Historic and Vintage Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.
Pet is an unusual feminine name that originated as a diminutive nickname form of names like Patricia or Petra. It derives from the same Latin root 'petra' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' While more…
Greek
"loving mankind"
A Greek name with a charming meaning and mythological ties, Philander has long been too close to "philanderer" for English speakers to consider.
Diminutive of color name Pink
"pink"
Aside from the singer, there aren't many people around named Pink or Pinkie or Pinky -- zero, in fact. In its heyday in the late 19th century, Pinkie was probably used for someone with pink skin, not…
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…
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…
Short form of Prudence, English virtue name
"caution"
Prudy does not improve on Prudence.
Latin
"small plum"
Most ella names are hot, but this is one that won't catch fire because of the disagreeable connotations of prunes.
English nature name
Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.
Rube is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Reuben, a Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son'. Historically, it gained recognition in American culture as a nickname and eventually as…
Short form of Sally, diminutive of Sarah, Hebrew
"princess"
Sal is a cute spin on the trend of boyish nicknames for girls, rarer than Sam or Ali.
Sherm is traditionally a masculine name that originated as a nickname or shortened form of Sherman. Sherman itself derives from the Old English occupational surname meaning 'shearer of woolen cloth'…
German
"noble wolf"
Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given…
English
"son of Simon"
Try Simon. Or Homer.
"a female who has one or both parents in common with another"
Sister is an old-timey nickname-name for girls, ranking in the Top 1000 as a proper name for girls until the beginning of the 20th century. But more often, Sister was used as a nickname in the truest…
Stu is a masculine name primarily used as a diminutive of Stuart, Stewart, or Stanley. Stuart and Stewart originated as Scottish surnames derived from the Old English 'stig-weard,' meaning 'household…
Tammi is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Tamara, which has Hebrew roots meaning 'palm tree.' It gained particular popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s,…
Tennis is a highly unusual masculine name derived from the popular sport. The sport itself got its name from the French word 'tenez' (meaning 'take this' or 'here it comes'), which was called out by…
Tiny is an endearing feminine name that originated as a diminutive nickname before occasionally being used as a given name. It directly references small stature or youthfulness, deriving from the…
Diminutive of Patricia or Letitia
Traditionally a short form for Patricia — or in the Addam's family, Morticia.
