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Classic Baby Names

What are the most classic baby names for girls and boys? They’ve been used for centuries, and the majority have always been in the Top 1000 — counted since 1880. Many of the most popular baby names today are classics, including Olivia and William.

Along with Olivia and William, other classic baby names in the US Top 20 include Emma, Sophia, Charlotte, and Emily for girls, and James, Benjamin, Henry, and Jacob for boys. Many classic names are also royal baby names , such as Elizabeth, Charles, Victoria, and Philip.

While there are hundreds of classic baby names from the Bible, ancient cultures, and other traditional sources in common use today, these are our picks for the most, um, classic classic baby names.

Classic Names for Babies

Cecilia

Meaning: blind

Origin:Feminine form of Cecil, Latin
51
Camilla

Meaning: young ceremonial attendant

Origin:Latin
323
Isabel

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Spanish variation of Elizabeth
222
Rose

Meaning: rose, a flower

Origin:Latin
52
Lydia

Meaning: woman from Lydia

Origin:Greek
66
Esther

Meaning: star

Origin:Persian
105
Naomi

Meaning: pleasantness

Origin:Hebrew
118
Miriam

Meaning: drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved

Origin:Hebrew or Egyptian
157
Abigail

Meaning: my father is joyful

Origin:Hebrew
190
Daniel

Meaning: God is my judge

Origin:Hebrew
150
Laura

Meaning: from Laurentum or bay laurel

Origin:English from Latin
113
Madeline

Meaning: high tower or woman from Magdala

Origin:English variation of Magdalen
103
Eve

Meaning: life

Origin:Hebrew
244
Ruth

Meaning: compassionate friend

Origin:Hebrew
255
Arthur

Meaning: bear

Origin:Celtic
32
Isaac

Meaning: laughter

Origin:Hebrew
60
Zachary

Meaning: the Lord has remembered

Origin:Hebrew
30
Nathaniel

Meaning: gift of God

Origin:Hebrew
41
Philip

Meaning: lover of horses

Origin:Greek
153
Vincent

Meaning: conquering

Origin:Latin
52