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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

Robert

Meaning: bright fame

Origin:English from German
542
Abraham

Meaning: father of multitudes

Origin:Hebrew
621
Albert

Meaning: noble, bright

Origin:German
218
Charles

Meaning: man, free man

Origin:French from German
290
David

Meaning: beloved

Origin:Hebrew
337
Hannah

Meaning: grace

Origin:Hebrew
177
Isabella

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Spanish and Italian variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew
145
Frances

Meaning: from France; free man

Origin:English from Latin
135
James

Meaning: supplanter

Origin:English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
33
Amelia

Meaning: work

Origin:German
23
Josephine

Meaning: Jehovah increases

Origin:French feminine variation of Joseph
17
Eleanor A name with French origins, the meaning of E...
Origin:English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown
18
Charlotte

Meaning: free man

Origin:French, feminine diminutive of Charles
21
Alice

Meaning: noble

Origin:German
7
Margaret

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Greek
73
Olivia

Meaning: olive tree

Origin:Latin
49
Catherine

Meaning: pure

Origin:Greek
183
Alexandra

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Greek, feminine form of Alexander
63
Helen

Meaning: torch; shining light

Origin:Greek
328
Mary

Meaning: drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved

Origin:Hebrew or Egyptian
202