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Extinct Names

  1. Brunette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "woman with brown hair"

    • Description:

      Brunette is an unusual feminine name derived from the French word for a woman with brown hair. While more commonly recognized as a descriptive term rather than a given name, it has occasionally been used as a female name throughout history, particularly in French-speaking regions or among families with French heritage.
  2. Colon

    • Description:

      Colon is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'colonus' meaning 'farmer' or 'settler.' It shares etymological roots with words related to colonization and cultivation. While uncommon as a first name in most English-speaking countries, it has seen occasional use in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly as a variant of Colón, which was the Spanish rendering of Christopher Columbus's surname. The name's pronunciation differs from the anatomical term (the colon punctuation mark derives from Greek 'kolon' meaning 'limb' or 'part'). As a given name, Colon remains rare, ranking outside the top 1000 names in popularity charts across most countries.
  3. Nicki

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Nicola, Nicole, Nicolette

    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"

    • Description:

      Once the teenaged babysitter, now more likely to be the mom who hires her. The names many variations include Nickee, Nickie, Nickey, Nicky, Niki, Nikkee, Nikkey, Nikki, Nikkie, Nikky, and Niky.
  4. Trish

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patricia

    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"

    • Description:

      Trish was a cool -- in every sense of the word -- nickname back when Patricia was one of the most popular names in the US, primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. Trish is actually kind of a nickname of a nickname, Tricia, best known as Tricia Nixon, the daughter of President Richard who named after her mother, who was called Pat. Trish, along with almost every other name related to Patricia including Pat, Patti, Patsy, and Tricia, is seriously out of fashion today.
  5. Oddie

    • Origin:

      Variation of Odie, English or German

    • Meaning:

      "of the valley; wealthy"

    • Description:

      We can't get past the odd part of this name.
  6. Nedra

    • Origin:

      Variation of Nedda, Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "born on Sunday"

    • Description:

      Nedra was one of a phalanx of names -- Delma, Verda, Vernice -- popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that dropped out of fashion after World War II and now have disappeared completely. Like the others, Nedra is now extinct.
  7. Nedra

    • Origin:

      Variation of Nedda, Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "born on Sunday"

    • Description:

      Nedra was one of a phalanx of names -- Delma, Verda, Vernice -- popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that dropped out of fashion after World War II and now have disappeared completely. Like the others, Nedra is now extinct.
  8. Wirt

    • Description:

      Wirt is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from ancient words meaning "worthy" or "deserving." It may also have roots as an occupational surname for an innkeeper or host (from Middle High German "wirt"). The name is quite uncommon in modern usage, giving it a distinctive and vintage quality. Wirt gained some recognition through the character Wirt from the animated miniseries "Over the Garden Wall," which introduced it to a new generation. Its short, strong sound and traditional Germanic heritage make it an understated choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth but minimal contemporary usage.

  9. Sister

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "a female who has one or both parents in common with another"

    • Description:

      Sister is an old-timey nickname-name for girls, ranking in the Top 1000 as a proper name for girls until the beginning of the 20th century. But more often, Sister was used as a nickname in the truest sense of the word, not a short form ala Kathy but a nickname in the way that Chip and Bud are. Or maybe Junior is a more appropriate name analogy: Sister was sometimes the nickname given to the only girl in a family of boys, so literally a descriptive word name like Junior.
  10. Stu

    • Description:

      Stu is a masculine name primarily used as a diminutive of Stuart, Stewart, or Stanley. Stuart and Stewart originated as Scottish surnames derived from the Old English 'stig-weard,' meaning 'household guardian.' As a standalone name, Stu gained some usage in the mid-20th century during a trend toward friendly, approachable shortened names. It projects a casual, unpretentious quality with a distinctly mid-century feel. While never ranking highly as a formal given name, Stu maintains recognition through cultural references like the character Stu Pickles from the animated series 'Rugrats' and various sports personalities. Today, it's more commonly used as a nickname rather than a legal given name.

  11. Merilee

    • Origin:

      English, word name or combination of Mary and Lee, or Scottish place-name

    • Description:

      Merilee and Merrilee were early respelled or word names, ahead of their time in some ways. Merrilee hit the Top 1000 for a couple of years in the 1940s, but last year no baby girls were given either version of the name in the US, which makes it more appealing.
  12. Cindi

    • Description:

      Cindi is a feminine name that emerged as a diminutive and variant spelling of Cindy, which itself originated as a nickname for Cynthia. The name ultimately derives from Greek mythology, where Cynthia was an epithet for Artemis, the goddess of the moon, who was born on Mount Cynthus. This simplified spelling variation gained particular popularity during the 1950s and 1960s in the United States when nicknames as formal names became fashionable. The name received additional attention through cultural references like singer Cyndi Lauper (though she uses a different spelling). Cindi has a friendly, unpretentious quality that conveys cheerfulness and approachability. While its peak popularity has passed, the name maintains an enduring charm with its bright sound and retro appeal, evoking nostalgia for mid-century American culture.
  13. Dorinda

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bountiful gift"

    • Description:

      Cinderella stepsister type Victorian-valentine name.
  14. Nance

    • Description:

      Nance is a feminine name with roots as both a medieval diminutive of Ann/Anne and as an English surname. The name Anne derives from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' As a given name, Nance was more common in medieval and early modern periods, particularly in Cornwall, England, where it also developed as a surname. The name experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century in America but has since become quite rare as a first name. Nance carries a vintage, simple charm while maintaining connections to the more traditional Ann/Anne family of names. It's sometimes seen as a nickname for Nancy, which itself originated as a diminutive of Ann. Today, Nance might appeal to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with historical roots and a connection to English heritage.

  15. Rice

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Description:

      Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.
  16. Kathie

    • Description:

      Kathie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek name Aikaterine, possibly meaning 'pure.' This spelling variation was particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike the more formal Katherine or the variant Kathy, Kathie with an 'ie' ending offers a slightly more distinctive spelling while maintaining the friendly, approachable quality associated with nickname forms. While less common today than in previous generations, Kathie represents a sweet, vintage option that carries nostalgic charm. The name evokes the mid-century era while remaining recognizable and easy to pronounce and spell.

  17. Delma

    • Origin:

      Short form of Adelma, German

    • Meaning:

      "noble, famous"

    • Description:

      Adelma shot to stardom on the coattails of 19th century Eastern European spiritualist Baroness Adelma Vay de Vaya. Delma continued to be used in the US until the 1950s, when it dropped from sight.
  18. Melba

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.
  19. Delmer

    • Origin:

      Variation of Delmar, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "of the sea"

    • Description:

      Delmer is kind of a smoosh of two dated names, Delmar and Elmer, that does not improve on either. While Elmer is making a return as a Geek Chic name, Delmar was given to only 14 baby boys last year while Delmer is extinct.
  20. Girtha

    • Origin:

      Variation of Gertha, English from Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold"

    • Description:

      Don't put "girth" in a baby name.