These were the most popular baby names in the 1880s

Updated on29 11 2022

Most of us have spent our lives fussing over baby names.

We've had the "That one's too common! That one's too weird! Wait, wasn't my year six bully called Samuel, definitely not!" monologue with our other half over a hundred times and still, finding a suitable moniker for our little one is always a struggle.

But if you've exhausted the popular 2022 baby names guide, perhaps go the other way. Trends come and go, but as these names were good enough for our great, great, great grandparents (and are still floating around today!) they have more than proved themselves as good, solid names.

Popular baby names from the 1880s

1880s baby names

1 of 25

1. William

Means: resolute protector

2 of 25

2. Anna

Means: gracious

3 of 25

3. John

Means: Jehovah has been gracious

4 of 25

4. Mary

Means: sea of bitterness

5 of 25

5. Joseph

Means: Jehovah increases

6 of 25

6. Minnie

Means: wished-for-child

7 of 25

7. Henry

Means: home

8 of 25

8. Clara

Means: clear and bright

9 of 25

9. George

Means: farmer

10 of 25

10. Elizabeth

Means: oath of God

11 of 25

11. Walter

Means: ruler

12 of 25

12. Bertha

Means: bright one

13 of 25

13. Thomas

Means: a twin

14 of 25

14. Florence

Meaning: to blossom

15 of 25

15. Samuel

Means: name of God

16 of 25

16. Nellie

Means: light

17 of 25

17. Louis

Means: renowned warrior

18 of 25

18. Martha

Means: lady of the house

19 of 25

19. James

Means: supplanter

20 of 25

20. Bessie

Means: oath of God

21 of 25

21. Charles

Means: full-grown

22 of 25

22. Emma

Means: whole

23 of 25

23. Robert

Means: fame

24 of 25

24. Grace

Means: eloquence

25 of 25

25. Arthur

Means: bear

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