Victorian Baby Names

50 Beautiful Victorian Baby Names That Ooze Charm

Are you looking for vintage inspiration for naming your baby? Here are some lovely vintage Victorian baby names to inspire you. With the help of the Baby Name Popularity Databases at the Social Security Administration, we rounded up 49 of the most charming Victorian-era baby names for boys and girls popular from 1880 through 1900.

With so many lovely choices, which one will be your favorite?

1. Alfred

Poet Lord Alfred Tennyson and the British Prince Alfred helped make this a popular boy’s name during the Victorian era.

2. Alma

This lovely Victorian girl’s name has many meanings, including “good” in Celtic and “loving” in Swedish.

3. Archie

As a shortened version of the much stuffier “Archibald,” Archie was a popular name in an era when even boys’ names ending with an “-e” sound.

4. Bernard

Meaning “strong like a bear,” Bernard can be softened into a sweet, nostalgic boy’s nickname, Bernie.

5. Bert

Don’t worry, you don’t need an “Ernie” hanging around to make this name complete. Often a derivative of Bertram, Albert, or Robert, this name is short, sweet, and packs a solid punch.

6. Blanche

This French name meaning “white” is anything but boring with its sophisticated Victorian flair.

7. Charley

We love the alternate spelling of this classically playful name, a derivative of the more stately Charles.

8. Clara

Meaning “clear and bright,” Clara evokes the delicateness and sweetness of the Victorian era.

9. Clarence

Whether he’s your life-saving guardian angel from It’s a Wonderful Life or powerhouse American attorney Clarence Darrow, this boy’s name is full of Victorian vigor and charm.

10. Claude

French-inspired, delightfully short, and sophisticated, Claude has Roman roots from Emperor Claudius.

11. Cora

From the same root as “heart,” Cora reminds us now of the one Lady Cora Grantham on the BBC drama, Downton Abbey.

12. Della

Della is a derivative of other popular Victorian era girl’s names of the time, like Adeline, Adelaide and Adelle.

13. Edgar

Painter Edgar Degas was highly influential in the art world during the Victorian era; poet Edgar Allen Poe was just a famous posthumously during this period as well.

14. Edith

Edith was incredibly popular as a girl’s name during the Victorian era, and the name has seen a revival thanks to the BBC drama, Downton Abbey (Lady Edith).

15. Effie

Short for Euphemia, the very popular Victorian girl’s name Effie has become relevant once again, thanks to The Hunger Games books and films (Effie Trinket).

16. Elmer

A Teutonic name meaning “awe-inspiring,” this is a truly unique boy’s name that was once quite popular in Victorian America.

17. Ernest

If your little boy is destined for literary greatness, consider the name Ernest, in honor of the prolific American author Ernest Hemingway.

18. Fannie

Fannie plays into the Victorian era obsessions of names ending with “-ie.”

19. Florence

Whether you’re inspired by the city at the heart of the Italian Renaissance or the more modern rock ballads of Florence and the Machine, this Victorian girl’s name is perfectly artsy.

20. Floyd

This Celtic name meaning “gray” could have become popular during the Victorian era because of the sensational novel Aurora Floyd by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in 1863.

21. Grover

Don’t jump to Sesame Street associations just yet. The name Grover is also perfectly presidential (as in U.S. Grover Cleveland)!

22. Harold

While it’s derivative “Harry” was also quite popular during the Victorian era, the more formal Harold is a strong, bold choice for a boy’s name today.

23. Harriet

This popular girl’s name from the Victorian era brings out all kinds of nostalgic, vintage charm!

24. Harvey

There’s something so wonderfully vintage about Harvey, evoking the titular Jimmy Stewart film of the same name.

25. Hattie

Hattie is actually a derivative of Henrietta, meaning “ruler of the home.” Hattie is full of nostalgic charm and whimsy!

26. Henry

This classic boy’s name evokes a simpler time. It’s reminiscent of many famous Henrys, including Henry David Thoreau, Henry Ford, and Henry Fonda.

27. Ida

German for “hardworking and diligent,” this popular Victorian girl’s name can be lengthened to the very sweet and demure Idabel or French-inspired Idabelle.

28. Jack

This short name was popular during the Victorian era and is still a very popular name for boys in the United States.

29. Josephine

The feminine form of the boy’s name Joseph was quite popular during the Victorian era, with its hints of modern feminine fashion.

30. Leo

Latin for “lion,” you can thank Russian author Leo Tolstoy for the popularity of this name during the Victorian era.

31. Lillian

Meaning “lily,” this Victorian girl’s name captures all the innocence and purity of the Victorian era.

32. Lizzie

Lizzie is a wonderfully playful shortened version of the much more formal Elizabeth, and a popular pick for baby girls during the Victorian era.

33. Lula

Lula seems like such an odd name to be so popular during the Victorian era, but at the turn of the century in America, Lula was ranked #36 among baby girls at its peak.

34. Luther

Meaning “renowned warrior,” Luther conjures memories of a great modern American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Also the name of a wildly popular crime drama in the United Kingdom.

35. Mabel

We love how wonderfully nostalgic and vintage this Victorian baby girl’s name is. Mabel is an English name meaning “lovable.”

36. Maggie

This popular form of the name Margaret is sweet and delicate and a favorite during the Victorian era.

37. Minnie

Long before the famous Disney character Minnie Mouse came along, the name Minnie itself was a fast-rising popular name at the turn of the century.

38. Nellie

The popular Victorian tune “Nellie Bly” helped make the girl’s name Nellie a household name at the turn of the century in America.

39. Nora

With origins from both the English name Eleanor and and Greek name Honora, Nora is a soft and gentle baby girl’s name from the Victorian era.

40. Oliver

There’s no twist to this classic Victorian boy’s name!

41. Oscar

Today, Oscar evokes images of award ceremonies as well as designer fashion (Oscar de la Renta).

42. Pearl

Short, delicate, and reminiscent of treasured riches from the sea, Pearl is a sweet Victorian name for your little gem!

43. Raymond

During the Victorian era, everyone loved this boy’s name! This popular Victorian baby boy’s name means “wise protector.”

44. Ruth

Short but powerful, the name Ruth was very popular for young women during the Victorian period.

45. Sadie

Sadie was incredibly popular at the end of the nineteenth century, inspiring the “girls ask the boys” Sadie Hawkins dances of the early twentieth century.

46. Samuel

With great short nicknames like Sam and Sammy, Samuel adds a touch of formality without being too stuffy.

47. Violet

Don’t worry – your little one won’t be shy with a name like Violet. This gentle Victorian girl’s name is perfect for a spring baby!

48. Walter

This name has seen a rise in popularity since the finale of the popular TV show Breaking Bad, thanks to a one Mr. Walter White.

49. Warren

There’s something rugged and tough about this boy’s name from an otherwise dainty period in world history.

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