Old Hollywood Names for Girls

Fay

English

"fairy"

Fay, also spelled Faye, who had been napping quietly since the 1930's, has, like cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae, sat up and started rubbing her eyes, ready for a mini-comeback, especially as a middle…

Kay

English, diminutive of Katherine, Greek

"pure"

Kay, a cigarette-smoking, nightclubbing name of the 1930's, could be ready for a comeback along with cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae. Kay has been out of sight since the mid-eighties, but was in the…

Katharine

Spelling variation of Katherine, Greek

"pure"

This is the spelling that old-time film star Katharine Hepburn used, and it's still favored by fans wanting to reference her classic strength and beauty. But in general, it's losing ground to…

Sheridan

Irish

"searcher"

Upper crust-y surname Sheridan gains some energy when used for a girl.

Tierney

Irish

"descendent of a lord"

An uncommon Irish-accented surname that seems particularly well suited to a girl. Tierney Sutton is a well-known jazz singer. Tierney, in its original Tiarnach form, was the name of several saints.…

Temple

English

"dweller near the temple"

The old word name Temple has gained some recent notice as a girls' name via admired autistic writer and inventor Dr. Temple Grandin (born Mary Temple), subject of an acclaimed biopic, in which she…

Bette

Diminutive of Elizabeth

Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.

Hedy

Diminutive of Hedwig

Linked to one of the great screen beauties, but has never appealed much to Americans.

Gardner

English

"keeper of the garden"

One of the best of this fashionable occupational group, strong and particularly well suited to a girl, also with alluring connection to glamour girl Ava Gardner.

Gene

Short form of Eugenia, feminine of Eugene, Greek

"wellborn, noble"

Jean is primed to rise again – particularly in the middle slot. So could Gene follow suit? This spelling is still more commonly a male name, short for Eugene or given as a standalone, but it works as…

Hayward

English occupational surname

"guardian of the hedged enclosure"

An appealing alternative to Hayden and Hayes, perhaps in homage to Old Hollywood actress Rita Hayward.

Havilland

English surname

"goat estate"

Hollywood golden girl Olivia de Havilland gives her surname a distinctly glamourous feel despite its more humble meaning. The single-L Haviland spelling is used more frequently.

Theda

Short form of Theodora or Theodosia, Greek

"gift of God"

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.

Bardot

French surname

Bardot joined the first and last names of other glamour girl icons such as (Jean) Harlow when David Boreanaz chose the surname of '50s French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot for his daughter. Bardot…

Garland

Word name

Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz .