Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story focuses on the life and rise to power of Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III. The show explores her relationship with her husband and her influence on high society during the Georgian era. Queen Charlotte is known for her unique sense of style and fashion, which inspired many trends during the time. The show gives viewers an in-depth look at the political and cultural climate of the Georgian era and how Queen Charlotte’s influence helped shape it.
The series is a massive hit for Netflix, and the era’s names appeal to fans of the show. We wanted to learn more about the baby names that were popular way back then (the Georgian era spanned from 1714 to 1830) and decided to round up some popular appellations of the era that will work for babies born today. These timeless classics have tons of character and pedigree, making them elegant options worth considering.
Georgian Era Baby Names for Girls
Henrietta
Henrietta was most popular in the US the very first year baby name data was collected by the Social Security Administration in 1880. Unfortunately, this name has fallen from fashion and was last mildly popular in the 1950s. Henrietta is, of course, a feminine form of Henry, meaning “estate ruler.” The name arrived in England in 1625 via King Charles I’s wife, the French princess Henriette Marie, who became known as Henrietta Maria.
Jane
Jane Austen’s life was contained in the Georgian Era. She lived from 1775 to 1817. The beloved author has a timeless name that has been in the top 500 in the US since at least 1880. Jane is the feminine English answer to John. The name contains a Hebrew root that means “God’s gracious gift.”
Priscilla
Priscilla has that upper-crusty energy that was popular during the Georgian Era. It is one of the many names from the Era that is still put to good use today. Priscilla is a Latin diminutive form of Prisca, and it means “ancient.” Sadly, this name has been trending down in recent years. Let’s keep this one kicking!
Christiana
Modern variations of Christiana, like Christina, Christy, and Christie, have overtaken this classic in popularity. Christiana sounds like it comes from another time because it has not been widely used in the US for centuries. We think there’s life still locked inside this name and get giddy when we consider the nickname Tiana.
Lavinia
Lavinia is still a popular name in England today, but it’s been almost a century since that was the case in the US. The name fell from favor by the 1930s here and remains rare. Lavinia is an ancient name that has roots in classical Roman mythology. It was borne by the wife of the Trojan hero Aeneas. The name means “from Lavinium.” The vintage nickname tied to this one is Vinnie, but a more modern take could take you to Vinia or Nia.
Alethea
Alethea is a name that belongs to the Greek goddess and embodiment of truth. Thus, this name is taken to mean “truth.” Alethea was first recorded as a given name in England in the 16th century. The name had a flash-in-the-pan two years of popularity in the US in the 1970s. Allie, Lea, and Thea are all great potential nicknames.
Georgiana
We can’t deliver a list of Georgian-era baby names without Georgiana! This delightful appellation is an elaboration of Georgia that has a great, vintage quality. The name is quintessentially English and is still popular there today. In the US, however, the name was last mildly popular in the 1950s. Let’s give this name new life! Oh, one last note: pronounce this name correctly as George-ee-AH-na.
Augusta
It’s been almost 70 years since the name Augusta was popular in the US. This name is of Latin origin and means “greatest.” Traditional nicknames for this one are Aggie and Gussie. In the Netflix series, the name is featured for Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, King George’s mother. Of course, she is based on a real-life Princess.
Honora
Honora and Honoria are two popular Georgian Era baby names that you would have heard often back then. It’s been over 100 years since Honora was popular in the US! This name has a Latin root that means “honorable woman.” This name first became popular in England thanks to the Normans who brought this subtle virtue name to England’s shores.
Dinah
Dinah is a name of Hebrew origin that means “God will judge.” This name had a brief renaissance in the US in the 1950s and ’60s, but it has been missing in action ever since.
Patience
If you have not picked up on it, parents of the Georgian Era loved virtue names. Patience is a beautifully antiquated name that saw a rebirth a decade ago. It’s exceedingly rare today. Patience comes from Latin.
Euphemia
You will have to turn the clock back to 1903 to find the name Euphemia popular in the US. Its nickname Effie actually overtook its place. Euphemia is a name of Greek origin, meaning “sweetly speaking.” If you are new to this name, the correct way to pronounce it is you-FEE-mee-ah
Keziah
Keziah has never been a popular choice in the US, but it was one of the most cherished names of the Georgian Era. Keziah comes from Hebrew and means “cassia tree.” While some names have an express, intended pronunciation, Keziah is a kind of make-your-own-rules deal as there is evidence of established pronunciations that include KEE-zee-ah, KEE-szhah, KEZ-ee-ah, and keh-ZYE-ah.
