Boy and Girl Names from History for Babies and Children

Choosing a name for your baby is a momentous decision that often reflects a family’s values, traditions, and aspirations. While many parents gravitate toward names from their own culture or family history, an increasingly popular source of inspiration comes from the remarkable figures who have shaped our world. Names from history not only carry a unique charm but also serve as a way to honor individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact. 

These historical names can evoke powerful qualities such as courage, intelligence, creativity, and resilience. By selecting a name with historical significance, you’re bestowing your child with a legacy that connects them to the past while providing a distinctive identity for the future.  

Whether you’re drawn to legendary leaders, revolutionary thinkers, or creative geniuses, there’s a wealth of names to explore. In this article, you’ll discover a diverse selection of girl, boy, and gender-neutral names inspired by extraordinary figures from history, each accompanied by its meaning and significance. 

Girl names from history

Names inspired by remarkable women throughout history can serve as powerful reminders of the contributions made by female figures. Here are 50 girl names that embody strength, intellect, and grace: 

1. Ada - After Ada Lovelace, a pioneer in computer science known for her work on algorithms.
2. Ada - After Ada Lovelace, known as the first computer programmer, symbolizing innovation and creativity.
3. Althea - A name derived from Greek mythology, meaning "healer," associated with strength and compassion.
4. Amelia - Inspired by Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator who broke barriers in aviation.
5. Angela - A name that honors Angela Davis, an activist known for her role in the civil rights movement.
6. Anne - In honor of Anne Frank, whose diary became a powerful symbol of hope during the Holocaust.
7. Athena - The Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare, symbolizing strength and intelligence.
8. Boudica - Named after the warrior queen of the Iceni tribe who led a revolt against Roman rule in Britain.
9. Catherine - After Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia known for her influential reign.
10. Clara - In honor of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, known for her humanitarian efforts.
11. Cleopatra - The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, representing beauty and intelligence.
12. Coco - Inspired by Coco Chanel, a fashion designer who revolutionized women's fashion.
13. Diana - Inspired by Princess Diana, known for her charitable work and dedication to various causes.
14. Eleanor - In honor of Eleanor Roosevelt, a prominent political figure and advocate for human rights.
15. Emmeline - After Emmeline Pankhurst, a leader in the women's suffrage movement in the UK, embodying determination and advocacy.
16. Florence - In honor of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing and a symbol of compassion.
17. Frida - Inspired by Frida Kahlo, a renowned Mexican artist known for her unique style and strong identity.
18. Georgia - After Georgia O'Keeffe, an influential American artist known for her paintings of flowers and landscapes.
19. Harriet - In honor of Harriet Tubman, a courageous abolitionist who fought for freedom and equality.
20. Indira - After Indira Gandhi, the first female Prime Minister of India, symbolizing leadership and resilience.
21. Isadora - After Isadora Duncan, a pioneering figure in modern dance known for her expressive performances.
22. Joan - Inspired by Joan of Arc, a courageous figure known for her bravery and conviction.
23. Josephine - In honor of Josephine Baker, a civil rights activist and entertainer known for her talent and courage.
24. Julia - In honor of Julia Child, the famous chef who introduced French cuisine to American households.
25. Katherine - After Katherine Johnson, the mathematician who played a crucial role in NASA's early space missions.
26. Leonora - Inspired by Leonora Carrington, a prominent surrealist artist known for her mystical imagery.
27. Louisa - In honor of Louisa May Alcott, the author of "Little Women," known for her contributions to literature.
28. Margaret - Inspired by Margaret Mead, an anthropologist known for her work in cultural studies.
29. Marie - After Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, symbolizing scientific achievement.
30. Marilyn - In honor of Marilyn Monroe, a cultural icon known for her beauty and talent in Hollywood.
31. Maya - Inspired by Maya Angelou, a poet and civil rights activist known for her powerful words.
32. Nefertiti - The Egyptian queen known for her beauty and influence in ancient history.
33. Nina - After Nina Simone, a renowned singer and civil rights activist known for her powerful voice and messages.
34. Oprah - Inspired by Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and philanthropist known for her impact on television and literature.
35. Paloma - Meaning "dove" in Spanish, symbolizing peace, associated with historical figures advocating for harmony.
36. Rosa - After Rosa Parks, an iconic figure in the American civil rights movement, embodying courage and defiance.
37. Ruth - After Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice known for her advocacy for gender equality.
38. Sappho - The ancient Greek poet known for her lyrical poetry and contributions to literature.
39. Sojourner - After Sojourner Truth, an activist known for her speeches advocating for women's rights and abolition.
40. Sophie - In honor of Sophie Scholl, a courageous German student who opposed the Nazi regime.
41. Susan - After Susan B. Anthony, a key figure in the women's suffrage movement in the U.S.
42. Thea - A name derived from Greek mythology meaning "goddess," symbolizing divinity and strength.
43. Toni - Inspired by Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author known for her profound literary contributions.
44. Ursula - After Saint Ursula, known for her courage and leadership in early Christian history.
45. Virginia - In honor of Virginia Woolf, a pioneering modernist writer known for her literary contributions.
46. Wilhelmina - After Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, known for her leadership during turbulent times.
47. Willa - Inspired by Willa Cather, the acclaimed author known for her novels about the American frontier.
48. Xiomara - A name that symbolizes strength and resilience, inspired by Xiomara Batista, a fictional character in literature.
49. Zelda - After Zelda Fitzgerald, an influential figure of the Jazz Age and a talented writer in her own right.
50. Zora - After Zora Neale Hurston, an influential writer and anthropologist in the Harlem Renaissance.

