Classic Girl Names
1137 classic girl names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for boy names instead? Classic Boy Names →
There is a particular kind of relief in saying a name out loud and realizing it has already survived a hundred years of school rosters, wedding invitations and hospital bracelets. That is the quiet promise of Classic girl names: nothing here will date your daughter to a single decade. The plainspoken English core still does the heaviest lifting — Jane, unadorned and unbothered; Catherine with its long, dignified paper trail and its dozen affectionate nicknames; Frances, which spent years feeling like a grandmother and now feels like the coolest girl in the room; and Rachel, warm and familiar without ever tipping into trendy. These are names a toddler can grow out of and a surgeon can grow into, which is really the whole test.
Then there is the softer, more continental half of the category, where the vowels open up and the whole name seems to lean toward you. Camille and Elise carry that unhurried French polish; Celine is all smooth consonants and one clean landing. If you want something older and a little more mischievous, Mabel has come roaring back off the vintage shelf, while Evie and Lena give you brevity without giving up warmth. And classic has never meant only Anglo — Amina and Gabriela are centuries-deep staples in their own traditions, familiar on nearly every continent, and every bit as timeless.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Classic Girl Names — Page 2
Annelise#1321 in the U.S.Grace plus God's oath; gracious and devoted to God▶Patience#1330 in the U.S.Patient endurance, steadfast calm in adversity▶Dina#1334 in the U.S.Judged, vindicated, avenged▶Liah#1340 in the U.S.Weary; also interpreted as wild cow or gazelle▶Liz#1348 in the U.S.My God is an oath; devoted to God▶Evalyn#1351 in the U.S.Wished-for child; hazelnut; from Old French aveline▶May#1357 in the U.S.The month of May; also pearl or beloved as a pet form▶Sonia#1359 in the U.S.Wisdom, wise one▶Susanna#1360 in the U.S.Lily flower, graceful as a lily▶Ciara#1361 in the U.S.Dark-haired, dark beauty▶Zoie#1365 in the U.S.Life, living one▶Cristina#1381 in the U.S.Follower of Christ, Christian▶Jenny#1388 in the U.S.God is gracious, beloved▶Inez#1407 in the U.S.Pure, chaste, holy▶Lorraine#1417 in the U.S.From Lorraine, the land of Lothar's people▶Magdalene#1419 in the U.S.She of Magdala, woman of the tower▶Amilia#1421 in the U.S.Industrious, hardworking, striving to excel▶Ira#1436 in the U.S.Watchful, attentive, full of observation▶Alisa#1442 in the U.S.Noble, of noble kind▶Katerina#1445 in the U.S.Pure, clean, unsullied▶Meghan#1446 in the U.S.Pearl, precious gem▶Adrienne#1455 in the U.S.From Hadria, the Adriatic Sea town▶Calista#1457 in the U.S.Most beautiful, of the greatest beauty▶Sofie#1461 in the U.S.Wisdom, wise one▶Aimee#1467 in the U.S.Beloved, beloved one, one who is loved▶Mona#2224 in the U.S.noble, aristocratic lady▶Therese#2227 in the U.S.to reap, harvest▶Aoife#2230 in the U.S.radiant beauty, joyfulness▶Bridgette#2232 in the U.S.exalted one, strength, power▶Diane#2247 in the U.S.divine, belonging to the divine▶Janice#2250 in the U.S.God is gracious▶Joslyn#2252 in the U.S.member of the Gauts tribe▶Natalee#2255 in the U.S.born on Christmas Day, birthday of the Lord▶Zena#2273 in the U.S.hospitable, welcoming of strangers▶Jacquelyn#2285 in the U.S.God is gracious▶Katelynn#2287 in the U.S.pure, unsullied▶Allisson#2297 in the U.S.noble, of noble kind▶Isabell#2310 in the U.S.pledged to God, my God is an oath▶Sofiya#2317 in the U.S.wisdom, skill, knowledge▶Yvonne#2318 in the U.S.yew tree, symbolizing immortality and