The names used during the Victorian era (1837-1901), named after Queen Victoria who ruled the British Empire during this time, were influenced by several cultural and historical factors.
Here are some of the key characteristics of Victorian names:
- Traditional and Conservative: The Victorians had a fondness for traditional and biblical names, which were considered proper and respectable. Popular names for boys included John, William, James, and George, while popular names for girls included Mary, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emma.
- Influence of the Bible: Many Victorian names were taken from the Bible, such as David, Daniel, and Deborah for boys and Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca for girls.
- Royal Influence: The names of members of the royal family, such as Albert, Victoria, and Alexandra, became popular during this era.
- Latin and Greek Roots: Victorian parents also named their children after classical figures, such as Julius, Augustus, and Marcus for boys and Artemis, Athena, and Aphrodite for girls.
- Surnames as First Names: During the Victorian era, it became popular to use surname as first names, such as Harrison, Madison, and Parker for boys, and Addison, Madison, and Harrison for girls.
- Unusual and Creative Spellings: Some Victorian names were given creative or unusual spellings to make them stand out, such as Jocelyn, Karoline, and Anastatia for girls, and Algernon, Horatio, and Eustace for boys.
Overall, Victorian names were typically chosen for their traditional and conservative qualities, with a strong emphasis on biblical and classical references, and a tendency towards unique spellings.
Victorian Names for Girls
Here are some popular Victorian names for girls, along with a brief description of each name:
- Charlotte: This name was popular in the Victorian era and is of French origin, meaning “free woman.”
- Elizabeth: A classic name that was popular in the Victorian era and remains popular today, Elizabeth means “God is my oath.”
- Alice: Of Old French origin, Alice means “of noble birth.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Sarah: A name of Hebrew origin, Sarah means “princess.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Grace: Of Latin origin, Grace means “favor” or “blessing.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- Adeline: Of Old German origin, Adeline means “of noble birth.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Mary: A classic name of Hebrew origin, Mary means “bitter.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Emma: Of Old German origin, Emma means “whole” or “universal.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- Emily: A variant of Emma, Emily means “industrious” or “hard-working.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- Amelia: Of Old German origin, Amelia means “industrious” or “striving.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
Victorian Names for Boys
Below are some popular Victorian names for boys, along with a brief description of each name:
- William: A classic name of Old German origin, William means “strong-willed warrior.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- James: Of Hebrew origin, James means “supplanter.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- George: Of Greek origin, George means “farmer” or “earth-worker.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- Henry: Of German origin, Henry means “ruler of the household.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and remains popular today.
- Charles: Of German origin, Charles means “free man.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Edward: Of Old English origin, Edward means “rich guard.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Arthur: Of Celtic origin, Arthur means “bear.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Albert: Of Old German origin, Albert means “bright noble.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Joseph: Of Hebrew origin, Joseph means “God will increase.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
- Thomas: Of Aramaic origin, Thomas means “twin.” It was a popular name in the Victorian era and continues to be popular today.
Victorian Names and Meanings
The Victorian era was a time of great change in England, marked by industrialization, urbanization, and a growing middle class.
During this period, many new names were introduced, and traditional names were given new meanings.
Here are some popular Victorian names and their meanings:
- Alice: of noble birth
- Charles: a man with a strong personality
- Elizabeth: God is my oath
- James: supplanter
- John: God is gracious
- Mary: bitter
- William: protection, will
These names reflect the values and beliefs of Victorian society, with a strong emphasis on tradition and religious faith.
Many of these names are still popular today and continue to be used widely around the world.
55+ VICTORIAN NAMES & MEANINGS for GIRLS that are SWEET & STRONG
Victorian Names List
Below is a list of popular Victorian names for both boys and girls:
Girls:
- Alice
- Amelia
- Anna
- Caroline
- Charlotte
- Clara
- Elizabeth
- Emily
- Florence
- Frances
- Georgina
- Grace
- Hannah
- Harriet
- Isabella
- Jane
- Louisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
Boys:
- Albert
- Alexander
- Charles
- Edward
- George
- Henry
- James
- John
- Joseph
- Lewis
- William
- Robert
- Thomas
- Walter
- Frederick
These names were popular during the Victorian era and many continue to be used today.
