24 Thoughtful Baby Names Inspired by History
Hunting for the right baby name is a process, especially if you’re looking for something with a little more meaning behind it. A good place to start is by looking back through the pages of history for a name that connects with something you stand for or something that inspires you. From Roosevelts to mythology, here are 24 name ideas to get you thinking.
Boys
1. Leif: Starting a new family is an adventure on its own. To commemorate the start of your newest journey, name your little adventurer after the first European explorer to reach North America, Leif Eriksson.
2. Winston: Looking for a name that feels heroic and intellectual? Consider naming your baby after the revered English prime minister, WWII hero, and prolific speaker and writer Winston Churchill. Bonus: You can nickname your little one Winnie for short.
3.Julian: Friends, Romans, and new parents, why not try this variation of the famous ruler’s name, Julius? It’s also a creative choice for babies born in July!
4: Leonardo: Name your newborn after one of the most celebrated artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, and get away with also using the same name as one of the hottest actors and activists of our time.
5. Theodore: Love the great outdoors? Consider naming your baby after Theodore Roosevelt, the president who championed the conservation of public lands.
6. Franklin: If you value perseverance, then Franklin Delano Roosevelt may lend some inspo for your baby’s name. He led the country through the Great Depression and WWII and was the only president to serve for four terms. Also, Frankie is a pretty fun nickname!
7. Edison: “Eddie” never had a hipper full name. Inspired by the great inventor Thomas Edison, this is a name that feels historic while sounding modern at the same time.
8. Lincoln: Kristin Bell and Dax Shepherd used this name for their first daughter, but this gender-neutral name can easily be used for boys too. This is a fitting choice for activist parents looking for a unique name with a classic sound.
9. Emerson: If literary history is your jam, then consider using the last name of the famous American essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson. With quotes like “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” you’ll easily have a few creative nursery ideas to go along with the name.
10. Jefferson: Think you’ll be raising a trailblazer? You might up your chances by naming your little one after the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.
11. Ulysses: This name has a history of making history. A hero’s name from Greek mythology to the Civil War, this old-fashioned name is a unique choice for a future adventurer.
12. Carver: Inspired by the scientist, educator, and inventor George Washington Carver, this name has depth and freshness all rolled into one.
Girls
1. Eleanor: Are you looking forward to raising a freethinker? Then name your little one after First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who was also a civil and women’s rights activist. To shorten it up a bit, you can choose between nicknames like Ellie or Nora.
2. Harriet: If you have your heart set on finding a name that’s unique but still classic, try Harriet. Inspired by another pioneering woman, abolitionist Harriet Tubman, this name carries a powerful history of strength and resilience, as well as the fun nickname Hattie.
3. Diana: “Diana” has a long history — dating from Roman mythology all the way up to Princess Diana, mother to fan-fave royals William and Harry. Crown your own Lady Di with a regal choice that has proven to remain trend-resistant over the ages.
4. Marie: If you’re hoping to have a budding scientist in your home, name your little one after two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie.
5. Ida: Looking for an old-school name that still seems fresh? Ida could be your perfect fit. Inspired by the trailblazing equal rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells, this is a name that feels current and powerful even today.
6. Amelia: Soaring high in popularity, this is an easy pick for a fierce and up-for-any-challenge kind of girl. Inspired by Amelia Earhart, the name is fitting for all adventurous spirits.
7. Clara: This classic name has a place in history with Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse who founded the American Red Cross.
8. Anne: From Anne Boleyn to Anne Frank, this name has a strong connection to historic events throughout time. It’s the perfect choice for parents looking for a vintage vibe that feels modern too.
9. Magdalene: This Biblical name has a one-of-a-kind quality. At full length, it’s a name your little one can grow into, or you can soften it up with friendly nicknames like Maggie or Laney.
10. Victoria: If you’re looking for a regal name, try Victoria, after the long-reigning Queen of England who inspired an entire era of style. And speaking of women in power, this name also belonged to the equal rights activist and first female US presidential nominee (in 1872) Victoria Woodhull.
11. Abigail: If you’re inspired by women who get stuff done, then this may be the perfect baby name for your newest addition. The formal version of the popular name Abby is also the name of the razor-sharp writer and first-lady Abigail Adams.
12: Helen: Will your little one have a face that could launch a thousand ships? Then name her after the most beautiful woman in all of mythology, Helen of Troy.
Which historic baby name are you loving? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
(Photos via Getty)