Classic girl names are surprisingly difficult to pin down – at least compared to the boys’ list.

In general, the girls’ list tends to be more volatile. We revive vintage names and embrace novelty all. the. time.

Choose any year, and a handful of the Top 50 boy names remain in today’s Top 50. For girls, that holds true for only a name or two.

Still, the same general criteria that works for the boys’ list applies here.

To be considered one of the classic girl names, a name should:

  • Claim a long history of use, even if they’re not always top of the charts.
  • Be found throughout history, from the ancient or medieval to the modern era. The names could easily belong to a newborn baby, or her grandmother – or even great-great-grandmother.
  • Avoid nickname forms. Many shortened versions of names have been around for ages, like Hattie or Ellie. But it’s the most evergreen version of the name that makes this list.
  • Travel across languages. If a hallmark of a name’s classic status is a long history of use, it should be familiar in other countries.
  • Avoid gender-neutral forms. Feminine forms of masculine names count, and some of the distinctions are relatively recent. (Like Francis/Frances.) But, in general, classic names tend to be clearly gendered.
  • Feel at least slightly stylish today. I could argue that Agatha and Virginia belong on this list – but they seem more like neglected traditionals than classic girl names.

Maybe the trickiest part for classic girl names is finding choices with a timeless quality. Alyssa and Alicia both come from Alice, and nearly qualify, but they seem more tied to a specific decade.

But these classic girl names repeat throughout history, found on saints and princesses, suffragettes and writers, world-changers from way back when and well into the future.

ABIGAIL (#31)

2017 US popularity ranking: #10

This Hebrew name carries a positive meaning: father’s joy. In the Old Testament, she’s an admirable woman who eventually marries King David. In early American history, Abigail Adams was the wife and trusted advisor of second US president John Adams. The name has ranked in the US Top 100 since 1989. Those ancient roots make it classic, but it’s worth noting that Abigail spent centuries out of favor. During the 1700s, Abigail became a generic term for a servant, thanks in part to a lady’s maid in a popular play. Today, though, that association is long forgotten and Abigail reads as a traditional choice.

AMELIA (#4)

2017 US popularity ranking: #8

Amelia and Emily both appear on this list. Plenty of related names are heard across the years, too. Strictly speaking, they come from at least two distinct sources: the Germanic amal meaning vigorous and Roman family name Aemilius, meaning rival.Today we hear them as go-to choices for our daughters. Amelia, in particular, brings to mind high-flying aviator Amelia Earhardt.

ALEXANDRA (#204)

2017 US popularity ranking: #120

The feminine form of Alexander, it often shares that name’s go-to short form: Alex. In use since the ancient world, Alexandra became quite stylish in the 1980s and 90s. Today it remains a dramatic, strong choice for a daughter.

ALICE (#65)

2017 US popularity ranking: #70

Alice transforms from sweetly storybook to mature and capable over the course of a lifetime. It’s a vintage charmer, worn by our Wonderland heroine and a famed suffragette, too. It started out as a short form of the Germanic Adalheidis, meaning noble type, but it’s been seen as an independent name for centuries. Adeline – as well as Adalynn and company – are all cousins. And yet it’s Alice that feels the most traditional and on-trend now. Rumors that it was a favorite if Prince Louis had been a girl lent Alice a little bit of royal stature, too.

ANNA (#79)

2017 US popularity ranking: #53

The Old Testament Hannah became Anna early on, and then Ann in English and Anne in French. I couldn’t decide which one to put on the classic girl names list at first, but as of today, Anna is more popular than Ann or Anne. It’s also the sound that drives many a feminine favorite, from elaborations like Julianna, to names that just happen to include the sound, like Adrianna. Nicknames Nan and Nancy started out as pet form of Anna, but today it’s likely to be used in full or simply shortend to Annie.

BEATRICE (#587)

2017 US popularity ranking: #559

A name used by both Dante and Shakespeare feels like a lock for this list. Beatrice blends the Late Latin viatrix – traveler – with the Latin beatus – blessed. It’s was quite popular at the turn of the twenieth century, and a little more obscure today. It’s one-part vintage-revival, but two-parts enduring choice for a daughter.

