Downton Abbey Baby Names That Don't Feel Too Formal

Once you enter the world of "Downton Abbey," there's no turning back. This award-winning historical drama follows the Crawley family as they navigate property heirs, death, love triangles, class struggles, and more against the backdrop of history, from the sinking of the Titanic to the Spanish flu and World War I. The British aristocratic family draws you in with their wit and banter and will have you tracking drama and plotlines like clues on a murder board. This series has been beloved since it premiered in the United Kingdom in 2010, and it is full of inspiration for your baby's name.

If you enjoy "Downton Abbey," you might be tempted to name your baby after your favorite characters, such as Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay), Lady Rose (Lily James), or Tom Branson (Allen Leech). But don't let your love for the period drama influence your choice, or you could accidentally name your baby something too formal and old-fashioned that doesn't match up with your family. Luckily, "Downton Abbey" has tons of character names to choose from that are much more everyday-sounding, including some that are trending on the U.S. Social Security Administration's top 1,000 baby names list of 2025. Check out a few of our favorite "Downton Abbey" baby names below, and use this as an excuse to rewatch the PBS series to discover even more!

As the family matriarch and Countess of Grantham, Cora Crawley (played by Elizabeth McGovern) demands attention. And as a baby name, Cora stands out for its quiet elegance. Cora is of Greek and Latin origin and means "maiden" or "heart." Plus, it was the 113^th most popular baby name in 2025, so it definitely doesn't feel too stuffy for your little one.

If you want a pretty name that's not too fussy, Anna is perfect. Anna comes from Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor." It's the name of Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt), the head housemaid at Downton Abbey, who is a kind, hard worker. It's such a pretty name for a baby girl and popular, too — it ranked No. 107 on SSA's baby name list for 2025.

Daisy is a fresh, feminine name for a girl. In "Downton Abbey," Daisy Mason is the kitchen maid (and later cook), played by Sophie McShera, who often gets in trouble but has a good heart. Daisy is a young, flirty girl, which befits her pretty floral name that means "day's eye" and represents sweet sunshine (and the yellow-and-white flower, of course).

Isobel Crawley, played by Dame Penelope Wilton, is spirited and feisty, with a passion for the sick and injured and a tendency to clash with other members of the household. Her name, Isobel, means "God's promise" and stands out for its unique, non-traditional spelling, which fits her one-of-a-kind personality perfectly. 

Travis isn't a name you would typically think of in posh British society (probably because it makes you think of Taylor Swift's husband, Travis Kelce!), but it is the name of Reverend Travis (Michael Cochrane). He is the serious, conservative preacher who presides over weddings, christenings, and funerals for the family. Travis means "crossing" or "toll gate," and sounds much less pristine than other traditional male names.

She may be known for her stern demeanor and sarcastic quips, but the Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley (Dame Maggie Smith), has a name that's surprisingly dainty. Violet, like the flower, means "purple" and is associated with royalty. Rather than sounding too formal, Violet is popular and cute, ranking No. 13 in the SSA's baby name list for 2025. So, your Violet will be in good company!

Keeping with the fresh, nature-inspired vibes of many of these names is Ivy. In "Downton Abbey," Ivy Stuart (Cara Theobold) is a young, flirty kitchen maid. Her name means "vine" and refers to the climbing plant of the same name. Ivy is far from a pretentious name, and ranked No. 39 on the SSA's baby name list for 2025.