Historic and Vintage Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
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…
Cindi is a feminine name that emerged as a diminutive and variant spelling of Cindy, which itself originated as a nickname for Cynthia. The name ultimately derives from Greek mythology, where Cynthia…
Word name or diminutive of Barbara
You can call your baby "babe," but don't name her that.
English
"proud and hard"
Best known these days as the name of an American department store chain, Dillard was once a baby name that ranked on the US Top 1000, at least until the middle of the last century. Today, Dillard…
Short form of Cornelius, Latin
"horn"
Cornelius is one of the Ancient Roman names that is not quite making a comeback, despite having been a Top 200 name in the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blame Corny, a nickname that…
Chucky is primarily known as a diminutive or nickname form of Charles, which has Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' The name gained notable recognition through the horror film character…
Chuckie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive nickname for Charles or Chuck. While primarily used as a familiar form rather than a formal given name, some parents have chosen it as a…
Feminine form of Arthur, Celtic
"bear"
If you're looking for a girl's name that honors an ancestral Arthur, try Artis.
English, Latin
"man"
Although now usually considered a female name in the US, Carol actually had a good run of popularity for boys too, peaking at #325 in 1937 and remaining in the US Top 1000 until the mid 1960s, when…
Debby is a feminine name primarily used as a diminutive form of Deborah, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'bee.' This friendly, approachable nickname gained independent usage particularly during the…
"living near the forest"
Nature surname with an aristocratic edge. Spelling it DeForest distances it from deforestation.
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…
Dickie is traditionally a masculine name functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of Richard, which has Germanic origins meaning 'strong ruler' or 'brave power.' While sometimes used as a…
Scottish
"son of Dick"
Dickson's nickname problem keeps it from having the upside possibility of similar names like Jackson and Harrison. If you're looking for fresh baby names to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick,…
English word name or variation of Almund or Aleman, German
"almond; noble strength; German"
Almond may seem like a hippy modern name, but its use for American boys goes right back to the mid-nineteenth century. In these cases, it was either a variation of Almund, meaning "noble strength,"…
English diminutive of any girl name that starts with D
Not as lively or independent as Gigi, Kiki, or Coco.
Variation of Verde, Spanish
"green"
Verda was a fairly popular girls' name in the US from the 1880s through the 1920s, when it started to slip, finally dropping from sight after World War II. Today, Verde and Verda are both extinct.
An adorable nickname for a smiley baby, but not suggested as a legal name.
German or English surname
"foolish, mad, strong, ditch"
Briefly used as a male name in the early 20th century. Doll is a surname with a variety of origins and meanings, some more desirable than others.
Hebrew
"fawn or gazelle"
Old Testament name of the daughter-in-law of Naomi, now eclipsed by the originally misspelled Oprah. Oprah Winfrey may have made her name more famous than this original Biblical version, but no baby…
