Medieval names survive because somebody wrote them down. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources documents given names recorded in European sources written between 500 and 1600 (1), and that written record is where names like Amabel, Drustan and Wymond reach us from.
This list gathers 100 medieval names for boys and girls, each with its origin, meaning, pronunciation and current standing in U.S. baby name data. Those rankings come from the Social Security Administration, which publishes a name only once at least five babies receive it in a year (2), so a handful of the names below sit under that line entirely.
Some never left. Sebastian ranked 16th in 2025 and Lucia 83rd. Others are down to roughly one birth in 250,000, like Isabeau at 13,866th. Whichever end of that range appeals, there is a name here that nobody else in the class will have.
Popularity at a Glance
The most popular names on this list in the United States, 1965 to 2025: Sebastian, Lucia, Dominic, Cecilia and Catalina.
100 Cool Medieval Baby Names
Find your favorite medieval names for boys and girls they’ll love showing off.
Abel
Abel comes from the Hebrew hevel, meaning breath or vigor. Assyrian gives it a second reading, son. Most readers meet it in the story of Cain and Abel, which has kept the name in circulation for centuries without ever making it feel heavy. It still sits inside the U.S. top 250, so a boy called Abel gets an ancient name that nobody has to ask him to repeat.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Breath
- Pronunciation: EY-Bahl
- Variations: Abele
- Namesakes: Abel Gance, a French director known for the silent film J’accuse (1919). Abel Fernandez, an American actor best known for the ABC series The Untouchables (1959 to 1963).
- Popularity: Abel ranked 231st in U.S. baby name data in 2025, below its best showing of 124th in 2015. It has charted every year since 1880.
Alaric
Alaric goes back to the Old German Alaricus, built from ala, meaning all, and rik, meaning rule. Ruler of all is a tall order for a newborn, though several Gothic kings carried it without apology. It is the most royal sounding of the medieval boy names gathered here. It has also stayed rare enough to keep that edge.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Powerful ruler
- Pronunciation: AEL-ah-Rihk
- Variations: Alarick, Alarik
- Namesakes: Alaric Alexander Watts, a British writer with the New Monthly Magazine in London from 1818 to 1819. Alaric Hall, a British medievalist who wrote Elves in Anglo-Saxon England (2007).
- Popularity: Alaric ranked 1,063rd in U.S. data in 2025, off its best showing of 822nd in 2020. It first appeared in the federal records in 1949.
Aldous
Aldous started as the Middle English Aldus, a nickname for the whole family of Ald- names such as Aldred and Aldrith. The German Aldo, meaning from the old house, sits close by. It reads as bookish rather than grand, and it has never been common enough to feel secondhand.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Old
- Pronunciation: AEL-Dahs
- Variations: Aldus, Aldis
- Namesakes: Hannah Topp (known as Aldous Harding), a New Zealand folk singer-songwriter and winner of the 2019 APRA Silver Scroll award. Aldous Huxley, an English writer nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times.
- Popularity: Aldous sat at 8,275th in U.S. data in 2025. Its best year was 1969 at 4,415th, which was also the first year it charted.
Amabel
Amabel rests on the Latin amabilis, meaning lovable. Medieval clerks wrote it as Amabel, Amable and Amiable after the 12th century, spelling it however it sounded that day. Mabel, the short form, eventually swallowed the original whole. That leaves Amabel sitting unclaimed for anyone who wants the longer version back.
- Origin: Latin, French
- Meaning: Lovable
- Pronunciation: AEM-ah-Behl
- Variations: Annabel, Amable
- Namesakes: Amabel Roberts, an American nurse and the first American nurse to die in France during World War I. Amabel Williams-Ellis, an English writer and member of the Bloomsbury Group.
- Popularity: Amabel last appeared in U.S. data in 2024, at 15,426th. Its strongest year was 1977 at 6,908th, so it has always been a rarity here.
Amira
Amira means princess in Arabic and carries high-born girl in Arabic and Hindi. Hebrew gives it two more readings, treetop and proverb. Few names sound regal and still land easily on a playground. Amira manages both, which is a fair part of why it now sits in the U.S. top 150.
- Origin: Arabian
- Meaning: Princess
- Pronunciation: Ah-MIH-Raa
- Variations: Ameera, Amyra
- Namesakes: Amira Edrahi, a Libyan swimmer who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Amira Willighagen, a Dutch singer who won Holland’s Got Talent in 2013.
- Popularity: Amira ranked 132nd in U.S. data in 2025, a shade off its best showing of 131st in 2023. It has charted since 1963.
Annora
Annora began as the Norman French form of Honora and was in steady use between the 12th and 14th centuries. Hebrew gives it a second sense, grace, which pairs neatly with the honor already sitting in the root. It is the kind of name that sounds like it belongs on a family tree three hundred years deep.
- Origin: Latin, French
- Meaning: Honor
- Pronunciation: Ah-NAWH-Raa
- Variations: Annoura
- Namesakes: Annora Bourgeault, a Canadian beauty pageant contestant, crowned Miss World Canada 2014.
- Popularity: Annora ranked 3,721st in U.S. data in 2025, well below its best of 1,977th in 2017.
Ansel
Ansel is a worn-down form of Anselm, a medieval Germanic name for a follower of a nobleman. A second reading gives it God’s helmet, which is a lot of protection for two syllables. Most Americans know it through the photographer Ansel Adams rather than through any medieval bearer. That association does the name a favor, since it lands as artistic instead of antique. It is short, easy to spell, and almost nobody else in the class will have it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: With divine protection
- Pronunciation: AEN-Sahl
- Variations: Anselm
- Namesakes: Ansel Briggs, the first Governor of Iowa (1846 to 1850). Ansel Adams, an American photographer known for his American West landscapes.
- Popularity: Ansel ranked 1,138th in U.S. data in 2025. Its best year was 1913 at 855th, and it has charted since 1882.
Archibald
Archibald joins the German erchan, meaning precious, to bald, meaning bold. Medieval documents carry it as Erchambald, Erkanbold and Erkanbald before the spelling settled. It is a formal name with a built-in escape hatch, because every Archibald becomes Archie by lunchtime.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: AAR-cheh-Baald
- Variations: Archibold, Archimbald
- Namesakes: Archibald Primrose, the Prime Minister of the UK from 1894 to 1895. Archibald W. O. Totten, an American justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1850 to 1855.
- Popularity: Archibald ranked 1,145th in U.S. data in 2025, a long way from its best of 714th in 1917. It has charted since 1880.
Arne
Arne comes from the Old Norse Arni, meaning eagle, and has been in use since the 11th century, working also as a short form of Arnold and the rarer Arnbjorn and Arnsten. Two crisp syllables, one sharp meaning, no fuss.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Eagle
- Pronunciation: AAR-Neh
- Variations: Arnie
- Namesakes: Arne Rustadstuen, a Norwegian Nordic skier and bronze medalist at the 1932 Winter Olympics. Arne Dahl, the first North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture from 1966 to 1974.
- Popularity: Arne ranked 9,794th in U.S. data in 2025. It peaked at 724th in 1916 and has charted since 1903.
Avice
Avice arrived in England with the Normans but traces back to the Old German Aveza. It was common from the 12th through the 14th centuries and may connect to the personal name Avitia. The modern ear reads it as a cousin of Avis. It has been out of American use for so long that it now sounds new.
- Origin: German, French
- Meaning: Warlike
- Pronunciation: AAY-Vihs
- Variations: Avis
- Namesakes: Avice Landone, an English actress in the series Man at the Top between 1970 and 1972.
- Popularity: Avice has not appeared in U.S. data since 1939, when it sat at 4,301st. Its best year was 1926 at 2,578th.
Bahram
Bahram belonged to the Zoroastrian god of victory and war. The name is often read as smiting of resistance, which is about as direct as a meaning gets. It has only been in the U.S. records since 2018, so it still arrives as a genuine surprise. For a family that wants a warrior name with real history behind it, this one has not been worn smooth.
