No, not all Victorian names are out-of-date or old-fashioned. Consider the countless beautiful baby names that were directly inspired by the Victorian era.
As interest rises in history and family roots when you name your baby, so does the use of Victorian baby names. This era in time is associated with strength and peace, and this romantic time in history dates back to a time when England lived in peace and prosperity. You don’t have to have English roots to use Victorian baby names. An appreciation for the era and the time can also be a motivating factor for using any of these nostalgic names, and they are always fun to pass on in your family!
Biblical Names
Biblical names were extremely popular in the Victorian era. As a result, popular Victorian baby names are often biblically based. Boy names such as James, John, and Joseph were all very popular. James is a biblical name that is thought to be a variant of the name Jacob, possibly meaning “supplanted.” John carries the meaning “God is gracious,” and Joseph, another popular biblical name, means “God will add.”
Victorian girl names that were biblically inspired include Mary, Ruth, and Elizabeth. Mary is considered to be the number one girl biblically-based Victorian baby name. Despite its popularity, there are many debates as to the true meaning of this name. Derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, possible meanings can be “sea of bitterness,” or “star of the sea,” as well as “rebellion,” or “wished-for-child.” The name Ruth carries the meaning “friendship,” while Elizabeth means “God’s promise.”
Botanical and Nature-Inspired Names
Botanical names were also very common Victorian baby names. These types of Victorian baby names were mostly dedicated to girls. Rose, for example, was originally a German-rooted name, with the possible meaning “fame.” The name Iris derives its origin from Greek roots, meaning “colorful,” or “ rainbow,” and Hazel is one of the original Victorian baby names. Its meaning is derived from the name of the hazel tree.
Virtuous Names
Virtuous names are also much more popular for girls. These were other types of common Victorian baby names. Generally, these names and their meanings are the same. Some examples are Love, Hope, and Grace. Today, some parents are choosing to use virtue names for their boys, but these were not common boy Victorian baby names in the past.
Whether you want to give your baby a link to their English heritage or you simply enjoy the Victorian era, there is an abundance of Victorian baby names to choose from.