CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

20 Presidential Baby Names Fit for Future Leaders

From Abraham to Jacqueline, check out some of our favorite baby boy and girl names, straight from the Oval office.
save article
profile picture of The Bump Editors
Updated February 17, 2022
baby lying in crib holding an american flag
Image: chomplearn/Getty Images

Figuring out what to name baby can be a big to-do for expectant parents. You’re likely looking to many sources for inspiration, such as your family tree, nature or even American history—Hamilton has certainly brought our founding fathers back into the forefront of pop culture! If you and your partner are history buffs, you might want to pay homage to your favorite historical figures. To help, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite baby names inspired by America’s presidents and their first ladies. Check them out below.

10 Baby Names Inspired by Presidents

William Taft, the 27th president of the United States, was also made chief justice of the United States. He’s the only president to have ever served in both of these offices.

Did you know the 40th president of the United States started out as an actor? He held the lead roles in Hell’s Kitchen, Million Dollar Baby and many more films.

Thomas Jefferson may be remembered as one of our founding fathers, but, aside from politics, he was an architect. Among his most famous projects is the University of Virginia.

Andrew Johnson became the 17th president after the assasination of President Abraham Lincoln. Having grown up in poverty, Johnson was a champion of the common man during his time as a politician.

John F. Kennedy has been the only president to win a Pulitzer Prize. He was given the award for his book Profiles in Courage, which focuses on the careers of eight U.S. Senators.

This may be the leading name among American presidents, as six of them were named James: James Madison, James Monroe, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, James Garfield and James “Jimmy” Carter.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, is best known for his Emancipation Proclamation, which helped end slavery in America. He was reelected in 1864, but was assassinated in April 1865.

Related Video

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president to assume office, at 42 years old, after the assassination of President William McKinley. He has also been the only president to win a Medal of Honor, which was awarded posthumously for his actions during the Spanish-American War.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president and the fifth cousin of Teddy Roosevelt. Despite having caught polio at the age of 39, he fought to regain control of his legs through swimming. He served four terms starting in 1932, and led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th president and served in the White House during the Roaring ‘20s. He became legendary for how little he spoke during interviews and social events.

10 Baby Names Inspired by First Ladies

Martha Washington was the first woman to become first lady. However, the term “first lady” was coined in the mid 1800s, after her death.

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (married to Franklin D. Roosevelt) was the longest-serving first lady. During her time in the White House, and afterwards, she penned a national newspaper column called “My Day.”

Did you know Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University? She was working as an “inquiring photographer” for a local Washington newspaper when she met John F. Kennedy.

Nancy Davis Reagan was an actress before she became first lady. Her last movie role was with her husband, Ronald Reagan, in Hellcats of the Navy.

Michelle Obama was the 44th first lady and is also a lawyer and writer. She met her husband, Barack Obama, in 1988 in Chicago while they were both working at the firm of Sidley Austin.

To date, there have been three first ladies named Elizabeth: Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, Elizabeth Virginia Wallace Truman and Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford.

Abigail Adams was the first second lady (wife of the vice president) and the second first lady. She bonded with her future husband John Adams over their mutual love of reading.

Rosalynn Smith Carter and her husband President Jimmy Carter grew up together as neighbors. During her time in the White House, Rosalynn became a strong advocate for mental health, a cause she continued to raise awareness for in her later years.

Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson was the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson and better known by her nickname, “Lady Bird.” During her political years, she became a strong advocate for the beautification of cities and highways.

Barbara Pierce Bush met her future husband George Bush when she was just 16 years old at a dance over Christmas break. At the time, she was a student at Ashley Hall, a boarding school in South Carolina, and George Bush was in his last year at Phillips Academy, located in Massachusetts.

Looking for more names that might befit a future leader? Check out TheBump.com for more inspiration.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

More Baby Names Articles

smiling baby with bright green background
10 Brat-Inspired Names for Baby’s “Brat Summer,” “Brat Fall” and “Brat Life”
By Isolde Quirante
newborn baby dressed in disney princess dress
Disney Movies Have Skyrocketed These 10 Baby Names to Popularity
By Wyndi Kappes
tombstones in cemetery surrounded by colorful flowers
Local Cemeteries Are the Newest Source for Baby Name Inspiration
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother and father holding newborn baby in hospital bed
America's Most Popular Baby Names, According to the SSA's 2023 Report
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and newborn baby in hospital after labor and delivery
New Zealand’s List of Banned Baby Names Includes Some US Favorites
By Wyndi Kappes
mom holding baby and smiling
When Do Babies Recognize Their Name?
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
siblings kissing newborn baby
Top Baby Name Trend Predictions for 2024
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
mom holding newborn baby in delivery room
Mom Blames Her Labor Meds for Hilarious Birth Certificate Mishap
By Wyndi Kappes
baby wearing a graduation cap
These Are the Most Popular Names Among Ivy League Graduates, Study Says
By Wyndi Kappes
Mookie Betts
Dad Makes Good on Home Run Bet: Names Baby After Dodgers’ Mookie Betts
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
parents kissing baby
These Are the Most Popular Baby Names Around the World
By Wyndi Kappes
happy young mother and father sitting in baby's nursery with newborn baby
10 Tips for Choosing a Baby Name
By The Bump Editors
Baby Names - Learn More
Baby Names - Learn More
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
sleeping newborn baby
The Bump's Most Popular Boy, Girl and Unisex Names in 2022
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother and baby feet dipping toes in the ocean at the beach
Check Out These Beach Baby Names Fit for a Summer Baby
By The Bump Editors
family of four hiking and traveling the world
The Most Popular Baby Names Inspired by Travel for Boys and Girls
By Nehal Aggarwal
happy family holding their little baby
The Most Popular Baby Names for Boys and Girls by State
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
newborn baby sleeping on a pile of flowers
20 Popular Flower Baby Names to Consider for Baby Boys and Girls
By Nehal Aggarwal
toddler girl looking on the window at home with Ukraine flat painted on face
20 Ukrainian Baby Names to Honor Your Homeland and Heritage
By Nehal Aggarwal
baby names that mean love
30 Heart-Melting Baby Names That Mean Love
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List