20 Baby Names That Have Fallen Out of Use Because of a Historical Figure

Adolf was once a traditional Germanic first name with a long history, before World War II left an indelible mark on it. Ever since Adolf Hitler, this name has become virtually inseparable from Nazism. Even families with cultural or ancestral ties to this name generally avoid using it today. 

Benito is a warm name, deeply rooted in Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures. Unfortunately, Benito Mussolini has given this name a strong political connotation in many parts of the world. Its association with fascism gives it a very strong historical connotation that many parents prefer to avoid. 

Osama is an Arabic first name whose meaning refers to bravery and strength. For many, however, this name has become inextricably linked with Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks. This contemporary figure has profoundly changed the way this name is perceived in much of the Western world. 

"Saddam" has never been a common first name in the United States, but it enjoyed some local popularity in the Middle East at one point in the 20th century. Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq and his reputation for brutality immediately linked the name to the dictatorship. After his fall, many Iraqis even asked the government to change their names because of the name’s negative historical connotations.

Nero has a dramatic, ancient sound that could easily have belonged to another era. The Roman emperor Nero eventually came to be associated with cruelty, excess, persecution, and the famous story of the Great Fire of Rome during his reign. While historians debate certain aspects of his reputation, popular culture has not been particularly forgiving. 

It is virtually impossible to mention Caligula without immediately thinking of the Roman emperor. His name is associated with tales of madness, cruelty, extravagance, and bizarre behavior. Even if some ancient sources may have exaggerated, the damage is done. 

Judas is one of the most striking examples of a first name forever marked by betrayal. Judas Iscariot has gone down in Christian tradition as the betrayer of Jesus, and his first name has become synonymous with betrayal. That’s a heavy burden for a baby who hasn’t even learned to crawl yet. 

Herod is a name steeped in ancestral royal grandeur, but it doesn’t really make a good impression on a birth announcement. In biblical tradition, King Herod is remembered above all for his cruelty and the massacre of innocent children. Whether or not one is familiar with the full historical context, the name has a harsh ring to it.

The name Pontius is so rare that a single figure dominates its entire history. We remember Pontius Pilate as the Roman official involved in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The name itself has a solemn ring to it, but this association makes it difficult to treat it casually. 

The name Jezebel has a striking ring to it, but history and religious tradition have imbued it with deep meaning. Queen Jezebel is described in the Bible as a manipulative, idolatrous, and dangerous woman, and the name has since become an insult directed at women. 

In the past, the first name “Elon” was rare enough to seem futuristic, but Elon Musk has made it nearly impossible to hear it without thinking of one particular billionaire. His companies, his online presence, his controversies, and his extraordinary public image have completely monopolized this first name in contemporary culture. Even if you like the sound of the name, it’s hard to escape that association. 

Cain is a short, strong, and simple name, which would normally make it appealing to today’s parents. The problem is that, in biblical tradition, Cain is known for being the first murderer after killing his brother Abel. That’s not the kind of story most parents want to associate with a baby’s blanket. 

Brutus seems to be a name that evokes strength, but perhaps it is a misplaced strength. Marcus Junius Brutus is remembered as one of the men who betrayed and assassinated Julius Caesar. Since then, the name has been associated with betrayal and with people who should not be trusted when they are in the company of political leaders. 

Benedict is a lovely, traditional name that evokes holiness, but Benedict Arnold has seriously complicated matters in the United States. His betrayal during the American Revolution has made this name synonymous with “traitor.” Outside the United States, this connotation may not be as strong, but American parents often have a different perception of this name. 

Attila embodies power, history, and a certain boldness. Unfortunately, Attila the Hun became famous as a conqueror whose reputation was built on invasions and destruction. This name is still used in some cultures, particularly in Hungary, where it has a different connotation, but in many English-speaking contexts, it is associated with a warlike image.

Quisling has become one of the few names to have given rise to a word that specifically refers to a traitor. Vidkun Quisling was a Norwegian politician who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II, and his last name has become synonymous with treason. This association is so strong that, in many places, the name hardly seems like a last name anymore. 

Napoleon is not an ominous name in the strict sense of the term, like some of the others mentioned here, but it is almost impossible to separate it from a single man. Napoleon Bonaparte was brilliant, ambitious, controversial, and deeply associated with war and empire. Today, this name carries such weight and has such a specific connotation that it may seem like a heavy burden for a child. 

Lucrezia is an elegant, dramatic name steeped in the spirit of the Renaissance. Lucrezia Borgia, on the other hand, is now associated with scandals, rumors of poisoning, political intrigues, and the darkest legends surrounding the Borgia family. It is a beautiful name, but it is not without controversy.

The name Genghis immediately brings to mind Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. His historical significance is considerable, but he is also strongly associated with conquest, war, and large-scale destruction. In some contexts, this name may symbolize strength or a legacy, but in most cases, it seems too intense.

In the past, “Harvey” was considered a charming first name, but Harvey Weinstein has profoundly altered many people’s perception of it. His criminal convictions and the even broader #MeToo movement have led to this name now being associated with abuse of power, scandal, and predatory behavior in contemporary culture.