vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered

The extra n makes it feel less like an feminization of Alan and more like a name unto itself. Alanna is more common in Puerto Rico than the original Alana.

Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.

Almira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, possibly derived from Arabic "al-amirah" meaning "princess" or "commander," or from Germanic elements meaning "noble" and "famous." The name also has connections to Latin "mirus" meaning "wonderful." Almira has historical usage across several cultures, including Hispanic, Turkish, Arabic, and Eastern European communities. It enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the late 19th century. The name appears in literary works, including as a character in Handel's opera "Rinaldo." With its melodious sound and multicultural heritage, Almira offers a distinctive yet accessible option with elegant overtones. Its relative rarity in contemporary Western naming makes it stand out while its traditional roots give it substance and history.

Noelle may be literally 15 times as popular, but Noella was given to more than 100 baby girls in the US last year, a not insignificant number. The growing popularity of Nola may increase the attraction to the rare variation on a classic Christmas name.

Jenna is overheated, but Jemma is still cool. Jemma and Gemma are most heard in Australia but are increasingly used in other countries.

Mattie, which might be a short form of Martha, Matilda, or even Madeline, ranked among the Top 100 names for girls in the 1880s and in fact, has held a place among the Top 1000 for most of U.S. naming history. It fell off the popularity charts in 2015 and makes a cute, tomboyish option.

With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.

A name some people first encountered in the old children's book series The Five Little Peppers, in which Sophronia, the youngest of the Peppers is nicknamed Phronsie.`It was also used by Dickens in two of his novels: The Old Curiosity Shop and Our Mutual Friend.

Lovella is most likely a feminine variation on Lovell, a surname. While it feels one of the invented-yet-antiquated girls' names, has the obvious attraction of containing the word "love" within it, as well as the opportunity to use "Ella" as nickname.

Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.

Diantha, a mythological flower of the supreme Greek god Zeus, is a melodious and more unusual cousin of Diana, heard most often in The Netherlands.

Leota is an antique name rarely used any more -- it was given to just 8 baby girls in the US in 2021. Some sources says Leota is a Native American name meaning blue flower.

The disgraced heroine of The Scarlet Letter's name, after long neglect, just might have a chance at revival, following in the wake of sister-name Esther. We've characterized her elsewhere as an eccentric aristocrat, much more accepted in the U.K. than she has been here.

Cyrilla is an obscure feminization of Cyril that's a bit buttoned-up but also intriguingly unique, with an authentic pedigree. Spelling Cirilla is more visible thanks to The Witcher series, in which its the name of the heroine Princess Cirilla, nicknamed Ciri. 40 baby girls were named Cirilla in the US in 2021, vs. only 10 called Cyrilla.

Will as a feminine name represents an interesting gender crossover from its traditional masculine usage. Typically a diminutive of William (meaning 'resolute protector'), Will has occasionally been embraced as a short form for feminine names like Wilhelmina, Willa, or Willow. This concise, strong name carries associations of determination and self-assurance—qualities reflected in its literal meaning. The trend of traditionally male names crossing gender boundaries has gained momentum in recent decades, with Will embodying this movement. Though still quite rare for girls, Will offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name that's both familiar and unexpected. Its simplicity and strength make it appealing as both a given name and nickname.

Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.

Some parents are hoping to bestow good karma on their children with this name, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fate". Associated with the Hindu and Buddhist belief that someone's actions in this life (and their previous ones) decide their future existences, it is more informally used in the Western world to refer to good or bad luck.

On "Sex and the City," Magda was the elderly nanny from the old country -- which is what this name sounds like. While Magdalene and Magdalena are enjoying fresh life, Magda still feels dated.

Lunette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, derived from 'lune,' meaning 'moon.' The '-ette' suffix adds a diminutive quality, essentially meaning 'little moon.' This celestial connection gives Lunette an ethereal, enchanting quality. In French folklore, Lunette appears as a character in Arthurian legends, where she serves as Lady Laudine's confidante. The name has never been widely popular in English-speaking countries but maintains a consistent presence as a distinctive choice. Its lyrical sound and romantic French associations appeal to parents seeking something feminine yet uncommon. The lunar connection also resonates with those drawn to celestial or nature-inspired names.

Nellia is a feminine name with various potential origins. It may be a variant of Nella or Nellie, which are diminutives of names like Eleanor, Helen, or Cornelia. The name has a delicate, vintage quality that evokes the early 20th century while still feeling accessible to modern ears. With roots potentially connecting to Greek 'helene' (bright, shining light) or Latin 'cornelius' (horn), Nellia carries subtle connotations of brightness and strength. Though relatively uncommon in contemporary naming statistics, Nellia provides an alternative to more popular options like Ella or Bella while maintaining a similar melodic quality. The name's soft sounds and feminine ending make it appealing to parents seeking something traditional yet distinctive for their daughters.