Let’s face it: baby names are fickle.
What’s an expectant parent to do?
Picking a name for your little one is a tricky thing.
These names have withstood the test of time and have entered the ranks of classic monikers.
Amelia
While similar in spelling and sound toEmilia,Ameliais actually a variation of the nameAmalia.
Charles
The nameCharleshas quite the regal history.
Charlemagne’s impact was so great that translations of the name now mean “king” in several countries.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is one of the most cherished and iconic names of all time.
With so many Elizabeths over the years, your baby will be in good company.
Edward
Long beforeEdward Cullenbecame the daydream ofTwilightfans,Edwardwas a beloved English name with ancient roots.
International forms of Edward include the SpanishEduardo, SwedishEdvard, HawaiianEkewaka, and ItalianEdoardo.
One of the most endearing aspects of the name is its versatility.
Edward comes with several adorable nicknames, including Ed, Eddy, Ned, and Teddy.
Julia
Julia’s prolific history dates back to ancient times.
Andrew
How could you ever go wrong with nameAndrew?
Its long history dates back to Biblical times, and the name was exceptionally popular in the Middle Ages.
This classic feminine name will endure for years to come.
Margaret has been in use for well over a thousand years and was borne by many royals.
In the United States, Margaret is one of the most common names for baby girls.
Henry is just one version of the Germanic name Heimirich, meaning “home ruler.”
English versions of the name includeHankandHarry, both of which are also used as nicknames for Henry.
In fact, Henry is the full name of the British royal more commonly known asPrince Harry.
Olivia
We have the Bard himself to thank for the nameOlivia.
It comes from the name Mattityahu, which means “gift of Yahweh.”
This English version of the name dates back to the Middle Ages and has been popular since then.
Since 1956, it has steadily remained in the top 100 names for little boys.
The name Matthew is also held dear in other English-speaking countries, and is also widely used in France.
Katherine
Historians aren’t sure where the nameKatherineoriginated, which only adds to its allure.
It’s thought that it comes from Greek, possibly from the names Aikaterine or Hekaterine.
Another possibility is that it is derived from the name of the goddessHecate.
Whatever its origins, this name has been popular for centuries and is still going strong today.
The name is a bit long, but fortunately many adorable nicknames can be made out of it.
It comes from the Latin Patricius, which means “nobleman.”
The popularity of the saint and of the holiday is one reason that the name Patrick so adored today.
Other variations of the name are also widely used, such asSophieandSofia.
It didn’t become popular until the 16th century when theProtestant Reformationushered in a revival of Biblical names.
It has been the name of several important figures in history, including inventorSamuel Morsewho developed Morse code.
The name Samuel is one of the most widely used in American history.
