230 Rare 1800s Names With Meanings

Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason. 

However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.

We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it. 

How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular 1800s baby names to get a better idea.

Meredith– “Lord”

Erwin– “army friend”

Cordelia– “daughter of the sea”

Gladys – “royalty”

Oswald– “God’s power”

Gilda– “golden”

Josephine – “God shall grow”

Lucille – “light”

Kay– “rejoice”

Callie– “beautiful”

Lillian – “lily”

Lacy – “cheerful”

Hazel– “hazelnut tree”

Shannon– “old river”

In the past, some parents have named their children after celebrities or fictional characters. 

Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical. Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.

Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child that they opt for a one-word baby name. 

And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.

In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity. 

Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion. 

So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome 1800s baby names.

Mary– “drop of the sea”

Georgette– “farmer”

Eva– “living one”

Nellie– “horn” or

Roxanne– “bright star”

Gloria – “immortal glory”

Mary– “loved, rebellious”

Meredith– “Great Lord”

Marilyn – “sea of bitterness”

Vada– “famous ruler”

Agnes– “chaste”

Maureen – “daughter of the sea”

Grace– “generosity”

Delphine– “dolphin”

1800s Names

 Judith– “woman of Judea”

Dulce– “sweet”

Ida – “prosperous”

Geraldine – “she rules with a spear”

Tessie– “late summer”

Mickey– “he who is like God”

Laura – “laurel plant”

Louisa– “famous warrior”

Liza– “God’s promise”

Olive – “peace”

Marilyn– “star of the sea”

Guadalupe– “river”

Irene – “peace”

Edna– “pleasure”

Bridget– “brígh”

Faith– “may God reign”

Hope– “desire of fulfillment”

Vernon– “alder tree”

Mae– “goddess of springtime and warmth”

Goldie– “gold”

Nancy – “grace”

Popular 1800s Names

Mollie – “sea of bitterness”

Gilda– “covered in gold”

Wallace– “foreigner”

Peggy– “pearl”

Caroline– “free man”

Murphy– “seawarrior”

Jane – “God is gracious”

Myrtle– “evergreen shrub”

Maeve– “the intoxicating one”

Jacqueline– “to seize”

Lucinda– “light”

Helena– “bright”

Nell– “light”

Greta – “pearl”

Henry– “house ruler”

Audrey– “power and strength”

Daisy– “day’s eye”

Lorene– “laurel”

Bessie– “God is my oath”

Kenneth– “handsome”

Iris – “rainbow”

1800s Names

What are some of the cutest 1800s baby names?

Trudie– “ruler of the spear”

Ian– “God is gracious”

Imogen – “maiden”

Clarice– “bright, brilliant”

Lois – “better”

Florence– “old lady names”

Opal – “jewel”

Lydia – “beautiful one”

Nellie – “shining light”

Nellie– “shining light”

Elise– “My God is an oath”

Helen – “light”

Carol– “free person”

Lorraine – “famous army”

Octavia – “eighth”

More Baby Names:

Tips for Naming Your Babies

There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives.

There are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name. 

These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.

If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:

1.  Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.

It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.

Here are some popular 1800s baby names out there:

Flora– “flower”

Nora – “light”

Lee– “meadow”

Dora– “gift”

Clara– “clear, famous”

Patience– “act of being patient”

Iris– “rainbow”

Mathilde – “might and strength”

Margaret– “pearl”

Dolly– “gift of God”

Millicent– “labor and strength”

Lenora– “sun ray”

Lucia– “light”

Imogen– “maiden”

2.  Do not skip lovely 1800s baby names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.

Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names. 

They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.

How would you like these 1800s baby names:

Martin– “warlike”

Dixie– “ten”

Sylvia– “spirit of the wood”

Evelyn– “bird”

Hattie – “ruler of the home”

Inez– “virginal”

Rosalind– “beautiful rose”

Daisy– “beautiful flower”

Kitty – “pure”

Miriam – “wished for”

Hazel – “from the hazelnut tree”

Joyce– “to rejoice”

Catherine– “pure”

Theodora– “gift of God”

3.  Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.

SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name. 

However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.

Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:

Agatha

Meaning: “Goodhearted”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning Goodhearted.

Spelling and variations: Aga, Agacia, Agata, Agathe.

Famous People with this Name: Agatha Barbara.

Astrid

Meaning: “Godly or divine strength, divine beauty”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning divine beauty.

Spelling and variations: Aayasrid.

Famous People with this Name: Astrid Lindgren.

Brenna

Meaning: “Sword”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning Sword.

Spelling and variations: Brennda, Brenda.

Famous People with this Name: Brenna Todd.

Dagny

Meaning: “A new day started”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning A new day started.

Spelling and variations: Dagne, Dagnee, Dagney, Dagni, Dagnia, Dagnie, Dagnija.

Famous People with this Name: Dagny (Dags) Knutson.

Dahlia

Meaning: “Dahlia flower”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning Dahlia flower.

Spelling and variations: Dalia.

Famous People with this Name: Dahlia Lithwick (journalist).

Ella

Meaning: “Sympathy, compassion”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning compassion.

Spelling and variations: Ele, Elle.

Famous People with this Name: Ella Rae Wahlberg .

Eda

Meaning: “Poetry, wealthy, happy”

Origin: Viking

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning happy.

Spelling and variations: Edda.

Famous People with this Name: Edda Renouf (artist).

Emma

Meaning: “Whole, universal”

Origin: Viking, Germanic, Old Danish

Description: Origin Viking Germanic and its Meaning universal.

Spelling and variations: Ema.

Famous People with this Name: Emma Watson .

Erica

Meaning: “Ruling forever”

Origin: Viking, English

Description: Origin Viking English and its Meaning Ruling forever.

Spelling and variations: Erika, Ericka, Erykah.

Famous People with this Name: Erica Durance .

Freya

Meaning: A noble woman.

Origin: Viking, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning A noble woman.

Spelling and variations: Freja, Freyja, Frea, Frøya.

Famous People with this Name: Dame Freya Madeline Stark .

Frida

Meaning: “Woman of peace”

Origin: Viking, Germanic.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning Woman of peace.

Spelling and variations: Freeda, Freida, Frieda.

Famous People with this Name: Frida Lyngstad.

Helga

Meaning: “Divine woman”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning Divine woman.

Spelling and variations: Hella, Helka, Helle, Olga.

Famous People with this Name: Helga Glantschnig.

Ingrid

Meaning: “Beautiful woman, goddess”

Origin: Viking.

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning goddess.

Spelling and variations: Inkeri, Inger.

Famous People with this Name: Ingrid Asensio.

Kari

Meaning: “Chaste, pure”

Origin: Viking

Description: Origin Viking and its Meaning pure.

Spelling and variations: Kerry, Keri, Karie, Carrey.

Famous People with this Name: Kari Byron.

4.  Crossing your favorite 1800s baby names on the feedback on friends and family members.

Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion. 

You will hardly find 1800s baby names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.

Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:

Gretchen– “pearl”

Ines – “virtue”

Amelia– “strive”

Samantha– “listens well”

Olive– “olive tree”

Macy– “weapon”

Esther– “star”

Elsa– “pledged to the Lord”

Doris– “gift”

Gertie – “strong spear”

Ina– “to entertain”

Miriam– “of the sea”

Herbert– “bright warrior”

5.  Do a little research and find what is out there.

Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick. 

You will be all good once you do a little internet research. You will also be able to find some great 1800s baby names that you might consider now or in the future.

Here are some common baby names examples to help you:

Ashlee

Meaning: “Meadow of ash trees”

Origin: Modern English.

Description: Modern English origin and its means Meadow of ash trees.

Spelling and variations: Ashley, Ashleigh, Ashlie, Ashlyn, Ashlynn, Ashlea.

Famous People with this Name: American singer, Ashlee Simpson.

Avery

Meaning: “Ruler of the elves”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Ruler of the elves.

