When searching for the perfect name for your baby girl, consider reaching back into history and choosing a beautiful vintage name from the 1800s. Girl names from the 1800s have a classic, romantic feel that stands the test of time. Parents today still appreciate the melodious sound, rich meanings, and air of old-fashioned charm carried by these names.
Names that were popular for girls born in the 1800s continue to rank highly on modern baby name lists. This speaks to their lasting appeal and how well these antique 19th century girl names fit modern children while retaining links to the past. Below is a list of delightful girl names from the 1800s along with the meaning and origins behind them.
Josephine - Derived from the male name Joseph, Josephine has roots in the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "Jehovah increases". Josephine was a common 19th century name due to the fame of Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais.
Clara - This lyrical name comes from the Latin word "clarus" meaning "bright, clear, famous". Alternate spellings include Claire and Clare. Saint Clara was an Italian follower of Saint Francis of Assisi who founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Clarisse).
Louisa - A feminine form of Louis, meaning "renowned warrior". Louisa may also derive from the German "Hludwig", which has roots in Old German for "famous battle".
Emmeline - Likely a derivative of the Old German Amal meaning "work", it may also come from the Old English Ameline meaning "defender". Emmeline Pankhurst was a famous British suffragette who campaigned for women's right to vote.
Genevieve - From the Old French Geneviève, it is composed from the Germanic kuni meaning "kin, tribe" and wefa meaning "woman, lady". In legend, Genevieve was a peasant girl known for her piety and courage saving Paris from destruction.
Isabella - A medieval Spanish form of Elizabeth meaning "pledged to God". Queen Isabella I of Castile sponsored Columbus on his voyage to the Americas.
Charlotte - Feminine diminutive form of Charles, meaning "free man". Charlotte Brontë was a 19th century English novelist who wrote Jane Eyre and Villette.
Violet - Derived directly from the flower name violet, which symbolizes modesty, faithfulness, humility and chastity. Violet was a somewhat uncommon name in the 1800s that grew in popularity into the 20th century.
Henrietta - Feminine form of Henry, from the German Heimirich meaning "home ruler". Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cells were the source of the immortal cell line used in medical research.
Frances - Feminine form of Francis, meaning "Frenchman". This ties back to the Germanic word frank for a member of a Germanic tribe called the Franks.
Eliza - Shortened version of the name Elizabeth meaning "pledged to God". Eliza Doolittle is the Cockney flower girl in George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion.
Evangeline - From Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) "good news". Henry Wadsworth Longfellow featured an Acadian girl named Evangeline in an 1847 poem.
Lydia - Originating with Lydia, a woman from the city of Thyatira mentioned in the biblical Book of Acts. Her name likely means "from Lydia" referring to the kingdom of Lydia in Asia Minor.
Naomi - Derived from Hebrew נָעֳמִי (Na'omi) meaning "pleasantness". Naomi appears in the Old Testament Book of Ruth as the mother-in-law of Ruth.
Nellie - Diminutive form of the name Ellen and Helen. Used as an independent name in the 19th century. Indicates "bright, shining light" from Greek roots.
Mabel - From the Latin amabilis meaning "lovable". Alternate spelling Mable was common. Mabel Loomis Todd was the editor of Emily Dickinson's poems for their first publications.
Sophie - Derived from Greek σοφία (sophia) meaning "wisdom". Originally popularized by association with novelist Jane Austen's 1802 work Sophie and St Swithin.
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