Sweet as Tea: 40 Classic Southern Baby Names You’ll Love

Southern baby names are linked with images of magnolias in bloom, front porch swings, and sweet tea-filled conversations across generations. So it’s no surprise that classic and traditional Southern names are as popular as ever!

This list of Southern baby boy and baby girl names carry a sense of history, heritage, and a Southern hospitality. Whether you’re a native or simply a fan of Southern charm, join us on a journey through the most beloved baby names from the Southern states.

Meaning: Flat tropical grassland

Savannah is a classic Southern baby name that’s also the name of a coastal city in Georgia.

Meaning: Tree

Magnolia is the name of a flowering tree commonly found in the South, symbolizing beauty and perseverance.

Read Next: Whispers of Nature: Top 30 Baby Girl Names Inspired by Trees

Meaning: Red

Inspired by Scarlett O’Hara, the iconic Southern belle from ‘Gone with the Wind’, the name ‘Scarlett’ – or ‘Scarlet’ – is a classic Southern baby name for girls.

Meaning: Derived from the Latin word for ‘ten’

Dixie is a popular Southern name that’s derived from the Latin word for ten dollar note.  

Meaning: Farmer

Georgia is the name of a southern US state and it means ‘farmer’ or ‘tiller of the soil’.

Meaning: Free man

Inspired by the Southern states of North and South Carolina, ‘Carolina’ means ‘free man’.

a Southern girl in the filed of sunflowers

Meaning: ‘Island’

The Southern girl name Delta means ‘island’ and represents change and transformation.

Meaning: ‘loving’

Annabelle is a classic Southern name with a beautiful meaning: ‘loving’. It’s often associated with charm and grace – the perfect sentiments to pass on to your little one.

Read Next: 50 Unique Baby Names That Mean Warmth for Boys and Girls

Meaning: Harp player

Originally a surname, Harper has become a popular Southern-inspired name, especially after the birth of Victoria and David Beckham’s daughter, Harper. The name means ‘harp player’.

Meaning: Merciful

Clementine is an unusual but sweet Southern name meaning ‘merciful’.

Meaning: Laurel tree

Loretta is a timeless Southern name linked with elegance and victory. It means ‘laurel tree’.

Meaning: Gatherer

Named after the Southern state, Alabama is of Native American origin and means ‘gatherer’.

Meaning: Willow farm

 Shelby is a charming Southern name with English roots. It means ‘willow farm’.

Meaning: Alluring chantress

Inspired by the mythological siren, Lorelei means ‘alluring chantress’ in German. It’s pronounced ‘LOR-UH-LIE’.

Meaning: Leaping water

Tallulah is a classic Southern girl name that means ‘leaping water’ in Native American.

Read Next: Baby Names Inspired by the Nature for Boys and Girls

a portrait of a Southern girl in a cowboy hat

Meaning: Maiden

Named after the Southern state, Virginia means ‘maiden’. The state of Virginia is known as the ‘Mother of Presidents’, given that 8 US presidents were born there!

Meaning: Gift of God

Dolly is a short form of Dorothy meaning ‘gift of God’. The name exudes Southern sweetness and charm!

Read Next: Baby Names That Mean Soul: Discovering Deeply Meaningful Names for Your Child

Meaning: Delicate

Delilah is a Southern name with Hebrew roots. It means ‘delicate’.

a portrait of a Southern girl

Meaning: Yielding to prayer

Derived from the Latin word ‘orabilis’, Arabella means ‘yielding to prayer’. It’s an elegant Southern name for a little girl.

Read More: 80 Beautiful Baby Names Meaning ‘Blessing from God’ and Their Origins

Meaning: Hazel tree

Derived from the hazelnut tree, Hazel is a Southern name associated with wisdom and protection.

Meaning: Juniper tree

Named after the evergreen shrub, Juniper is a unique and nature-inspired Southern name.

Meaning: Golden flower

Named after the vibrant plant, Marigold is a Southern name linked with optimism and joy – beautiful sentiments to pass on to a brand new baby girl!

The top Southern baby boy names 

Meaning: Stone worker

Mason is a strong Southern name with a touch of craftsmanship. It means ‘stone worker’.

Meaning: Handsome

A French word meaning ‘handsome’, Beau is often used in the Southern states as a name for boys.

a Southern boy portrait in a cowboy hat

Meaning: Brave in war

Wyatt is a rugged Southern name meaning ‘brave in war’.

Meaning: One who hunts

Hunter is a popular Southern name that symbolizes strength and skill.

Read Next: Top 40 Powerful Baby Names That Signify Perseverance and Strength

Meaning: Son of Jack

This classic Southern name means ‘son of Jack’.

Meaning: Woodcutter

The name Sawyer is linked with Southern landscapes and craftsmanship.

a portrait of a Southern boy

Meaning: Prosperity

Cash is a classic Southern name with an edge. It’s the perfect choice for a unique baby boy!

Meaning: To speak

Inspired by Rhett Butler from ‘Gone with the Wind’, this classic Southern name exudes charm and sophistication.

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Meaning: Young horse

Symbolizing strength and power, Colt is a rugged Southern name that’s often linked with the Wild West.

Read Next: Uncover 40 Resilient Baby Names That Mean ‘Perseverance’

Meaning: Cloth-thickener

Meaning ‘cloth-thickener’, Walker is a strong Southern name for a brand new baby boy.

a portrait of a Southern boy

Meaning: Beloved of the Lord

Jedidiah is a traditional Southern boy name with biblical roots. It’s pronounced ‘JED-A-DIE-AH’.

Read Next: The Top Exceptional and Unique Baby Names for Your Little Boy or Girl

Meaning: Beautiful

Beauregard means ‘beautiful’ and is a noble and elegant Southern name. It’s pronounced ‘BO-RAH-GARD’. It was a name popularized in the Southern states during the antebellum era in America.

Meaning: From the coal or dark town

Colton is a rugged Southern name with English origins.

Meaning: Forest dweller

Derived from the Old French word ‘forest’, Forrest is a nature-inspired Southern name.

Meaning: Fabric pleater

Tucker is a charming and popular Southern name with English roots. It means ‘fabric pleater’.

Meaning: Great

Augustus is a regal Southern name that means ‘great’ – just like the brand new baby boy in your family!

Meaning: Keeper of horses

Marshall is a timeless Southern name with English origins. It means ‘keeper of horses’.

Read Next: Timeless Old Money Boy Names with Origins and Meanings

Meaning: Man power

Montgomery is a traditional Southern baby boy name that will stand the test of time. It means ‘man power’, symbolizing strength and bravery.

Conclusion

All of the Southern baby names on this list are rich in history, character and warmth. Each name will stand the test of time, passing deep and beautiful meanings on to the brand new little one in your family.

Whether you’re a Southern belle or a city slicker, you’ll find inspiration in the timelessness of Southern baby names.

And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our roundup of the best nature-inspired baby names, baby names that mean ‘angel’ and vintage baby names.

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