254 Old-Fashioned Baby Names For Boys And Girls

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)