Are you having any trouble coming up with a name for your baby? Perhaps you’re inspired by this year’s Presidential election. There is no denying that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump – love them or hate them – have made waves this election and throughout their lives.
There is no doubt that we’ll probably see some Donalds and Hillarys sprouting up, but maybe these two are a little too polarizing for your taste. How about trying a presidential classic instead for your sweet baby boy or girl?
Baby Girl Names
Abigail – Abigail Adams was the wife of 2nd President John Adams. Her life is one of the most documented of all of our first ladies. She and her husband exchanged more than 1100 letters over their lifetimes. Their letters documented life during pivotal moments of our counties history, including the American Revolution. They were the first Presidential couple to reside in what is now known as the White House.
Anna/Hannah – This one has been popular among Presidential spouses. Although technically not a first lady, since she died before her husband was president, Hannah Van Buren was the wife of our 8th President, Martin Van Buren. Anna Harrison was First Lady for only one month during the short tenure of her husband, William Henry Harrison. Anna was also the formal first name of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Caroline – Caroline is a sweet classic that is gaining in popularity. Probably not because of First Lady Caroline Harrison, however. Mrs. Harrison was President Benjamin Harrison’s first wife. She died of tuberculosis in the White House during her husband’s presidency. Four years later he married his late wife’s niece, Mary Dimmick.
Elizabeth/Eliza/Betty/Bess – A beautiful classic with so many nickname choices. Several of our first ladies have carried a version of this name including Bess Truman, Betty Ford, Eliza Johnson and Elizabeth Monroe.
Edith – This classic was given some life with the adorable Despicable Me movies, but it was also the name of two presidential wives – Edith Roosevelt and Edith Wilson.
Eleanor/Ellen/Helen – So many first ladies have had a version of this name which means bright, shining light. How appropriately some of them were named. Ellen Arthur was a very talented soprano who performed at many New York benefits. It’s hard to imagine FDR’s presidency without Eleanor Roosevelt, who redefined the role of First Lady. Others were Helen Taft, Ellen Wilson, and Eleanor Rosalynn Carter.
Jacqueline – Every time I see this one, I think of the classic poise and grace of Jacqueline Kennedy. At 31, Mrs. Kennedy was the third youngest woman to serve as First Lady behind Frances Cleveland and Julia Tyler.
Kennedy – The Kennedys inspired their generation with hope and courage for the future. Traditionally a last name, Kennedy has made a popular first name in recent years.
Laura – One of our more recent first ladies, Laura Bush carries a name that is truly a classic with a modern feel.
Lucretia/Lucy – Lucretia may be a bit dated, but Lucy is adorably sweet. Lucretia Garfield and Lucy Hayes were two first ladies during the 1800s. Lucy Hayes was a supporter of the temperance movement and was nicknamed Lemonade Lucy when her husband banned alcohol from the White House!
Madison – Want to name your little daughter after the father of the U.S. Constitution? Madison is currently a very popular name, but naming your child such would be an homage to our 4th President, James Madison.
McKinley – McKinley seems to be one that is gaining in popularity of recent years. You can choose McKinley as a nod to former President William McKinley, who was the last US President to have served in the Civil War. He was also the third of four to be assassinated, following Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield and preceding John F. Kennedy.
Rachel – This beautiful name was held by Rachel Jackson, the wife of President Andrew Jackson. When the future president and Rachel were married, she was actually married to someone else. Her previous marriage had been unhappy and the two separated. Assuming that her husband had finalized the divorce, she unknowingly married Jackson. After it was printed in the newspaper that she was still married to her previous husband, Rachel finalized the divorce and quietly remarried Jackson. Can you imagine if that happened today?
Taylor – Taylor is a very popular name for little girls these days, especially with the popularity of singer Taylor Swift. President Zachary Taylor served as our 12th President. President Taylor attended a very hot 4th of July celebration in 1850 at the Washington Monument, which was under construction. While there, he had some cherries and cold milk, followed up by several glasses of cold water trying to beat the heat. Five days later, President Taylor died of an unknown intestinal ailment, that was probably a case of cholera contracted from a bacteria present in either the milk or water he drank.
Baby Boy Names
Andrew – Two of our presidents have been named Andrew – Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson was the Vice President under Abraham Lincoln and became President when Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in 1865.
Carter – Jimmy Carter was President during the 1970s. Before becoming President, Carter served in the Navy. He and his wife and three older children for a time lived in public housing in Georgia – the only US President to have lived in subsidized housing for the poor. In 2002, former President Carter was the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the Carter Center “to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
Ford – We like this one! Simple and strong. Gerald Ford became President after Richard Nixon resigned into the 1970s.
Franklin – Franklin Pierce and Franklin Roosevelt were two presidents that held this name. Franklin Roosevelt was the only President to serve more than two terms. Elected four times, President Roosevelt served three terms and died of a stroke four months into his fourth term. He guided the country through the Great Depression and World War II and gave a famous speech after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The name might seem a little old fashioned, but provides an adorable nickname in Frankie.
Grant – Grant is a popular classic for boy’s names. It never seems to get old. President Grant served from 1869-1877. He was a general during the Civil War. In 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Grant at the McLean House in Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.
Harrison/Harry – William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison have been the only grandfather/grandson presidents so far. And there’s also Harry Truman who shares a version of this great name.
Jackson – Jackson is a very popular name for little boys these days. President Andrew Jackson was a military leader during several early American wars, including the Revolutionary War where he served as a courier at age 13 and was captured and held prisoner by the British.
James/Jimmy – More presidents (6) have carried a form of the name James than any other first name. They include James Madison, James Monroe, James Polk, James Buchanan, James Garfield and Jimmy (James Earl) Carter.
Lincoln – You can’t go wrong with ever-favorite President Lincoln for your child’s name inspiration. He made a lasting impact on this nation signing the Emanicipation Proclamation and serving during the Civil War. He was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865 and died the next day.
Pierce – We thought this one was a strong sounding name and very presidential. Franklin Pierce served as president during the 1850s. Pierce was also the maiden name of First Lady Barbara Bush.
Theodore/Teddy – President Theodore Roosevelt went by the nickname Teddy. Roosevelt became president when President William McKinley was assassinated. He established the National Park Service, oversaw construction of the Panama Canal and expanded the United State Navy.
Thomas – Thomas Jefferson served as third president, but also wrote the Declaration of Independence, forever immortalizing these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Few presidents have been as insightful and eloquent as Jefferson.
Truman – Take a stroll through Independence, Missouri and you’ll walk in President Harry Truman’s footsteps. It’s easy to fall in love with the simple grace with which President Truman and his wife Bess lived. It’s too bad more of today’s politicians are not more like the Trumans.
Tyler – John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States. He is one of several Presidents to have come from the state of Virginia. Having married twice, Tyler was the father of 15 children – more than any other President.
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