There’s a good reason so many people name their children after a beloved grandparent or great aunt — sentimentality aside, old-fashioned baby names for girls and boys are time-tested names that travel well across the generations and often have roots across cultures. Old-fashioned baby names hover above trends, never go out of style, and somehow give even babies an air of undeniable authority (why, hello, Abraham, Cornelius, and Evangeline). They’re charming and distinctive, not too obscure and sound wiser than their years. And perhaps most important, unlike infinity-symbol tattoos or gender reveals, old-fashioned baby names tend to age well. Here are 254 timeless, classic baby names for boys and girls.
Old-Fashioned Boy Names
AbeAbrahamAlbertAmbrose. Ambrose has roots in Greek culture and means immortal. It comes from the Greek word ambrosia, which was also a divine food of the gods. In 2021, it was the 671st most popular boy's name.AmosAnselArchieAronArthurArtieAtticusAugustBarronBeauBenedictBennettBernardBlaineBlevinsBrady. In 2021, Brady was listed at 330 as the most popular boy's name in the U.S. Brady is an Irish name that means descendant of Brádach, large-chested or one with broad eyes.CarloCassadyClarenceClellonCliffordColeCorneliusCyrusDamionDeanDentonDominicEarlEdisonEdmundEdwinElijahElmer. Elmer is defined as noble or famous based on British origin. In 2021 it was listed as the 2,612th most popular boy's name in the U.S.ElrodElonEmmettEmileErnestErwinEzraFelixFletcherFrankFrancisGaelGeorgeGeraldGertGracyGunther. Gunther is a mighty German moniker that means battler or warrior. In 2020, it was ranked 9,167 in a list of most popular boys' names.GusHarmonHaroldHarperHarveyHaydenHectorHenryHerbertHoldenHowardHughIanIgnatiusJasperJarrettJedediahJerryJoelJulienKenneth. Kenneth means fire born or good-looking. It has roots in Scottish culture and was a top 20 name from the 1920s through the 1950s.LaceyLangstonLeeLincolnLouisLucasMarshallMickeyMiltonMorganNealNelsonNevilleNormanOrvilleOscarOtisOwenPeytonPiercePresleyPrestonRalphRandall. Randall derives from Old Norse roots and the surname Rannulfr. It means wolf shield and was in 1958 ranked at 140 in most popular boy names.RawlinsRaymondReedReginaldRichardRodneyRolloRoyRutherfordSalShadrackShermanSpencerStanleySterlingTheodoreTobiasTobinWaldoWhitmanWilber. Wilbur is an English moniker that translates to willful or bright. It is also related to the German name Wilbert. In 2006, it was listed as the 4003rd most popular boy's name.WillieWinstonWindsorWrightWyattOld-Fashioned Girl Names
AbraAddisonAdeline. Adeline is German name that means noble. It’s also diminutive of the French name, Adele. According to Nameberry, Adeline was the 94th most popular girl’s name in the U.S. in 2021.AdelaideAgathaAgnesAlejandraAliceAlmaAmaraAnitaBeaBernadetteBeatrixBertieBessieBirdieBlytheBonnieCalliopeCamilleCaroleColetteConnieCelia. Celia has root in Latin origin and means heavely. In 2021, it made the top 1,000 popular U.S. name at 792.ClaraDahliaDaisyDarcyDessieDodieDoraDorisDorothyEdithEnidEttaEleanorElaineEllisEmilyEmmaEthelEugenieEvelynEvangelineFaithFannyFayeFloraFlorenceFrancesGabrielleGalateaGenevieve. Genevieve is a French moniker that means of the race of women. There are also medieval German variations of the name, like Genovefa or Kenowefa. It was the 76th most popular name for girls in 1916.GeorgiaGertrudeGretaHarrietHattieHazelHenriettaHesterHildaHopeIreneIrisIsabellaImogenInezJaneJoanJocelynJosephineJoyceKatherineKingsleyLauraLucilleLucindaLuisaLorraineLydia. Lydia means beautiful or noble in Greek. This name has been among the top 100 popular names since 2011 and ranked 90 in 2021.LacyLizaMargaretMarthaMarjorieMathildeMaxineMiriamMinnieMollieNellNoraNoreneOctaviaOliveOpalPatriciaPearlPenelopePollyPollyannaPoseyRollaRosemary. Rosemary means dew of the sea or bitter rose of the sea. It is also a combination of two English names. In 2019, it was ranked at 409 in popular girls.RubyRuthSadieSandraScarletSelmaSeraphinaShirleyShoshanaSophiaSusannahSylviaTrudyUnaValentinaVeraVirginia. Virginia means maid, virgin or pure and is of Latin origin. It’s derived from the Roman names Verginius and Virginius, Virginia is generally associated with legends. In 2021, Virgina was ranked at 1,066 for most popular girl’s name.ViolaVioletWillaWrenmore like this
This article was originally published on Aug. 1, 2019
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