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: Victory over resistance
- Pronunciation: BAA-Raam
- Variations: Bahran, Bairam
- Namesakes: Bahram Nouraei, an Iranian-Swedish hip-hop artist called one of the 50 most influential people in Middle Eastern culture. Bahrām Beyzāêi, an Iranian filmmaker whose film Bashu, the Little Stranger was voted Best Iranian Film of All Time in 1999.
- Popularity: Bahram ranked 8,342nd in U.S. data in 2025, which is also its best showing to date. It first charted in 2018.
Baldwin
Baldwin comes from the Old English Bealdwine, meaning bold friend. The German roots say the same thing twice over, bald for brave and win for friend. It served as a medieval British surname as well as a given name, which is why it still reads a little like a family name. That surname feel is fashionable again. Baldwin also shortens to Baldy or Win, depending on how the playground goes.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Bold friend
- Pronunciation: Baold-WIYN
- Variations: Baldewin, Baldwinn
- Namesakes: Baldwin Domingo, an American politician in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2004 to 2012. Baldwin of Luxembourg, the Archchancellor of Burgundy from 1307 to 1354.
- Popularity: Baldwin last charted in U.S. data in 2023, at 10,989th. Its strongest year was 1913 at 1,814th, and it has been in the records since 1880.
Bard
A bard was a singer-poet who entertained the royal court, and the word became a name in its own right. English speakers still call Shakespeare the bard, so the association is doing no harm. Norway spells it Bård, with an accent mark English drops. One syllable, no nickname needed.
- Origin: Gaelic, Irish
- Meaning: Minstrel
- Pronunciation: Baerd
- Variations: Bård
- Namesakes: Bård Solhjell, the Norwegian Minister of the Environment from 2012 to 2013. Bård Borgersen, a Norwegian footballer for Odd Grenland.
- Popularity: Bard has not charted in U.S. data since 1979, when it sat at 6,135th. Its best year was 1947 at 2,371st.
Bartholomew
Bartholomew uses the Aramaic word for son and is usually read as son of Talmai. Other readings offer son of furrows and son of Ptolemy. It is a mouthful of a name that has been shortening itself to Bart for as long as anyone has used it.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Son of Talmai
- Pronunciation: Baar-THAAL-ah-Muw
- Variations: Bartholemew, Bartholome
- Namesakes: Bartholomew Columbus, the Italian brother of Christopher Columbus and the founder of Santo Domingo. Bartholomew Boriello, an American mobster in the Gambino crime family and John Gotti’s favorite bodyguard.
- Popularity: Bartholomew ranked 3,093rd in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1914 best of 823rd. It has charted since 1880.
Beatriz
Beatriz is the Spanish counterpart of the French Beatrice, and both mean bringer of joy. A second reading gives it she who brings happiness. The Latin beatus, meaning blessed, sits underneath. It is warm without being sweet, which is a hard balance for a name to strike.
- Origin: Latin, Spanish
- Meaning: Bringer of joy
- Pronunciation: Beh-aa-TRIYS
- Variations: Beatris, Beatrice
- Namesakes: Beatriz Stix-Brunell, an American ballet dancer with the Royal Ballet in London. Beatriz Merino, the first female Prime Minister of Peru from June to December 2003.
- Popularity: Beatriz ranked 1,704th in U.S. data in 2025. It peaked at 470th in 1990 and has charted since 1894.
Bellaflor
Bellaflor is one of many medieval names built on the root bella, and it reads as beautiful flower. Charming and pleasant sit in its range of meanings too. It is a gorgeous flower name that no American classroom has heard twice.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Beautiful flower
- Pronunciation: BEH-lah-Flor
- Namesakes: Bellaflor “Bella” Angara, the third female governor of the Philippine Aurora province from 2004 to 2013.
- Popularity: Bellaflor is too rare for U.S. federal data, which lists a name only once at least five babies receive it in a year.
Berenice
Berenice joins the Greek phero, meaning bear, to nike, meaning victory, so the whole thing reads as she who brings victory. The best known bearer of the ancient world was the wife of King Ptolemy I of Egypt. That is a lot of history for a name most people have never met. It shortens to Bernice or Bunny, and it stretches out into something ceremonial when the occasion calls for it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Bringer of victory
- Pronunciation: Behr-ah-NEESE
- Variations: Bernice, Berniece
- Namesakes: Berenice Abbott, an American photographer of 20th-century cultural figures. Berenice Celeita, a Colombian human rights activist and winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in 1998.
- Popularity: Berenice ranked 4,784th in U.S. data in 2025. It reached 648th in 1915 and has charted since 1883.
Bertram
Bertram was the German Berahthraben before time wore it down. It combines berht, meaning bright, with hrabn, meaning raven, which is a striking pair of images for one name. It crossed into England with the Norman conquest and stayed. Bert is waiting as a nickname whenever the full version feels like too much.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Bright raven
- Pronunciation: BAHR-Trahm
- Variations: Bertrand, Bartram
- Namesakes: Bertram Clements, an English footballer who competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Bertram Benedict, an American book reviewer for The New York Times Magazine.
- Popularity: Bertram ranked 8,353rd in U.S. data in 2025, far off its 1923 best of 394th. It has charted since 1880.
Bogdana
Bogdana is the feminine form of Bogdan and carries the meaning gift from God. Some sources connect it to the Greek Theodore, which says the same thing in another language. It is also the name of an Orthodox Christian monastery in Romania, so the name comes with stone walls attached.
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: Gift from God
- Pronunciation: Baog-DAA-naa
- Variations: Bohdanna, Bohdana
- Namesakes: Bogdana Karadocheva, a Bulgarian singer who won The Most Bulgarian Singer award in 1998.
- Popularity: Bogdana last charted in U.S. data in 2023, at 15,585th, close to its 2006 best of 15,440th. It has only been in the records since 2006.
Brenna
Brenna traces to the Old Norse brinna and was also used for dark-haired people. As a surname it means descendant of Braonan. It had a real American moment in the 1990s and has been sliding ever since, which is exactly when a name becomes available again. Little raven is a good meaning for a small person with strong opinions.
- Origin: Celtic, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Little raven
- Pronunciation: BREHN-ah
- Variations: Brena, Brennah
- Namesakes: Brenna O’Brien, a Canadian actress whose voice appeared in the anime series Inuyasha. Brenna R. Hassett, an American-British bioarchaeologist and founder of TrowelBlazers.
- Popularity: Brenna ranked 1,846th in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 235th in 1995. It is the steepest faller on this list, down about 69% over the last 10 years of births against the 10 years before them.
Bronwen
Bronwen is the English spelling of the Welsh Bronwyn and is usually read as fair and blessed breast, with breast standing in for a hill. In Welsh mythology Bronwen was a beautiful maiden and the daughter of Llyr. The name has the soft consonants Welsh does so well. It has never caught on in the U.S., which is part of the appeal.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: White breast
- Pronunciation: BRAHN-Wehn
- Variations: Bronwyn, Bronwynne
- Namesakes: Bronwen Dickey, an American author and contributing editor at The Oxford American. Bronwen Maher, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin in 2005.
- Popularity: Bronwen ranked 9,569th in U.S. data in 2025. Its best year was 1947 at 2,779th, and it has charted since 1941.
Cassian
Cassian began as the Roman Cassius, from the Latin cassus, meaning empty or vain. That is a bleak root for a name that sounds this smooth. It carries the ancient world through the medieval period and into a modern nursery without any obvious seam. American parents have found it fast in the last decade, so the days of it being a secret are numbered. Cass makes an easy short form.
- Origin: Latin, Irish
- Meaning: Hollow
- Pronunciation: KAE-Shahn
- Variations: Kassian
- Namesakes: Cassian Elwes, a British film producer and brother of actor Cary Elwes.
- Popularity: Cassian ranked 479th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing yet, having first charted in 1997. It is the fastest riser on this list, with births over the last 10 years up about 1,900% against the 10 years before them.
Catalina
Catalina is the Spanish form of Catharine and means pure. It has been in the U.S. records since the 1800s and is having its strongest run right now. Four syllables that flow rather than clatter. Cat, Cata and Lina are all sitting there if a shorter version is wanted.