Adelaide
Adelaide has staged a real comeback in recent years, which we are overjoyed about. The name is English from German, meaning “noble.” A German princess who married the British King William IV in 1830 and became known as “Good Queen Adelaide.”
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Charlotte
Queen Charlotte was in good company in her age. Charlotte was one of Europe’s most beloved names in the Georgian Era. It remains one of the most popular choices for baby girls born all around the world. In the most recent baby name data, the name ranked as the third most given name for baby girls in the US. Charlotte is, of course, a form of Charles, meaning “free man.”
Georgian Era Baby Names for Boys
Marmaduke
Marmaduke seems like too much of a name to bear for a baby boy, but the Duke nickname makes it palatable. This name is of Irish origin and means “devotee of Maedoc.” This name has a history of popularity in England beyond the Georgian Era but has never been popular in the US.
Valentine
Valentine was an admirable name of the Georgian Era. It was once popular stateside, but that hasn’t been the case for some sixty years. Valentine a Latin root that means “strength.” The name is currently having a moment in France and Belgium but it is rare in English-speaking communities today.
Octavius
Octavius is a name of Latin origin that means “eighth son.” It was a common given name in the Georgian Era when it wasn’t too uncommon to have eight or more children. This name had a blip of popularity in the US from 1987 to 1991 but hasn’t been in the top 1000 for boys since then.
Horatio
Horatio has been washed through Latin, German, and English to reach the Horatio we know today. This name’s root means “hour.” The name was last popular in the US in the late 19th century. We wish more parents would turn to this classic.
Simeon
Simeon is a name of Hebrew and Russian origin that means “God has heard.” This name has been mildly popular in recent years in the US but definitely not commonplace. This name is what the Greeks turned into Simon. Why not go with the OG? Oh, and Simon was also popular in the Georgian Era.
Nathaniel
So many of America’s most beloved names were used in the Georgian Era. Nathanial is no exception. This name has been in the top 250 since records begin in the US in 1880. This name of Hebrew origin means “gift of God.”
Ambrose
Ambrose is back, baby! After decades of being overlooked, the name finally returned to the top 1000 in 2019, and it’s been climbing ever since. This name of Latin origin means “immortal.” It comes from Ambrosia, the food of the gods. The only bad thing about this name is that it has no immediate nickname potential. Bro and Rose just don’t hit right for us.
Jasper
We are pleased to share that Jasper is more popular today in the US than ever before! This gorgeous name is of Persian origin and means “bringer of treasure,” a reference to the “Three Wise Men” from the Nativity. Jasper also names a precious stone, a kind of quartz.
Giles
Giles is a name of Greek origin that means “young goat.” It is scarcely heard in the US today, but it was fairly popular prior to the 1950s. It was a very popular choice among parents in the Georgian Era.
Cornelius
Cornelius was once one of the US’s most beloved names. Sadly, it fell out of the top 1000 in recent years. The name was also a hit in Georgian England. The name comes from a Latin root that means “horn.” In the Georgian Era, you would have heard the nickname Corny used with it, but we prefer the more modern Neely.
Edmund
Edmund was a top 500 name in the US until 1980. It has since fallen from fashion. The name is of English origin and means “wise protector.” Many great writers of the Georgian Era used the name for characters in their books, making this one a truly storied option.
Laurence
Laurence was the preferred spelling of this name in the Georgian Era, but in the US today, Lawrence is the way most parents go. This name is of Latin origin and means “from Laurentum.”
Timothy
Timothy is a name of Greek origin that means “honoring God.” The name is most well-used in England and the US today. This evergreen classic was common in the Georgian Era and continues to march forward today.
Bartholomew
Bartholomew is a name of Aramaic origin, meaning “son of the furrow.” Centuries ago in Georgian England, the name was truly a hit. Today, it feels too weighty for modern parents. Back in the day, you would have heard the nicknames, Barty and Tolly. Kind of fun, right?
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George
Finally, we leave you with George. This name of Greek origin is even more fitting for the King in the Netflix series (King George III) as it means “farmer.” Farmer! Wherever English is commonly spoken, this name is popular. George was the name of the king of Britain for 116 straight years. The patron saint of England is Saint George. This appellation is rock-solid and will serve your family well.
There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these Georgian Era baby names. These storied appellations are full of character and have an elegant style. If you loved Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, you have the perfect excuse to look for baby names inspired by the series. Best of luck to you on your baby name journey!