Historic and Vintage Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
French
"rival or emulator"
An almost forgotten, but rather dashing, medieval French member of the Emil- family of names.
French version of Germanic Ermendrud
"universal strength"
Ermentrude was the name of two medieval queens of France. Despite these distinguished beginnings, this antique name is unlikely to catch on with contemporary parents, perhaps because the first…
English from Greek
"stable"
Eustace was originally popularized by St. Eustace, who was born a Norman nobleman and is said to have been converted to Christianity by seeing a crucifix between the antlers of the deer he was…
English spelling variation of Eberhard
"hardy"
An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the…
Italian
"falcon"
Italian surname most Americans will associate with actress Edie Falco, of Sopranos fame.
English
"happy, joyous"
Fane, used as a nickname in the Middle Ages for someone with a cheerful disposition, is one of the more offbeat members of the Zane-Kane family.
"lucky"
Felix is rising in the chart for boys, and its feminine variations are sure to follow. The best knows these days, thanks to the TV character, is Felicity, but there's also Felicia and Felice. Like…
Scottish
"true sovereignty"
Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the…
Latin
"fleur de lys"
This name was occasionally used in the Middle Ages by members of the House of Sicily. A revival of this floral name would make an interesting addition to the increasingly broad selection of botanical…
Diminutive of Florence
"blooming, flowering"
Florence is back, and the adorable short form Florie (or Flory) is too. Or you could just name her Flora and be done with it.
Germanic
A short form of Old Germanic names starting with the element fulc "people". Variants include Fulk, Fulke and Folke.
Teutonic
"wand-wolf"
Gandolf and variant Gandulf are legitimate names used in medieval Europe, including by several bishops and dukes. From it comes the name of Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer residence. However, to…
Welsh form of Gerald, English and Irish from German,"ruler with the spear"
"ruler with the spear"
A name that has been used in Wales for nearly a thousand years — a famous bearer was the medieval scholar Gerallt Gymro, or Gerald of Wales — but not the most intuitive spelling for non-Welsh…
Variation of Gervaise, French
"skilled with a spear"
This venerable name was introduced to England by the Normans after the conquest of 1066 and was relatively common during the Middle Ages. Saint Gervase, a Christian martyr from Milan, has lent the…
German
"beloved God"
This feminine form of Gottlieb sounds as medieval as it is. It's one medieval name that has not made it into the modern age.
Norse
"battle maid"
Gunilda is a feminine name that reflects the warrior culture of ancient Nordic societies. Historically, variations of this name were used throughout Scandinavia, Germany, and among the Vikings. In…
Old Norse
"battle protection"
A common name in medieval times associated with a historical duchess of Normandy, sometimes referred to as Gunnor. Gunnora is derived from the Old Norse name Gunnvǫr, composed of the elements gunnr ,…
Welsh
"white, flaxen"
While it may look like it to those unfamiliar, Gwenllian is not a blend of Gwendolyn and Lillian! It is in fact a Welsh name, borne by a medieval Welsh princess noted for her bravery and beauty.…
Variation of Guinevere
"white shadow, white wave"
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Scandinavian
"sea competition"
A name from medieval romance with an endearingly clunky sound, à la Sherlock. The most famous modern wearer was twentieth-century psychologist/sexologist Havelock (born Henry) Ellis.
