Historic and Vintage Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Toy is a short, distinctive masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In English, it evolved from a nickname possibly derived from the Middle English word for "fun" or "amusement." In Thai…
Diminutive of Patricia
"noble, patrician"
Trish was a cool -- in every sense of the word -- nickname back when Patricia was one of the most popular names in the US, primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. Trish is actually kind of a nickname of a…
Diminutive of Valentina, Valerie, etc, Latin
"strength, health"
Occasionally used as an independent name, but why.
Modern invented name
You're so vain, I bet you think this name is about you.
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…
Vickie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Victoria, which derives from Latin 'victoria' meaning 'victory.' This friendly, approachable nickname gained independent usage in the…
Wanna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of names like Juanita, Wanda, or Giovanna, or it could be derived from Native American languages where it has…
Word name
Warm and open, but way too much teasing potential.
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,…
Diminutive of Wilton, English
"place by a stream"
Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain (born Wilton) lends a sort of mythic quality to his name. Few have ventured to use it since it is so tied to the famed Chamberlain, but it could make an inspired…
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…
English
"bright meadow"
In an earlier time Shirley was used primarily for boys, but the tide turned with the publication of Charlotte Bronte's novel Shirley in 1849, the story of a character whose parents had selected the…
German
"noble wolf"
World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.
Variation of Lorelei, German
"alluring temptress"
The lilting Lorelei has given birth to many variations, including this one, now extinct.
Femininzation of Earl, English word name
"nobleman, warrior"
Earlene is even more out of style than Earl. These are among the names that have not been revived ala the Hundred Year Rule.
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…
Variation of Orpah, Hebrew
"fawn"
Orpha, with its Biblical roots and its animal meaning, was once a fairly popular name, but fell from sight around the time of the Second World War, along with so many other Old School Names. And its…
The misspelling that created an indelibly one-person name. And we mean that literally: Despite Oprah Winfrey's fame and appeal, there were no baby girls named Oprah last year, OR Orpah. The Biblical…
English, feminine variation of Earl
If there's an ancestral Earl you want to honor, consider Early instead.
Spanish
"green"
Verde is an uncommon color name with a Latinate accent, perfect for a spring baby. Other unique color names include Cerulean, Amethyst, and Iolanthe, while color names with green meanings include…