- Origin: Spanish, Greek
- Meaning: Pure
- Pronunciation: Kaet-ah-LIYIYN-aa
- Variations: Catalyna
- Namesakes: Catalina Donoso, a Chilean lawyer and president of the National Television Council. Catalina Berroa, a Cuban pianist and Cuba’s first female conductor.
- Popularity: Catalina ranked 111th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing on record. It has charted since 1893.
Cecilia
Cecilia is the female counterpart of Cecil and rests on the Latin caecus, meaning blind. Saint Cecilia, the patron of musicians, is the famous bearer and gives the name its lasting association with singing. It has never dropped out of American use in nearly 150 years of records. That is unusual staying power for a name that still sounds soft rather than plain.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Blind
- Pronunciation: Sah-SIYL-yah
- Variations: Ceceilia, Cecelia, Cecillia
- Namesakes: Cecilia Morel, the First Lady of Chile from 2018 to 2022. Cecilia Mangini, the first female documentary filmmaker in Italy.
- Popularity: Cecilia ranked 108th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing yet, and it has charted every year since 1880.
Celestina
Celestina extends Celeste from the Latin caelestis, meaning from the sky, and its close cousin Celestine was the name of five different popes. The extra syllables turn a light name into a stately one.
- Origin: Italian, Latin
- Meaning: Heavenly
- Pronunciation: Seh-LEHS-tiy-Naa
- Variations: Celestyna
- Namesakes: Celestina Popa, a Romanian artistic gymnast and silver medalist at the 1985 World Championships. Celestina Boninsegna, an Italian opera singer known for performing Verdi’s operas.
- Popularity: Celestina ranked 3,476th in U.S. data in 2025 and peaked at 1,191st in 1922. It has charted since 1892.
Clement
Clement began with the Latin Clemens, meaning merciful. It belonged to a Christian saint and to several popes, and it was widely used from the 12th century through the Reformation. Mercy is a quieter thing to wish on a child than power, which is what makes this one stand out among the noble medieval names.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Merciful
- Pronunciation: KLEHM-ehnt
- Variations: Clements
- Namesakes: Clement Cheng, a Hong Kong Canadian who co-won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director in 2010. Clement Higgins, a British member of Parliament between 1892 and 1895.
- Popularity: Clement ranked 2,262nd in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1915 best of 275th. It has charted since 1880.
Clotilda
Clotilda is the simplified form of the German Chlotichilda, which nobody was ever going to keep saying in full. It belonged to Saint Clotilde, a Frankish queen who helped spread Christianity. Famous in battle is the meaning, and the name sounds every bit of it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Famous in battle
- Pronunciation: Klow-TIHLD-ah
- Variations: Clotilde, Clothilde
- Popularity: Clotilda has not charted in U.S. data since 1961, when it sat at 6,726th. Its best year was 1916 at 1,543rd.
Colette
Colette is the French form of Nicole, taken from the medieval Colle, itself a short form of Nicolette. The best known medieval Colette was a 15th century French nun remembered for her generosity to the poor. The name is French without being fussy, and it has quietly climbed to its strongest position in American records. It suits a child and an adult equally well, which not every pretty name does.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: People of victory
- Pronunciation: Kow-LEHT
- Variations: Collette, Colete, Colett
- Namesakes: Colette Bryce, an Irish poet, and editor of Poetry London from 2009 to 2013. Colette Langlade, a member of the National Assembly of France from 2008 to 2017.
- Popularity: Colette ranked 316th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing on record. It has charted since 1892.
Crispin
Crispin was the Roman family name Crispinus, from the Latin crispus, meaning curly-haired. Crispinus and Crispinianus were the patron saints of shoemakers and were well known throughout the Middle Ages. It is a name with a wink in it. Anyone whose baby arrives with a full head of curls has an unfair excuse to use it.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Curly-haired
- Pronunciation: KRIHS-Pihn
- Variations: Cryspan
- Namesakes: Crispin Glover, an American actor best known for Back to the Future (1985). Crispin Conroy, an Australian Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce to the UN since 2019.
- Popularity: Crispin ranked 5,432nd in U.S. data in 2025 and peaked at 1,563rd in 1971. It has charted since 1915.
Cyprian
Cyprian comes from the Latin Cyprianus and means man of Cyprus. It belonged to a bishop of Carthage who was also a well known Christian writer. Ciprianus was in use by the early 13th century. The soft opening and the hard finish make it more interesting than most saints’ names.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Man of Cyprus
- Pronunciation: SIP-riy-Ahn
- Variations: Ciprian
- Namesakes: Cyprian Tansi, an Igbo Nigerian Catholic priest beatified by Pope John Paul II. Cyprian Bhekuzulu, the king of the Zulu nation from 1948 to 1968.
- Popularity: Cyprian ranked 4,425th in U.S. data in 2025, its best being 3,921st in 1953. It has charted since 1915.
Dante
Dante is a short form of the Italian Durante, meaning enduring. It exists as a standalone name largely because of Dante Alighieri, who wrote the Divine Comedy. That poem is why the name still carries a hint of heaven and hell with it. It has been in the U.S. records since 1908 and has stayed comfortably in use without ever getting common. Two syllables, no spelling questions, plenty of weight.
- Origin: Latin, Italian
- Meaning: Enduring
- Pronunciation: DAAN-Tey
- Variations: Daunte
- Namesakes: Dante Brown, an American football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mos Def (born Dante Smith), an American rapper/actor listed 14th on About.com’s 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.
- Popularity: Dante ranked 308th in U.S. data in 2025, having reached 200th in 1997. It has charted since 1908.
Derek
Derek is the plain form of Diederick, built on the Old German Theodoric and used in 15th century England. Flemish immigrants brought it across during the Middle Ages. A second reading gives it power of the tribe, which is a bigger claim than the name lets on. It had a strong American run around 1980 and has settled into something steady since.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: People-ruler
- Pronunciation: DEH-Rehk
- Variations: Derick, Derreck, Derrick
- Namesakes: Derek Soutar, a Scottish footballer for Dundee. Derek Jacobi, an English actor knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.
- Popularity: Derek ranked 284th in U.S. data in 2025, down from its 1980 peak of 50th. It has charted since 1924.
Diamond
Diamond grew out of the Greek adamas, meaning inflexible, and also worked as an occupational surname for a diamond worker. The name had a long American run through the 1990s and early 2000s before easing off. Unbreakable is a fair thing to wish on a child.
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: Unbreakable
- Pronunciation: DAY-Mahnd
- Variations: Diamonde, Dimond
- Namesakes: Diamond DeShields, an American basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Diamond White, an American actress on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 2020.
- Popularity: Diamond ranked 2,024th in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 150th in 1999. It has charted since 1908.
Dominic
Dominic derives from the Latin Dominicus, meaning lordly, and is also read as belonging to God. Medieval parents gave it to babies born on Sunday, which is the tidiest naming rule ever invented. It has held a place near the U.S. top 100 for years now. Dom is the obvious short form and it works for a toddler and a grown man alike. Few medieval names have made the trip to the present this smoothly.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Of the lord
- Pronunciation: DAAM-ah-Nayk
- Variations: Dominik, Dominick
- Namesakes: Dominic A. LeBlanc, the Canadian minister of intergovernmental affairs since 2020. Dominic Howard, an English musician and drummer for the rock band Muse.
- Popularity: Dominic ranked 106th in U.S. data in 2025, close to its 2013 best of 68th. It has charted since 1885.
Drew
Drew is one of the many names the Norman conquest carried into England. It may also connect to the Irish O Draoi, meaning descendant of the Druid. Most American families now meet it as the short form of Andrew, where it has quietly overtaken Andy. It works on its own just as well, for a girl or a boy.
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: Strong and manly
- Pronunciation: DRUW
- Variations: Drue, Dru
- Namesakes: Drew Scott, a Canadian co-host on the HGTV series Property Brothers. Drew Barrymore, an American actress with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
- Popularity: Drew ranked 553rd in U.S. data in 2025, down from its 1985 peak of 126th. It has charted since 1880.