Spelling and variations: Averie, Averi.

Famous People with this Name: American actress, Avery Clyde.

Bethany

Meaning: “Place of figs”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Place of figs.

Spelling and variations: Bethanie, Bethney, Beth, Bethenny, Bethonie, Bethania.

Famous People with this Name: American actress, Bethany Joy Lenz.

Charmaine

Meaning: “Singer”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Singer.

Spelling and variations: Charmine, Charmane, Charmene, Sharmaine, Charmian.

Famous People with this Name: Canadian soccer player, Charmaine Hooper.

Deonne

Meaning: “Valley”

Origin: Old English.

Description: Old English origin and its means Valley.

Spelling and variations: Deanna, Deonna, Deondra, Deona, Dionne.

Famous People with this Name: Australian archer, Deonne Bridger.

Elvina

Meaning: “Elf”

Origin: Old English.

Description: Old English origin and its means Elf.

Spelling and variations: Alvina, Alveena, Elvena, Elvene, Elvenia, Elvinia, Elvyra, Elveena.

Famous People with this Name: Italian opera singer, Elvina Ramella.

Felicity

Meaning: “Happiness”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Happiness.

Spelling and variations: Felicia, Felicidad (Spanish), Felicita (Italian.

Famous People with this Name: English actress, Felicity Jones.

Georgia

Meaning: “Farmer”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek origin and its means Farmer.

Spelling and variations: Georgiana, Georgina, Georgeanna.

Famous People with this Name: American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe.

Hazel

Meaning: “The hazelnut tree”

Origin: Old English.

Description: Old English origin and its means The hazelnut tree.

Spelling and variations: Hazell, Hazelle, Hazal, Hazle.

Famous People with this Name: English actress, Hazel Court.

Ivy

Meaning: “Evergreen climbing plant”

Origin: Old English.

Description: Old English origin and its means Evergreen climbing plant.

Spelling and variations: Ivie.

Famous People with this Name: American author, Ivy Ruckman.

Jemma

Meaning: “Jewel”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Jewel.

Spelling and variations: Gemma.

Famous People with this Name: Jemma Redgrave.

Kellsie

Meaning: “Victorious ship”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Victorious ship.

Spelling and variations: Kelsey, Kelsie, Kellsey, Kelsa, Kelcy, Kelcie.

Famous People with this Name: Professional basketball player, Kelsey Plum.

6.  Consider the names of the subsequent children.

Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool 1800s baby name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.

7.  Avoid the names with bad meanings.

Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid. 

Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.

Here are some of the cool 1800s baby names with meanings:

Emmeline– “work, gentle”

Maude – “mighty in battle”

Eva– “living”

Katherine – “pure”

Gertrude – “strength”

Beatrix – “traveler”

Birdie– “bright, famous”

Marlene– “star of the sea”

Grace – “God’s grace”

Hannah– “favor”

Peter– “stone”

Judith – “woman from Judea”

8.  Pick up good people’s names from history.

The name of person has an effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history. 

You can consider this as well. I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past. 

I bet you’d find some awesome and useable 1800s baby names if you look into it.

We have a small list of 1800s baby names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:

Lily

Meaning: “Lily flower”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Lily flower.

Spelling and variations: Lilybell, Lilli, Lilly, Lillie, Lillian.

Famous People with this Name: Lily Allen.

Madeline

Meaning: “High tower”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means High tower.

Spelling and variations: Madeleine (French), Madalyn, Madelyn, Madelynn, Magdalene.

Famous People with this Name: Madeline Zima.

Maisie

Meaning: “Pearl”

Origin: Scottish.

Description: Scottish origin and its means Pearl.

Spelling and variations: Maisy, Mazie, Maisey, Maisee.

Famous People with this Name: Maisie Williams.

Dolores

Meaning: “sorrow”

Origin: Spanish.

Description: This Spanish name means “sorrow”.

Spelling and variations: Delores, Delarosa.

Famous People with this Name: Dolores Alexander.

Winifred

Meaning: “fair”

Origin: English.