CAROLINE (#83)

2017 US popularity ranking: #55

The Germanic Karl became the Latin Carolus; Caroline emerged as a logical feminine form. Like all of the Charles names, it’s been worn by saints and royals over the years. You’ve probably belted it out at a party: Sweet Caroline … whoa, ho, ho … Not so long ago, every Caroline shortened her name to Carrie. Today that’s less common, and we often use the name in full. In the 1940s, we tended to say the last syllable like lynn, and the spelling Carolyn peaked. Today, we’re more likely to rhyme it with vine.

CASSANDRA (#639)

2017 US popularity ranking: #605

Cassandra comes from a Greek word meaning to shine. You probably know a little bit about her story: she was a Trojan princess gifted with prophecy and cursed to never be believed. It’s not immediately a classic. In fact, it would’ve been rare in the US until midcentury. But it does stand out as an ancient name that was used in the Middle Ages and survived into the modern day. It feels a little more traditional than, say, popular Chloe or Penelope, if only because the -a ending puts this name in the company of Alexandra and Victoria.

CHARLOTTE (#3)

2017 US popularity ranking: #7

Shortly before the world met Princess Charlotte, this name entered the US Top Ten. Like Caroline, Charlotte is a feminine form of the equally evergreen Charles. And while it’s a classic, it’s never been so wildly popular as it is today. Maybe that’s because other -t ending girl names, from Scarlett to Violet to Juliette, are also fast-rising favorites. Some Charlottes might be Charlie, but chances are that a Charlotte will use her name in full. Charlotte Bronte lends it some literary cachet. It’s a polished and popular choice, as traditional as a plaid jumper, but with a lot of spirit, too. It’s among the most popular of classic baby girl names of our moment.

CHRISTINA (#703)

2017 US popularity ranking: #403

Christina is tied to the 1980s – along with Christie, Kristin, Krista, and a long list of similar names. Despite that relatively recent peak in popularity, it’s easy to argue Christina’s classic status. It’s regal, saintly, worn by women of accomplishment, and heard in half a dozen European languages. Christina might be hibernating now, but doubtless this name will find its way back into favor.

CLAIRE (#67)

2017 US popularity ranking: #49

The challenge with adding Claire to a list of classic girl names is similar to the problems of Katherine. Over time, we’ve spelled it Clare, and sometimes even Clair. The Latinate Clara also qualifies as classic. But at the moment, Claire stands closest to the top of the charts. It feels as sleek and modern as Sloane or Quinn, but has long fallen on the feminine side of the name divide. Credit to the thirteenth century Saint Clare – Chiara in Italian – of Assisi, who popularized the name and helped it spread throughout Europe. Lots of names include the sound, from elaborations like Clarissa to modern word name options, like Clarity. Strictly speaking, Claire is a French name derived from Chiara and company, a choice more timeless than Blanche, less dramatic than Genevieve.

DIANA (#228)

2017 US popularity ranking: #230

In Roman mythology, Diana was goddess of the moon and the hunt, the counterpart of the Greek goddess Artemis. Those pagan roots, it’s said, vexed the late Queen Elizabeth II when Charles brought home Diana. Would her name be royal enough for a future queen? We know, of course, that tragedy followed. Decades later, the late Princess Di remains widely admired for her humanitarian work as well as her personal style. She also helped elevate the name Diana to a true classic.

ELEANOR (#14)

2017 US popularity ranking: #35

Eleanor sounds smart and capable, thanks to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. But it’s romantic, too, as in Eleanor of Aquitaine. With nicknames galore, Eleanor exemplifies one of the best qualifies of classic names: they’re shapeshifters, difficult to pigeonhole, easy to grow with your child. Your Eleanor could be sophisticated Lena or playful Nellie. Jane Austen used the alternate spelling Elinor for her Sense and Sensibility heroine. While both versions have history, as well as notable bearers, it’s the ‘ea’ spelling that has always come out on top in the US.

ELIZABETH (#15)

2017 US popularity ranking: #13

Few girls’ names have ranked in or near the US Top 25 every year since data was first recorded in 1880. Elizabeth is one of the very few. It’s among the first names to come to mind whenever classic girl names are mentioned, an enduring choice worn by queens – including the long-reigning late Queen of England, Elizabeth II, as well as movie stars (Liz Taylor) and world-changing women (Elizabeth Cady Stanton).  In every decade, there’s at least one famous Elizabeth that comes to mind. The meaning is powerful, too: “my God is an oath.” With plenty of nicknames to consider – hello, Betty, Bessie, Elsie, and Beth – you could name every women in your family Elizabeth and you’d never be confused.  

