AHEAD: A curated list of timeless girls’ names with traditional charm.
If you’re looking for a classic baby name for your daughter, you’re in the right place!
Below, you’ll find a hand-picked list of over 165 classic girl names along with their meanings and current popularity.

In compiling this list, I did my best to stick to names that aren’t just old-fashioned, but timeless. This is what truly makes them “classics”.
As you’ll see, the names below have been in style year after year. They’re just as cool today as they were 100 years ago—or 200 years ago for that matter!
No matter their length, meaning, or number of syllables, it’s a safe bet that these particular baby names will age well.
Let’s go check them out!
Feel free to use the Table of Contents below, or keep scrolling to view all of these classic baby girl names.
Related: 250 Old-Fashioned Vintage Girl Names for Modern Babes

Undeniably classic girls’ names
Kicking off our list with some beautiful names that are generally agreed upon to be classic!
Abigail
- Name meaning: My father’s joy.
- Popularity: Abigail ranks #13 and Abby is #508.
Related: Middle Names for Abigail
Alice
- Name meaning: Noble.
- Popularity: #76
Anne
- Name meaning: Grace.
- Popularity: Anna ranks #68, Ana ranks #245, and Anne is #625.
Clara
- Name meaning: Clear and bright.
- Popularity: #103
Elizabeth
- Name meaning: Oath.
- Popularity: #16
Jane
- Name meaning: Noble or gracious.
- Popularity: #265
Josephine
- Name meaning: Jehovah increases.
- Popularity: #86
Katherine or Catherine
- Name meaning: Pure.
- Popularity: Katherine ranks #135 and Catherine is #267.
Lillian
- Name meaning: Lily flower.
- Popularity: Lillian ranks #46 and Lilian is #654.
Margaret
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Margaret ranks #126 and Maggie ranks #293.
Marie
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea; or beloved.
- Popularity: #619
Rose
- Name meaning: Flower.
- Popularity: Rose ranks #113 and Rosie is #470.
Sarah
- Name meaning: Princess.
- Popularity: Sarah ranks #87 and Sara is #183.
Sophia or Sofia
- Name meaning: Wisdom.
- Popularity: Sophia ranks #5 and Sofia ranks #17.
Sophie
- Name meaning: Wisdom.
- Popularity: #75
Victoria
- Name meaning: Winner.
- Popularity: #34
If you like this first batch of classic girl names you’ll also like these Victorian names.
Popular classic names today
This next list contains classic girl names that were popular 200 years ago but have started to feel modern again! All of these baby names rank in the top 100.
Adeline
- Name meaning: Noble.
- Popularity: Adeline ranks #100 and Adaline is #285.
Amelia or Emilia
- Name meaning: Work.
- Popularity: Amelia ranks #6 and Emilia ranks #40.
Related: Middle Names for Amelia
Audrey
- Name meaning: Noble strength.
- Popularity: #60
Ava
- Name meaning: Life. Bird. Island. Water.
- Popularity: Ava ranks #3 and Avah is #655.
Caroline
- Name meaning: Free woman or strong.
- Popularity: #71
Charlotte
- Name meaning: Free woman. The most populous city in North Carolina.
- Popularity: #4
Related: Middle Names for Charlotte
Claire
- Name meaning: Clear or bright.
- Popularity: Claire ranks #57 and Clare ranks #823.
Delilah
- Name meaning: Delicate.
- Popularity: #69
Eleanor
- Name meaning: Shining light.
- Popularity: #22
Emily
- Name meaning: Rival or to excel.
- Popularity: Emily ranks #18 and Emely is #522.
- Name meaning: Whole.
- Popularity: #2
Evelyn
- Name meaning: Wished for child.
- Popularity: Evelynn ranks #9 and Evelynn ranks #327.
Everly or Everleigh
- Name meaning: Brave.
- Popularity: Everly ranks #43 and Everleigh ranks #94.
Grace
- Name meaning: Goodness.
- Popularity: Grace ranks #28 and Gracie ranks #209.
Hannah
- Name meaning: Grace.
- Popularity: Hannah ranks #39, Hanna ranks #526, and Hana ranks #755.
Related: Middle Names for Hannah
Isabella
- Name meaning: Promise.
