The Victorian era conjures up many images, from Empire and pioneering industry, Oscar Wilde's satirical wit, through to gritty Dickensian poverty. Baby names used in the Victorian era are often percieved as traditional or classic names. Some of these names are still in the most popular lists today. If you are looking for some vintage baby names, Look no further than these lovely vintage
Victorian baby names. We have pulled together a list of 50 unique vintage Victorian-era baby names for your little boys and girls.
Adelia: Variation of Adela, which means "noble, nobility." Adelia is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, with subfamily Acalyphoideae.
Alfred: Alfred is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Alfred is "elf or magical counsel". Queen Victoria named her second son Alfred. Alfred Tennyson was Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular British poets.
Alma: Alma means kind, soul or learned. This lovely Victorian girl’s name has many meanings, including “apple” in Persian, “good” in Celtic and “loving” in Swedish.
Archie: 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.
Bernard: Brave as a bear. Bernard can be softened into a sweet, nostalgic boy’s nickname, Bernie.
Bert: Bright. Bert is short and sweet boy name.
Blanche: White, pure. Associated with whiteness as in purity, and beauty.
Charley: This classically playful name means "Free man."
Clara: Latin for "clear, bright". The name Clara is soft and sweet, and it is also a nickname for Clarissa. Made famous in the 1920s by the silent film actress Clara Bow, known as "the It girl", because whatever "it" was, she had it.
Clarence: Your life saving guardian angel from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Claude: Claude has Roman roots from Emperor Claudius. The name Claude is delightfully short but sophisticated.
Cora: Name of Persephone, the goddess of the underworld who lives there in winter, before her return in spring causes the cycle of life to continue. A simple, pretty name with an old-fashioned air. The meaning of the name Cora is "maiden."
Della: Della mean Nobel, and it is elegant and pretty.
Edgar: The name Edgar means "Protector of the good." Painter Edgar Degas was highly influential in the art world during the Victorian era.
Edith: Edith is one of the oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon names that means "Prosperous in war."
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).
Effie: Abbreviation of Greek name Euphemia meaning "well spoken." Effie is the old-fashioned short form for Euphemia, which seems a little too barefoot and tattered to be revivable.
Elmer: Noble and famous. One literary reference is the title character in Sinclair Lewis's novel Elmer Gantry.
Ernest: One of the Great Uncle names that means "vigorous." The most famous bearer of the name is novelist Ernest Hemingway.
Fannie: Latin name that means "from France." Diminutive Form Of Frances.
Florence: Girl name of Latin origin means "flowering, in bloom". Also the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is famous for its history, and it attracts millions of tourists each year.
Floyd: Celtic name that means “gray.” The name Floyd have become popular during the Victorian era thanks to sensational novel “Aurora Floyd” by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in 1863.
Grover: This name means "lives near a grove of trees," and it is a little funky and spunky. President Grover Cleveland is actually a more than respectable namesake. The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, he was well liked and respected.
Harold: Scandinavian name that means "army ruler." It is derivative of Harry which was also quite popular during the Victorian era.
Harriet: Home ruler. Harriet has long been considered a stylish, upscale name in England.
Harvey: The name Harvey is strong and masculine, and it means "eager for battle; strong and worthy". In the movie "Harvey", Jimmy Stewart was upstaged by a giant invisible rabbit.
Hattie: Hattie is a diminutive of Harriet, and it is full of nostalgic charm and whimsy. Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to be awarded an Academy Award, in 1940, for her role in Gone With the Wind.
Henry: The name of eight kings of England, this means "home ruler." There are countless amount of King Henrys throughout history, there are also many political leaders from the world named Henry. It was also the inspiration for some of Shakespeare's plays.
Ida: Popular Victorian girl’s name means “hardworking and diligent.” Also a Greek nymph who cared for the infant Zeus on Mount Ida in mythology.
Jack: Name based on John, which means "God is gracious". The name has a rugged, down-to-earth aura.
Josephine: The feminine form of the boy’s name Joseph. There have been many interesting and provocative Josephines in the past to look to: Empress Josephine Bonaparte and exotic singer-dancer Josephine Baker.
Leo: Leo is the Latin word for lion, Russian author Leo Tolstoy makes this name popular during the Victorian era.
Lillian: Latin for "lily flower". A pretty antique moniker with an easy and appealing flower nickname and numerous spelling variation options. Television actress Mary McCormack recently named her new daughter Lillian.
Lizzie: One of the most stylish short forms of Elizabeth.
Lula: Latin name that means Bright. Bryan Adams named his second daughter Lula Rosylea, sister of Mirabella Bunny, and master character namer J. K. Rowling has a Lula in her novel The Cuckoo's Calling.
Luther: Famous warrior. The name honors the ecclesiastical reformer and theologian Martin Luther King, leader of the Protestant revolution.
Mabel: Mabel is the short form of Amabel, and the meaning of the name Mabel is lovable, beautiful, loving. The name Mabel is one of the classic old-fashioned names, such as Violet or Josephine. Mabel Mercer is a well-known jazz singer. Several celebrities also chose it for their daughter name, including Chad Lowe, Nenah Cherry, Bruce Willis and Dermot Mulroney.
Maggie: This sweet and delicate girl name is the short form of Margaret, which is of Greek origin and means "pearl."
Minnie: Minnie was wildly popular at the turn of the last century, long before there was your favorite female mouse. There have been characters named Minnie in Dickens's Little Dorrit and Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra.
Nellie: A pet form of Ellen, which was originally a variant of Helen but is commonly used as a variant of Eleanor.
Nora: This soft and gentle girl name means "light." The name Nora conjures up images of Belle Epoch ladies in fur-trimmed coats skating in Central Park, the independent Ibsen heroine of A Doll's House, and the female half of the witty Nick and Nora Charles duo.
Oliver: Oliver is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Oliver is "olive tree". In Biblical, the olive tree is a symbol of fruitfulness, beauty, and dignity. Today "extending an olive branch" traditionally signifies an offer of peace.
Pearl: A pearl is a milky-colored gem produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusc. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones. Pearls have been associated with innocence and modesty. Because it comes from the sea, it also has associations with the moon and with water. Pearls are also traditionally considered appropriate jewelry for debutantes and brides. The pearl is the birthstone for the month of June.
Raymond: Raymond is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Raymond is "wise protector; protecting hands". During the Victorian era, everyone loved this boy’s name.
Ruth: Friend, companion. This short but powerful girl name was very popular during the Victorian period.
Sadie: Sadie is a diminutive of Sarah, which means princess in Hebrew. This name is cute and whimsical.
Samuel: Hebrew name that means "told by God." In the Old Testament, Samuel was one of the great judges and prophets of the Israelites, destined for a holy life from birth.
Violet: Violet is a girl's name of Latin origin, and the meaning of Violet is "purple." One of the earliest flower names, Shakespeare used the Latin form Viola for the enterprising heroine in "Twelfth Night."
Walter: German for "commander of the army". This name may make you think of Walt Disney, the great cartoonist.
Warren: French name that means "park keeper." At one time it was bestowed in honor of General Joseph Warren, the first hero of the Revolution. There have also been a number of notable first-named Warrens, including the 29th president, Warren Gamaliel Harding, financier Warren Buffett, actor Warren Beatty and musician Warren Zevon.
See also
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