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Extinct Names

  1. Nedda

    • Origin:

      Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "born on Sunday"

    • Description:

      Midcentury macramé-maker.
  2. Handy

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "useful"

    • Description:

      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.
  3. Dickie

    • Description:

      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 standalone name, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, Dickie is more commonly encountered as a nickname. The name carries a vintage quality, evoking mid-century Americana and British culture where such familiar forms were more commonly formalized. Notable bearers include various athletes and entertainers who preferred this friendly variation. Though its popularity as a formal name has declined in recent decades due to potential teasing concerns and changing naming trends, Dickie remains part of naming heritage particularly in English-speaking countries, representing an era when casual, approachable name forms were embraced.
  4. Marge

    • Origin:

      Short form of Margaret, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.
  5. Kathie

    • Description:

      Kathie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek name Aikaterine, possibly meaning 'pure.' This spelling variation was particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike the more formal Katherine or the variant Kathy, Kathie with an 'ie' ending offers a slightly more distinctive spelling while maintaining the friendly, approachable quality associated with nickname forms. While less common today than in previous generations, Kathie represents a sweet, vintage option that carries nostalgic charm. The name evokes the mid-century era while remaining recognizable and easy to pronounce and spell.

  6. Sal

    • Origin:

      Short form of Sally, diminutive of Sarah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Sal is a cute spin on the trend of boyish nicknames for girls, rarer than Sam or Ali.
  7. Irl

    • Description:

      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 origin suggests a connection to the word 'earl,' denoting nobility and leadership. This concise, one-syllable name projects strength and directness with its sturdy consonant combination. Throughout the early 20th century, Irl enjoyed modest usage in the United States, particularly in rural communities, but has since become exceedingly rare. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer names, though it sometimes faces pronunciation challenges (typically pronounced like 'earl'). Irl might appeal to parents seeking a succinct name with historical depth that remains unfettered by modern trends or popular associations.
  8. Wirt

    • Description:

      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 High German "wirt"). The name is quite uncommon in modern usage, giving it a distinctive and vintage quality. Wirt gained some recognition through the character Wirt from the animated miniseries "Over the Garden Wall," which introduced it to a new generation. Its short, strong sound and traditional Germanic heritage make it an understated choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth but minimal contemporary usage.

  9. Little

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      A name that shows up on the Social Security roles of a hundred years ago. Let's hope it was a never-to-be-repeated mistake.
  10. Nicodem

    • Description:

      Nicodem is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from 'Nikodemos,' which combines 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'demos' meaning 'people' – thus translating to 'victory of the people.' The Biblical figure Nicodemus, a Pharisee who visited Jesus by night and later helped with his burial, has influenced the name's usage across Christian communities. While relatively uncommon in mainstream Western culture, Nicodem maintains popularity in Eastern European countries, particularly Poland and parts of the Orthodox Christian world. The name carries connotations of wisdom, curiosity and thoughtful contemplation, reflecting the Biblical Nicodemus's search for truth. Variations include Nicodemus, Nikodim, and Nicodème.

  11. Barb

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Barbara, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "foreign woman"

    • Description:

      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.
  12. Plummer

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Description:

      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 lived near a plum tree.
  13. Miner

    • Description:

      Miner is a masculine occupational name derived from the English language, referring to someone who works in mines extracting coal, ore, or other minerals. As a first name, Miner is uncommon and carries strong working-class connotations, evoking images of hard work, determination, and industrial heritage. The name gained limited use in America during the 19th century when occupational names were occasionally adopted as given names. While rare in contemporary usage, Miner might appeal to families with mining heritage or those seeking a unique, rugged name with clear meaning and historical significance.
  14. Rice

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Description:

      Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.
  15. Brunette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "woman with brown hair"

    • Description:

      Brunette is an unusual feminine name derived from the French word for a woman with brown hair. While more commonly recognized as a descriptive term rather than a given name, it has occasionally been used as a female name throughout history, particularly in French-speaking regions or among families with French heritage.
  16. Lassie

    • Description:

      The name Lassie originates from Scottish culture, where it was traditionally used as a term for a young girl or maiden. However, its widespread recognition comes primarily from the fictional female collie dog character created by Eric Knight in his 1940 novel 'Lassie Come-Home,' which spawned multiple films and a popular television series. As a human name, Lassie is quite rare, maintaining an affectionate, loyal quality associated with the beloved canine character. The name carries connotations of faithfulness, heroism, and protective instincts. While uncommon as a given name for girls, it may occasionally be used as a nickname for names like Lassarina or simply to evoke the wholesome, classic Americana feel associated with the character.
  17. Velva

    • Description:

      Velva is a feminine name that may have originated as a variant of Velma, which has German origins meaning 'determined protector.' Alternatively, it might relate to Latin 'velum' meaning 'veil' or 'covering.' Velva has a soft, vintage quality reminiscent of names popular in the early 20th century. The name reached its peak of modest popularity in the United States during the 1910s-1920s. Today, Velva is quite rare, offering a distinctive choice with a gentle, nostalgic charm. Its soft consonants create a delicate impression, while the name still carries a sense of substance and history.

  18. Adelma

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble, famous"

    • Description:

      Adelma is likely a feminization of Adelmar, which means famous nobleman. The name was seen a bit during the nineteenth century, with a famous bearer being Adelma Vay, a medium and spiritualist, which may be enough to put this in the new class of spiritual names. Count Adelma among the unusual but intriguing German names for girls.
  19. Deforest

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "living near the forest"

    • Description:

      Nature surname with an aristocratic edge. Spelling it DeForest distances it from deforestation.
  20. Orpah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fawn or gazelle"

    • Description:

      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 girls received either name in the US last year.