Timeless Girls' Names


Every generation, names cycle in and out of favor. Thirty years ago, Ashley and Jessica were among the most popular names. Since then, Harper and Luna have taken their place. However, there are names sound acceptable in every era, even if they weren't always popular. These are classic, or timeless, names.

In order to count as a timeless classic, a name must:

  1. Have experienced widespread, consistent use and/or roots dating back 500+ years (Edith and Mabel sound too old-fashioned for this list)
  2. Translate into multiple languages through variants and/or usage (excluding "timeless" word names like Hope)
  3. Be instantly recognizable and, hence, not too obscure (ruling out Frederica and Philippa)

I have to say, though, that this list is not perfect. You might think some of these names don't belong here. For instance, some might be too tied to foreign languages or feel too old-fashioned for some people. However, these names are all easy to pronounce in English and none have ever sharply peaked or plunged.

Here are some girls' names that work in every generation:

  • Abigail, Abby
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. French Abigaëlle) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
    3. Nabal and David's wife in Old Testament, former First Lady Abigail Adams
  • Alexandra
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Irish Alastríona) and usage (i.e. Portugal)
    3. Two early Christian saints and multiple princesses, empresses, and queens
  • Alice, Adelaide, Adele
    1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Hungarian Alíz) and usage (i.e. Switzerland)
    3. Queen consort Alice of Champagne, multiple princesses, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, suffragist Alice Paul, novelist Alice Walker, Lady Adelaide of Guys and Dolls, actor Alice Eve, singer Adele
  • Amelia
    1. English-speaking use since 18th century, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. Czech Amálie) and usage (i.e. Mexico)
    3. 7th century St. Amelia of Maubeuge, multiple princesses, pilot Amelia Earhart
  • Amy
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 13th century, never out of top 400
    2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Amada) and usage (i.e. the Netherlands)
    3. Amy March of Little Women, American poet Amy Lowell, American actor Amy Adams
  • Anna, Ann(e), Hannah, Annie
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Russian Ania) and usage (i.e. Italy)
    3. Biblical Hannah and Anna, multiple saints and princesses, former First Lady Anna Harrison, former First Lady Hannah Van Buren, Anne Frank, Princess Anna in Disney's Frozen
  • Antonia, Antoinette
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Galician Antía) and usage (i.e. Romania)
    3. Four saints, Willa Cather's My Ántonia, British novelist Antonia Fraser
  • Beatrice
    1. English-speaking use since 12th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Latvian Beatrise) and usage (i.e. Moldova)
    3. Three saints, multiple queens and princesses (including Beatrice of York)
  • Bridget
    1. Irish mythological roots, English-speaking usage from immigration 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish Birgitta) 
    3. St. Brigid of Kildare, Bridget Jones's Diary
  • Caroline
    1. English-speaking use since 17th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Hungarian Sarolta) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
    3. Multiple queen consorts and princesses, including Caroline of Hanover; song "Sweet Caroline," Caroline (Ma) Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie
  • Cecilia, Cecily
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking usage since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Slovene Cilka) and usage (i.e. Italy)
    3. Second century St. Cecilia, a few queens and princesses, Fanny Burney's Cecilia Simon and Garfunkle's 1970s song "Cecilia"
  • Charlotte
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 17th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Afrikaans Charlize) and usage (i.e. Czechia)
    3. Multiple queen consorts, British writer Charlotte Brontë, E. B. White's children's novel Charlotte's Web
  • Christina
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Scottish Cíorstaidh) and usage (i.e. Netherlands)
    3. Multiple saints and royalty, including Queen Christina of Sweden; actor Christina Ricci, singer Christina Aguilera
  • Claire, Clara, Clare, Clarice
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Italian Claretta) and usage (i.e. France)
    3. St. Chiara (Clare) of Assisi, American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, actor Clara Bow, actor Claire Danes
  • Claudia
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. French Claudette) and usage (i.e. Spain)
    3. St. Claudia in New Testament, model Claudia Schiffer
  • Constance
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Romanian Constanta) 
    3. Actors Constance Marie and Wu
  • Diana
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Hawaiian Kiana) and usage (i.e. Hungary)
    3. Roman goddess of moon, Lady Diana Russell, duchess of Bedford; Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales
  • Dorothy
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 15th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Welsh Dorti) 
    3. Fourth century St. Dorothea (Dorothy) of Caesarea, actor Dorothy Dandridge, Dorothy Gale of The Wizard of Oz
  • Eleanor
    1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. German Leonore) 
    3. Multiple royals, including Eleanor of Aquitaine; Elinor Dashwood of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Elizabeth, Elisabeth, Elise, Isabel, Beth, Lizzie, Eliza, Betsy
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Armenian Zabel) and usage (i.e. Chile)
