Historic and Vintage Names
Extinct Names
Across 9 pages
of 9
About this list
These extinct names were commonly used for babies decades ago, but today have faded from use for reasons that may in many cases be obvious. While there are a few possible choices in this collection of names given to zero babies in the US, most are off the table for now.
Perhaps it was not difficult to be named Nimrod or Velva in 1920, but those names would be difficult for any child to carry today. Some of these baby names are no longer used because of changes in slang, some because of changes in values or unpleasant associations.
And then there are the extinct names that are simply way out of style, often extinct spelling variations of once-popular names or antiquated names that have acquired such a thick layer of dust it's hard to imagine them ever feeling shiny and baby-ready again.
Whatever the reason, many of these extinct baby names should probably stay extinct. Read this list of extinct baby names for a laugh — did people really do that?!? — but if you're looking for a lovely antique baby name, try this big list of Vintage Baby Names instead.
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The names
Hyman
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…
Handy
English
"useful"
Handy was once an English nickname, given to someone who was useful and skilled. It has a similar vibe to Curley, Doc, Dusty, and Muley, wordy nicknames that you might find in a John Steinbeck novel.
Simpson
English
"son of Simon"
Try Simon. Or Homer.
Plummer
English occupational name
Plummer might be an occupational name for someone who works with pipes -- yes, like a plumber -- or with feathers, from the Olde English (from the French) plume. Or it could indicate someone who…
Orange
Fruit and color name
No babies of any gender were named Orange in the US in the most recent year counted. But that doesn't mean, in this era of anything-goes baby names, that it couldn't happen. In fact, Orange did…
Burt
Burt is a masculine name with Germanic origins, typically serving as a shortened form of Burton, which meant 'fortified settlement' or 'fortress town.' The name gained notable popularity in the…
Wilkie
Scottish surname from a diminutive of William
"resolute protection"
William was such a popular name, thanks to the Conquerer, in early England that it gave rise to a range of nicknames, including the distinctly Scottish Wilkie. Heard mostly as a surname these days,…
Barb
English diminutive of Barbara, Greek
"foreign woman"
Barb is a midcentury nickname name that, like Deb and Sue, feels terminally dates now. But with the revival of Barbie, Barb may not be far behind.
Hedwig
German
"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.
Irl
Irl is a compact, masculine name with both Irish and Germanic roots. In Irish contexts, it's believed to be a shortened form of 'Ireland,' potentially conveying patriotic sentiment. Its Germanic…
Gaylord
French
"brisk, high-spirited"
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
Wirt
Wirt is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from ancient words meaning "worthy" or "deserving." It may also have roots as an occupational surname for an innkeeper or host (from Middle…
Pat
Diminutive of Patrick
"noble, patrician"
As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name . Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.
Pleas
Pleas is an uncommon masculine name with American origins, most likely derived as a short form of Pleasant or possibly as a variant spelling of the Greek name Plies. Historically, it appeared…
Algie
Algie is a vintage masculine name that originated as a diminutive of names beginning with 'Alg-' such as Algernon or Albert. With Old French and Germanic roots, it gained modest popularity in the…
Friend
Word name
Sociable middle name choice with a Quaker feel.
Colon
Colon is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'colonus' meaning 'farmer' or 'settler.' It shares etymological roots with words related to colonization and cultivation. While…
Littleton
Littleton is a masculine name of English origin that began as a geographical surname referring to someone from any of several places named Littleton in England. These place names typically combined…
Rice
English nature name
Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.
Deforest
English
"living near the forest"
Nature surname with an aristocratic edge. Spelling it DeForest distances it from deforestation.