Description: This is the English version of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, which means “fair”.

Spelling and variations: Winfred.

Famous People with this Name: Winifred Atwell.

Beverly

Meaning: “beaver stream”

Origin: Old English.

Description: In Old English this beautiful name means “beaver stream”.

Spelling and variations: Brielle, Beryl, Brawley.

Famous People with this Name: Beverly Adams.

Brenda

Meaning: “sword”

Origin: Old Norse .

Description: In Old Norse this name means “sword”.

Spelling and variations: Barnett, Burnett, Brandt, Bernd.

Famous People with this Name: Crystal Gayle.

Sibyl

Meaning: “prophetess”

Origin: Greek.

Description: In Greek, this unique name means “prophetess”.

Spelling and variations: Sybil, Cybill, and Sybella.

Famous People with this Name: Sibyl Buck.

Tallulah

Meaning: “leaping waters”

Origin: Choctaw.

Description: In the Choctaw language, this name means “leaping waters”.

Spelling and variations: Tayla, Tylie, Taylee, Tulay, Toille, Tulio.

Famous People with this Name: Tallulah Bankhead.

Ursula

Meaning: “little bear”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Meaning “little bear” in Latin.

Spelling and variations: Ursula.

Famous People with this Name: Saint Ursula.

Vera

Meaning: “faith”

Origin: Russian.

Description: Meaning “faith” in Russian.

Spelling and variations: Vyra, Varro.

Famous People with this Name: Vera Albreht.

Wanda

Meaning: “A Slender”

Origin: Polish.

Description: Wanda is primarily a female name of Polish origin that means A Slender.

Spelling and variations: Wenda, Wendy, Winda.

Famous People with this Name: Wanda Y’vette Sykes.

Mavis

Meaning: Song Thrush”

Origin: English.

Description: Mavis is primarily a female name of English origin that means Song Thrush.

Spelling and variations: Memphis, Mopsa, Maovesa, Mahfuz.

Famous People with this Name: Mavis Adjei.

Muriel

Meaning: “Sea Bright”

Origin: Irish.

Description: . Muriel is primarily a female name of Irish origin that means Sea Bright.

Spelling and variations: Murielle, Meryl, and Merla.

Famous People with this Name: Muriel Anderson.

Nadine

Meaning: “hope”

Origin: French.

Description: This is the French version of the Slavic name Nadia, which means “hope”.

Spelling and variations: Nathan, Natine, Newton, Natania, Natane, Nodin, Nituna, Notin, Nadim, Natan, Nantan, Nithanya, Needham.

Famous People with this Name: Nadine Ames.

Wilma

Meaning: “Short Form Of Wilhelmina”

Origin: American.

Description: Wilma is primarily a female name of American origin that means Short Form Of Wilhelmina.

Spelling and variations: Wilhelmina, Willem, William.

Famous People with this Name: Wilma Arizapana.

Deirdre

Meaning: “daughter”

Origin: Old Irish.

Description: This Gaelic name likely derives from the Old Irish meaning “daughter”.

Spelling and variations: Deirdra, Dierdra.

Famous People with this Name: Deidre Airey.

Delia

Meaning: “of Delos”

Origin: Greek.

Description: the name means “of Delos” in Greek.

Spelling and variations: Daley, Dalya, Delaiah, Doli.

Famous People with this Name: Delia Akeley.

9.  Make sure the first and second names fit with each other.

This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.

Check out 1800s baby names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:

George– “farmer”

Joelle– “Jehovah is God”

Liliana– “care free”

Patricia – “noble”

Hilda – “battle”

Simone– “God had heard”

Roy– “king”

Norma – “Norse”

Margaret – “pearl”

Loretta – “laurel”

May– “Family of the Mathew”

Estrella– “star”

Popular Old Names

Della– “noble”

10. Avoid names with too many syllables.

Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.

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About Maryam Irfan

Maryam Irfan is a BS commerce student. She is a hardworking person. Though new to writing, she still manages to do great work. In her free time, she watches movies and plays games.