The Victorian period had no shortage of classy names for both girls and boys. One of the most notable Victorian baby names for girls was Victoria, a name of Latin origin that means “victory.” According to 2010s Social Security Administration data, Victoria was one of the most popular girl names in America. So it’s safe to say that this name is making a comeback.
Victorian baby names are often lengthy and dignified, but they can be shortened and made to sound more laid-back. Take the name Elizabeth for example, which can be shortened to Eli, Liz, Lizzy, Beth, or even Betty. This classy name is of Hebrew origin and means “My God is an oath.”
The English name Evelyn and the French name Josephine also follow a similar template. These girl names are feminine and sophisticated, meaning “wished for child” and “Jehovah increases,” respectively. Evelyn can be shortened to Eve, Evie, and Lyn, whereas possible nicknames for Josephine are Jo, Josie, and Jojo. The nickname opportunities are truly endless when you side with a Victorian name.
As for boys, the Victorian names Augustus and Wallace continue to catch the attention of soon-to-be-parents in America. The name Augustus is of Roman and Slavic origin, whereas the name Wallace has strong Scottish and English roots. Augustus means “great and magnificent” and can be shortened to Gus or Auggie. Wallace, on the other hand, means “foreigner and stranger,” and can be shortened to Wally.
Albert
Meaning: Noble, bright, famous
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Amelia
Meaning: Industrious, striving; Work
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Andrew
Meaning: Warrior
Origin: Greek
Gender: Boy
Augustus
Meaning: Great and magnificent
Origin: Roman, Slavic
Gender: Boy
Bessie
Meaning: God’s promise
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Girl
Bertha
Meaning: Bright, famous
Origin: German
Gender: Girl
Blanche
Meaning: White, pure
Origin: German
Gender: Girl
Charles
Meaning: Free man
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Daisy
Meaning: Day’s eye
Origin: British
Gender: Girl
Dora
Meaning: Gift
Origin: Greek
Gender: Girl
Elizabeth
Meaning: My God is an oath
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Girl
Emma
Meaning: Entire or universal
Origin: German
Gender: Girl
Evelyn
Meaning: Wished for child
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Frank
Meaning: Free
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Frances
Meaning: From France
Origin: Latin
Gender: Unisex
George
Meaning: Farmer
Origin: Greek
Gender: Boy
Grace
Meaning: Favor or blessing
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Hazel
Meaning: The hazel tree
Origin: British
Gender: Unisex
Henry
Meaning: Home ruler
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Isaac
Meaning: Laughter
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Irene
Meaning: Peace
Origin: Greek
Gender: Girl
Jamess
Meaning: Supplants
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Unisex
John
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Josephine
Meaning: Jehovah increases
Origin: French
Gender: Girl
Levi
Meaning: Joined
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Leopold
Meaning: Brave people
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Lillian
Meaning: Lily
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Louis
Meaning: Famous warrior
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Lulu
Meaning: Famous warrior
Origin: Swahili
Gender: Girl
Mark
Meaning: Dedicated to Mars
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Martin
Meaning: Dedicated to Mars
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
May
Meaning: The fifth month
Origin: Sanskrit
Gender: Girl
Michael
Meaning: Who resembles God?
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Nettie
Meaning: Clean
Origin: British
Gender: Girl
Nora
Meaning: Honor
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Oscar
Meaning: Spear of the gods
Origin: British
Gender: Boy
Paul
Meaning: Small
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Peter
Meaning: Rock
Origin: Greek
Gender: Boy
Philip
Meaning: Horse lover
Origin: Greek
Gender: Boy
Robert
Meaning: Bright fame
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
Ruby
Meaning: The red gemstone
Origin: British
Gender: Unisex
Sadie
Meaning: Princess
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Girl
Samuel
Meaning: God heard
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Boy
Silas
Meaning: Forest, woods
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Sylvia
Meaning: Woods or forest
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Theresa
Meaning: Late summer
Origin: Greek
Gender: Girl
Tillie
Meaning: Mighty in battle
Origin: German
Gender: Girl
Victor
Meaning: Champion
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Victoria
Meaning: Victory
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Wallace
Meaning: Foreigner and stranger
Origin: Scottish and English
Gender: Unisex
William
Meaning: Protection
Origin: German
Gender: Boy
