By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Dolphus is a masculine name with historical roots as a variant or diminutive of Adolphus, which derives from the Old High German name 'Adalwolf,' meaning 'noble wolf.' This shortened form emerged…
Sherm is traditionally a masculine name that originated as a nickname or shortened form of Sherman. Sherman itself derives from the Old English occupational surname meaning 'shearer of woolen cloth'…
Dilbert is a masculine name of Germanic origin, combining elements meaning 'brilliant' and 'bright.' While historically a legitimate given name, it gained significant cultural recognition through…
English
"bright forest"
Unfashionable surname, best left in the forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
Diminutive of Richard
"dominant ruler"
Dick was a once-common short form of Richard; replaced by Rick or Richie, and finally by the full name itself. Rude meaning -- make that two rude meanings -- pretty much knocks this one out of…
Diminutive of Virginia, Latin
"virginal, pure"
Virginia is a hundred years past its peak of the 1920s, but according to Nameberry's own Hundred Year Rule, that means it's due for a comeback. Indeed, Virginia's long downward slide leveled off and…
German
"strong protection"
An ancient saint's name belonging to an 8th century English missionary. Variants include Walpurga and Walpurgis.
Yiddish
"light"
Too close to yenta.
Variation of Orpah, Hebrew
"fawn"
Orpha, with its Biblical roots and its animal meaning, was once a fairly popular name, but fell from sight around the time of the Second World War, along with so many other Old School Names. And its…
"war"
An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
Hebrew
"to complete"
A rare, unisex Biblical name, with a similar feel to choices like Omar, Haziel, Gideon, and Ofir, but also to Montgomery and Grover. In the Bible, Gomer was both a son of Japheth (and therefore…
Latin
"of the garden"
Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth…
"sweet, lovable"
Hilda with a stuffed nose.
Anglicized variation of Chaim
"life"
Hyman was commonly used by first-generation Jewish immigrants to Anglicize Chaim, but similarities to terms like heinie and hymen have taken it out of the realm of modern possibility. The original…
"covered with gold"
Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved…
French
"brisk, high-spirited"
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
Jutta is a feminine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a medieval German form of Judith. The name Judith comes from Hebrew, meaning "woman from Judea" or "praised." Jutta has been used in…
This rare and archaic French name is a little too close to Chlorine for our liking. Despite its flowery origins, Florine has a warrior history - Florine of Burgundy was a female French crusader, who…
Ferd is a short form of Ferdinand, a Germanic name combining 'fardi' meaning journey or travel, and 'nanth' meaning daring or brave. The name suggests a sense of adventure and courage. Ferd gained…
Femeninization of Ernest, English from German
"serious, resolute"
One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine.
