The Most Popular Fragrances of All Time

Popular fragrances give us familiar names for exploring perfume history. Farina Eau de Cologne, Chanel No. 5 and Mugler Angel also offer a way to understand very different scent styles, from citrus-led cologne to floral blends and sweet gourmands.

The dates below refer to the historic creations. When you explore one today, check the exact version: a familiar name can cover later interpretations as well as the original fragrance.

1709: Farina Eau de Cologne

Farina traces its Eau de Cologne to Johann Maria Farina in 1709. Its connection with the German city of Cologne explains the name, while the maker’s current description puts citrus at the opening of the scent.

It is a useful starting point for exploring the cologne tradition. Compare that citrus-led direction with another citrus fragrance, paying attention to the herbal, floral or woody details that accompany it. The word cologne can refer to a style, a concentration or simply fragrance in everyday speech.

1882: Houbigant Fougère Royale

Houbigant dates Fougère Royale to Paul Parquet’s 1882 creation. Its name offers a connection to the fougère family, associated with aromatic, lavender and hay-like or mossy impressions.

Houbigant explicitly describes its present Eau de Parfum as a reworking of the historic composition. Its listed lavender and herbs lead into a floral-spicy heart, followed by mossy, woody and tonka effects. Trying that version can introduce the style while giving you a modern perfume to assess on its own terms.

1917: Coty Chypre

Coty’s own history identifies 1917 as the launch of Chypre de Coty. The name is a useful connection between a historic perfume and the chypre family discussed in fragrance descriptions today.

For a shopper, the helpful idea is contrast: a brighter citrus impression against a mossy, woody character. Floral or fruity elements can change the balance. Use the family description to explore that structure in other perfumes rather than expecting every fragrance called chypre to smell alike.

1921: Chanel No. 5

Chanel records the launch of No. 5 in 1921, created through Gabrielle Chanel’s partnership with Ernest Beaux. It was Chanel’s first perfume, and its name has stayed closely associated with the house.

There are several No. 5 interpretations to explore. Record the concentration and full name when you sample so you can return to the version you liked. Comparing versions is also a useful exercise in how a perfume line can keep a shared identity while offering different compositions; our concentration guide explains that distinction.

1925: Guerlain Shalimar

Guerlain dates Jacques Guerlain’s Shalimar to 1925. The house places it within its amber tradition and gives vanilla a central role in its story.

That makes Shalimar a helpful name to know when exploring amber fragrances. Look at the full version name before sampling: Shalimar Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Shalimar L’Essence are separate choices. A preference for one is a reason to compare the others, rather than assume they are interchangeable.

1992: Mugler Angel

Mugler dates Angel to 1992 and credits Olivier Cresp and Yves de Chirin. Its Eau de Parfum description brings praline and caramel effects together with patchouli and vanilla.

Angel is a useful example of the gourmand direction: edible-smelling sweetness forms part of a perfume composition. Compare that combination with a chocolate-led perfume or another dessert-inspired fragrance, and notice whether you prefer the sweet notes alone or their contrast with darker woods and patchouli.

Explore a Style, Then Choose a Version

Pick the direction that interests you most: citrus cologne, aromatic fougère, mossy chypre, a floral blend, warm amber or gourmand sweetness. Our fragrance-wheel guide explains how these descriptions relate.

For a historic name, start with a sample of a clearly labelled present-day version. Keep its full name in your notes and compare it with another perfume in that style. That gives the history a practical use: a more precise idea of what you want to smell next.