endurance▶Deanna#2323 in the U.S.divine, belonging to the divine, goddess of the hunt▶Hillary#2326 in the U.S.cheerful, merry, joyful▶Marla#2334 in the U.S.beloved, drop of the sea▶Caitlyn#2346 in the U.S.pure, unsullied▶Isobel#2351 in the U.S.pledged to God, my God is an oath▶Aiko#2378 in the U.S.love + child; little loved one▶Jean#2411 in the U.S.God is gracious▶Janet#2441 in the U.S.God is gracious▶Tracy#2453 in the U.S.from Thracia, warlike▶Valarie#2454 in the U.S.strength, valor▶Dianna#2458 in the U.S.divine, goddess of the hunt▶Jesse#2466 in the U.S.gift, wealthy▶Rosaline#3000 in the U.S.From Latin rosa (rose) combined with Germanic lind (gentle, soft, tender), or simply 'pretty ro▶Una#3005 in the U.S.From Latin una, meaning 'one' or 'unity'; also used as an Anglicization of the Irish name Úna, ▶Jemima#3024 in the U.S.From the Hebrew 'yemimah,' most commonly interpreted as 'dove,' a symbol of peace and purity; s▶Lili#3028 in the U.S.Variant of Lily, from Latin 'lilium' (lily flower), itself from Greek 'leirion'; also linked to▶Nicolle#3033 in the U.S.Feminine form of Nicolas, from Greek 'Nikolaos': 'nike' (victory) + 'laos' (people), meaning 'v▶Veronika#3038 in the U.S.From Latin 'vera icon' (true image) linked to the Christian legend of the Veil of Veronica; als▶Beth#3046 in the U.S.Short form of Elizabeth (Hebrew Elisheba: 'El' = God + 'sheva' = oath/abundance), meaning 'my G▶Carrie#3050 in the U.S.Pet form of Caroline or Carol, ultimately from the Germanic Karl meaning free man or strong man▶Husna#3054 in the U.S.From Arabic husn meaning beauty, goodness, and excellence; al-Husna is a Quranic term for the m▶Indira#3055 in the U.S.From Sanskrit indira meaning beauty or splendour; a name of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, consort ▶Melisa#3064 in the U.S.From the Greek melissa meaning honey bee, derived from meli meaning honey; a variant spelling o▶Rahaf#3065 in the U.S.From Arabic rahafa meaning to be mild, gentle, or to wave gently like a breeze; connotes spacio▶Safia#3066 in the U.S.From Arabic safi meaning pure, clear, or sincere; also used to mean best friend of the Prophet,▶Yumi#3071 in the U.S.Japanese feminine name written with various kanji; common combinations include yu (reason, caus▶Angelie#3075 in the U.S.Messenger of God; angelic being; from Greek angelos meaning messenger▶Bradley#3078 in the U.S.Broad meadow or wide wood clearing; from Old English brad (broad) and leah (clearing, meadow)▶Evette#3083 in the U.S.Yew tree; from the Germanic element iv (yew), via the French feminine diminutive Yvette▶Joann#3090 in the U.S.God is gracious; combining the Hebrew Yohanan (Jehovah is gracious) elements into a single femi▶Laurie#3093 in the U.S.Laurel tree; crowned with laurel; from the Latin laurus, the laurel whose leaves were used to c▶Connie#3121 in the U.S.Steadfast or constant; a diminutive of Constance or Cornelia, from Latin constans meaning stead▶Fabiola#3123 in the U.S.Latin feminine diminutive of Fabius, a Roman family name derived from 'faba' meaning 'bean,' he▶Gillian#3124 in the U.S.English feminine form of Julian, from Latin Julianus, derived from Julius, the Roman family nam▶Gwenyth#3125 in the U.S.Welsh variant spelling of Gwyneth, from the Welsh region name Gwynedd and the element 'gwyn' me▶Kirsten#3134 in the U.S.Scandinavian (Danish and Norwegian) form of Christina, from Latin Christianus meaning 'follower▶Lizzy#3139 in the U.S.Diminutive of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheba meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is abundan▶Maida#3142 in the U.S.From Middle English 'maid/maiden' meaning 'young woman, girl, or virgin.' Also possibly from Ar▶Marcie#3144 in the U.S.Diminutive of Marcia, the feminine form of Marcus/Martius, from the Roman god Mars; meaning 'de▶Niamh#3148 in the U.S.From Old Irish 'níamh', meaning 'bright', 'lustrous', or 'radiant'.