Drustan
Drustan is the older and stranger cousin of Tristan. It belonged to a 7th century Scottish saint and may draw on the Celtic drest, meaning tumult. Tristan, the knight of the Round Table, won the popularity contest centuries ago. Drustan is what is left for anyone who liked the legend but not the queue.
- Origin: Celtic, Welsh
- Meaning: Riot
- Pronunciation: DRUHST-ahn
- Variations: Drystan
- Popularity: Drustan is too rare for U.S. federal data, which publishes a name only once at least five babies receive it in a year.
Edith
Edith is built on the Old English ead, meaning riches, and first appears as Eadgyth, the name of a 10th century saint. It was one of the great American names of the early 1900s, vintage without being fragile and short enough to survive any playground.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Rich, happy
- Pronunciation: IY-Dihth
- Variations: Edithe, Edythe
- Namesakes: Edith Wharton, an American writer and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 1921. Edith “Edie” Sedgwick, an American actress known as one of Andy Warhol’s superstars.
- Popularity: Edith ranked 499th in U.S. data in 2025. Its best year was 1916 at 28th, and it has charted every year since 1880.
Edme
Edme is a short form of Edmund and an alternative to Esme. It also means protector of prosperity, or one who defends his heritage. That makes it the simplest of the medieval names here to say and the hardest to find on a keychain.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Rich protector
- Pronunciation: EHD-meh
- Variations: Esme
- Namesakes: Edme Mongin, a French bishop who performed the funeral oration of Louis XIV in 1715. Edme-Jean Leclaire, a French economist who developed an employee profit-sharing system.
- Popularity: Edme is too rare for U.S. federal data, which lists a name only once at least five babies receive it in a year.
Edmund
Edmund began as the Old English Eadmund, meaning rich protector, and belonged to two English kings. It has never left the American records in nearly 150 years and today sits at 1,082nd, well off its 1914 peak of 130th. Ed and Ned split the difference, one clipped short and one softened at the end.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Rich protector
- Pronunciation: EHD-Mahnd
- Variations: Eadmund, Edmond
- Namesakes: Edmund Tsaturyan, a member of the National Assembly of Armenia from 1999 to 2003. Edmund Spenser, an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene.
- Popularity: Edmund ranked 1,082nd in U.S. data in 2025. It peaked at 130th in 1914 and has charted every year since 1880.
Eithne
Eithne means kernel or grain and is also read as ardent and graceful. In Irish mythology she was the daughter of the leader Balor, and the name went on to belong to a long line of Irish saints. It also means little fire, which suits a small child with a temper. The spelling asks something of English speakers, and it rewards them.
- Origin: Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning: Kernel, grain
- Pronunciation: EHTH-Niy
- Variations: Ethene, Ethne
- Namesakes: Eithne Farry, an Irish literary editor of Elle. Eithne FitzGerald, an Irish politician and a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South constituency from 1992 to 1997.
- Popularity: Eithne ranked 13,673rd in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing to date. It first charted in 2007.
Ellis
Ellis started as the Welsh personal name Elisedd, meaning kind and benevolent. It doubles as a nickname for Elijah and served in the 17th century as a short form of Alice. It has never dropped out of the U.S. records. Soft, surname-like and usable for anyone.
- Origin: English, Hebrew
- Meaning: Yahweh is my God
- Pronunciation: EHL-ihs
- Variations: Elis, Elliss
- Namesakes: Ellis Jenkins, a Welsh rugby union player for the Wales national team. Ellis Hollins, an English actor appearing in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.
- Popularity: Ellis ranked 243rd in U.S. data in 2025, close to its 1913 best of 174th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Emmeline
Emmeline came to Britain with the Normans and is a diminutive of the German names beginning with amal-, meaning vigorous and brave. It gives parents a route to Emma and Emmy without borrowing a name that already sits near the top of the charts. The extra syllables do a lot of work.
- Origin: French, German
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: EHM-ah-Liyn
- Variations: Emmilene, Emmaline
- Namesakes: Emmeline Ndongue, a French basketball player for the women’s French national basketball team. Emmeline Lott, a British travel writer who wrote about Egypt.
- Popularity: Emmeline ranked 922nd in U.S. data in 2025, near its best showing of 753rd in 2017. It has charted since 1888.
Euphemia
Euphemia joins the Greek eu, meaning good, to phemi, meaning speak, so the name reads as well-spoken or auspicious speech. It is grand on paper and immediately manageable in practice, because Effie and Phemie are both built in, giving anyone who wants a formal name a soft everyday version too.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Well-spoken
- Pronunciation: Yuw-FEHM-iy-Ah
- Variations: Eufemia
- Namesakes: Euphemia Vale Blake, a British-American critic for the North American Review. Euphemia Wilson Pitblado, a Scottish-American delegate to the National Woman Suffrage Association Convention.
- Popularity: Euphemia ranked 6,186th in U.S. data in 2025 and reached 1,417th in 1915. It has charted since 1880.
Eydis
Eydis combines the Old Norse ey, meaning good fortune, with dis, meaning goddess, so the whole reads as goddess of good luck. It is still in ordinary use in Iceland. In an American classroom it would be the only one.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Island goddess
- Pronunciation: AY-Diyz
- Namesakes: Eydis Konráðsdóttir, an Icelandic swimmer who competed at the 2000 Olympic Games. Árelía Eydís Guðmundsdóttir, an Icelandic author and a Reykjavík City Council Member.
- Popularity: Eydis is too rare for U.S. federal data, which lists a name only once at least five babies receive it in a year.
Faust
Faust began as a surname from the Middle German fust, meaning fist. It may have started as a nickname for a hardy person or for someone with a hand deformity. The literary Faust has since taken the name over entirely, giving it a dark literary shine.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Fist
- Pronunciation: FAUWST
- Variations: Fausto
- Namesakes: Faust Shkaravsky, a Soviet physician who presided over Adolf Hitler’s autopsy during World War II. Bård “Faust” Eithun, a Norwegian drummer for the band Emperor.
- Popularity: Faust has not charted in U.S. data since 1930, when it sat at 4,194th. Its best year was 1917 at 2,810th.
Florian
Florian comes from the Latin florianus, meaning blooming. The related Latin florus first meant yellow and blond, though a Florian can have any hair color at all. It is a flower name that reads as strong rather than delicate, and it works for a boy or a girl.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Flowering
- Pronunciation: FLOW-riy-Ahn
- Variations: Florien, Florrian
- Namesakes: Florian Guay, a Canadian politician and a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec. Florian Rousseau, a French track cyclist and gold medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Florian ranked 2,495th in U.S. data in 2025, well off its 1917 best of 525th. It has charted since 1886.
Frida
Frida comes from the Old Norse Frida and stands in for female names ending in -fridr. In Slavic languages it also covers names built on fried, meaning peace, giving it two clean syllables and no spelling trouble in any language it lands in.
- Origin: German, Norse
- Meaning: Beloved
- Pronunciation: FRIY-Dah
- Variations: Frieda, Freda
- Namesakes: Frida Hyvönen, a Swedish singer-songwriter and winner of the 2005 Stockholm Prize. Frida Westman, a Swedish ski jumper who competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
- Popularity: Frida ranked 1,565th in U.S. data in 2025, having peaked at 648th in 2003. It has charted since 1892.
Gandalf
Gandalf is famous as the wizard who spends three books fighting evil, and J.R.R. Tolkien lifted it from the Old Norse Catalog of Dwarves. The films gave it a second life. It means wand elf, which is exactly what it sounds like. It is barely a real name and still the most Dark Age sounding entry on this list.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Wand elf
- Pronunciation: Gaan-DOWLF
- Variations: Gandolfo
- Popularity: Gandalf appeared in U.S. data only in 1970, at 4,974th, and has not charted since.
