Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls
- Rosabelle
Origin:
English compound name, Rosa + BelleMeaning:
"rose + beautiful"Description:
Rosabelle is a charming feminine name combining the classic 'Rosa' (meaning 'rose' in Latin) with the French suffix 'belle' (meaning 'beautiful'). This elegant compound name literally translates to 'beautiful rose,' evoking images of the beloved flower.
- Mirabella
Origin:
Italian variation of MirabelleMeaning:
"wonderful"Description:
The short-lived magazine edited by former Vogue chief Grace Mirabella put this beautiful name off-limits for a while, but now it's perfectly fit to join the fashionable Bella pantheon. More distinctive than Isabella.
- Jeanetta
Origin:
Variation of Jeanette, FrenchMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Jeanette is a fancification of Jeanne, Jeanetta makes it even fancier.
- Meggie
Description:
Meggie is a diminutive form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek word "margarites" meaning "pearl." This affectionate nickname has a sweet, friendly quality that has made it endure through generations, though it's less common as a formal given name. Meggie gained some popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly after the publication of Colleen McCullough's novel "The Thorn Birds" (1977), which featured a protagonist named Meggie Cleary. The name has a youthful, energetic feel and is often associated with warmth and approachability. While not ranking high on most popularity charts as a standalone name, Meggie continues to be used as both a nickname and given name, especially in Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of the United Kingdom.
- Terry
Origin:
English, diminutive of TheresaMeaning:
"to harvest"Description:
Terry hit the Top 30 in the fifties when it was seeen as a cool, sleek gender neutral name, but it's long since lost that edge. Today's Terry would probably be Tess or Tessa.
- Mayella
Origin:
Compound name, combining May, Mary, Margaret or Maya with EllaMeaning:
"Maytime fairy; beloved fairy; pearl-like fairy; fairy mother"Description:
A sunny sounding name, Mayella is a smoosh name with various meanings, depending on which etymological root you follow for May. The name is perhaps most associated with Mayella Ewell in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a character whose loneliness and desperation spark the main plot of the book. This may well put parents off using the name and it is only ever given to a handful of girls every year.
- Ena
Origin:
Diminutive of several namesDescription:
Baby names that started off as diminutives -- Ena, Ita, Etta -- seem too insubstantial for a modern female.
- Dovie
Origin:
Diminutive of Dove or Deborah, English, HebrewMeaning:
"dove; bee"Description:
Dovie was a fairly popular nickname name a century or more ago, dropping off the Top 1000 in the 1940s only to be heading back uphill now. Given to around 30 girls in a recent year, Dovie has a way to go to enter the Top 1000 again but with Novie, Jovie, Goldie, and Stevie in the charts, it might rank in the future.
- Sookie
Origin:
Variation of Sukey, pet form of SusannaMeaning:
"lily"Description:
This spelling seems to be taking off as a result of media appearances as characters in first "Gilmore Girls" and then as Sookie Stackhouse, the Anna Paquin character in "True Blood," based on "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" series of books by Charlaine Harris.
- Mehitabel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God rejoices"Description:
Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.
- Athalie
Origin:
Hebrew and FrenchMeaning:
"God is praised"Description:
An interesting cousin of Natalie (the 'h' is silent) found in the Louisiana Cajun community, Athalie is the name of a tragedy by classic French playwright Racine.
- Seraphima
Description:
Seraphima is a feminine name with celestial origins, derived from 'seraphim'—the highest order of angels in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name literally connects to the Hebrew word 'seraph,' meaning 'to burn,' reflecting the fiery, radiant nature attributed to these heavenly beings. This elaborate form expands on the more common Serafina or Seraphina, adding an exotic, mystical quality. While rare in Western countries, variations of this name have historical usage in Eastern Orthodox countries, particularly Russia, where it appears as Serafima. The name carries powerful connotations of spiritual purity, divine protection, and ethereal beauty. Its uncommon nature appeals to parents seeking a name with profound religious significance and melodic elegance.
- Ilene
Origin:
Greek variation of HelenDescription:
Ilene might be a phonetic way to spell Aileen or Eileen, though in the end people may have more luck pronouncing the original.
- Hilma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"protective helmet"Description:
Hilma is heard in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and sometimes used as a shortening of Wilhelmina--though there are more appealing German names for girls. to be found. Hilma Wolitzer is an American novelist and the mother of author Meg Wolitzer.
- Harriett
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"home ruler"Description:
This alternative spelling of Harriet has always ranked in the England top 1000, reaching as high as the top 50 in the late 1800s. The extra T changes nothing about the pronunciation but adds a little flair and balances out the double R's in the middle of the name.
- Vivianna
Description:
Vivianna is a feminine name derived from Latin roots, elaborating on the name Vivian or Viviana, ultimately from 'vivus' meaning 'alive' or 'full of life.' This melodic four-syllable name carries connotations of vitality, energy, and vibrance. Vivianna appears across several European naming traditions, particularly in Italian, Spanish, and Latin American cultures. The extra syllable adds a flowing, romantic quality to the already lyrical Viviana. While less common than Vivian or Viviana, Vivianna has maintained steady if modest usage. The name's repeated 'vi' sound creates a pleasing rhythm, while the 'anna' ending connects it to classic feminine names. Vivianna offers the perfect balance of familiarity and distinction, conveying both timeless elegance and life-affirming meaning.
- Hortensia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of the garden"Description:
Hortensia is an ancient Roman name that's also the common name of the flower hydrangea. The French form of the name is Hortense, which is coming back into style in Paris but has never caught on in English-speaking countries. A secondary character in Roald Dahl's Matilda is named Hortensia.
- Hepzibah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my delight is in her"Description:
This is a streamlined spelling of the biblical Hephzibah. Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.
- Madge
Origin:
Diminutive of Margery or MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A super diminutive nickname name, and sometime Madonna nickname – it was how the British tabloids referred to her when she moved to London in the 1990s, which she found annoying until then husband Guy Ritchie said it stood for 'Your Majesty'. Madge Undersee is Katniss's best friend in The Hunger Games books.
- Ilma
Origin:
Finnish, Hungarian, Spanish, or literary QuenyaMeaning:
"air; starlight"Description:
A name that's unknown in the US and Britain but is popular as a nature name in Finland. May also be known as a Hungarian variation of Amelia and a Spanish form of Wilhelmina.