▶Stefany#3156 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Stephanie, from Greek 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'wreath', a symbol of▶Valentine#3160 in the U.S.From Latin 'valens' (strong, healthy), the root of Valentinus, the name of several early Christ▶Annamarie#3166 in the U.S.Combination of Anna (from Hebrew 'hannah', meaning 'grace' or 'favour') and Marie (French form ▶Astra#3167 in the U.S.From Latin and Greek 'astra', the plural of 'astrum/astron', meaning 'star'. Used as a feminine▶Dolores#3175 in the U.S.From Spanish dolores, plural of dolor (pain, sorrow), used in the Marian title Nuestra Señora d▶Eleonor#3176 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Eleanor, possibly from Old Provençal Aliénor of uncertain meaning, or influ▶Emaline#3179 in the U.S.Variant of Emeline, from the Germanic Amal tribal name or root amal meaning 'vigor, labor, riva▶Kassie#3189 in the U.S.Short form of Kassandra/Cassandra, from Greek possibly meaning 'she who entangles men' or 'shin▶Lorna#3194 in the U.S.Invented by author R.D. Blackmore for his 1869 novel Lorna Doone, likely derived from Lorne, a ▶Muriel#3198 in the U.S.From the Old Irish and Scottish Gaelic name Muirgeal or Muireall, composed of muir (sea) and ge▶Rian#3202 in the U.S.Irish form of Ryan, from Old Irish Rían, derived from the root rí (king) with a diminutive suff▶Barbie#3220 in the U.S.Diminutive of Barbara, from Greek Barbaros meaning 'foreign' or 'strange'; Latin Barbara, meani▶Christiana#3224 in the U.S.Follower of Christ; feminine form of Christian, from Latin Christianus▶Anja#3266 in the U.S.Grace; a German and Scandinavian spelling of Russian Anya, the pet form of Anna, from Hebrew Ch▶Izabelle#3292 in the U.S.Pledged to God, God is my oath; variant of Isabelle, the French form of Isabel, a medieval Span▶Olga#3309 in the U.S.Holy, blessed; Russian form of Scandinavian Helga, from Old Norse heilagr, 'holy'▶Polina#3310 in the U.S.Small, humble; Russian form of Pauline/Paulina, feminine of Latin Paulus▶Aleksandra#3323 in the U.S.Defender of mankind; Slavic and Scandinavian spelling of Alexandra, feminine of Greek Alexandro▶Audree#3333 in the U.S.Noble strength; variant of Audrey, from Old English Æthelthryth▶Natali#3356 in the U.S.Born on Christmas; variant of Natalie, from Latin natale domini, 'birthday of the Lord'▶Nichole#3358 in the U.S.Victory of the people; variant of Nicole, the French feminine of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos▶Alysson#3379 in the U.S.Variant of Allison, a medieval Norman French diminutive of Alice — from Germanic Adalheidis, 'n▶Fabiana#3402 in the U.S.Feminine of Fabian, from the Roman family name Fabius, traditionally derived from faba, 'bean'▶Hala#3406 in the U.S.The luminous halo around the moon; a classical Arabic girls' name▶Izabela#3408 in the U.S.Pledged to God; the Polish and Brazilian Portuguese form of Isabella, a medieval development of▶Katheryn#3412 in the U.S.Pure; variant spelling of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine, long associated with katharos, 'pur▶Leigh#3421 in the U.S.Meadow, woodland clearing; from Old English leah, via the English surname▶Stefania#3434 in the U.S.Crown, garland, that which surrounds; Italian and Polish feminine of Stephen, from Greek stepha▶Anamaria#3443 in the U.S.Compound of Anna, 'grace', and Maria, the great matriarch name often linked to 'beloved'▶Bettylee#3459 in the U.S.Bettylee is a compound name joining Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth (Hebrew, 'my God is an oath'▶Maryanne#3469 in the U.S.Compound of Mary — often linked to 'beloved' — and Anne, 'grace'▶Pauline#3475 in the U.S.Small, humble; French feminine of Paul, from Latin Paulus▶Pilar#3477 in the U.S.Pillar; from the Marian title Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza▶Bronwyn#3510 in the U.S.Fair breast, white-bosomed (fair, pure); from Welsh bron, 'breast', and gwen, 'white, fair, ble▶Jamilah#3525 in the U.S.Beautiful, graceful, lovely; feminine of Jamil, from Arabic jamal, 'beauty'▶Lora#3539 in the U.S.Variant of Laura — from Latin laurus, the laurel of victory and honor▶Giannina#3588 in the U.S.Italian diminutive of Gianna (Giovanna) — the feminine of Giovanni/John, Hebrew 'God is graciou▶Nawal#3616 in the U.S.Gift, present, bestowal; from Arabic nawal, 'that which is given'▶Analucia#3636 in the U.S.Fused compound of Ana ('grace', from Hebrew Channah) and Lucia ('light', from Latin lux)▶Anasofia#3637 in the U.S.Fused compound of Ana ('grace', from Hebrew Channah) and Sofia ('wisdom', from Greek sophia)▶Justina#3664 in the U.S.Just, fair, righteous; Latin feminine of Justus, the sister form of Justine▶Estalene#3681 in the U.S.Estalene is an early-twentieth-century American elaboration of Estella or Estelle, from the Lat▶Allana#3691 in the U.S.Feminine of Alan — 'little rock' or 'harmony' — also echoing Irish a leanbh, 'child/darling'; d▶Kristine#3843 in the U.S.Scandinavian/K-spelling of Christine — from Latin Christiana, 'a Christian, follower of Christ'▶Sigrid#3866 in the U.S.From Old Norse Sigríðr — sigr, 'victory', plus fríðr, 'beautiful, fair' — 'beautiful victory'▶Tsuyako#3875 in the U.S.Tsuyako is a traditional Japanese girl's name written here in plain roman letters. It commonly ▶Ophilia#4178 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Ophelia, from the Greek ophelia, 'help; aid; benefit.' Ophelia is also Ha▶Elnor#4234 in the U.S.Elnor is a folk-contraction of Eleanor, a name of Old French/Occitan origin (Aliénor) whose mea▶Caroleann#4249 in the U.S.Caroleann is a compound name joining Carole and Ann. Carole is a feminine form of Charles, from▶Jeanne#4311 in the U.S.French feminine of Jean (John) — from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'; borne by Jeanne d'Arc▶Katherin#4320 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Katherine — from Greek katharos, 'pure' (via Aikaterine)▶Maedell#4457 in the U.S.Maedell joins Mae, a pet form of Mary or Margaret, with the fashionable -dell ending. It belong▶Geneviene#4493 in the U.S.A respelling of Genevieve, from the Germanic elements meaning 'tribe; kin' and 'woman,' so 'wom▶Katharine#4812 in the U.S.Spelling of Katherine — from Greek katharos, 'pure' (via St Catherine of Alexandria)▶Orella#4830 in the U.S.Orella is best read as an early-twentieth-century variant of Orelia or Aurelia, from the Latin ▶Alexandrea#4878 in the U.S.-ea spelling of Alexandria/Alexandra — from Greek alexein, 'to defend', plus aner, 'man' — 'def▶Shizuye#4890 in the U.S.Shizuye is a traditional Japanese girl's name written here in plain roman letters. It usually b▶Myldred#5078 in the U.S.Myldred is a variant spelling of Mildred, from the Old English mild, 'gentle,' and thryth, 'str▶Ireene#5342 in the U.S.Ireene is a variant spelling of Irene, from the Greek eirene, 'peace'. In Greek myth Eirene was▶Berdia#5359 in the U.S.Berdia reads as an ornate early-twentieth-century form linked to Berdie and Bertha. Bertha come▶Fronie#5570 in the U.S.Fronie is a pet form of Sophronia, a Greek name built on the sense of soundness of mind, pruden▶Lygia#5628 in the U.S.Lygia is best known as the Christian heroine of Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel Quo Vadis. In the st▶Josiephine#5709 in the U.S.Josiephine is an old spelling variant of Josephine, the French feminine of Joseph, from Hebrew ▶Macil#5713 in the U.S.Macil is an early-twentieth-century American name, best read as a variant of Macel or a clipped▶Helaena#6229 in the U.S.A spelling of Helena — from Greek, variously 'a torch; light; the bright one' (linked to helene▶Lucilla#6277 in the U.S.A Latin diminutive of Lucia — from Latin lux, 'light'; 'light; little light'▶Augustina#6396 in the U.S.A feminine of Augustine/Augustus — from Latin augustus, 'great, venerable, majestic; revered'▶Elinore#6437 in the U.S.A spelling of Eleanor — variously 'a torch; light; the bright one' (linked to Helen); the preci▶Emmily#6440 in the U.S.A spelling of Emily — from the Roman Aemilia, variously 'a rival; eager; industrious' (from aem▶Genavieve#6452 in the U.S.A spelling of Genevieve — variously 'a woman of the race/tribe' (Germanic) and 'white wave' (Ce▶Marinell#6678 in the U.S.Marinell blends Marie or Marin with Nell, a pet form of Helen or Eleanor. Marie traces to the H▶Margrette#6708 in the U.S.Margrette is a variant spelling of Margaret, from the Greek margarites, 'pearl'. It compresses ▶Clotilda#6727 in the U.S.Clotilda is a Latinized form of the Frankish name Clotilde, built from Germanic elements usuall▶Floretta#6974 in the U.S.Floretta is a pet form of Flora or Florence built on Latin 'flos, floris' (flower), so its inhe▶Julien#7070 in the U.S.Julien is the French masculine form of Julian, from the Roman family name Julius — the clan of ▶Roseellen#7106 in the U.S.A joined name pairing Rose (the flower) with Ellen (a form of Helen, 'bright; shining light'). ▶Diahn#7279 in the U.S.Diahn is an unusual spelling of Diane, the French form of Diana. Diana was the Roman goddess of▶Eldonna#7319 in the U.S.Eldonna is a coined name from the mid-twentieth century, joining the El- prefix to Donna, the I▶Dionna#7344 in the U.S.A form of Dion/Dionne, rooted in the Greek Dionysos/Dione — echoing Dione, a Titaness and, in s▶Bethanie#7701 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Bethany, from the biblical village near Jerusalem, usually read as 'house▶Armeda#7749 in the U.S.Armeda is best read as an early-twentieth-century variant of Almeda (itself possibly from the S▶Dorlisa#7841 in the U.S.Dorlisa is a mid-century American blend joining a Dor- element, as in Doris or Dora, with Lisa,▶Janeann#7906 in the U.S.Janeann is a compound name joining Jane, a feminine form of John (Hebrew, 'God is gracious'), w▶Andriana#8094 in the U.S.Andriana is read two ways: as a spelling of Adriana (Latin, 'from the city of Hadria') and as a▶Jesica#8244 in the U.S.A respelling of Jessica with a single 's' — a literary name (from Shakespeare's 'The Merchant o▶Amii#8259 in the U.S.Amii is a decorative double-i spelling of Amy, which comes from the Old French amee (from Latin▶Oliviah#8277 in the U.S.A spelling of Olivia — from the Latin oliva, 'an olive tree' (a symbol of peace; coined/popular▶Rosaleah#8393 in the U.S.A modern blend of Rose/Rosalie ('rose,' from Latin) and Leah (Hebrew, 'weary,' the biblical mat▶Catha#8451 in the U.S.Catha is a short form of Catherine, or a streamlined version of Cathy, both from the Greek Aika▶Angelena#8458 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Angelina — from the Greek angelos, 'a messenger; an angel', hence 'a little ▶Aurellia#8483 in the U.S.A spelling of Aurelia — from the Latin aurum, 'gold', hence 'golden; the golden one'▶Chloey#8530 in the U.S.A spelling of Chloe — from the Greek chloe, 'a green shoot; a young blooming plant' (an epithet▶Cheryal#8536 in the U.S.Cheryal is a