The popularity of these names reflects the values and beliefs of Victorian society, with a strong emphasis on tradition and religious faith.
Gothic Victorian Names
Gothic Victorian names are names that have a dark, mysterious, and often romantic connotation.
These names were popular during the Victorian era and were often used in literature, poetry, and other forms of artistic expression to evoke a sense of the macabre or supernatural.
Here is a list of popular Gothic Victorian names:
Girls:
- Aurora
- Beatrice
- Belladonna
- Camille
- Cordelia
- Delilah
- Lilith
- Ophelia
- Rosalind
- Seraphina
- Violet
- Willow
- Ysabel
Boys:
- Alaric
- Damian
- Edgar
- Gabriel
- Gideon
- Jasper
- Leif
- Lucius
- Nathaniel
- Oliver
- Rafe
- Thorne
- Valerius
These names have a timeless, mystical quality that continues to be popular in modern times.
They are often associated with the supernatural, the macabre, and the romantic, and are used to evoke a sense of mystery and otherworldliness.
Old Victorian Names
is a list of old Victorian names that were popular during the Victorian era:
Girls:
- Adeline
- Agatha
- Amelia
- Annabel
- Beatrix
- Cecilia
- Charlotte
- Clara
- Emilia
- Evelyn
- Frances
- Georgina
- Hannah
- Isabella
- Jane
- Louisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sophia
- Victoria
Boys:
- Albert
- Alexander
- Benjamin
- Charles
- Edward
- George
- Henry
- James
- John
- Joseph
- Lewis
- Matthew
- Michael
- William
- Robert
- Thomas
- Walter
- Frederick
- Arthur
- David
These names were popular during the Victorian era and are considered traditional, classic names.
Many of these names are still in use today, and continue to be popular with parents who are looking for names with historical significance and cultural significance.
Common Victorian Names
Here is a list of common Victorian names that were popular during the Victorian era:
Girls:
- Alice
- Amelia
- Elizabeth
- Emily
- Florence
- Frances
- Hannah
- Harriet
- Isabella
- Jane
- Louisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
Boys:
- Charles
- George
- James
- John
- William
- Robert
- Thomas
- Henry
- Edward
- Joseph
- Richard
- Benjamin
- Samuel
- Alfred
- Frederick
These names were widely used during the Victorian era, reflecting the values and beliefs of Victorian society.
Many of these names have a traditional and classic feel, and continue to be popular today, especially among families who are looking for names with historical and cultural significance.
Victorian Names for Dogs
Here are some Victorian-era inspired names for dogs that you might consider:
- Duke
- Lady
- Lord
- Prince
- Princess
- Winston
- Beatrice
- Charlotte
- Daisy
- Eleanor
- Florence
- Gertrude
- Henrietta
- Isabella
- Jasper
- Margaret
- Marjorie
- Matilda
- Millie
- Rosalind
You might also consider names inspired by Victorian literary figures, such as:
- Sherlock
- Watson
- Holmes
- Poirot
- Agatha
- Beatrix
- Bram
- Conan
- Edgar
- Elizabeth
- Mary
- Oscar
- Rudyard
- Susan
- Vincent
I hope this gives you some inspiration for finding the perfect Victorian-era inspired name for your furry friend!
Victorian Names for Cats
Victorian era names for cats were often inspired by literature, nature, and royalty.
Here are some popular Victorian names for cats:
- Paws
- Socks
- Whiskers
- Mittens
- Boots
- Shadow
- Tiger
- Fluffy
- Princess
- Queen
Some more unusual Victorian names for cats might include:
- Aristotle
- Beatrix
- Daphne
- Emmett
- Gatsby
- Harold
- Isadora
- Jasper
- Keats
- Leo
Many of these names are still popular today, and can be a great way to give your feline friend a touch of classic elegance.
Unique Victorian Names
In addition to the names mentioned in the previous answer, here are some more unique Victorian-era names for cats:
- Algernon
- Barnaby
- Caspar
- Dante
- Earnest
- Ferdinand
- Ginevra
- Horatio
- Isolde
- Jasper
- Lucretia
- Montague
- Octavia
- Penelope
- Quentin
- Rosalind
- Sybil
- Theodora
- Ulysses
- Verity
- Winifred
- Xenia
- Yvonne
- Zephyr
These names have a sophisticated and elegant quality that is reminiscent of the Victorian era.