EMILY (#18)

2017 US popularity ranking: #12

Emily held the top spot in the US for years, and even though it’s fallen out of the Top Ten, it remains a favorite. From poet Emily Dickinson to actor Emily Blunt, there are almost too many women of accomplishment to list. And that’s not counting fiction! Emily Elizabeth appears in the Clifford books; Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride answers to the name; and there’s Simon & Garfunkel’s romantic song “For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her.” Emma and Amelia have followed Emily up the charts and now occupy the Top Ten, but this version, imported to England by the German-born Hanover princes, remains a rock-solid traditional name for a daughter.

EMMA (#2)

2017 US popularity ranking: #1

It’s easy to dismiss a chart-topping favorite as trendy, rather than timeless. Except nothing could be further from the truth! Emma is this generation’s Mary. A name with centuries of history and a straightforward sound. And while we might know an awful lot of little Emmas right about now, the name is truly timeless. From a medieval queen to Jane Austen’s unforgettable heroine, the name appears across the ages, sounding right at-home every time.

EVA and EVE (#112, #600)

2017 US popularity ranking: #73, #436

Ev- names have enjoyed a moment in recent years. Everly, Evangeline, Evolet. They all owe something to Eve, the very first woman in the Book of Genesis, as well as Eva, the Latinate form of the name. Thinking of famous women by the name takes us all over the world. Eva, in particular, is popular in Germany and Denmark, Puerto Rico and Brazil, Czechia and Belgium. Other short names for girls, like Ella and Etta, share some of Eva’s appeal, but few offer the same international reach.

EVELYN (#9)

2017 US popularity ranking: #9

Evelyn almost breaks one of the rules: it had a brief run as a gender-neutral name. It’s steadily been more popular for girls, though, across more than a century. It comes from Aveline, via Avila – a place name associated with the famous Saint Teresa of Avila, as well as the Germanic root awi, with multiple meanings. Chances are we hear Evelyn as feminine because of the enduring popularity of Eva and company.

FLORENCE (#521)

2017 US popularity ranking: #979

There’s always a class of vintage baby girl names making a comeback. File Florence with Mabel and Edith, an old name that feels new. But it also counts as a classic, for a few reasons. I’ll make the case that Florence belongs with the most traditional of choices for two reasons: first, it’s heard in the ancient world, as Florentius (masculine) and Florentia (feminine.) Second, because it’s famous as the given name of world-chaning Florence Nightingale, named for a city – generations before we ever imagined calling our daughters Savannah.

FRANCES (#405)

2017 US popularity ranking: #438

Frances is the feminine form of Francis. It started out as a nickname for a young Italian boy named Giovanni who loved all things French, but ultimately became famous as Saint Francis of Assisi. Forms of the name have traveled the globe, and Francesca peaked in the US just a few years ago. But Frances remains the most traditional, a buttoned-down choice with sassy, retro nicknames like Frannie and Frankie. And if this ranking feels a little too unusual to call a name classic? Consider that Frances has more than doubled in use over the last decade.

GEORGIA (#128)

2017 US popularity ranking: #242

No one would quibble with calling George a classic. But I hesitated on Georgia, perhaps because it’s quite stylish at the moment, gaining rapidly in use. But on balance, Georgia is still less common than Sophia or Emma, and has nearly as much history, too. From a sixth century saint to artist Georgia O’Keefe, Georgia has centuries of use to consider.

GRACE (#39)

2017 US popularity ranking: #21

We talk about modern virtue names, but Grace has been around for ages. It comes directly from the Latin gratia, which can encompass beauty, goodwill, and mercy, but the Puritans who embraced the name were thinking specifically of God’s grace. Despite those roots, Grace doesn’t seemly specifically religious. Maybe that’s because we’re so familiar with it that it feels more like a name than a word. There’s Hollywood star turned real life princess, Grace Kelly; musician Grace Slick; and Debra Messing’s sitcom character on Will & Grace. As brief as Faye or Mae but with a little more meaning, it’s a name that feels elegant, but approachable.

HELEN (#440)

2017 US popularity ranking: #418

The ancient world gave us a Helen of such staggering beauty that nations went to war. It means torch, which feels just right. Medieval English simplified it to Ellen, which seems nearly as traditional. And other languages give us Helena, Elena, and Eleni, too. But spare Helen carries itself like a classic. It’s the given name of Elastigirl – a.k.a. Mrs. Incredible – from the Pixar movies, and it brings to mind the legendary Helen Keller, too. Since this name peaked in the 1910s, it’s right on track for a comeback a century later.