- Popularity: Isabella ranks #7, Izabella ranks #341, and Isabela ranks #830.
Ivy
- Name meaning: An evergreen climbing plant.
- Popularity: #58
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: Lucy ranks #49 and Lucie isn’t ranking.
Lydia
- Name meaning: Beautiful one.
- Popularity: #96
Madeline
- Name meaning: Woman from Israel.
- Popularity: #95
Nora
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: Nora ranks #30 and Norah ranks #151.
Olivia
- Name meaning: Olive tree.
- Popularity: #1
Related: Middle Names for Olivia
Penelope
- Name meaning: Weaver.
- Popularity: #25
Related: Middle Names for Penelope
Scarlett
- Name meaning: Red.
- Popularity: Scarlett ranks #21, Scarlet is #446, and Scarlette is #838.
Valentina
- Name meaning: Strength.
- Popularity: #73
If you like these trendy but classic girl names you may like this list of modern names.
Timelessly elegant girls’ names
These classic girl names have always been (and will probably always be) viewed as sophisticated.
Alexandra
- Name meaning: Defender.
- Popularity: #137
Related: Middle Names for Alex
Anastasia
- Name meaning: Resurrection.
- Popularity: #158
Annabelle
- Name meaning: Graceful and beautiful.
- Popularity: #222
Arabella
- Name meaning: Yielding to prayer.
- Popularity: #202
Aurelia
- Name meaning: Golden one. Also a type of jellyfish.
- Popularity: #528
Celeste
- Name meaning: Heavenly.
- Popularity: #353
Corinne
- Name meaning: Girl or maiden.
- Popularity: #954
Daphne
- Name meaning: Laurel tree.
- Popularity: #415
Related: Tree Names for Girls
Eloise
- Name meaning: Healthy.
- Popularity: #138
Emmeline
- Name meaning: Work.
- Popularity: #873
Evangeline
- Name meaning: Bearer of good news.
- Popularity: #263
Francesca
- Name meaning: From France; or free person.
- Popularity: #456
Isabelle
- Name meaning: Promise.
- Popularity: Isabelle ranks #121 and Isabel ranks #157.
Juliana or Julianna
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: Juliana ranks #188 and Julianna is #269.
Madeleine
- Name meaning: Woman from Israel.
- Popularity: #394
Octavia
- Name meaning: Eighth.
- Popularity: #335
Ophelia
- Name meaning: Help.
- Popularity: #391
Serena
- Name meaning: Peace and tranquility.
- Popularity: #421
Theodora
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: #834
Vivian or Vivienne
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: Vivian ranks #101 and Vivienne is #260.
If you like these classic girl names you’ll also like this huge list of elegant names and these long names.
Cute classic girl names
All of these classic baby girl names sound friendly and sweet!
Annie
- Name meaning: Grace.
- Popularity: #288
Belle
- Name meaning: Beautiful.
- Popularity: #999
Clementine
- Name meaning: Mild and merciful; or citrus fruit.
- Popularity: #610
Colette
- Name meaning: People of victory.
- Popularity: #529
Coraline
- Name meaning: Diminutive of coral.
- Popularity: #643
Daisy
- Name meaning: Flower.
- Popularity: #143
Related: Nature Girl Names
Elsie
- Name meaning: Pledged to God.
- Popularity: #814
Freya
- Name meaning: Lady. Noble person. A goddess associated with love, beauty, war and death.
- Popularity: Freya ranks #179 and Freyja is #958.
Greta
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: #743
Mabel
- Name meaning: Lovable.
- Popularity: #427
Related: Girl Names that Mean Love
Maisie
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: #409
Mercy
- Name meaning: Compassion.
- Popularity: #814
Molly
- Name meaning: Rebellious.
- Popularity: Molly ranks #174 and Mollie is not ranking.
Olive
- Name meaning: A shade of green. Fruit of an olive tree.
- Popularity: #197
Opal
- Name meaning: Precious stone.
- Popularity: #659
Pearl
- Name meaning: Gem.
- Popularity: #773
Penny
- Name meaning: Weaver.
- Popularity: #727
Rosalie
- Name meaning: Rose.
- Popularity: #198
Sadie
- Name meaning: Princess.