Boy names from history

Historical male figures have made significant contributions across various fields, from politics to the arts. Here are 50 boy names that reflect strength, intelligence, and leadership: 

1. Abraham - After Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, known for his leadership during the Civil War.
2. Alexander - Inspired by Alexander the Great, a renowned military leader known for his conquests.
3. Alfred - After Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex who defended England against Viking invasions.
4. Alvin - After Alvin Ailey, a prominent choreographer known for his contributions to dance.
5. Arthur - Inspired by King Arthur, the legendary British leader known for his chivalry and heroism.
6. Bach - Inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach, the composer known for his masterpieces in classical music.
7. Benjamin - After Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of the United States, symbolizing wisdom and innovation.
8. Charles - After Charles Darwin, the naturalist known for his contributions to the theory of evolution.
9. Cyrus - In honor of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, known for his leadership and tolerance.
10. Dante - After Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet known for his influential work "The Divine Comedy."
11. David - In honor of King David, a biblical figure known for his leadership and musical talent.
12. Edison - After Thomas Edison, the prolific inventor known for his contributions to modern technology.
13. Edward - Inspired by Edward III, a King of England known for his military successes and chivalric ideals.
14. Emerson - In honor of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a philosopher and poet known for his role in the Transcendentalist movement.
15. Frederick - After Frederick Douglass, an influential abolitionist and advocate for civil rights.
16. Galileo - After Galileo Galilei, the father of modern observational astronomy.
17. Gandhi - Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, a leader known for his philosophy of non-violent resistance.
18. George - In honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States and a founding father.
19. Hannibal - After the Carthaginian general known for his tactical genius in warfare.
20. Hannibal - Inspired by Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general known for his military strategies.
21. Hemingway - After Ernest Hemingway, the American author known for his influential writing style.
22. Isaac - After Sir Isaac Newton, the mathematician and physicist known for his groundbreaking discoveries.
23. Julius - In honor of Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman known for his influence on the Roman Empire.
24. Langston - In honor of Langston Hughes, a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance known for his poetry.
25. Leonardo - After Leonardo da Vinci, the quintessential Renaissance man known for his artistic and scientific achievements.
26. Lincoln - In honor of Abraham Lincoln, a name synonymous with leadership and integrity.
27. Martin - Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., a leader in the civil rights movement known for his advocacy of equality.
28. Moses - After the biblical figure known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
29. Nelson - In honor of Nelson Mandela, a leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
30. Nero - After the Roman Emperor known for his controversial reign and artistic aspirations.
31. Oscar - After Oscar Wilde, a famous playwright and poet known for his wit and literary brilliance.
32. Pablo - Inspired by Pablo Picasso, a renowned artist known for his contributions to modern art.
33. Quincy - After John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States and an advocate for education and science.
34. Rafael - In honor of Rafael Nadal, a world-renowned tennis player known for his tenacity and skill.