Genevieve
Genevieve also means white wave. Saint Genevieve was a 5th century nun and is the patron saint of Paris. The name peaked at 76th in the U.S. in 1914 and ranks 148th today. It is the most European sounding of the medieval girl names here, and Evie, Gen and Vivi cover three different moods, from playful to polished.
- Origin: French, Celtic
- Meaning: Woman of the race
- Pronunciation: JIN-ah-Veev
- Variations: Genivieve, Genevive
- Namesakes: Genevieve Beacom, an Australian baseball player and the first woman to pitch in the Australian Baseball League. Genevieve Schatz, an American singer/songwriter and member of the band Company of Thieves.
- Popularity: Genevieve ranked 148th in U.S. data in 2025. It peaked at 76th in 1914 and has charted every year since 1880.
Gilbert
Gilbert joins the Germanic gisil, meaning shaft of an arrow, to behrt, meaning bright or famous. Most Americans meet it more often as a common surname than as a first name. That is a shame, because the meanings are richer than the plain sound suggests, and Gil is a good short form.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Shining, pledge
- Pronunciation: GIHL-Bahrt
- Variations: Guilbert, Gilburt, Gillbert
- Namesakes: Gilbert Khunwane, a Botswana boxer, and bronze medalist at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Gilbert de Chambrun, a French politician in the National Assembly and a member of the French Resistance.
- Popularity: Gilbert ranked 1,330th in U.S. data in 2025, a long way from its 1930 peak of 90th. It has charted since 1880.
Gillian
Gillian is an English spelling of the Latin Juliana, meaning Jove’s child, and it was widely used in the Middle Ages as a name for girls called Gill. Trace it back far enough and you reach the Roman Julius, which originally meant downy bearded. It is soft, a little old-fashioned and completely usable for anyone.
- Origin: Scottish, Latin
- Meaning: Youthful
- Pronunciation: JHIHL-iy-Ahn
- Variations: Gillean
- Namesakes: Gillian Welch, an American singer-songwriter and winner of the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. Gillian Anderson, an American actress known for the series The X-Files.
- Popularity: Gillian ranked 3,307th in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 303rd in 1999. It has charted since 1922.
Godiva
Godiva comes from the Old English Godgifu, using gifu, meaning gift. Lady Godiva rode through Coventry in the 11th century wearing nothing but her hair, and the name has never escaped that story. It is bold in every sense.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God’s gift
- Pronunciation: Gah-DAEY-vah
- Variations: Godivah, Godyva
- Popularity: Godiva last charted in U.S. data in 2017, at 16,733rd. Its best year was 1958 at 6,428th.
Godwin
Godwin comes from the Old English Godwine, joining God to wine, meaning friend. It became a surname afterward, which is how most people meet it now. Earl Godwin of Wessex carried the given name into English history well before the surname took over. Today it survives mainly as a family name, with the given name a rare choice.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Friend of God
- Pronunciation: GAAD-Wihn
- Variations: Goodwin
- Namesakes: Godwin of Stavelot, a 17th-century Benedictine abbot in Belgium whose feast day is October 28. Godwin of Wessex, an English nobleman under the Danish king Cnut the Great.
- Popularity: Godwin ranked 5,951st in U.S. data in 2025, well below its best of 3,131st in 1983. It has charted since 1914.
Gratiana
Gratiana is a very old name taken from the Roman Gratian. The Latin gratia means favor and thanks, and the name also carries winsome and charming. It is what Grace looks like with three more syllables and a few more centuries.
- Origin: Latin, Italian
- Meaning: Grace
- Pronunciation: Grae-shih-AEN-Ah
- Variations: Gracianna, Graziana
- Popularity: Gratiana has not shown up in U.S. federal data at all, since the SSA only publishes a name once five babies get it in a year.
Grimwald
Grimwald comes from the Old German grimo, meaning mask, and walt, meaning power. As a surname it sat close to Grunwald. It is about as blunt and Germanic as a medieval name gets.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Prevail
- Pronunciation: GRIM-Waold
- Variations: Grimoald, Grimald
- Popularity: Grimwald sits below the SSA’s five-baby reporting threshold, so it has no U.S. ranking on record.
Guy
Guy is the French counterpart of the Italian Guido and is usually read as guide or leader. It may also connect to the Hebrew Gai, meaning ravine. English gave the word guy its everyday sense long after the name was in use, which is the only real obstacle to using it now. It is one syllable and it has never once left the American records.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: Guide, leader
- Pronunciation: GAEY
- Variations: Gye
- Namesakes: Guy Pearce, an English-Australian known for Memento (2000). Guy Lombardo, an Italian-Canadian-American bandleader of the Royal Canadians.
- Popularity: Guy ranked 1,637th in U.S. data in 2025. Its best year was 1913 at 137th, and it has charted every year since 1880.
Hamlin
Hamlin started as the Norman given name Hamon and means little home lover. As a surname it reads as the son of Hamo. It is gentle for a medieval name, and it has been out of use long enough to sound new again.
- Origin: German, French
- Meaning: Little home lover
- Pronunciation: HHAEM-Lihn
- Variations: Hamelin, Hamlyn
- Namesakes: Hamlin Garland, an American writer who focused on Midwestern farmers. Hamlin Harding, the Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1870 to 1872.
- Popularity: Hamlin has not charted in U.S. data since 1957, when it sat at 4,217th. Its best year was 1916 at 3,030th.
Hayden
Hayden is drawn from the German Heiden, meaning heathen, and also reads as dweller on the hedged hill. It ranks 161st today, off its 2007 peak of 71st, without tipping into overuse, and whether it reads peasant or nobleman, it sounds like a name that belongs outdoors.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Heathen
- Pronunciation: HHEY-Dehn
- Variations: Haydn, Haeden
- Namesakes: Hayden Roulston, a New Zealand racing cyclist and silver medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Hayden Christensen, a Canadian actor appearing in the Star Wars films.
- Popularity: Hayden ranked 161st in U.S. data in 2025, off its 2007 peak of 71st. It has charted every year since 1880.
Hildegund
Hildegund was first written as the Old German Hildigund. It joins hildiz, meaning battle, to guntho, meaning fight, so the name says the same thing twice for emphasis. Nobody could accuse it of being subtle.
- Origin: German, Norse
- Meaning: Battle, war
- Pronunciation: HHIHLD-ih-Gund
- Variations: Hildegunde
- Popularity: Hildegund has never crossed the five-baby line the SSA uses to publish a name, so it carries no U.S. rank.
Honora
Honora rests on the Latin honor, meaning reputation. Saint Honoree carried it into common use between the 12th and 14th centuries, especially in France. It is the formal parent of Nora, a name still in wide use today. Anyone who wants that nickname with something longer behind it has a ready-made option.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Woman of honor
- Pronunciation: Ah-NNAOR-ah
- Variations: Honore, Honorie
- Namesakes: Honora Burke, an Irish aristocrat who introduced country dance to the French court. Honora Enfield, a British co-operative activist with the National Federation of Women Workers.
- Popularity: Honora ranked 7,263rd in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1913 best of 1,196th. It has charted since 1880.
Hubert
Hubert was the Old German Hugubert, joining hugu, meaning heart, to berhta, meaning bright. Saint Hubert, the patron saint of huntsmen, made it one of the most heavily used names of the medieval period. Bright mind is the usual reading now. It is due a rediscovery, and Hugh is the quick, easy call for anyone who wants the short version.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Bright mind
- Pronunciation: HHYUW-Bahrt
- Variations: Hubbert, Huberte, Huburt, Huebert
- Namesakes: Hubert Pierlot, the Prime Minister of Belgium from 1939 to 1945. Hubert Gallant, a Canadian wrestler for Stampede Wrestling.
- Popularity: Hubert ranked 3,400th in U.S. data in 2025, far from its 1913 peak of 112th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Humphrey
Humphrey grew out of the Old English Hunfrith, combining the surname Hunt with the German frith, meaning peace. St. Humphrey was a 9th century bishop among the Norman settlers in England. Peaceful warrior is the standing translation, which is a decent thing to hand a child.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Peaceful warrior
- Pronunciation: HHAHM-Friy
- Variations: Humfrey, Humfry, Humphry
- Namesakes: Humphrey Wells, the Governor of Georgia from February 16th to February 18th, 1780. Humphrey Bogart, an American film actor best known for Casablanca.
