Classic Baby Girl Names
Choosing a name for your little girl is such an exciting journey! As of a mom of five kids, three of which are daughters, I’ve spent a LOT of time scouring the internet for the perfect baby girl names. And I just kept coming back to the classics.
Classic names never go out of style, and they often carry deep meanings and rich histories.
Whether you’re looking for something timeless, elegant, or steeped in tradition, this list of 120 classic baby girl names is here to inspire you.
Each name includes its meaning, origin, and notable associations to help you find the perfect fit. These were always very important to me as I searched for the perfect names for my kids, so I made sure to include them here for you.
If you get to the end of this list and don’t quite find the perfect one, you might also like our list of 100 Old Money Baby Girl Names.
What Are Classic Baby Girl Name Ideas?
Classic Baby Girl Names Ideas
1. Charlotte
Meaning: Free woman
Origin: French
Association: Queen Charlotte, Charlotte Brontë, "Charlotte's Web"
2. Eleanor
Meaning: Shining light
Origin: Greek
Association: Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Aquitaine, "Sense and Sensibility"
3. Grace
Meaning: Charm, goodness, and generosity
Origin: Latin
Association: Grace Kelly, a virtue name, "Amazing Grace" hymn
4. Elizabeth
Meaning: God is my oath
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice," Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
5. Margaret
Meaning: Pearl
Origin: Greek
Association: Margaret Thatcher, Saint Margaret, Margaret Atwood
6. Katherine
Meaning: Pure
Origin: Greek
Association: Catherine the Great (alternative spelling), Katherine Hepburn, Saint Catherine of Siena
7. Mary
Meaning: Beloved or wished-for child
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Virgin Mary, Mary Shelley, Mary Poppins
8. Amelia
Meaning: Work
Origin: Germanic
Association: Amelia Earhart, Amelia Bedelia, a royal name in European history
9. Lucy
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
Association: Saint Lucy, Lucy Pevensie in "The Chronicles of Narnia," Lucy from "I Love Lucy"
10. Anne
Meaning: Grace
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Anne of Green Gables, Anne Boleyn, Saint Anne
11. Grace
Meaning: Favor or blessing
Origin: Latin
Association: Grace Kelly, Grace Hopper, virtue name from Christian tradition
12. Eleanor
Meaning: Bright, shining one
Origin: Greek
Association: Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles song)
13. Victoria
Meaning: Victory
Origin: Latin
Association: Queen Victoria, Victoria Beckham, Saint Victoria
14. Charlotte
Meaning: Free man
Origin: French
Association: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Charlotte Brontë, Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web"
15. Clara
Meaning: Bright or clear
Origin: Latin
Association: Clara Barton, Clara from "The Nutcracker," Saint Clare of Assisi
16. Sarah
Meaning: Princess
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah in the Bible, Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York)
17. Jane
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, Tarzan's Jane
18. Hannah
Meaning: Grace or favor
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Hannah Arendt, Hannah Montana, Hannah in the Bible
19. Abigail
Meaning: Father’s joy
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Abigail Adams, Abigail Breslin, Abigail in the Bible
20. Harriet
Meaning: Ruler of the home
Origin: Germanic
Association: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet the Spy
21. Alice
Meaning: Noble or kind
Origin: Germanic
Association: Alice in Wonderland, Alice Walker, Princess Alice
22. Emily
Meaning: Rival or industrious
Origin: Latin
Association: Emily Dickinson, Emily Brontë, Emily Blunt
23. Emma
Meaning: Whole or universal
Origin: Germanic
Association: Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Jane Austen’s "Emma"
24. Catherine
Meaning: Pure
Origin: Greek
Association: Catherine the Great, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Saint Catherine of Alexandria
25. Rebecca
Meaning: To tie or bind
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Rebecca in the Bible, Daphne du Maurier’s "Rebecca," Rebecca Hall
26. Julia
Meaning: Youthful
Origin: Latin
Association: Julia Roberts, Julia Child, Saint Julia of Corsica
27. Helen
Meaning: Bright or shining light
