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
Abe: Father of a multitude (Hebrew origin, a shortened form of Abraham)
Abraham: Father of many nations (Hebrew origin)
Albert: Noble, bright (German origin)
Ambrose. 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.
Amos (Hebrew) – Burden, carried by God
Ansel (Germanic) – Protected by God, divine protection
Archie (Germanic) – Genuine, truly brave
Aron (Hebrew) – Exalted, high mountain
Arthur (Celtic) – Bear-like, noble warrior
Artie (English) – Diminutive of Arthur, meaning ‘noble warrior’
Atticus (Latin) – From Attica, a region in Greece
August (Latin) – Majestic, venerable
Barron (French/German) – Free man, noble
Beau (French) – Handsome, beautiful
Benedict (Latin) – Blessed
Bennett (Latin) – Blessed
Bernard (Germanic) – Bear-like, strong warrior
Blaine (Gaelic) – Slender, fair
Blevins (Welsh) – From the place of wolves
Brady. 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.
Carlo (Italian) – Strong man, free man
Cassady (Scottish) – Descended from the fair-haired one
Clarence (Latin) – Bright, clear
Clellon (English) – From the hill
Clifford (Old English) – Ford of the cliffs
Cole (Old English) – Victorious people
Cornelius (Latin) – Horn of plenty
Cyrus (Persian) – Like the sun
Damion (Greek) – To tame
Dean (English) – Valley
Denton (Old English) – From the town
Dominic (Latin) – Belonging to the Lord
Earl (Old English) – Nobleman
Edison (English) – Son of Ed
Edmund (Old English) – Protector of wealth
Edwin (Old English) – Friend of the people
Elijah (Hebrew) – Yahweh is my God
Elmer. 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.
Elrod (Old English) – Red elf
Elon (Hebrew) – Oak tree
Emmett (Irish) – Universal
Emile (French) – Rival
Ernest (German) – Earnest, serious
Erwin (German) – Friend of the army
Ezra (Hebrew) – Help
Felix (Latin) – Happy, fortunate
Fletcher (English) – Arrow maker
Frank (German) – Free
Francis (Latin) – Free man
Gael (Irish) – Bright-headed
George (Greek) – Farmer
Gerald (Germanic) – Strong spear
Gert (German) – Strong ruler
Gracy(Latin) – Graceful, pleasing
Gunther. 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.
Gus (German) – Strong willed
Harmon (German) – Army man
Harold (Old English) – Ruler of the army
Harper (English) – Harp player
Harvey (English) – Bright warrior
Hayden (English) – Son of Hede
Hector (Greek) – Holder
Henry (German) – Ruler of the home
Herbert (German) – Bright army
Holden (Old English) – Friend of the hill
Howard (English) – Guard, protector
Hugh (French) – Mind, spirit
Ian (Scottish) – God is gracious
Ignatius (Latin) – Fiery
Jasper (Persian) – Treasure
Jarrett (English) – Ruler of the spear
Jedediah (Hebrew) – Beloved of the Lord
Jerry (English) – Strong ruler
Joel (Hebrew) – Yahweh is God
Julien(Latin) – Youthful
Kenneth. 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.
Lacey (English) – Graceful, cheerful
Langston (English) – From Langstone, a place in England
Lee (English) – Meadow
Lincoln (English) – From the city of Lincoln
Louis (French) – Famous warrior
Lucas (Latin) – Bringer of light
Marshall (German) – Horse caretaker
Mickey (English) – Mighty warrior
Milton (English) – From the mill town
Morgan (Welsh) – Sea-born
Neal (Irish) – Champion
Nelson (Old Norse) – Son of Neil
Neville (Old French) – New town
Norman (Old Norse) – Northman
Orville (Old French) – Golden eagle
Oscar (Old Norse) – God spear
Otis (Greek) – Wealthy
Owen (Welsh) – Young warrior
Peyton (English) – From the estate
Pierce (French) – Piercing
Presley (Scottish) – Priest’s meadow
Preston (English) – From the priest’s town
Ralph (German) – Wolf counsel
Randall. 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.
Rawlins (Welsh) – From the red pool
Raymond (Old French) – Wise protector
Reed (English) – Red-haired
Reginald (Old English) – Ruler’s counsel
Richard (Germanic) – Strong ruler
Rodney (Welsh) – Red haired
Rollo (Norse) – Famous ruler
Roy (French) – King
Rutherford (Old English) – Ford of the red river
Sal (Latin) – Peaceful
Shadrack (Hebrew) – Commandment of the king
Sherman (English) – Shepherd
Spencer (Old English) – Steward, dispenser
Stanley (Old English) – Stony meadow
Sterling (English) – Of sterling quality
Theodore (Greek) – Gift of God
Tobias (Hebrew) – Good
Tobin (Irish) – Good wolf
Waldo (German) – Ruler of the army
Whitman(English) – White man
Wilber. 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.