    3. John the Baptist's mother in the Old Testament, several saints and queens, Beethoven's "Für Elise," actor Elizabeth Taylor, Eliza Doolittle of My Fair Lady
  • Emily
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Milja) and usage (i.e. Uruguay)
    3. British writer Emily Bronte, American poet Emily Dickinson, actor Emily Blunt
  • Emma
    1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Frisian Imke) and usage (i.e. Latvia)
    3. A few queens, St. Emma of Gurk, titular Emma Woodhouse of Jane Austen's novel, Lithuanian-born writer Emma Goldman, actors Emma Thompson and Watson
  • Esther
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Esteri) and usage (i.e. Sweden)
    3. Persian Queen Esther in the Old Testament, Esther Cleveland
  • Eva, Eve
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Western African Awa) and usage (i.e. Slovenia)
    3. First woman in the Old Testament, Argentine First Lady Eva Peron, Eve Harrington in All About Eve, actor Eva Longoria
  • Evelyn
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking feminine use since 19th century
    2. International usage (i.e. Spain)
    3. English writer Evelyn Underhill
  • Frances
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Lithuanian Pranciska)
    3. Multiple saints, including St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; writers Frances Burney and Hodgson Burnett, former First Lady Frances Cleveland
  • Genevieve
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use in Middle Ages and since 18th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Italian Genoveffa) 
    3. Patron saint of Paris, American actor Genevieve "G." Hannelius
  • Georgia
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Lithuanian Jurgita) 
    3. American Southern state, American painter Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986)
  • Grace
    1. English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Portuguese Gracília) and usage (i.e. Italy)
    3. Former First Lady Grace Coolidge, actor Grace Kelly
  • Helen, Ellen, Helena
    1. Greek mythological roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. German Hella)
    3. Helen of Troy, Helena of A Midsummer Night's Dream, former First Lady Ellen Arthur, former First Lady Ellen Wilson, former First Lady Helen Taft, activist Helen Keller, television host Ellen DeGeneres
  • Irene
    1. Greek mythological roots, English-speaking use since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Czech and Polish Irenka) and usage (i.e. Spain)
    3. Greek goddess of peace, several early saints, Byzantine empress Irene Sarantapechaina, actor Irene Dunne, lullaby "Goodnight, Irene"
  • Jacqueline
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Scottish Jamesina) 
    3. Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
  • Jane, Joanna, Johanna
    1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Scottish Seona) and usage (i.e. the Netherlands)
    3. Multiple saints, Queen consort Jane Seymour, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, zoologist Jane Goodall, Jane Banks of Mary Poppins
  • Josephine
    1. Roots in Antiquity, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Fieke) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
    3. Multiple royals, including the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte; Josephine "Jo" March of Little Women, American actor Josephine Baker
  • Judith
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Russian Yudif) and usage (i.e. France)
    3. Esau's wife (and warrior woman in the Apocrypha) in the Old Testament, multiple European royals including Judith of Bavaria
  • Julia
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 18th century, never out of top 200
    2. International variants (i.e. Galician Xulia) and usage (i.e. Iceland)
    3. Wife of Emperor Augustus, former First Lady Julia Tyler, former First Lady Julia Grant, American actor Julia Roberts
  • Katherine, Catherine, Kate, Katharine, Katie
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Irish Tríona) and usage (i.e. Mexico)
    3. St. Catherine of Siena, multiple royals including Catherine of Aragon, New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield, American actor Katharine Hepburn, American writer Katherine Paterson, businesswoman Kate Spade
  • Laura
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 13th century, never out of top 400
    2. International variants (i.e. Slovene Lavra) and usage (i.e. Croatia)
    3. Ninth-century St. Laura, Little House author Laura Ingalls Wilder, former First Lady Laura Bush
  • Leah
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. Lithuanian Leja) and usage (i.e. Chile)
    3. Elder daughter of Laban in the Old Testament
  • Louise, Louisa
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 17th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Maori Ruiha) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
    3. Multiple royals and saints, former First Lady Louisa Adams, Little Women author Louisa May Alcott, American actor Louise Brooks, Native American author Louise Erdrich
  • Lucy, Lucia
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Armenian Lyusi) and usage (i.e. France)
    3. Multiple saints, including St. Lucia of Syracuse; former First Lady Lucy Hayes, Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud (L.M.) Montgomery, Lucy Ricardo of I Love Lucy, Lucy Van Pelt of Peanuts, American actor Lucy Liu, British historian Lucy Worsley
  • Lydia
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 400
    2. International variants (i.e. Estonian Liidia) and usage (i.e. Netherlands)
    3. Lydia in the New Testament, a few early saints, Lydia Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, British suffragist Lydia Becker, Lydia "Lyddie" Worthen in Katherine Paterson's Lyddie
  • Madeline, Madeleine
