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.

Emma

• 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

Lucy

• 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

• Name meaning: Beautiful friend.
• Popularity: This B name ranks #795 girls and #728 for boys.

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:

• 115 Magnificent Royal Girls’ Names
• Twin Girl Names: 120 Cool Pairings
• 57 Gorgeous Girl’s Names that Mean Graceful

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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165 Classic Girl Names