Origin: Greek
Association: Helen of Troy, Helen Keller, Saint Helen
28. Audrey
Meaning: Noble strength
Origin: Old English
Association: Audrey Hepburn, Saint Audrey, Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors"
29. Matilda
Meaning: Battle-mighty
Origin: Germanic
Association: Roald Dahl’s "Matilda," Matilda of Flanders, Saint Matilda
30. Rose
Meaning: Rose (flower name)
Origin: Latin
Association: Rose in "Titanic," Rose Kennedy, Rose Byrne
31. Margaret
Meaning: Pearl
Origin: Greek
Association: Queen Margaret of Scotland, Margaret Thatcher, Margaret Atwood
32. Penelope
Meaning: Weaver
Origin: Greek
Association: Penelope in Greek mythology, Penelope Cruz, Penelope in "The Odyssey"
33. Josephine
Meaning: God will increase
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Josephine Bonaparte, Josephine Baker, Jo March in "Little Women"
34. Frances
Meaning: Free man
Origin: Latin
Association: Saint Francis of Assisi, Frances McDormand, Frances Hodgson Burnett
35. Lillian
Meaning: Lily (flower name)
Origin: Latin
Association: Lillian Gish, Lillian Disney, floral symbolism of purity
36. Dorothy
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Greek
Association: Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz," Dorothy Parker, Saint Dorothy
37. Evelyn
Meaning: Desired or wished for
Origin: Old English
Association: Evelyn Waugh, Evelyn Nesbit, a name rising in vintage popularity
38. Beatrice
Meaning: She who brings happiness
Origin: Latin
Association: Beatrice in Dante’s "Divine Comedy," Princess Beatrice, Beatrice Potter
39. Georgia
Meaning: Farmer or earthworker
Origin: Greek
Association: Georgia O’Keeffe, Georgia Engel, the U.S. state of Georgia
40. Violet
Meaning: Purple (flower name)
Origin: Latin
Association: Violet in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Violet Crawley in "Downton Abbey," a symbol of modesty
41. Caroline
Meaning: Free man
Origin: French and Germanic
Association: Caroline Kennedy, Neil Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline," Queen Caroline of England
42. Isabelle
Meaning: God is my oath
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Isabelle Adjani, Isabella of Castile, Disney’s "Isabella"
43. Phoebe
Meaning: Bright or shining
Origin: Greek
Association: Phoebe Buffay from "Friends," Phoebe in Greek mythology, Phoebe Bridgers
44. Clara
Meaning: Bright or clear
Origin: Latin
Association: Clara Barton, Clara from "The Nutcracker," Saint Clare of Assisi
45. Lucy
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
Association: Lucy in "The Chronicles of Narnia," Lucy Stone, Saint Lucy
46. Florence
Meaning: Flourishing or prosperous
Origin: Latin
Association: Florence Nightingale, Florence Welch, the Italian city Florence
47. Estelle
Meaning: Star
Origin: Latin
Association: Estelle Getty, Princess Estelle of Sweden, symbol of hope and light
48. Nora
Meaning: Honor or light
Origin: Latin and Irish
Association: Nora Ephron, Nora in "A Doll’s House," rising in modern popularity
49. Ada
Meaning: Noble
Origin: Germanic
Association: Ada Lovelace, Ada in "Cold Mountain," a vintage favorite making a comeback
50. Madeline
Meaning: Woman from Magdala
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Madeline in the children’s books, Madeleine Albright, Saint Mary Magdalene
51. Eleanor
Meaning: Light or bright
Origin: Greek and Old French
Association: Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Eleanor in "Sense and Sensibility"
52. Hannah
Meaning: Grace or favor
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Hannah in the Bible, Hannah Arendt, Hannah Montana
53. Rose
Meaning: Rose (flower name)
Origin: Latin
Association: Rose in "Titanic," Rose Kennedy, a symbol of love and beauty
54. Harriet
Meaning: Ruler of the home
Origin: Germanic
Association: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet the Spy
55. Agnes
Meaning: Pure or holy
Origin: Greek
Association: Saint Agnes, Agnes Moorehead, a name with vintage charm
56. Pearl
Meaning: Precious gemstone
Origin: Latin
Association: Janis Joplin (nickname Pearl), Pearl in "The Scarlet Letter," a symbol of purity
57. Hazel
Meaning: Hazel tree
Origin: Old English
Association: Hazel in "The Fault in Our Stars," Hazel Scott, a nature-inspired name
58. Ruth
Meaning: Companion or friend
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Ruth in the Bible, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Babe Ruth