They are perfect for cats with personalities that are refined and regal.
Weird Victorian Names
While many Victorian names are sophisticated and elegant, there were also some names from the era that may be considered “weird” by contemporary standards.
Here are a few examples:
- Alaric
- Barnabas
- Cosmo
- Dabney
- Eustace
- Fidelia
- Gertrude
- Horatia
- Ione
- Jocasta
- Lavinia
- Manfred
- Nereida
- Ophelia
- Portia
- Quirinus
- Rosabel
- Tabitha
- Umberto
- Vesper
- Waverly
- Xanthe
- Yolanda
- Zebulon
These names have a more quirky and unusual quality that sets them apart from more traditional names.
They are perfect for cats with personalities that are playful and offbeat.
Elegant Victorian Names
The Victorian era was known for its elegance and sophistication, and this was reflected in many of the names of the time.
Here are some of the most elegant Victorian-era names for cats:
- Adelaide
- Benedict
- Cordelia
- Darcy
- Eleanor
- Felix
- Giles
- Henry
- Isabella
- Julian
- Katherine
- Louis
- Margaret
- Nathaniel
- Olivia
- Phillip
- Rebecca
- Sebastian
- Theodore
- Ursula
- Victoria
- William
- Xaveria
- Yvette
- Zachary
These names are timeless and refined, and are a great choice for cats with regal and sophisticated personalities.
Posh Victorian Names
Many names from the Victorian era are considered posh, or high-class, due to their refined and sophisticated nature.
Here are some of the poshest Victorian-era names for cats:
- Adeline
- Berkeley
- Cecilia
- Daphne
- Emery
- Fairfax
- Gertrude
- Harrison
- Imogen
- Jasper
- Laurent
- Montague
- Nathaniel
- Ophelia
- Peregrine
- Rosamund
- Serena
- Thalia
- Ulysses
- Verona
- Winifred
- Xenia
- Yvette
- Zephyr
These names have a touch of old-world charm and are perfect for cats with personalities that are refined and aristocratic.
Royal Victorian Names
Many names from the Victorian era were inspired by royalty, and these names are often associated with elegance and sophistication.
Here are some of the most regal Victorian-era names for cats:
- Albert
- Beatrice
- Charles
- Diana
- Edward
- Frederick
- George
- Henrietta
- Isabella
- John
- Katherine
- Louis
- Margaret
- Nathaniel
- Olivia
- Philip
- Queen
- Richard
- Thomas
- Victoria
- William
- Xenia
- York
- Zara
These names are a nod to the majesty of the British monarchy, and are perfect for cats with regal and sophisticated personalities.
Unisex Victorian Names
Many names from the Victorian era are suitable for both male and female cats, making them great unisex options.
Here are some popular unisex Victorian-era names:
- Avery
- Blair
- Charlie
- Dylan
- Elliot
- Finley
- Graham
- Harper
- Jordan
- Kelly
- Lane
- Morgan
- Parker
- Quinn
- Riley
- Taylor
- Ulysses
- Vivian
- Wyatt
- Xandra
- Yara
- Zachary
These names have a classic quality that makes them suitable for cats of any gender, and they are a great choice for pet owners who want a name that is versatile and timeless.
Creepy Victorian Names
The Victorian era was known for its love of the macabre and the supernatural, and this was reflected in some of the names of the time.
Here are some names from the Victorian era that may be considered creepy:
- Alistair
- Bartholomew
- Caleb
- Drusilla
- Edmund
- Franklin
- Gideon
- Hexham
- Ianthe
- Jarvis
- Lilith
- Mordecai
- Nefarious
- Obadiah
- Persephone
- Quillan
- Rowena
- Thorne
- Una
- Valentine
- Wyatt
- Xenia
- Yancey
- Zephyr
These names have a mysterious and eerie quality that is reminiscent of the gothic literature that was popular in the Victorian era.
They are perfect for cats with personalities that are dark and enigmatic.
Victorian House Names
During the Victorian era, it was common for houses in England to be named rather than numbered.
