The Classic Classics

I wanted to do an entry about the "Possible New Classics" which are names that seemed like they were part of a hot trend but may be able to make the leap to being a "New Classic". However, before I addressed the topic of the Possible New Classics I had to deal with the issue of the "Classic Classics". These are names that have remained enormouosly popular for a long time. How long? I don't know. Long. Since at least medieval times but let's not ruin this by getting too attached to numbers. They are names you find time and again used for royalty of yore as well as for biblical and other important literary and historical figures.

In order to be a Classic Classic a name has to be more than old. Something about Classic Classic names keep them from feeling dated which means that a name may be classical and yet not qualify as a Classic. Irene, for example, is a classical name but definitely feels a little musty (which actually makes it perfect for a modern child but that's another entry). The Classic Classics may not cause your pulse to race with excitement but rarely will they invite negative feelings based solely on the name alone (names cannot be held responsible for any personal associations you may have with them).

If these names were an item of clothing they'd be a white shirt; not flashy but always appropriate; not a runway showstopper but always in style. Another defining characteristic is that you probably know of several people in every age group with these names.

So, here is my list of the Classic Classic Names. It does not account for the many spelling variations that exist for each name:

• Sarah
  
• Elizabeth
• Catherine*
• Mary

• James
• John
• William
• Thomas
• Robert

You could argue in favor of a lot of names that aren't on this list but I think that based on my criteria these are the only ones that have transcended time without ever falling out favor. Henry, for instance, certainly has been used repeatedly for royalty and has been attached to any number of literary characters, sports figures, actors, heads of state etc. Henry, however, fell very much of out favor in the middle portion of the 20th century and is only recently experiencing a bit of a revival.

But I'll field any arguments in favor of other names that you feel deserve a spot on this list. Usage is usually confined to the English speaking world.

Popularity of names in the modern era were taken from the Social Security Administration's web site which lists popularity charts of names by decade.

*Catherine on its own often looks deceptively low (too low to be considered "enormously" popular though still high enough to be considered popular) on some popularity lists of the modern era. However, if you combine it with Katherine and Kathryn the name shoots up...usually to the top 10.