- Popularity: Humphrey last charted in U.S. data in 2024, at 9,328th. Its best year was 1915 at 1,578th, and it has been in the records since 1880.
Isabeau
Isabeau is the medieval French version of Elizabeth and also reads as God is abundance. It matches the Hebrew Elisheva and the Greek Elisabet. Of every name here that still appears in the federal data at all, this is the least used, which is quite a thing for a name that sounds this finished. Belle and Izzy are both available.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Pledged to God
- Pronunciation: Iy-zaa-BOW
- Variations: Izebee
- Namesakes: Isabeau of Bavaria, the Queen of France from 1385 to 1422. Isabeau Levito, an American figure skater and the 2023 Grand Prix Final silver medalist.
- Popularity: Isabeau ranked 13,866th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing being 5,376th in 2018. It is the rarest currently charting name on this list, at roughly one in 250,000 births.
Ivar
Ivar means archer and also means bow warrior. In Old Norse it is tied to the yew tree, the wood archers used to make their bows. It also brings to mind Freyr, the Norse god of peace, rain and sunshine, so the name is not all weaponry. It is having its strongest American year right now.
- Origin: English, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Archer
- Pronunciation: IY-Vaar
- Variations: Ivarr, Iver
- Namesakes: Ivar Smilga, a Latvian Bolshevik leader and member of the Left Opposition in the Soviet Union. Ivar Haglund, a Seattle folk singer and founder of Ivar’s seafood restaurant.
- Popularity: Ivar ranked 1,384th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing to date, and it has charted on and off since 1896.
Jehane
Jehane is the most French of the medieval girl names here, standing in for Jean and sometimes Joan. It reaches back to the Hebrew root behind John. Joan of Arc used the spelling in her own letters, which is about as strong a provenance as a name can have.
- Origin: Hebrew, French
- Meaning: God is merciful
- Pronunciation: ZJHIY-Ahn
- Variations: Jeanne
- Namesakes: Jehane Noujaim, an American documentary film director known for Control Room (2004).
- Popularity: Jehane stays under the radar of U.S. federal data, which only counts a name once five babies share it in a year.
Lancaster
The Middle English form of Lancaster was Loncastre, a Roman fort on the River Lune. It is also a place name in northern England and a well known surname today. Long, stately and entirely unclaimed as a first name.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fort on the Lune river
- Pronunciation: LAEN-kaes-Ter
- Namesakes: Lancaster Gordon, an American basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Popularity: Lancaster appeared in U.S. data only in 1930, at 4,301st, and has not charted since.
Lavinia
Lavinia is the feminine form of Latinus, drawn from Latium, the region around ancient Rome. In Roman mythology she was the wife of Aeneas and is remembered as the mother of the Roman people. That makes it the grandest of the medieval baby names here that begin with L, and it still sounds light on the tongue. Vinnie lands playful and Livvy lands soft, so there is a nickname to match almost any mood.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Mother of the Roman people
- Pronunciation: Laa-VIHN-iy-Ah
- Variations: Livinia, Lavenia
- Namesakes: Lavinia Șandru, a Romanian vice president of the National Union for the Progress of Romania. Lavinia Miloșovici, a Romanian artistic gymnast inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Popularity: Lavinia ranked 2,290th in U.S. data in 2025, well off its 1914 best of 724th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Leoric
Leoric is an alternate spelling of Leofric, built from the Old English leof, meaning beloved, and ric, meaning ruler. It barely exists as a modern given name and survives mostly as a character name in video games, a strange afterlife for a name that once belonged to English nobility.
- Origin: English, Latin
- Meaning: Like a lion
- Pronunciation: Liy-AW-rihk
- Popularity: Leoric last charted in U.S. data in 2024, at 13,443rd, after a best showing of 10,429th in 2022. It only entered the records in 2017.
Llewellyn
Llewellyn first appeared as Llywelin and is read as like a lion or leader’s image. Celtic royalty used it until it wore down into Leolin and Leoline. The double L opening is the whole appeal, and Lew or Wyn will do for daily use.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Like a lion
- Pronunciation: Luw-WELL-ihn
- Variations: Lewellen, Lewellyn
- Namesakes: Llewellyn Thompson, an American advisor to President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Llewellyn Herbert, a South African hurdler and bronze medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Llewellyn ranked 5,749th in U.S. data in 2025, far off its 1916 peak of 729th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Lothar
Lothar comes from the Old German Hlothar, meaning famous army. It connects to Clotaire, a name several medieval Frankish rulers used. Famous warrior is the shorter reading, and the name sounds every bit of it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Famous warrior
- Pronunciation: LOW-Taar
- Variations: Lother, Lothair
- Namesakes: Lothar Späth, a German politician and the 36th President of the Bundesrat in 1984 to 1985. Lothar-Günther Buchheim, a German author known for the 1973 novel Das Boot.
- Popularity: Lothar has not charted in U.S. data since 1968, when it sat at 4,507th. Its best year was 1929 at 2,695th.
Lucan
Lucan is the Italian form of Lucius, from the Latin Lucianus, a surname meaning from Lucania. It has the same easy opening as Luca and Lucas with a harder finish, and that final consonant makes it a far rarer choice than either of them.
- Origin: Italian, Roman
- Meaning: From Lucania, Italy
- Pronunciation: LUW-Kaen
- Variations: Lachunn
- Namesakes: Marcus Lucanus (known as Lucan), a Roman poet known for his epic Pharsalia.
- Popularity: Lucan ranked 6,028th in U.S. data in 2025 and peaked at 1,461st in 1978. It first charted in 1977.
Lucia
Lucia uses the Latin root lux, meaning light, and is the feminine form of Lucius. Saint Lucia, the patron saint of eye diseases, kept it in use through the medieval period. It is having its strongest American year yet. Few names this old are also this current.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: Luw-SIY-ah
- Variations: Lucija
- Namesakes: Lucia Bronze, an English footballer for the England women’s national team. Lucía Hiriart, the First Lady of Chile between 1974 and 1990.
- Popularity: Lucia ranked 83rd in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing on record, and it has charted every year since 1880. It is one of only two names on this list inside the current top 100.
Martine
Martine comes from the Latin Martinus and ties back to Mars, the Roman god of war. Dedicated to Mars is the literal reading, which makes it one of the more combative names here. It is technically gender-neutral and used mostly for girls.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: War-like
- Pronunciation: Maar-TIYN
- Variations: Marteen, Martina
- Namesakes: Martine Carol (born Marie-Louise Mourer), a French film actress called the French Marilyn Monroe. Martine Taelman, a Belgian member of the Belgian Senate in 2007.
- Popularity: Martine ranked 11,556th in U.S. data in 2025, a long way from its 1981 best of 793rd. It has charted since 1894.
Maude
Maude derives from the Old German Mahthildis, joining mahti, meaning strength, to hildi, meaning battle. It was a favorite in the 12th and 13th centuries and had a long American run through the 19th. Powerful battler is a fair translation of the whole. It is one syllable, entirely unfussy, and ready to come back.
- Origin: German, French
- Meaning: Powerful battler
- Pronunciation: MAWD
- Variations: Maud
- Namesakes: Maude Nugent, an American who wrote the lyrics to “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” in 1896. Maude Andrews Ohl, an American journalist, and The Atlanta Constitution’s first woman reporter.
- Popularity: Maude ranked 3,367th in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1913 peak of 179th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Melanie
Melanie is the French take on the Latin Melania and means black or dark. Two Saint Melanias carried it, both connected to St. Jerome, and Huguenot immigrants brought it to England. It ranks 142nd today, down from its 1972 peak of 42nd, without ever feeling dated.