59. Jane
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, Tarzan's Jane
60. Matilda
Meaning: Strength in battle
Origin: Germanic
Association: Matilda in Roald Dahl’s novel, Empress Matilda, Matilda Ledger
61. Charlotte
Meaning: Free man
Origin: French and Germanic
Association: Princess Charlotte, Charlotte Brontë, Charlotte in "Charlotte’s Web"
62. June
Meaning: Young
Origin: Latin
Association: June Carter Cash, June in "The Handmaid’s Tale," the month of June
63. Edith
Meaning: Prosperous in war
Origin: Old English
Association: Edith Wharton, Edith Piaf, Edith Crawley in "Downton Abbey"
64. Martha
Meaning: Lady or mistress
Origin: Aramaic
Association: Martha Washington, Martha Stewart, Martha in the Bible
65. Helen
Meaning: Shining light
Origin: Greek
Association: Helen of Troy, Helen Keller, Helen Mirren
66. Vera
Meaning: Faith or truth
Origin: Latin and Russian
Association: Vera Wang, Vera Lynn, a classic name making a comeback
67. Daisy
Meaning: Day’s eye (flower name)
Origin: Old English
Association: Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby," Daisy Ridley, a symbol of innocence
68. Olive
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: Latin
Association: Olive Oyl from "Popeye," Olive in "Little Miss Sunshine," a peaceful symbol
69. Audrey
Meaning: Noble strength
Origin: Old English
Association: Audrey Hepburn, Saint Audrey, Audrey Meadows
70. Miriam
Meaning: Wished-for child
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Miriam in the Bible, Miriam Margolyes, a timeless biblical name
71. Annabelle
Meaning: Grace and beauty
Origin: Latin and French
Association: Annabelle in "Annabelle Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe, Annabelle the doll, a vintage charmer
72. Susannah
Meaning: Lily or rose
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Susannah in the Bible, Susannah Harker, a name with old-world charm
73. Louisa
Meaning: Renowned warrior
Origin: Germanic
Association: Louisa May Alcott, Louisa in "The Sound of Music," a strong yet elegant name
74. Cecilia
Meaning: Blind
Origin: Latin
Association: Saint Cecilia (patron of music), Cecilia in "Simon & Garfunkel," Cecilia Bartoli
75. Eve
Meaning: Life
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Eve in the Bible, Eve Arden, Eve as a symbol of beginnings
76. Iris
Meaning: Rainbow (flower name)
Origin: Greek
Association: Iris Murdoch, Iris Apfel, a symbol of hope and color
77. Winifred
Meaning: Blessed peace
Origin: Welsh
Association: Winnie the Pooh, Winifred Sanderson from "Hocus Pocus," Winifred Atwell
78. Bridget
Meaning: Strength or exalted one
Origin: Irish
Association: Saint Bridget of Ireland, Bridget Jones, Bridget Fonda
79. Celeste
Meaning: Heavenly
Origin: Latin
Association: Celeste Holm, Celeste in "Big Little Lies," a name evoking grace
80. Eliza
Meaning: Pledged to God
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady," Eliza Hamilton, a spunky alternative to Elizabeth
81. Clara
Meaning: Bright or clear
Origin: Latin
Association: Clara Barton, Clara in "The Nutcracker," Clara Bow
82. Beatrice
Meaning: She who brings happiness
Origin: Latin
Association: Beatrice in "Dante's Divine Comedy," Princess Beatrice, Beatrix Potter
83. Ada
Meaning: Noble or happy
Origin: Germanic and Hebrew
Association: Ada Lovelace, Ada in "The Piano," a sweet, vintage name
84. Juliet
Meaning: Youthful
Origin: Latin
Association: Juliet in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet Mills, a name of timeless romance
85. Nora
Meaning: Honor or light
Origin: Irish and Latin
Association: Nora Ephron, Nora in "A Doll's House," a name of quiet strength
86. Simone
Meaning: He has heard
Origin: Hebrew and French
Association: Simone de Beauvoir, Simone Biles, a sophisticated and chic name
87. Diana
Meaning: Divine
Origin: Latin
Association: Princess Diana, Diana Ross, Diana (Roman goddess of the hunt)
88. Gloria
Meaning: Glory
Origin: Latin
Association: Gloria Steinem, Gloria in "Modern Family," a name evoking triumph and brilliance
89. Camille
Meaning: Young ceremonial attendant
Origin: French and Latin
Association: Camille Claudel, Camille Saint-Saëns, Camille in "The Lady of the Camellias"
90. Harriet
Meaning: Ruler of the home
Origin: Germanic
Association: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet the Spy
91. Eloise
Meaning: Healthy or wide
Origin: French and Germanic
