There’s a good reason so many people name their children after a beloved grandparent or great aunt — sentimentality aside, old-fashioned baby names for girls and boys are time-tested names that travel well across the generations and often have roots across cultures. Old-fashioned baby names hover above trends, never go out of style, and somehow give even babies an air of undeniable authority (why, hello, Abraham, Cornelius, and Evangeline). They’re charming and distinctive, not too obscure and sound wiser than their years. And perhaps most important, unlike infinity-symbol tattoos or gender reveals, old-fashioned baby names tend to age well. Here are 254 timeless, classic baby names for boys and girls. Old-Fashioned Boy NamesAbe: Father of a multitude (Hebrew origin, a shortened form of Abraham)Abraham: Father of many nations (Hebrew origin)Albert: Noble, bright (German origin)Ambrose. Ambrose has roots in Greek culture and means immortal. It comes from the Greek word ambrosia, which was also a divine food of the gods. In 2021, it was the 671st most popular boy’s name.Amos (Hebrew) – Burden, carried by GodAnsel (Germanic) – Protected by God, divine protectionArchie (Germanic) – Genuine, truly braveAron (Hebrew) – Exalted, high mountainArthur (Celtic) – Bear-like, noble warriorArtie (English) – Diminutive of Arthur, meaning ‘noble warrior’Atticus (Latin) – From Attica, a region in GreeceAugust (Latin) – Majestic, venerableBarron (French/German) – Free man, nobleBeau (French) – Handsome, beautifulBenedict (Latin) – BlessedBennett (Latin) – BlessedBernard (Germanic) – Bear-like, strong warriorBlaine (Gaelic) – Slender, fairBlevins (Welsh) – From the place of wolvesBrady. In 2021, Brady was listed at 330 as the most popular boy’s name in the U.S. Brady is an Irish name that means descendant of Brádach, large-chested or one with broad eyes.Carlo (Italian) – Strong man, free manCassady (Scottish) – Descended from the fair-haired oneClarence (Latin) – Bright, clearClellon (English) – From the hillClifford (Old English) – Ford of the cliffsCole (Old English) – Victorious peopleCornelius (Latin) – Horn of plentyCyrus (Persian) – Like the sunDamion (Greek) – To tameDean (English) – ValleyDenton (Old English) – From the townDominic (Latin) – Belonging to the LordEarl (Old English) – NoblemanEdison (English) – Son of EdEdmund (Old English) – Protector of wealthEdwin (Old English) – Friend of the peopleElijah (Hebrew) – Yahweh is my GodElmer. Elmer is defined as noble or famous based on British origin. In 2021 it was listed as the 2,612th most popular boy’s name in the U.S.Elrod (Old English) – Red elfElon (Hebrew) – Oak treeEmmett (Irish) – UniversalEmile (French) – RivalErnest (German) – Earnest, seriousErwin (German) – Friend of the armyEzra (Hebrew) – HelpFelix (Latin) – Happy, fortunateFletcher (English) – Arrow makerFrank (German) – FreeFrancis (Latin) – Free manGael (Irish) – Bright-headedGeorge (Greek) – FarmerGerald (Germanic) – Strong spearGert (German) – Strong rulerGracy(Latin) – Graceful, pleasingGunther. Gunther is a mighty German moniker that means battler or warrior. In 2020, it was ranked 9,167 in a list of most popular boys’ names. Gus (German) – Strong willedHarmon (German) – Army manHarold (Old English) – Ruler of the armyHarper (English) – Harp playerHarvey (English) – Bright warriorHayden (English) – Son of HedeHector (Greek) – HolderHenry (German) – Ruler of the homeHerbert (German) – Bright armyHolden (Old English) – Friend of the hillHoward (English) – Guard, protectorHugh (French) – Mind, spiritIan (Scottish) – God is graciousIgnatius (Latin) – FieryJasper (Persian) – TreasureJarrett (English) – Ruler of the spearJedediah (Hebrew) – Beloved of the LordJerry (English) – Strong rulerJoel (Hebrew) – Yahweh is GodJulien(Latin) – YouthfulKenneth. Kenneth means fire born or good-looking. It has roots in Scottish culture and was a top 20 name from the 1920s through the 1950s.Lacey (English) – Graceful, cheerfulLangston (English) – From Langstone, a place in EnglandLee (English) – MeadowLincoln (English) – From the city of LincolnLouis (French) – Famous warriorLucas (Latin) – Bringer of lightMarshall (German) – Horse caretakerMickey (English) – Mighty warriorMilton (English) – From the mill townMorgan (Welsh) – Sea-bornNeal (Irish) – ChampionNelson (Old Norse) – Son of NeilNeville (Old French) – New townNorman (Old Norse) – NorthmanOrville (Old French) – Golden eagleOscar (Old Norse) – God spearOtis (Greek) – WealthyOwen (Welsh) – Young warriorPeyton (English) – From the estatePierce (French) – PiercingPresley (Scottish) – Priest’s meadowPreston (English) – From the priest’s townRalph (German) – Wolf counselRandall. Randall derives from Old Norse roots and the surname Rannulfr. It means wolf shield and was in 1958 ranked at 140 in most popular boy names.Rawlins (Welsh) – From the red poolRaymond (Old French) – Wise protectorReed (English) – Red-hairedReginald (Old English) – Ruler’s counselRichard (Germanic) – Strong rulerRodney (Welsh) – Red hairedRollo (Norse) – Famous rulerRoy (French) – KingRutherford (Old English) – Ford of the red riverSal (Latin) – PeacefulShadrack (Hebrew) – Commandment of the kingSherman (English) – ShepherdSpencer (Old English) – Steward, dispenserStanley (Old English) – Stony meadowSterling (English) – Of sterling qualityTheodore (Greek) – Gift of GodTobias (Hebrew) – GoodTobin (Irish) – Good wolfWaldo (German) – Ruler of the armyWhitman(English) – White manWilber. Wilbur is an English moniker that translates to willful or bright. It is also related to the German name Wilbert. In 2006, it was listed as the 4003rd most popular boy’s name.Willie (German) – Resolute protectorWinston (Old English) – Friendly townWindsor (English) – From the winding riverWright (English) – CraftsmanWyatt (Old English) – Brave in warOld-Fashioned Girl NamesAbraAddisonAdeline. Adeline is German name that means noble. It’s also diminutive of the French name, Adele. According to Nameberry, Adeline was the 94th most popular girl’s name in the U.S. in 2021.AdelaideAgathaAgnesAlejandraAliceAlmaAmaraAnitaBeaBernadetteBeatrixBertieBessieBirdieBlytheBonnieCalliopeCamilleCaroleColetteConnieCelia. Celia has root in Latin origin and means heavely. In 2021, it made the top 1,000 popular U.S. name at 792.Clara: Bright, clearDahlia: Elegant, strongDaisy: Innocence, purityDarcy: Dark-hairedEleanor: Shining lightElaine: Fair, brightEdith: Wealthy warriorEleanor: Shining lightEmma: Universal, wholeEthel: NobleEugenie: Well-bornEvelyn: Fair oneFlorence: FlourishingFrances: FreeGabrielle: God is my strengthDessie: Desiderius (Latin for desired)Dodie: diminutive of DorothyDora: ExplorerDoris: Gift of the seaDorothy: Gift of GodEnid: Good and holyEtta: Battle-readyFaith: Belief, trustFanny: FreeFaye: Fairy-likeFlora: FlowerGalatea: Sea nymphEllis: Variant of Elise, meaning God is my oathEmily: RivalEvangeline: Bringer of good tidingsGalatea: Sea nymphGenevieve. Genevieve is a French moniker that means of the race of women. There are also medieval German variations of the name, like Genovefa or Kenowefa. It was the 76th most popular name for girls in 1916.Georgia: Farmer, earth-workerGertrude: Strong spearHarriet: Home rulerHenrietta: Home rulerIsabella: God is my oathKatherine: PureLaura: Laurel wreathLucille: LightLucinda: Bringing lightLuisa: Famous warriorLorraine: Laurel wreathGreta: PearlHattie: Little battle-axeHazel: Hazel treeHester: StarHilda: Battle maidenHope: Aspiration, desireIrene: PeaceIris: RainbowImogen: ImaginativeInez: PureJane: God is graciousJoan: God is graciousJocelyn: JoyfulJosephine: May God increaseJoyce: JoyfulKatherine: Pure, cleanKingsley: King’s meadowLaura: Laurel wreath (symbolizing victory)Lucille: LightLucinda: Bringing lightLuisa: Famous warriorLorraine: Laurel wreath (symbolizing victory)Lydia. Lydia means beautiful or noble in Greek. This name has been among the top 100 popular names since 2011 and ranked 90 in 2021. Lacy: Graceful, delicateLiza: God is my oath (Hebrew origin, a shortened form of Elizabeth)Margaret: Pearl (Greek origin)Martha: Lady, mistress of the house (Aramaic origin)Marjorie: Pearl of the sea (French origin)Mathilde: Mighty in battle (German origin)Maxine: Greatest (Latin origin)Miriam: Beloved, exalted (Hebrew origin)Minnie: Small and dainty (German origin)Mollie: Gentle, soft (Irish origin)Nell: Bright, shining (Irish origin)Nora: Honor, brightness (Irish origin)Norene: Bright glory (Irish origin)Octavia: Eighth (Latin origin)Olive: Peace, olive tree (Latin origin)Opal: Precious stone (Latin origin)Patricia: Noblewoman (Latin origin)Pearl: A precious gem (Latin origin)Penelope: Weaver (Greek origin)Polly: Small, lively (Greek origin, diminutive of Mary)Pollyanna: Always optimistic (fictional character)Posey: Bouquet of flowers (English origin)Rolla: Famous in battle (German origin)Rosemary. Rosemary means dew of the sea or bitter rose of the sea. It is also a combination of two English names. In 2019, it was ranked at 409 in popular girls.Ruby: Red gem (Latin origin)Ruth: Faithful friend, beauty (Hebrew origin)Sadie: Princess (Hebrew origin)Sandra: Defender of mankind (Greek origin)Scarlet: Bright red (English origin)Selma: Helmet, protector (Germanic origin)Seraphina: Fiery one (Hebrew origin)Shirley: Bright meadow (English origin)Shoshana: Rose (Hebrew origin)Sophia: Wisdom (Greek origin)Susannah: Lily (Hebrew origin)Sylvia: Forest dweller (Latin origin)Trudy: Strong fighter (German origin)Una: One and only (Gaelic origin)Valentina: Strong, healthy (Latin origin)Vera: Faith, truth (Latin origin)Viola: Violet (Latin origin)Violet: Purple flower (Latin origin)Virginia. Virginia means maid, virgin or pure and is of Latin origin. It’s derived from the Roman names Verginius and Virginius, Virginia is generally associated with legends. In 2021, Virgina was ranked at 1,066 for most popular girl’s name. Willa: Resolute, determined (Germanic origin)Wren: Small bird (English origin)This article was originally published on Aug. 1, 2019