- Popularity: #78
Violet
- Name meaning: Purple.
- Popularity: Violet ranks #37, Violeta is #891, and Violette is #982.
Related: Middle Names for Violet
Willa
- Name meaning: With gilded helmet, will, desire, protection.
- Popularity: #349
If you like these cute classic girl names you might also like this list of short names.
Simple classic names for girls
If frilly isn’t your thing, you might like this batch of simple but refined classic girl names.
Ada
- Name meaning: Noble or ornament.
- Popularity: #184
Alma
- Name meaning: Nourishing or nurturing.
- Popularity: #567
Amy
- Name meaning: Beloved.
- Popularity: #216
Etta
- Name meaning: Keeper of the home.
- Popularity: #927
Faye
- Name meaning: Fairy.
- Popularity: #687
Flora
- Name meaning: Flowers or plants.
- Popularity: #932
June
- Name meaning: Sixth month.
- Popularity: #182
Lena
- Name meaning: Ray of light.
- Popularity: #270
Related: Names that Mean Sun
May or Mae
- Name meaning: Bitter or pearl. The 5th month. A hawthorn tree.
- Popularity: May is not currently popular but Mae ranks #576.
Myra
- Name meaning: Beloved or admirable. Sweet-smelling oil.
- Popularity: #556
Prue
- Name meaning: Good judgment.
- Popularity: This one-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Ruth
- Name meaning: Friend.
- Popularity: #220
Tessa
- Name meaning: One who harvests.
- Popularity: #279
Thea
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: #303
Vera
- Name meaning: Faith.
- Popularity: #246
If you like these simple classic names you’ll also like this list of 3-letter girl names and these 4-letter girl names.
Classic girl names that aren’t currently popular
I hesitated to include these on our list, simply because they don’t make the top 1000 baby names list, making them less “timeless”.
That said, these traditional names might just have the classic vibe that you’re going for!
Antoinette
- Name meaning: Priceless one.
- Popularity: This A name isn’t ranking.
Constance
- Name meaning: Steadfastness.
- Popularity: This C name isn’t ranking.
Cordelia
- Name meaning: Daughter of the sea.
- Popularity: This great mermaid name isn’t ranking.
Delphina or Delphine
- Name meaning: The French word for dolphin. Woman from Greek city, Delphi.
- Popularity: This Greek girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Eugenie
- Name meaning: Wellborn or noble.
- Popularity: This E name isn’t ranking.
Francine
- Name meaning: From France; or free person.
- Popularity: This F name isn’t ranking.
Frederica
- Name meaning: Peaceful ruler.
- Popularity: This classic girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Gretchen
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: This G name hasn’t ranked since 2008.
Guinevere
- Name meaning: White wave.
- Popularity: This classic name isn’t ranking.
Harriet
- Name meaning: Home.
- Popularity: This classic name isn’t ranking.
Henrietta
- Name meaning: Estate ruler.
- Popularity: This H name isn’t in the top 1000.
Isadora
- Name meaning: Gift of the goddess Isis.
- Popularity: This I name is not in the top 1000.
Leonora or Leonore
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: Neither version of this L name is ranking.
Margery or Marjorie
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this classic name is ranking.
Marion
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea; or beloved.
- Popularity: This M name isn’t ranking.
Odette
- Name meaning: Wealthy.
- Popularity: This O name isn’t ranking.
Philomena
- Name meaning: Lover of strength.
- Popularity: This 4-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Prudence
- Name meaning: Careful.
- Popularity: This P name isn’t ranking.
Tabitha
- Name meaning: Gazelle or graceful.
- Popularity: This T name isn’t ranking.
Willamina
- Name meaning: With gilded helmet. Will. Desire. Protection.
- Popularity: This classic girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Winifred or Winnifred
- Name meaning: Peaceful friend or blessed peacemaker.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this W name is ranking.
If you like these uncommon classic girl names you might also like this list of southern names.
Names you probably forgot were old-fashioned
I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that the following names were so popular in the 1800s!
These names are perfect if you want something classic that still feels fit for a modern little girl.
Adele
- Name meaning: Noble.
- Popularity: Adele ranks #790 and Adel isn’t ranking.
