Names that Peaked in 1880
Across 15 pages
of 15
Eldora
Spanish
"covered with gold"
An unusual old school name which is made more modern by that fashionable El- beginning.
Ednah
Ednah is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, representing a variant spelling of Edna, which means 'pleasure' or 'delight.' This biblical name appears in the apocryphal Book of Tobit as the…
Minta
English, diminutive of Araminta, invented hybrid name
Minta is an eighteenth century short form of a literary beauty still used in England today, but yet to be discovered by American baby namers. It has a fresh and dainty feel. Virtually unheard today,…
Lucie
French, English
"light"
The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
Lulie
Short form of Lula or Louise, German and French
"renowned warrior"
One of the few Lu- names that you've probably never heard of, Lulie could prove a good alternative for Luna, Lucy, and Lula.
Lovisa
Lovisa is a Scandinavian feminine name, particularly popular in Sweden, derived from Louise, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Ludwig, meaning 'famous warrior' or 'renowned fighter.'…
Dove
Nature name
"dove, a bird"
One of the new bird names, like Lark and Wren, this one's associated with the billing and cooing sounds of love. Soft and gentle, Dove also has the admirable association with peace. Dove was actually…
Araminta
Literature, compound of Arabella and Aminta, Greek
"loveable; unyielding + defender; unfading"
Araminta is a poetic and enchanting eighteenth-century invention with plenty of elegance and a touch of old-fashioned clunkiness. It first appeared in William Congreve's 17th century comedy The Old…
Berta
Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Slovene, Scandinavian variation of Bertha
"bright"
A pan-European variant of Bertha and nickname for -berta ending names, such as Alberta and Roberta. It's certainly much more appealing than its predecessor, but unlikely to become a hit in the US…
Lonnie
Latin
"lion"
An old-timey boyish nickname that works as a diminutive of Leona or Leonie, Alondra, Lorna or any female name with strong L and N sounds.
Lidie
Lidie is a feminine name that likely originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'lid' or 'lyd,' such as Lydia or Elydia. The name Lydia has ancient origins, referring to a region…
Lilla
Hungarian diminutive of Lívia and Lídia, Hindi variant of Lila, Italian, Swedish, and Danish word name
"to envy; from Lydia; lilac; little; purple"
This sweet and underused name is a multicultural choice with a surprising number of meanings. It is used as a diminutive of Lívia and Lídia in Hungary (meaning "envy" and "from Lydia" respectively),…
Mahalia
Hebrew, variation of Mahala
"tenderness, affection"
An underused Biblical name, probably because it's so tightly identified with the Queen of gospel singers, Mahalia Jackson. Other variations include Mahalah, Mahayla, Mahila, Mahilia, Mehalia, Mahali,…
Dorcas
Greek
"doe, gazelle"
Classic name used by the Romans, the Puritans, and the Bard, but pretty much taboo today due to the objectionable connotations of both its front and back ends.
Libbie
Libbie is a charming feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which has Hebrew roots meaning 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God.' This sweet, playful variation emerged in the 19th…
Marietta
Italian diminutive of Maria
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea");…
May
Diminutive of Margaret and Mary; month name
May is a sweet old-fashioned name that hasn't been on the national charts in several decades, but is definitely sounding fresh and springlike. Parents are beginning to see it once more as one of the…
Minnie
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German
"resolute protection"
Minnie was wildly popular at the turn of the last century — it was the fifth or sixth most popular name throughout the 1880s — but is completely obscure in the US today. Blame Mickey's girlfriend.…
Leitha
Leitha is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the River Leitha that forms part of the border between Austria and Hungary, giving the name a natural,…
Daisey
Daisey is a charming feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Daisy. The traditional Daisy comes from the Old English word 'dægesēage,' meaning 'day's eye,' referring to the flower that…