variant spelling of Cheryl, a twentieth-century name usually explained as a blend ▶Emillia#8573 in the U.S.A spelling of Emilia — from the Roman family name Aemilius, variously 'rival; emulating; eager;▶Emillie#8574 in the U.S.A spelling of Emilie/Emily — from the Roman family name Aemilius, variously 'rival; emulating; ▶Euphemia#8582 in the U.S.From the Greek euphemia — eu, 'good; well', + pheme, 'speech; report', hence 'well-spoken; of g▶Giorgina#8597 in the U.S.An Italian form of Georgina — a feminine of George, from the Greek georgos, 'a farmer; an earth▶Gwendolen#8599 in the U.S.From the Welsh gwen, 'white; fair; blessed', + dolen, 'a ring; a bow/link' (or bann, 'a brow'),▶Joseph#8691 in the U.S.Joseph is Hebrew Yosef, 'he will add; God will add (another son)' — one of the most enduring na▶Lisandra#8713 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Lysandra — a feminine of Lysander, from the Greek lysis, 'a release/liberati▶Margarette#8738 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Margaret — from the Greek margarites, 'a pearl'▶Ottilia#8796 in the U.S.A feminine of Otto — from the Germanic aud, 'prosperity; fortune; wealth; riches'▶Penellope#8840 in the U.S.A double-l spelling of Penelope, from the Greek, often linked to 'weaver.' In the Odyssey, Pene▶Arianah#9042 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Ariana (Arianna), the Italian form of the Greek Ariadne, 'most holy' (ari▶Elyzabeth#9164 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, 'my God is an oath' (or 'pledged to ▶Emilliana#9235 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Emiliana, the feminine of the Roman family name Aemilianus (from Aemilius▶Sarahanne#9394 in the U.S.Sarahanne joins two classic Hebrew names, Sarah, meaning princess or noblewoman, and Anne, from▶Ahnna#9563 in the U.S.A spelling of Anna, from the Hebrew Hannah, 'grace; favor.' A timeless classic in a soft respel▶Tommye#9567 in the U.S.Tommye is a girl's respelling of the Tommie/Tommy nickname, ultimately from Thomas, the Aramaic▶Rosamond#9619 in the U.S.From the Germanic Hrosmund, 'horse-protection' (hros, 'horse,' + mund, 'protection'). Long folk▶Annalena#9671 in the U.S.A German compound joining Anna ('grace; favor') and Lena (a short form of Helena/Magdalena, tie▶Crissie#9676 in the U.S.Crissie is an affectionate short form of Christine/Christina (and sometimes Christabel), from G▶Nancye#9781 in the U.S.Nancye is a decorative spelling of Nancy, which began as a medieval pet form of Ann/Annis (from▶Gwenna#9840 in the U.S.From the Welsh gwen, 'white, fair, blessed,' the feminine of gwyn. Gwenna is a Breton and Welsh▶Carolin#9875 in the U.S.Carolin is a spelling of Caroline (or the German Karolin), a feminine of Charles from the Germa▶Barbarann#9899 in the U.S.Barbarann is a compound name pressing Barbara and Ann together. Barbara comes from a Greek word▶Karine#9935 in the U.S.A French, Armenian, and Scandinavian form of Karen, itself from Katherine, 'pure.' In Armenian ▶Lydiah#10036 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Lydia, 'from Lydia' (an ancient region of Asia Minor) — a biblical name (▶Marien#10062 in the U.S.A Spanish form (Marién) in the Maria/Marian family, from Miriam, of debated meaning ('beloved; ▶Levia#10097 in the U.S.Levia reads either as a form of Livia, a Roman family name perhaps from the Latin lividus, 'blu▶
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Frequently Asked
What are the most classic girl names?
The steadiest picks are the ones that have never really left the charts — Jane, Catherine and Rachel among them. A useful rule of thumb: if the name reads naturally on a great-grandmother and on a newborn, it qualifies.