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Basque Maialen) 
    3. American writer Madeleine L'Engle, titular schoolgirl of Ludwig Bemelman's children's books
  • Margaret, Maggie, Greta, Meg
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Welsh Mared) 
    3. Multiple saints and royals, former First Lady Margaret Taylor, Margaret "Meg" March of Little Women, actor Greta Garbo, activist Greta Thunberg
  • Martha
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Martita) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
    3. Martha of the New Testament, multiple saints, former First Lady Martha Washington, children's book and television series Martha Speaks
  • Martina
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Polish Martyna) and usage (i.e. Argentina)
    3. Third century St. Martina of Rome, Czech-American tennis player Martina Navratilova, country singer Martina McBride, Swiss tennis player Martina Hingis
  • Mary, Maria, Miriam, Molly, Marie, Polly
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since 12th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Welsh Mair) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
    3. Multiple Biblical figures, including the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene; multiple saints and royals, Polish and French scientist Marie Curie, Mary of The Children's Hour, Maria of West Side Story and The Sound of Music
  • Naomi
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. French Naomie) and usage (i.e. Poland)
    3. Naomi in the Old Testament, British model Naomi Campbell
  • Nina
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. Finnish Niina) and usage (i.e. Slovakia)
    3. American singer Nina Simone
  • Nora
    1. Medieval roots, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. Dutch Noor) and usage (i.e. Latvia)
    3. Nora in Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House, American writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron, Irish filmmaker Nora Twomey
  • Phoebe
    1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Greek Phoibe)
    3. Titan in Greek mythology, deacon in New Testament, American poet Phoebe Cary, Phoebe Buffay of Friends, American singer Phoebe Bridgers
  • Priscilla
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Hungarian Piroska) 
    3. Priscilla in the New Testament, actor Priscilla Presley
  • Rachel
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 300
    2. International variants (i.e. Yiddish Rochel) and usage (i.e. France)
    3. Younger daughter of Laban and wife of Jacob in the Old Testament, American biologist Rachel Carson, Rachel Green of Friends
  • Rebecca
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 400
    2. International variants (i.e. Hebrew Rivka) and usage (i.e. Italy)
    3. Isaac's wife Rebekah in the Old Testament, children's classic Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, American Girl doll Rebecca
  • Rose, Rosa
    1. English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Serbian Ruža) and usage (i.e. Belgium)
    3. St. Rose of Lima, Grimms' fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red," American writer Rose Wilder Lane, Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks
  • Ruth
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation, never out of top 400
    2. International variants (i.e. Estonian Rutt) and usage (i.e. Spain)
    3. Ruth in the Old Testament, "Baby" Ruth Cleveland, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • Sara(h), Sally
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Protestant Reformation
    2. International variants (i.e. Swedish Sassa) and usage (i.e. Austria)
    3. Abraham's wife in the Old Testament, former First Lady Sarah Polk, Sara Crewe of A Little Princess, Sally of Peanuts, American actor Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Simone
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Spanish Jimena) and usage (i.e. Brazil)
    3. Blessed Simone Ballachi of Rimini, French feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, gymnast Simone Biles
  • Sophia, Sophie
    1. Ancient Greek roots, English-speaking use since 18th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Georgian Sopio) and usage (i.e. Germany)
    3. St. Sophia, multiple royals, Italian actor Sophia Loren, Sophie of The BFG, Sophia of The Golden Girls
  • Susanna(h)
    1. Biblical roots, English-speaking use since Middle Ages
    2. International variants (i.e. Arabic Sawsan) and usage (i.e. Armenia)
    3. Susanna in the New Testament, folk song "Oh! Susanna," American singer Susanna Hoffs
  • Sylvia
    1. Ancient Roman roots, English-speaking use since the Renaissance
    2. International variants (i.e. Romanian Silviu) and usage (i.e. Uruguay)
    3. Sixth-century saint, writer Sylvia Plath
  • Theresa, Teresa, Therese
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 16th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Swedish Tessan) and usage (i.e. Austria)
    3. St. Teresa of Ávila, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May
  • Veronica
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 500
    2. International variants (i.e. French Véronique) and usage (i.e. Moldova)
    3. Multiple saints, Veronica Lodge of Archie and Riverdale, American writer Veronica Roth
  • Victoria
    1. Roman mythological roots, English-speaking use since 19th century, never out of top 300
    2. International variants (i.e. French Victoire) and usage (i.e. Argentina)
    3. Multiple saints and royals, including Queen Victoria of Britain
  • Vivian
    1. Roots in antiquity, English-speaking use for girls since 19th century
    2. International variants (i.e. Irish Bébinn) and usage (i.e. Finland)
    3. Actors Vivian Lance and Blaine

Which names would you add to this list?

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