodore, Otto, Silas, Harvey, Victor, and Frederick. Old man names more common in the UK than in the US include Albert, Ralph, Stanley, and Wilfred. Like Biblical boy names, old man names are constantly being revived by parents. Today's newest choices include such relics as Herbert, Harold, and Clyde. Here are the names for boys we consider Old Man Names.
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Old-Fashioned Baby Names
Baby names tend to follow hundred-year cycles of popularity. The old-fashioned names here were last popular a century ago. Some of these names, such as Emma and Henry, were recently considered to be vintage names, but are now so popular among babies that they’ve shed any lingering dustiness. Along with Emma and Henry, other old-fashioned baby names in the US Top 500 include Abraham, Arthur, Edith, Frederick, Josephine, Olive, Philip, Rosemary, and Walter. Other old-fashioned names that are up-and-coming include Amos, Ida, Lucinda, and Ralph. Vintage baby names are always a popular category among parents, but the names in this category shifts over the years. Some of the old-fashioned boy names and old-fashioned girl 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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Rich Roman Goddess Names
Names from Ancient Rome are super stylish these days, and what better names from that era than Roman goddess names and Roman god names. These mythological names have survived the centuries, with some of the Roman goddess names -- Luna, for instance, and Aurora-- very fashionable now. Browse this list for Roman names for your little goddess. If you want to expand your search, check out our master list of goddess names for babies.
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Royal Baby Names
Royal baby names on this list are those used by royal families in recent years. Along with the traditional George, Charlotte, and Louis, other royal names making news range from the down-to-earth Archie to the fashionable Leonore to the popular Emma. The royal boy and girl names here include those used by British royal parents as well as those from other countries throughout Europe, including Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Along with Archie and Charlotte, other royal names in the US Top 1000 include Eloise, Oscar, Josephine, Carlos, Alice, Emmanuel, Isla, and Gabriel. We see some of the recent Scandinavian royal baby names as possible hits in the US, including Estelle, Maud, Ingrid, and Joachim. Many of the names of contemporary royal children have been used by royal families over the centuries, such as Alexandra and Arthur. Others, such as Archie and Savannah, 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. ACharles, William, and George, the names of the male heirs to the throne, are in use in the UK right now, as well as Andrew, Edward, Philip, Louis, and James. These are also very common in the US.
Along with Charles and William, other royal names for boys in the US Top 500 include Albert, Edgar, Francis, Frederick, Henry, Jasper, Nicholas, and Richard.
Historic British royal boy names also include some surprises, such as Augustus, Lionel, Rupert, and the newborn Archie. Some of the royal baby names for boys you might consider are: -
Royal Names for Girls
Royal baby names on this list are those used by the British royal family over the centuries. Included on this list are names used in the middle, as for the little princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Along with Elizabeth and Charlotte, other royal names for girls in the US Top 100 include Alice, Amelia, Caroline, Eleanor, Emma, Sarah, Sophia, and Victoria. Eugenie, Bridget, Maud, and Matilda are among the more surprising royal girl names over the centuries.
With female heirs now in line for the British throne, royal girl names may be destined for greater visibility and more widespread popularity in the future. Royal names for girls you might consider include: -
Ruling Roman God Names
Roman god names for baby boys are in the forefront of fashion, with playgrounds in trendy neighborhoods full of little boys named Jupiter and Apollo, whose playmates are Odin, Juno, and Freya. Roman names for gods are among the best-known mythological names, thought they haven't been used much for baby boys until recently. It does seem rather grand for a little boy to carry such a big name, but the fascination with mythology and ancient cultures makes Roman god names more possible now than ever before. You may want to consider one of these male names from Roman mythology for your little god, or explore the wider range of mythological names for boys.
Names of Roman Gods
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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. Names of notable saints such as St. Sebastian and St. Jude are listed here, as well as those of lesser-known saints.
Along with Sebastian and Jude, other saints’ names for boys in the US Top 300 include Adrian, Elias, Fabian, Henry, Israel, Jonah, Killian, and Owen. More obscure names such as Amias, Benno, Cassian, and Leander are also saints’ names worth considering.
If you are interested in ancient names, saints’ names are a great source of inspiration. This list includes a wide range of appealing saints' names for boys. -
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. Names of notable saints such as St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila are listed here, as well as those of lesser-known saints.
Along with Catherine and Teresa, other Saint names for girls in the US Top 1000 include Adelaide, Beatrice, Cecilia, Florence, Genevieve, Isabel, Lydia, and Matilda. Among the more unique saints’ names with style are Delphina, Inez, Theodora, and Zenobia.
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. -
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
By Pamela Redmond If you're looking for truly unusual vintage baby names, super rare names with a solid history and vintage charm, these cute and classic baby names fit the bill. Dating back to Great-Grandma (or Grandpa)'s day, these historic names been retired long enough to feel young and fresh again. Along with fashionable vintage names like Alva and Amias, Dexter and Dorothea, there are some truly unique old-fashioned baby names on this list, like Barnabas, Hester, Jethro and Pandora, which adventurous parents might want to consider reviving. Discover more quirky and unique old-school baby names in the list below.
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Unusual Biblical Baby Names
The Bible is full of names, and many that were once considered unusual—Moses, for example, and Delilah—are now familiar on playgrounds throughout the land. So if you're looking for unique bible baby names, you have to look a lot harder, but they're still there. Instead of Delilah or Moses, you might try Zillah or Moab.
Along with Zillah and Moab, other unusual biblical baby names worth considering include Boaz, Gaius, Jericho, Joah, Keturah, Omri, Tirzah, or Zipporah. Biblical names that are unique in the US but common elsewhere in the world include Boaz, Linus, and Adah.
Here are hundreds of unique biblical baby names for boys and girls from both the Old and New Testaments. For more, check out our lists of Biblical Baby Names and BIblical Place Names -
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. Along with vintage names such as Emma and Noah leading the list, the US Top 100 includes such vintage names for girls as Alice, Grace, and Penelope, and vintage boy names Henry, Julian, and Wyatt. Unique vintage names gaining visibility include such new old choices as Ophelia and Posey for girls, Cassian and Linus for boys. Choosing a vintage name can give you the best of all worlds, drawing on classic inspiration with modern style. Vintage baby names are found on the popularity lists of a hundred years ago, and also inspired by literary, biblical and royal sources. Here, our master list of the vintage baby names most stylish today.
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Vintage Names for Boys
Vintage boy names are in style now, combining the gravitas of a name with traditional roots with the freshness of one that hasn't been heard for decades. While not all vintage boy names make the fashion grade – sorry, Herbert and Melvin – new choices such as George and Theodore are being added to the roster all the time. Along with George and Theodore, other vintage names for boys in the US Top 200 include Abel, Asher, Bennett, Elias, Finn, Henry, Jasper, and Xavier. Rarer vintage names for baby boys on the rise include Linus, Cassian, Ned, and Aurelius. If you're in search of vintage baby names for your son, our master list of stylish vintage boy names is here.
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