35. Richard - After Richard III, a controversial figure in English history known for his dramatic reign.
36. Robinson - Inspired by Robinson Crusoe, the fictional character known for his survival skills and resourcefulness.
37. Rufus - A name associated with historical figures in British history, meaning "red-haired" in Latin.
38. Salvador - After Salvador Dalí, the influential surrealist artist known for his eccentric works.
39. Samson - The biblical figure known for his incredible strength and heroic feats.
40. Sebastian - Inspired by Saint Sebastian, known for his steadfast faith and martyrdom.
41. Socrates - Inspired by the ancient Greek philosopher known for his contributions to Western philosophy.
42. Thomas - In honor of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and a founding father.
43. Tiberius - After Tiberius Caesar, the second Roman Emperor known for his complex reign.
44. Vikram - After Vikram Sarabhai, a key figure in India's space program and known for his visionary ideas.
45. Vincent - Inspired by Vincent van Gogh, the post-impressionist painter known for his vivid artworks.
46. Winston - Inspired by Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister known for his leadership during World War II.
47. Xavier - After Francis Xavier, a Spanish missionary known for his role in spreading Christianity.
48. Xerxes - After Xerxes I, the king of Persia known for his vast empire and military campaigns.
49. Zachary - In honor of Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States and a military leader.
50. Zane - Inspired by Zane Grey, an American author known for his contributions to Western literature.

Gender-neutral names

Many historical names have transcended gender boundaries, making them perfect for any child. Here are 10 gender-neutral names that embody strength and character: 

1. Avery - Originally a surname, meaning "ruler of the elves," symbolizing power and fantasy.
2. Cameron - A Scottish name meaning "crooked nose," associated with leaders and warriors throughout history.
3. Emerson - Meaning "brave," after Ralph Waldo Emerson, a philosopher and poet known for his contributions to literature.
4. Jordan - Inspired by the River Jordan, a significant location in biblical history, symbolizing crossing and change.
5. Morgan - A Welsh name meaning "sea-born," associated with historical figures in mythology and exploration.
6. Quinn - Of Irish origin, meaning "wise" or "intelligent," symbolizing thoughtfulness and strength.
7. Reese - A name of Welsh origin meaning "enthusiastic," reflecting the vivacity of those who have shaped history.
8. Riley - Originally a surname meaning "valiant," associated with individuals known for their bravery and leadership.
9. Skylar - A name meaning "scholar," representing intelligence and a quest for knowledge.
10. Taylor - An occupational name meaning "cutter of cloth," associated with creativity and craftsmanship.

Choosing a name from history allows parents to pay tribute to the impactful figures who have shaped our world while giving their child a name that resonates with meaning and significance. The names listed here span various cultures, genders, and historical contexts, providing a wealth of options for parents seeking inspiration. Whether you lean towards a classic name like Abraham or a modern twist like Avery, each name carries a story worth sharing. 

In the end, the perfect name is one that reflects your values and hopes for your child, connecting them to the rich tapestry of human history. As you embark on this journey of naming your little one, consider how a historical name might inspire not only their identity but also their aspirations for the future. 

If you're interested in broader naming choices, be sure to check out our article on gender-neutral names, highlighting options that embrace individuality while crossing cultural boundaries.