These names were often reflective of the values and cultural interests of the time, and could range from nature-inspired monikers to grand, symbolic titles.
Here are a few popular Victorian house names:
- Rosemount
- Ivy Cottage
- The Elms
- Forest View
- Brookside
- The Cedars
- The Willows
- Sunnyside
- Meadowbank
- Hillcrest
Other popular names included “Violet Villa,” “Oaklands,” “Lilac Lodge,” “The Gables,” and “Pine Lodge.
Some Victorian houses were also named after their owners or the street they were located on, such as “Johnston House” or “Maple Street Manor.”
In many cases, the name was chosen to reflect the location, architecture, or character of the house, and was meant to evoke a sense of warmth, comfort, and stability.
Victorian Gypsy Names
During the Victorian era, Romani people, often referred to as Gypsies, had a distinct naming tradition that was influenced by their nomadic lifestyle and cultural beliefs.
Here are a few examples of traditional Gypsy names from the Victorian era:
- Mariah
- Petulengro
- Sara
- Lulu
- Phoebe
- Isadora
- Romany
- Darcy
- Tzigane
- Rawnie
It’s worth noting that these names may not have been used exclusively by Romani people, and some may have been used by non-Gypsies as well.
Additionally, naming practices and traditions among Romani communities have varied over time and across different regions, so this list is meant to give a general idea of the type of names that were common during the Victorian era.
Victorian Names That Start With…
Here’s a list of Victorian names starting with each letter of the alphabet:
A
- Amelia
- Alexander
- Annabelle
- Arthur
- Augusta
B
- Benjamin
- Beatrice
- Bernard
- Bertha
- Blanche
C
- Charlotte
- Charles
- Christina
- Clara
- Claude
D
- Daniel
- David
- Diana
- Dorothea
- Duke
E
- Eleanor
- Elizabeth
- Emily
- Ernest
- Evelyn
F
- Frederick
- Frances
- Florence
- Franklin
- Fiona
G
- George
- Gerald
- Gladys
- Grace
- Gwendolyn
H
- Henry
- Herbert
- Hannah
- Harriet
- Hugh
I
- Isabella
- Isaac
- Ivan
- Ivy
J
- James
- John
- Joseph
- Julia
- Justin
K
- Katherine
- Kenneth
- Kevin
- Kimberly
L
- Louis
- Lucy
- Lydia
- Laurence
- Linda
M
- Margaret
- Maria
- Matthew
- Michael
- Mildred
N
- Nathaniel
- Nicole
- Norman
- Nancy
O
- Olivia
- Oliver
- Orville
P
- Patricia
- Paul
- Peter
- Phillip
- Priscilla
Q
- Quentin
R
- Rachel
- Raymond
- Regina
- Richard
- Robert
S
- Sarah
- Sebastian
- Stephen
- Susan
- Sylvia
T
- Theodore
- Thomas
- Timothy
- Tyler
- Terence
U
- Ulysses
V
- Victoria
- Vincent
- Virginia
W
- Walter
- William
- Winifred
- Wyatt
X
- Xavier
Y
- Yvonne
- Yates
Z
- Zachary
- Zara
- Zoe
FAQs – Victorian Names
What were common names in the Victorian era?
Here are common names from the Victorian era:
- John
- Mary
- William
- Elizabeth
- Emily
- James
What are rare Victorian-era names?
Some rare Victorian-era names:
- Agnes
- Ambrose
- Wilfred
- Norah
- Fanny
- Rupert
What was a Victorian girl’s name?
Here are some additional Victorian-era girl’s names:
- Ada
- Jane
- Beatrice
- Florence
- Victoria
- Mary
- Emily
What are beautiful 1800s names?
Some beautiful 1800s-era names:
- Charlotte
- Sophia
- Amelia
- Isabella
- Grace
- Elizabeth
Conclusion – Victorian Names
The names of the Victorian era are a reflection of the values and beliefs of the time.
Traditional English house names, Gypsy names, and classic names like John and Mary were all popular during this period.
Whether you’re looking for a timeless name or an unusual one, there’s something for everyone in this list.
By taking inspiration from the history of Victorian Britain, you can find a beautiful name that will stand the test of time.