Willie (German) – Resolute protector
Winston (Old English) – Friendly town
Windsor (English) – From the winding river
Wright (English) – Craftsman
Wyatt (Old English) – Brave in war
Old-Fashioned Girl Names
Abra
Addison
Adeline. 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.
Adelaide
Agatha
Agnes
Alejandra
Alice
Alma
Amara
Anita
Bea
Bernadette
Beatrix
Bertie
Bessie
Birdie
Blythe
Bonnie
Calliope
Camille
Carole
Colette
Connie
Celia. Celia has root in Latin origin and means heavely. In 2021, it made the top 1,000 popular U.S. name at 792.
Clara: Bright, clear
Dahlia: Elegant, strong
Daisy: Innocence, purity
Darcy: Dark-haired
Eleanor: Shining light
Elaine: Fair, bright
Edith: Wealthy warrior
Eleanor: Shining light
Emma: Universal, whole
Ethel: Noble
Eugenie: Well-born
Evelyn: Fair one
Florence: Flourishing
Frances: Free
Gabrielle: God is my strength
Dessie: Desiderius (Latin for desired)
Dodie: diminutive of Dorothy
Dora: Explorer
Doris: Gift of the sea
Dorothy: Gift of God
Enid: Good and holy
Etta: Battle-ready
Faith: Belief, trust
Fanny: Free
Faye: Fairy-like
Flora: Flower
Galatea: Sea nymph
Ellis: Variant of Elise, meaning God is my oath
Emily: Rival
Evangeline: Bringer of good tidings
Galatea: Sea nymph
Genevieve. 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.
Georgia: Farmer, earth-worker
Gertrude: Strong spear
Harriet: Home ruler
Henrietta: Home ruler
Isabella: God is my oath
Katherine: Pure
Laura: Laurel wreath
Lucille: Light
Lucinda: Bringing light
Luisa: Famous warrior
Lorraine: Laurel wreath
Greta: Pearl
Hattie: Little battle-axe
Hazel: Hazel tree
Hester: Star
Hilda: Battle maiden
Hope: Aspiration, desire
Irene: Peace
Iris: Rainbow
Imogen: Imaginative
Inez: Pure
Jane: God is gracious
Joan: God is gracious
Jocelyn: Joyful
Josephine: May God increase
Joyce: Joyful
Katherine: Pure, clean
Kingsley: King’s meadow
Laura: Laurel wreath (symbolizing victory)
Lucille: Light
Lucinda: Bringing light
Luisa: Famous warrior
Lorraine: Laurel wreath (symbolizing victory)
Lydia. Lydia means beautiful or noble in Greek. This name has been among the top 100 popular names since 2011 and ranked 90 in 2021.
Lacy: Graceful, delicate
Liza: God is my oath (Hebrew origin, a shortened form of Elizabeth)
Margaret: Pearl (Greek origin)
Martha: Lady, mistress of the house (Aramaic origin)
Marjorie: Pearl of the sea (French origin)
Mathilde: Mighty in battle (German origin)
Maxine: Greatest (Latin origin)
Miriam: Beloved, exalted (Hebrew origin)
Minnie: Small and dainty (German origin)
Mollie: Gentle, soft (Irish origin)
Nell: Bright, shining (Irish origin)
Nora: Honor, brightness (Irish origin)
Norene: Bright glory (Irish origin)
Octavia: Eighth (Latin origin)
Olive: Peace, olive tree (Latin origin)
Opal: Precious stone (Latin origin)
Patricia: Noblewoman (Latin origin)
Pearl: A precious gem (Latin origin)
Penelope: Weaver (Greek origin)
Polly: Small, lively (Greek origin, diminutive of Mary)
Pollyanna: Always optimistic (fictional character)
Posey: Bouquet of flowers (English origin)
Rolla: Famous in battle (German origin)
Rosemary. 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.
Ruby: Red gem (Latin origin)
Ruth: Faithful friend, beauty (Hebrew origin)
Sadie: Princess (Hebrew origin)
Sandra: Defender of mankind (Greek origin)
Scarlet: Bright red (English origin)
Selma: Helmet, protector (Germanic origin)
Seraphina: Fiery one (Hebrew origin)
Shirley: Bright meadow (English origin)
Shoshana: Rose (Hebrew origin)
Sophia: Wisdom (Greek origin)
Susannah: Lily (Hebrew origin)
Sylvia: Forest dweller (Latin origin)
Trudy: Strong fighter (German origin)
Una: One and only (Gaelic origin)
Valentina: Strong, healthy (Latin origin)
Vera: Faith, truth (Latin origin)
Viola: Violet (Latin origin)
Violet: Purple flower (Latin origin)
Virginia. 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.
Willa: Resolute, determined (Germanic origin)
Wren: Small bird (English origin)
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