These Are the Best Baby Names Inspired by American Presidents

May 11, 2018

What’s in a name? Plenty. People name their children after relatives, celebrities, and just about anyone or anything else you can think of these days. Some people name their offspring after presidents they love. Click through to see which presidents have had their names popularized in the U.S. and see if you think they’re suitable monikers for American kids.

1. James

Jimmy Carter was one of six presidents named James. | Hulton Archive/Getty Images

According to Verywell Family, James has been a staple on the list of most popular baby names for a very long time. And it’s a safe bet that many people named their sons after these presidents. Here are the six presidents named James:

Buchanan, 1857 to 1861
Carter, 1977 to 1981
Garfield, March 4, 1881 to Sept. 19, 1881
Madison, 1809 to 1817
Monroe, 1817 to 1825
Polk, 1845 to 1849

Next: Another classic

2. John

JFK might have inspired a few Johns. | AFP/Stringer/Getty Images

John has also always been on the list of most popular baby names over the past 100 years, according to Verywell Family, and it’s likely that many parents had a president in mind when they gave the moniker to their sons. Here are the four presidents named John:

John Adams, 1797 to 1801
John Quincy Adams, 1825 to 1829
John Kennedy, 1961 to 1963
John Tyler, 1841 to 1845

Next: You probably can guess this one.

3. William

Bill Clinton was the latest William. | Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

It probably comes as no surprise that William is a very popular presidential-inspired name. Because Bill Clinton was so loved by the American public, many parents likely named their sons William during his term. Here are the presidents named William:

William Clinton, 1993 to 2001
William Harrison, March 4, 1841 to April 4, 1841
William McKinley, 1897 to 1901
William Taft, 1909 to 1913

Next: A venerable favorite

4. George

We can trace George back to the first president. | Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The name George is still going strong, thanks perhaps to three different presidents. Here are the U.S. leaders with the name George:

George Washington, 1789 to 1797
George H.W. Bush, 1989 to 1993
George W. Bush, 2001 to 2009

Next: A popular duo

5. Andrew and Franklin

FDR was one of two presidents named Franklin. | Keystone Features/Stringer/Getty Images

You likely know someone named Andrew or Frank, because there are an awful lot of them out there. The U.S. presidents that might have been an inspiration for those names include:

Andrew Jackson, 1829 to 1837
Andrew Johnson, 1963 to 1969
Franklin Pierce, 1853 to 1857
Franklin Roosevelt, 1933 to 1945

Next: Last names first

6. Carter

Jimmy Carter And Hamilton Jordan in the Oval Office at desk

Carter is becoming a popular boy’s name. | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Millennials are using presidents’ last names as first names these days, according to Verywell Family. The name Carter, inspired by the 39th president Jimmy Carter, made it into the top 50 list of most popular boys’ names over the past decade.

Next: An unusual girl’s name

7. Kennedy

Kennedy is a popular girl’s first name. | National Archive/Newsmakers/Getty Images

Using Kennedy as a girl’s first name has also become rather popular with millennials, according to Verywell Family. This name of the 35th president, John F. Kennedy, made it into the top 100 favorite name list in 2011.

Next: The also rans

8. Presidents’ names that have made it into the top 1,000

Lincoln has made it onto the charts. | Alexander Gardner/U.S. Library of Congress via Getty Images

Although these presidential-inspired names might not be as popular as James, John, or William, they have still crept into the top 1,000 most popular baby name charts recently.

Grant
Lincoln
Harrison
Arthur
Taylor
McKinley
Pierce
Wilson

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