IRENE (#674)

2017 US popularity ranking: #591

Irene comes from a Greek word meaning peace, as well as a minor goddess personifying the virute. It’s widely used across Europe, though traditionally more common in the east than the west. Folk standard “Goodnight, Irene” traces the late 1800s, and tracks with a rise in the name’s popularity in the US. With Iris in vogue, Irene feels more appraochable than ever.

ISABELLA, ISABELLE (#7, #159)

2017 US popularity ranking: #4, #92

We’re living in a very Bella world. Isabella has been on top for so long that it’s easy to hear it as trendy, rather than traditional. But it’s every bit as old school as Elizabeth – in fact, it’s technically a form of the same name, though it’s been considered separate for centuries. Worth noting: Isabel was the more popular spelling around the turn of the twentieth century, though today you’re more likely to meet one of the longer versions.

JANE (#281)

2017 US popularity ranking: #282

John holds a spot on the boys’ list, an evergreen favorite. While feminine forms of John abound, Jane might be the most traditional in English. Maybe it’s a literary thing: Jane Austen wrote masterpieces, while Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is among the most enduring of novels. Smart, strong women by the name are plentiful: scientist Goodall; activist and reformer Addams; plus journalists, actors, and more. While some feminine forms of masculine classics are elaborate – think of Josephine and Roberta, Henrietta and Brianna – Jane claims the same simple, strong sound as her brother. It’s a tailored, straightforward choice, but there’s nothing plain about Jane.

JOSEPHINE (#64)

2017 US popularity ranking: #107

Joseph is among the most evergreen of boys’ names, so it seems fitting that Josephine appears here. While the French feminine form of Josephine wasn’t widely used until Napoleon married Josephine, who was born Marie Josephe, it fits with regal, storied classics like Charlotte and Elizabeth. Another quality Josephine shares with other classic girl names? Nicknames galore. In fact, Josie is nearly as popular as Josephine. 

JULIA (#122)

2017 US popularity ranking: #93

This name traces its beginnings to the Roman Empire, makes a cameo in the New Testament, and pops up in Shakespeare. Juliet and Juliette may be trending now, but Julia is the most evergreen. There’s master chef Child, A-list actor Roberts, two former First Ladies, and too many fictional characters to even begin. Despite this, Julia doesn’t feel tied to a specific decade. It’s not a vintage revival. And yet, it doesn’t seem wildly common, either. It’s classic, strong, and perfectly feminine. 

KATHERINE, CATHERINE (#169, #332)

2017 US popularity ranking: Katherine ranked #105; Catherine ranked #198

Over the years, the K and C spellings of this name have swapped places, but they’ve always been a favorite for American parents. With an obscure Greek origin, we’re not absolutely certain what Katherine originally meant. We know that early Christians liked it because it sounded like katharos – pure. That’s the meaning that we commonly use today. Saints and queens have worn the name, like Russia’s Catherine the Great. A sea of famous Kates followed: Katharine Hepburn, the Duchess of Cambridge, Cate Blanchett, and on and on and on. It’s among the most classic of classic girl names, one that nearly everyone agrees belongs on this list. But the spelling? That’s much tougher to agree on.

LAURA (#365)

2017 US popularity ranking: #340

If you’re a child of the 70s, you’re forgiven for not realizing that Laura counts as a classic. It became a Top 25 staple beginning in the 1960s, and remained one right through the Reagan era. What fueled the name’s rise? A 1940s movie and song boosted Laura. So did Little House on Prairie‘s pioneering main character, General Hospital super-couple Luke and Laura; Twin Peaks’ ill-fated Laura Palmer. Songs did, too, from the 1940s movie theme song to Christopher Cross’ mournful “Tell Laura I Love Her.” It was a tsunami of Laura, pushing the name to the top of the charts. Laura might deserve credit for helping usher in the return of vintage favorites like Cora, Flora, and Nora, as well as the celestial Aurora. It’s a classic with ties to the natural world and a long history of use, one that’s sure to make a comeback.

