Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most exciting and daunting tasks for any parent-to-be. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect name that sounds beautiful and has a meaningful significance. While there are plenty of modern names to choose from, looking back at the popular names in the 1800s can be a great source of inspiration.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 100 baby names that were popular in the 1800s, AKA the Victorian Era, and deserve a comeback in the modern era. These names have stood the test of time and are still relevant and meaningful today. Whether you’re looking for a classic name with a timeless charm or a unique name that stands out from the crowd, our list has something for every parent-to-be. So, get ready to be inspired and find the perfect name for your little one with our list of 100 baby names from the 1800s!
Beloved 1800s Baby Names for Girls That Sound Fresh Today
Starting with A
- Adela – A name of German origin, meaning “noble.”
- Alexandrina – A name of Greek origin, meaning “defending men”
- Alma – A name of Latin origin, meaning “soul” or “nurturing”
- Annis – A form of Agnes, from Greek, meaning “pure”
Starting with B
- Beatrice – A name of Latin origin, meaning “she who brings happiness” or “blessed”
- Belle – A name of French origin, meaning “beautiful”
- Betsy – A diminutive form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
- Blanche – A name of French origin, meaning “white”
Names Starting with C
- Celia – A name of Latin origin, meaning “heavenly”
- Charity – An English virtue name
- Cicely – An English form of Cecilia, from a Latin root, meaning “blind”
- Cordelia – A name found in both Latin and Celtic naming traditions, meaning “heart” or “daughter of the sea”
Starting with D or E
- Dinah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God will judge”
- Edith – A name of English origin, meaning “war wealthy”
- Enid – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “spirit”
- Eugenie – A French form of Eugenia, meaning “noble”
Names Starting with G or H
- Gladys – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “nation”
- Gwenllian – A name that once belonged to a brave medieval Welsh princess, meaning “white flax”
- Hilda – A name of German origin, meaning “woman warrior”
- Honora – A name of Latin origin that was adopted by the Puritans as a virtue name, indeed, it means “honor”
Starting with K or L
- Keziah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “cassia tree”
- Lena – A name on the rise, Lena is found in many naming traditions and can mean “bright” and “beautiful”
- Lula – A diminutive form of Louise, meaning “famed warrior”
- Lulu – A diminutive form of Louise or Lucy, or a name of Arabic origin that means “pearl”
Names Starting with M
- Mabel – A name that is quietly on the rise, Mabel comes from Latin and means “lovable”
- Mahala – A name found in Native American, Hebrew, and Arabic naming traditions, meaning “tender”
- Maude – A French and English form of Matilda, meaning “mighty in battle”
- Myra – A name of Greek origin, meaning “sweetly scented oil”
Starting with O or P
- Olive – An English name from Latin, meaning “olive tree”
- Pearl – A Latin gem name
- Polly – An English form of Molly, both coming from Mary, meaning “bitter”
- Priscilla – A Latin form of Prisca, meaning “ancient”
Names Starting with R
- Relief – A virtue name and reference to the relief of Christ; back in the day, Leafy was the nickname for this one
- Rhoda – A name of Greek origin, meaning “rose”
- Rosamund – A name of German origin, meaning “horse protector”
- Rosanna – A combination of Rose and Anna (Anna comes from a Hebrew root, meaning “grace)
Starting with S
- Sabina – A name of Latin origin, meaning “Sabine”
- Susie – A diminutive form of Susan, of Hebrew origin, meaning “lily”
- Sybil – A name of Greek origin, meaning “prophetess”
- Sylvia – A name of Latin origin, meaning “of the forest”
Names Starting with T
- Tamar – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “date palm tree”
- Temperance – An English virtue name
- Theodora – A feminine form of Theodore, meaning “gift of God”
- Thomasin – A feminine form of Thomas, from Aramaic, meaning “twin”
- Tryphena – A name belonging to an early Christian in the Bible, Tryphena is of Greek origin and means “delicate”
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Final 1800s Baby Names for Girls
- Ursula – A name of Latin origin, meaning “little bear”
- Wilhelmina – A name of German origin, meaning “resolute protector”
- Winifred – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “blessed peacemaking”
- Zillah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “shade”
Popular 1800s Baby Names for Boys You Should Consider
Starting with A
- Absalom – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “father of peace”
- Abram – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “father of multitudes”
- Alanzo – A name of Italian origin, a form of Alphonso, meaning “noble and ready”
- Ambrose – A name of Latin origin, meaning “immortal”
Names Starting with B
- Baden – A name of German origin, meaning “son of Bade”
- Basil – A name of Greek origin, meaning “royal”
- Bernard – A name of German origin, meaning “brave as a bear”
- Bertram – A name of German origin, meaning “bright raven;” we love the nickname Bertie
Starting with C
- Cecil – A name of Latin origin, meaning “blind”
- Claude – A name of French origin, from Latin, meaning “enclosure”
- Clement – A name of Latin origin, meaning “merciful”
- Clyde – A name of Scottish origin that names a river there
Names Starting with E
- Ellis – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “benevolent”
- Emil – A name of Latin origin, meaning “rival”
- Emrys – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “immortal”
- Esau – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “hairy”
Starting with G
- Giles – A name of Greek origin, meaning “young goat”
- Godfrey – A name of German origin, meaning “God’s peace”
- Griffith – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “strong lord”
- Guy – A name of French origin, meaning “guide” and “leader”
Names Starting with H
- Hedley – A name of English origin, meaning “field of heather”
- Hiram – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “brother of the exalted one”
- Homer – A storied name of Greek origin, meaning “pledge”
- Hosea – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “salvation”
Starting with I or J
- Ira – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “watchful one”
- Jabez – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “borne in pain”
- Jarvis – A name of English origin, meaning “skilled with a spear”
- Jenkin – A name of Flemish origin, meaning “little John”
Starting with M or N
- Maurice – A French name from Latin, meaning “dark skin”
- Neville – A name of French origin, meaning “new town”
- Nigel – A name of Irish origin, meaning “black hair”
- Norman – A name of English origin, meaning “Norseman”
Names Starting with O or P
- Obediah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “servant of God”
- Oswald – A name of English origin, meaning “divine power”
- Otto – A name of German origin, meaning “wealthy”
- Percival – A name of French origin, meaning “one who pierces the valley”
Starting with R
- Ralph – A name we only like when it is pronounced like Rafe, Ralph comes from English and means “wolf-counsel”
- Reuben – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “behold, a son”
- Rufus – A name of Latin origin, meaning “red-head”
- Rupert – A German form of Robert, meaning “bright fame”
Names Starting with S or T
- Simeon – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “he [God] has heard”
- Temple – A name of English origin, meaning “from the temple”
- Theophilus – A name of Greek origin, meaning “friend of God”
- Titus – A name of Latin origin, meaning “title of honor”
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Final 1800s Baby Names for Boys
- Vernon – A name of English origin, meaning “place of the alders”
- Willis – A name of German origin, meaning “resolute protection”
- Zebulon – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “exaltation” or “little dwelling”
- Zophar – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “to leap”
There are plenty of unique and charming baby names from the 1800s that more parents should consider today. These names are timeless and can add a touch of vintage flair to your child’s name. Whether you choose a classic name like Henry or a more unusual one like Zella, these names will stand out and be loved for generations. So, go ahead and explore these baby names from the past, and who knows, you might find the perfect name for your little one.