- Origin: French, Greek
- Meaning: Black, dark
- Pronunciation: MEHL-ah-Niy
- Variations: Melannie, Melonie
- Namesakes: Melanie Griffith, an American actress appearing in 1988’s Working Girl. Melanie Jans, a Canadian squash player inducted into the Canadian Squash Hall of Fame in 2022.
- Popularity: Melanie ranked 142nd in U.S. data in 2025, down from its 1972 peak of 42nd. It has charted since 1886.
Merlin
Merlin comes from the Welsh Myrddin and is read as sea fortress, with hawk as a second meaning. The medieval Myrddin was a famous bard long before Arthurian legend turned the name into a magician’s, and that legend is now impossible to shake, which is either the reason to use it or the reason not to.
- Origin: English, Welsh
- Meaning: Sea fortress
- Pronunciation: MEHR-Lihn
- Variations: Merlinn, Merlun
- Namesakes: Merlin Olsen, an American football player with the Los Angeles Rams. Merlin Bartz, an American member of the Iowa State Senate from 2009 to 2013.
- Popularity: Merlin ranked 2,343rd in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 288th in 1927. It has charted since 1885.
Millicent
Millicent came through the Old French Melisende and is German underneath, joining amal, meaning work, to swintha, meaning strong. The Lombard and Burgundian tribes used it heavily in medieval times. Strong in work is an unglamorous meaning and a genuinely good one. Millie is a nickname still in everyday use, and this is the long version almost nobody chooses.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Strong in work
- Pronunciation: MIY-liy-Sahnt
- Variations: Milicent
- Namesakes: Millicent Selsam, an American children’s author who won the 1965 Thomas Alva Edison Mass Media Award. Millicent Simmonds, a deaf American actress known for the 2018 horror film A Quiet Place.
- Popularity: Millicent ranked 1,900th in U.S. data in 2025 and reached 435th in 1927. It has charted every year since 1880.
Milo
Milo rests on the German mild, meaning calm, with possible input from the Latin miles, meaning soldier, and the Greek milos, meaning yew-flower. Merciful is the standard reading. It is at its strongest American position ever right now, so the secret is out.
- Origin: German, Slavic
- Meaning: Merciful
- Pronunciation: MAEY-Low
- Variations: Mylo
- Namesakes: Milo Cipra, a Croatian composer and member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Milo Ventimiglia, an American actor appearing on Gilmore Girls (2001 to 2007).
- Popularity: Milo ranked 119th in U.S. data in 2025, its best showing on record, and it has charted every year since 1880.
Minerva
Minerva uses the Latin mens, meaning thought and intellect. She was the Roman goddess of wisdom and fills the same role as the Greek Athena. Naming a daughter after the mind rather than after beauty is a quiet statement, and this name has been making it for two thousand years.
- Origin: Latin, Greek
- Meaning: The mind
- Pronunciation: Mih-NEHR-Vah
- Variations: Minervah
- Namesakes: Minerva Urecal (born Minerva Dunnuck), an American on the Sunday Night Hi-Jinks radio program from 1932 to 1937. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, an American activist who helped establish Joshua Tree National Park.
- Popularity: Minerva ranked 2,112th in U.S. data in 2025, well off its 1913 best of 409th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Mirabel
Mirabel means wonderful and also of wondrous beauty. It has been in use since the 12th century as a unisex name and now goes mostly to girls. The bel ending puts it alongside Isabel and Annabel without landing on either.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Wonderful
- Pronunciation: MIY-raa-Behl
- Variations: Mirabelle
- Namesakes: Mirabel Osler, an English writer, and winner of the Sinclair Consumer Press Garden Writer of the Year Award in 1988.
- Popularity: Mirabel ranked 2,575th in U.S. data in 2025, well below its best of 1,454th in 2022. It first charted in 1982.
Neville
Neville means new town and was a noble Norman surname from the time of the conquest, taken from Neuville in Normandy. It also carries settlement as a second reading, and it is the poshest sounding name on this list by some distance, wearing that lightly enough to work on a modern boy.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: New town
- Pronunciation: NEYV-ihl
- Variations: Nevill, Nevile
- Namesakes: Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of the UK from 1937 to 1940. Neville Livingston (known as Bunny Wailer), a Jamaican member of The Wailers with Bob Marley.
- Popularity: Neville ranked 6,704th in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1933 best of 1,009th. It has charted since 1905.
Noel
Noel comes from the Old French nael, meaning of or born on Christmas, and is also read as day of birth. It is one of the most accessible Middle Ages names still in ordinary use, and it works for a girl or a boy. December babies have an obvious claim on it, though nobody checks.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Day of birth
- Pronunciation: NOWEL
- Variations: Noell, Noelle
- Namesakes: Noel Coward, an English playwright who won an Academy Honorary Award in 1943. Noel Gallagher, an English musician, and co-founder of the rock band Oasis.
- Popularity: Noel ranked 478th in U.S. data in 2025, having peaked at 267th in 1938. It has charted every year since 1880.
Osgar
Osgar means God-spear and carries gentle friend and friend of deer in Ireland. This medieval form of Oscar belonged to the warrior son of Osin in Irish mythology. Oscar has done extremely well since; Osgar is the version still standing quietly in the background.
- Origin: Irish, Norse
- Meaning: God-spear
- Pronunciation: AASK-er
- Variations: Oscar, Oskar
- Popularity: Osgar is rare enough that U.S. federal data skips it entirely, since the SSA needs five babies with a name before it publishes a rank.
Osric
Osric joins the Old English os, meaning heathen god, to rice, meaning powerful. The power and strength of God is the longer reading. Shakespeare handed the name to a courtier in Hamlet, which is most people’s only encounter with it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Divine ruler
- Pronunciation: AAZ-Rihk
- Variations: Osryc, Osryck
- Namesakes: Osric Chau, a Canadian actor appearing in the CW series Supernatural.
- Popularity: Osric ranked 8,069th in U.S. data in 2025, having peaked at 5,541st in 1972, the first year it charted.
Otto
Otto began as the Old German Audo and is also tied to Otho. It worked as a nickname for the run of German names starting with aud-, meaning prosperity. Wealthy is the standing meaning. It spent most of the 20th century out of favor and has come further back than any other name here, which says something about how well a short, blunt, symmetrical name travels.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Wealthy
- Pronunciation: Ah-Tow
- Variations: Oto, Otho
- Namesakes: Otto L. Lietchen, an American member of the Missouri Senate from 1941 until 1949. Otto Hindrich, a Romanian footballer for Kisvárda.
- Popularity: Otto ranked 277th in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 146th in 1913. It is the biggest revival on this list, having bottomed out in 1984 and recovered to about 29 times that rate by 2025.
Pascal
Pascal is the French form of the Greek Pascha, the term for both Easter and Passover, and it was given to children born at Easter. The Passion of Christ sits behind it, and few names announce a season so plainly while still sounding this modern.
- Origin: Latin, Greek
- Meaning: Relating to Easter
- Pronunciation: Paes-KAEL
- Variations: Pascale, Pascual
- Namesakes: Pascal Köpke, a German footballer for 1. FC Nürnberg. Pascal Rogé, a French pianist specializing in Beethoven.
- Popularity: Pascal ranked 3,636th in U.S. data in 2025 and reached 1,101st in 1913. It has charted since 1889.
Peregrine
Peregrine comes from the Latin peregrinus, meaning stranger, and is usually read as traveler or pilgrim. Saint Peregrinus was the patron of Modena and Lucca in Italy. The falcon carries the same name, which is what most people picture first. It is long, strange and one of the most striking medieval names available to either a boy or a girl.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Traveler, pilgrim
- Pronunciation: Peh-reh-GRIHN
- Namesakes: Peregrine Pelham, a 17th-century English Member of Parliament under King Charles I. Peregrine Honig, an American artist appearing on Bravo’s Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.
- Popularity: Peregrine ranked 3,359th in U.S. data in 2025, just off its best showing of 3,322nd in 2024. It first charted in 1998.
Ricard
Ricard is built from the German rik, meaning ruler, and hardu, meaning strong. It is the Catalan and Spanish route to the same place Richard came from, minus the h. Anyone who likes Richard and not Rick has an option here.