LEAH (#53)

2017 US popularity ranking: #40

We love a good mini-name these days. Just look at Top Ten staples Mia and Ava, or rising favorites like Ivy. Leah is just the tiniest bit longer, though Lea and Lia are seen, too. A long-time Top 100 fixture in the US, Old Testament Leah became popular post-Protestant Reformation. Unlike many classic girl names, there’s no single figure that dominates this name’s image, which makes it different from, say, regal Elizabeth or literary Jane. And yet, with centuries of use behind it, Leah feels every bit as traditional.

LOUISA, LOUISE (#809, #586)

2017 US popularity ranking: #752, #809

Until recently, Louisa and Louise both fell outside of the current Top 1000. The more elaborate Louisa, with its literary ties, rose first. But now Louise, too, has returned to the rankings. Silent film star and 1920s icon Louise Brooks lends the name a vintage sophistication. And the option to shorten it to Lou or Lulu appeals, too. While it’s familiar in the middle spot, the time has come for Louise to return as a first. It might make a great substitute for chart-topping classics like Charlotte or for the unrelated, but similar-sounding Top 100 pick Eloise.

young girl with curly brown hair wearing woven sun hat and denim jumper against orange siding background; classic girl names
Get new posts sent to your inbox!
Don’t miss out! Subscribe and get all the new posts first.

MADELINE (#94)

2017 US popularity ranking: #99

Madeline’s history is complicated. It ultimately comes from the Mary Magdalene in the New Testament. Magdalene referred to her hometown, Magdala, which likely means tower. We know that the name was softened, dropping the G. Oxford’s Magdalen College is pronounced more like maudlin. (Shades of Maude, the common form of Matilda, though the names are not related.) It’s Madeleine – and a cookie – in French, and most often Madeline in English. That’s also the spelling for the little girl in the Madeline book series, set in Paris. In recent years, the French and English spellings have been eclipsed by the simplified Madelyn. Still, I think it’s the -line spelling that fits best on this list.

MARGARET (#132)

2017 US popularity ranking: #132

Another choice that immediately comes to mind when classic girl names are mentioned, Margaret has been around since before the fourth century. It comes from the Latin word for pearl. That almost puts it with gemstone names like Ruby and Opal. From Margaret of Antioch to Margaret Atwood, notables can be found in nearly any generation. The go-to nicknames have changed, cycling from Peggy to Maggie to Maisie, and there’s an option to suit every personality. There’s something substantial about Margaret, a name that sounds capable. File Margaret with frills-free choices like Helen. They’re the girls’ names that show it’s possible to be feminine without sacrificing strength.

MARIA, MARIE (#82, #649)

2017 US popularity ranking: #111, #648

Everegreen Mary is the most typical English name, the fill-in-the-blank general name for a woman across generations. But that fact is that Maria is more common across Europe, from Poland to Spain, Iceland to Italy. French Marie is often tucked in the middle name spot, but is fresh and interesting as a first, too.

MARY (#135)

2017 US popularity ranking: #126

Many people list Mary as the most common girls’ name, and that’s half-right. After spending well over sixty years as the #1 name in the US, we all know a lot of Marys. But the name has slipped so far that a Mary born today seems downright surprising. In some places and times, Mary was considered too holy a name to give to a child; at other times, it was a staple choice for girls. Both reasons led to lots of Mary names, like Molly and Mae. But it’s the straightforward Mary that stands as a classic worthy of fresh consideration today.

RACHEL (#255)

2017 US popularity ranking: #195

Rachel faces the same challenge as Laura. It peaked recently, in this case, in the 1980s. Plus, we all think of Jennifer Aniston’s character on Friends, the 90s sitcom powerhouse. So it’s easy to overlook Rachel’s status as a true classic. Like many an Old Testament name, it became more common in English following the Protestant Reformation. Today’s parents might also appreciate the ties to early twentieth century conservationist and author Rachel Carson. It’s a name that went to school with Ashley, Heather, and Brittany, but Rachel feels right at home with Eleanor and Mary, too.

REBECCA (#317)

2017 US popularity ranking: #215

She’s the Old Testament wife of Isaac, the cheerful little girl on Sunnybrook Farm, and the first Mrs. DeWinter. Like so many Old Testament names, Rebecca owes its rise to the Reformation. In the US, the name peaked in the 1970s, but it’s never left the US Top 250. The long list of associations with the name, from a Shirley Temple character to the title of a Daphne du Maurier novel, bring that home. Dozens of notables wear the name today, along with plenty of fictional characters. Some Rebeccas answer to Becky, Becca, or Bex; a few are Reba, like country music’s Reba McEntire.