Amanda
- Name meaning: Worthy of love.
- Popularity: #447
Aurora
- Name meaning: Dawn.
- Popularity: #36
Related: Middle Names for Aurora
Bridget
- Name meaning: Strength.
- Popularity: #747
Cora or Kora
- Name meaning: Maiden.
- Popularity: Cora ranks #88 and Kora is #492.
Elise or Elyse
- Name meaning: Abundance.
- Popularity: Elise ranks #212 and Elyse is #718.
Eliza
- Name meaning: Pledged to God.
- Popularity: Eliza ranks #115 and Elisa is #511.
Ella
- Name meaning: Fairy maiden.
- Popularity: #15
Related: Middle Names for Ella
Eva
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: #93
Eve or Evie
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: Eve ranks #471 and Evie ranks #319.
Hazel
- Name meaning: Of the Hazelnut tree.
- Popularity: #31
Josie
- Name meaning: Jehovah increases.
- Popularity: #134
Julia
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: #107
Laura
- Name meaning: Bay laurel plant (a symbol of victory or honor).
- Popularity: #357
Lily
- Name meaning: Flower.
- Popularity: #35
Millie or Milly
- Name meaning: Having strength or being industrious.
- Popularity: Millie ranks #190 and Milly isn’t ranking.
Phoebe
- Name meaning: Shining one. A medium-sized bird native to North and South America.
- Popularity: #256
Related: Bird Names for Girls
Portia
- Name meaning: Pig. (But remember it as a character in a Shakespeare play instead). Also a moon of Uranus.
- Popularity: This outer space name is not currently ranking in the top 1000.
Ruby
- Name meaning: Strong red gemstone.
- Popularity: #74
Stella
- Name meaning: Star.
- Popularity: #42
Valerie
- Name meaning: Strength.
- Popularity: Valerie ranks #145 and Valery is #905.
If you like these modern-feeling classic girl names you might also like this list of names for rainbow babies.
These names give me old-lady vibes
This is purely a matter of opinion, but to me, these names feel more outdated than “classic”, per se. (I know, it’s a fine line.)
Clearly, not everyone agrees with me! All of the following names are currently ranking in the top 1000.
Beatrice
- Name meaning: Bringer of joy.
- Popularity: #550
Bellamy
Carmen
- Name meaning: Garden or fertile land.
- Popularity: #433
Celia
- Name meaning: Heavenly.
- Popularity: #784
Dorothy
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: #534
Edith
- Name meaning: Prosperous in war.
- Popularity: #473
Esme
- Name meaning: Beloved.
- Popularity: #398
Estelle or Estella
- Name meaning: Star.
- Popularity: Estelle ranks #799 and Estella ranks #731.
Esther
- Name meaning: Star.
- Popularity: #153
Related: Hebrew Girl Names
Florence
- Name meaning: Prosperous.
- Popularity: #762
Frances
- Name meaning: From France; or free person.
- Popularity: Frances ranks #416. Francis ranks #481 for boys and is not ranking for girls.
Genevieve
- Name meaning: Tribal woman.
- Popularity: #169
Gwendolyn
- Name meaning: White ring.
- Popularity: #377
Judith
- Name meaning: Woman from Judea.
- Popularity: #903
Louise
- Name meaning: Famous warrior.
- Popularity: #690
Lucille
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: #271
Maeve
- Name meaning: She who intoxicates.
- Popularity: #173
Magdalena
- Name meaning: From Magdala, Israel.
- Popularity: #997
Margot or Margo
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Margot ranks #234 and Margo ranks #760.
Marilyn
- Name meaning: Mary + Lynn. Drop of the sea or beloved + lake.
- Popularity: #636
Shelby
- Name meaning: Estate on the ledge.
- Popularity: #502
Sylvie
- Name meaning: From the forest. Woman of the woods.
- Popularity: #776
If you happen to love any of the classic girl names in this batch, please ignore my old-lady classification. 🙂
More baby names for girls:
Final thoughts on classic baby girl names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s undeniably classic, currently popular, timelessly elegant, cute, simple, rare, or old-fashioned, all of these girls’ names are beautiful choices.
Here is a great resource for narrowing down a beautifully flowing middle name.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect classic name for your daughter!
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