- Origin: Spanish, German
- Meaning: Dominant ruler
- Pronunciation: Rih-KAARD
- Variations: Rickard
- Popularity: Ricard has not charted in U.S. data since 1994, when it sat at 9,941st. Its best year was 1962 at 2,021st.
Roger
Roger comes from the Old English Hrothgar, which English borrowed back from French after the Norman conquest. In the form Hrothgar it belongs to a character in the epic poem Beowulf. Famous spearman is the standing meaning. It was a top 25 American name in the 1940s and has been resting ever since, which puts it right on schedule for a revival.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: Famous spearman
- Pronunciation: RAA-Jahr
- Variations: Rogers
- Namesakes: Roger Moore, an English actor famous for playing James Bond between 1973 and 1985. Roger Taylor, an English musician and drummer for the rock band Queen.
- Popularity: Roger ranked 834th in U.S. data in 2025, a long way from its 1945 peak of 22nd. It has charted every year since 1880.
Roland
Roland is tied to the German Hrodland and reads as famous land or fame of the land. It was heavily used across the Middle Ages, when the legend of Roland was told everywhere. The name reached the U.S. top 100 in 1924 and has stayed in steady, unhurried use since.
- Origin: German, French
- Meaning: Famous land
- Pronunciation: ROW-Lahnd
- Variations: Rolande, Rolland, Rowland
- Namesakes: Roland Wlodyka, an American stock car racing driver in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the 1970s. Roland Dumas, a French Foreign Minister from 1988 to 1993.
- Popularity: Roland ranked 608th in U.S. data in 2025 after peaking at 98th in 1924. It has charted every year since 1880.
Sebastian
Sebastian comes from the Latin Sebastianus and originally meant a man of Sebastia, a city in what is now Turkey. Saint Sebastian was a Roman martyr and one of the favorite subjects of medieval art. It is the only name here in the current U.S. top 20, which makes it the safe choice on a list full of gambles. Seb and Bash both come free.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Renowned
- Pronunciation: Sah-BAES-chahn
- Variations: Sebastion, Sebastyn
- Namesakes: Sebastian Faulks, a British novelist known for Charlotte Gray. Sebastian Stan, a Romanian-American actor in the miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
- Popularity: Sebastian ranked 16th in U.S. data in 2025, close to its 2022 best of 13th. It is the highest ranked name on this list by a wide margin, and it has charted since 1881.
Sibyl
Sibyl comes from the Greek sibylla, meaning prophetess, and refers to the women who read the ancient oracles. The Latin sibylla is read as divine counsel. It is a mystical name, carried in just five letters.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Seer, oracle
- Pronunciation: SIHB-ahl
- Variations: Sybil, Sibel
- Namesakes: Zabel Asadour (pen name Sibil), an Ottoman-Armenian poet and one of the founders of the Society of Nation-Dedicated Armenian Women. Sybil Mulcahy, an Irish journalist and co-host of The Morning Show with Sybil & Martin since 2009.
- Popularity: Sibyl ranked 5,537th in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1919 best of 376th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Stace
Stace began as an unusual male nickname for Eustace, meaning fruitful, which came down from the Latin Eustatius. It later turned into the short form of Stacey and switched sides. It is one syllable and works for anyone.
- Origin: Greek, French
- Meaning: Productive
- Pronunciation: STAHS
- Variations: Stacy
- Namesakes: Stace Victor Clube, an English astrophysicist who inspired the name of the 6523 Clube asteroid. Stacey “Stace” Nelson, an American member of the South Dakota Senate from 2016 to 2020.
- Popularity: Stace last showed up in U.S. records in 1984 at 7,190th, well off its 1968 high of 1,689th.
Thomasina
Thomasina is the female form of Thomas, first found in the 14th century alongside Thomasia and Thomasin, all of them meaning daughter of Thomas. The root teoma means twin, and the Arabic Tasmin is related. It is a long, formal name, and Tommie, Sina and Mina range from sturdy to delicate for everyday use.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Twin
- Pronunciation: Taam-aa-SIY-Naa
- Variations: Thomasine
- Namesakes: Thomasina Miers, an English cook and co-founder of the Wahaca Mexican restaurant chain in the UK. Thomasina Pidgeon, a Canadian rock climber once called the strongest female Canadian boulderer.
- Popularity: Thomasina last charted in U.S. data in 2019, at 15,407th. Its best year was 1932 at 977th, and it has been in the records since 1904.
Torsten
Torsten takes the thunder god Thor and adds steinn, meaning stone. Thor’s stone is about as solid as a meaning gets. It is the most Scandinavian sounding name on this list, and Tor makes a short form that needs no explanation.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Thor’s stone
- Pronunciation: TAOR-Sten
- Variations: Thorsten
- Namesakes: Torsten Gowitzke, a German footballer with SFC Stern 1900. Torsten Andersson, a member of the Swedish parliament from 1953 to 1968.
- Popularity: Torsten ranked 6,415th in U.S. data in 2025, well below its best of 2,726th in 1968. It first charted in 1962.
Tristan
Tristan started as the Welsh Drystan and means sad or sorrowful, which the legend earns. In Arthurian stories Tristan is a Knight of the Round Table and the tragic half of Tristan and Isolde. It spent the 1990s and early 2000s in the U.S. top 100 and has eased back since without losing any of its romance.
- Origin: Welsh, French
- Meaning: Sad, sorrowful
- Pronunciation: TRIHS-Tahn
- Variations: Tristen, Tristam
- Namesakes: Tristan Robbins, a British road racing cyclist for SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling. Tristan MacManus, an Irish dancer appearing on Dancing with the Stars.
- Popularity: Tristan ranked 309th in U.S. data in 2025, down from its 1996 peak of 68th. It first charted in 1946.
Walter
Walter was the Old German Walthari, joining walt, meaning ruler, to hari, meaning army. The Normans used it constantly. It was a top 10 American name just over a century ago, fell hard, and has climbed back into the top 300 as the vintage names have come around again. Walt and Wally are both there for the taking.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Army commander
- Pronunciation: WAOL-Tahr
- Variations: Waltar, Waltyr
- Namesakes: Walter Matthau, an American actor appearing in the comedy The Bad News Bears (1976). Walter Cronkite, an American broadcast journalist with CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981.
- Popularity: Walter ranked 252nd in U.S. data in 2025, well off its 1914 peak of 10th. It has charted every year since 1880.
Wilkin
Wilkin was a distinctly medieval nickname for William, brought to Britain with the Norman conquest. It means resolute protector, the same as the name it shrank from. It is a way to use William without joining the queue.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: Resolute protector
- Pronunciation: WIHL-Kihn
- Popularity: Wilkin last charted in U.S. data in 2023, at 14,084th. Its best year was 1922 at 4,299th, which is also when it first appeared.
Winifred
Winifred rests on the Welsh Gwenfrewi, meaning white wave, and also carries holy reconciliation. Saint Gwenfrewi was a Welsh princess whose name English speakers reshaped into Winifred. Winnie, its nickname, is still in everyday use. The long form is the one still going spare.
- Origin: Welsh, English
- Meaning: Blessed
- Pronunciation: WIHN-ih-Frehd
- Variations: Winefrid, Winnifrid, Wynnifrid
- Namesakes: Winifred Lawson, an English opera singer and a member of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company (1922 to 1932). Winnie Mandela (born Winifred Madikizela), a South African anti-apartheid activist and the second wife of Nelson Mandela.
- Popularity: Winifred ranked 923rd in U.S. data in 2025, well below its 1917 best of 141st. It has charted every year since 1880.
Wymond
Wymond comes from the German Wigmund and is read as bright warrior or shining fighter. The alternate spellings settled during the Middle Ages and never went anywhere afterward. It is about as obscure as this list gets, which for some families is the entire point.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Bright warrior
- Pronunciation: WAEY-Mahnd
- Variations: Wimonde, Wymonde
- Popularity: Wymond appeared in U.S. data only in 1924, at 4,960th, and has not charted since.