ROSE (#124)

2017 US popularity ranking: #141

A go-to middle name for years, lately it’s just Rose on the rise. Spare and elegant, this botanical name feels sophisticated and friendly, all at once. Rosie makes for a darling nickname. Elaborations and smooshes are wildly popular, too, from Rosalie to Rosemary to plenty of less-expected choices. Rose names appear for centuries. During the 1100s, Henry II famously had a mistress named Rosamond Clifford, known as “Rose of the World.” And Saint Rose of Lima lived in the 1700s. An interesting twist? Many of the medieval Rose names come from the Germanic element hros – horse – rather than the flower. But then again, Rose opened the door for flower names from Myrtle to Poppy, Iris to Fern. 

RUTH (#187)

2017 US popularity ranking: #265

While we think of Ruth as an Old Testament favorite – and that’s true – it’s also a celebrity baby name. Way back in 1891, Grover and Frances Cleveland named their baby girl Ruth. Cleveland was elected president twice, serving from 1885-89 and 1893-97. Her birth made headlines, and the name catapulted into the Top Ten. It fell out of favor, but after a century’s hibernation, Ruth is climbing the popularity charts once more. One more factor: Ruth doesn’t just pass the Supreme Court Justice test; it is the name of the legendary Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

SARAH, SARA (#91, #189)

2017 US popularity ranking: Sarah ranked #62; Sara ranked #158

Sarah means lady in Hebrew, and sounds nicely feminine. While Sara is preferred in plenty of languages, it’s always lagged between Sarah-with-an-h in the US. Both spellings were big in the 1980s. One reason: Hall & Oates recorded “Sara Smile” in 1975, Fleetwood Mac gave the name to a song in 1979, and Starship followed in 1986. Sarah has always charted in the US Top 125, and makes the Top 100 most years.

SOPHIA, SOFIA (#5, #12)

2017 US popularity ranking: #5; Sofia ranked #15

Tally up the two spellings, and Sophia/Sofia just might be the most popular given name for girls born in the US in recent years. It’s powerfully popular across Europe and Latin America, too – doubtless one of the reasons many parents choose it for their daughters. More reasons: the meaning (wisdom), literary ties galore, and a handful of royals by the name, like King George III’s daughter, born in 1777. Today, however, the most famous tiara-wearing bearer of the name is the Disney Channel’s Sofia the First.

TERESA, THERESA (#844, unranked) 

2017 US popularity ranking: unranked; Teresa ranked #720

How can a name that fails to crack the current US Top 1000 be considered a classic? I’ll point to the multiple saints, royals, and other historical figures by the name. Theresa might mean harvest, or possibly summer. Many of the most famous bearers of the name have been Spanish, which explains the Teresa spelling – in fact, that’s probably why Teresa still holds on today. While you’re more likely to meet a Tessa than a Theresa, centuries of use put Theresa on the classic girl names list.

VICTORIA (#45)

2017 US popularity ranking: #19

If you love strong, but feminine, names for girls, Victoria belongs on your list. There’s the legendary, long-reigning queen, of course. The name’s meaning – victory – is another plus. And Victoria was the Roman goddess of Victoria way back when. Factor in a stylish sound – the sharp ‘v’ and the on-trend – ia ending – and it’s no surprise that Victoria ranks in the US Top 25. It’s rarely left the Top 250 over the past century plus.

VIVIAN (#87)

2017 US popularity ranking: #97

As with Evelyn, Vivian was used as a unisex name in the past. But it’s a complicated name, with roots in the Latin vivus – life, which makes it masculine as well as feminine, in addition to Irish mythology and the tales of King Arthur and Camelot. On balance, all that history makes it plenty traditional. And it’s heard as a timeless choice for a daughter today.

What are your favorite classic girl names?

Originally published on October 1, 2018, this post was updated with current popularity data and re-published on June 4, 2019. Additional updates followed on August 4, 2020, October 26, 2020; June 5, 2021; February 17, 2022; August 2, 2022; and February 12, 2025.

 

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

13 Comments

  1. My 13-year-old is named Helen, and I think it is such an elegant name. It was also my grandmotherโ€™s name, so it is really special to me. If our second had been a girl, she would have been Jane.