Association: Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise in "Abelard and Heloise," a lively, literary name
92. Florence
Meaning: Prosperous or flourishing
Origin: Latin
Association: Florence Nightingale, Florence Welch, the Italian city of Florence
93. Ophelia
Meaning: Help
Origin: Greek
Association: Ophelia in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Ophelia Lovibond, a name of tragic beauty
94. Josephine
Meaning: God will add
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Josephine Baker, Empress Josephine, Jo in "Little Women"
95. Rosalind
Meaning: Pretty rose
Origin: Germanic
Association: Rosalind Franklin, Rosalind in Shakespeare's "As You Like It," a name of grace and strength
96. Violet
Meaning: Purple flower
Origin: Latin
Association: Violet Baudelaire, Violet in "Downton Abbey," a nature-inspired classic
97. Augusta
Meaning: Great or magnificent
Origin: Latin
Association: Augusta Savage, the city of Augusta, Empress Augusta of Germany
98. Lydia
Meaning: Woman from Lydia (an ancient kingdom)
Origin: Greek
Association: Lydia in the Bible, Lydia Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice," Lydia Deetz in "Beetlejuice"
99. Sabrina
Meaning: River Severn
Origin: Celtic
Association: Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sabrina Fairchild, a name of magical charm
100. Margot
Meaning: Pearl
Origin: French
Association: Margot Robbie, Margot Fonteyn, Margot Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums"
101. Estelle
Meaning: Star
Origin: French and Latin
Association: Estelle Getty, Princess Estelle of Sweden, a name full of celestial elegance
102. Imogen
Meaning: Maiden or innocence
Origin: Celtic
Association: Imogen in Shakespeare's "Cymbeline," Imogen Heap, a literary and artistic name
103. Daphne
Meaning: Laurel tree
Origin: Greek
Association: Daphne in Greek mythology, Daphne du Maurier, Daphne in "Scooby-Doo"
104. Cora
Meaning: Maiden
Origin: Greek
Association: Cora Crawley in "Downton Abbey," a name inspired by Greek mythology, sweet and timeless
105. Faye
Meaning: Fairy or loyalty
Origin: English
Association: Faye Dunaway, Faye in "La La Land," a name with a magical and delicate touch
106. Leona
Meaning: Lioness
Origin: Latin
Association: Leona Lewis, Leona Helmsley, a strong and elegant name
107. Vivian
Meaning: Alive
Origin: Latin
Association: Vivien Leigh, Vivian Ward in "Pretty Woman," a classic with lively charm
108. Alma
Meaning: Nourishing
Origin: Latin
Association: Alma Mahler, Alma in "The Book of Mormon," a warm and soulful name
109. Theodora
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Greek
Association: Empress Theodora, Theodora Richards, a regal and distinguished name
110. Iris
Meaning: Rainbow
Origin: Greek
Association: Iris Murdoch, Iris Apfel, Iris in "The Holiday"
111. Helena
Meaning: Bright or shining light
Origin: Greek
Association: Helena Bonham Carter, Helena in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a name of timeless elegance
112. Celeste
Meaning: Heavenly
Origin: Latin
Association: Celeste Holm, Celeste in "Big Little Lies," a name with celestial charm
113. Isadora
Meaning: Gift of Isis
Origin: Greek
Association: Isadora Duncan, a name with strong ties to art and mythology
114. Eliza
Meaning: God is my oath
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Eliza Hamilton in "Hamilton," Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady," a bright and spunky classic
115. Genevieve
Meaning: Woman of the people
Origin: French
Association: Saint Genevieve, Genevieve Gorder, a sophisticated and chic name
116. Lucille
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
Association: Lucille Ball, Lucille in "Arrested Development," a vintage name with a luminous vibe
117. Pearl
Meaning: Precious gemstone
Origin: Latin
Association: Pearl S. Buck, Pearl in "The Scarlet Letter," a name of timeless beauty
118. Daphne
Meaning: Laurel tree
Origin: Greek
Association: Daphne in Greek mythology, Daphne du Maurier, Daphne in "Scooby-Doo"
119. Serena
Meaning: Tranquil or serene
Origin: Latin
Association: Serena Williams, Serena van der Woodsen in "Gossip Girl," a graceful and peaceful name
120. Amara
Meaning: Grace or eternal
Origin: Greek and Latin
Association: Amara in "The Vampire Diaries," a name with a beautiful meaning and modern appeal
Baby Girl Names conclusion
I hope you enjoyed our list of 120 classic baby girl names! Best wishes to you and your growing family.
