Old Lady Names That Sound New Again

  1. Lucasta
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pure light"
    • Description:

      Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta. Lucasta is a distinctive, rarely used choice and a logical extension of the Luke/Luc/Luca names.
  2. Frederica
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Frederick, English from German
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness.
  3. Elfrida
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "elf power"
    • Description:

      The name of the mother of Aethelred the Unready was once common among the Anglo-Saxon nobility, and was briefly revived during the 19th century, only to be lost once again to history.
  4. Zenobia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "force of Zeus"
    • Description:

      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.
  5. Albertina
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alberta, feminine form of Albert, German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, bright"
    • Description:

      Albertina is a dainty, antiquated -- dare we say demure? -- pet name for Alberta, the feminine spin on the once-popular Albert. With Albert one of the classic boys' names due for a comeback, we can imagine more little girls named Albertina than the zero who get the name today.

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