Historic and Vintage Names
Medieval Names
Across 17 pages
of 17
The names
Gunilda
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…
Gunnora
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 ,…
Gwenllian
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.…
Gwenore
Variation of Guinevere
"white shadow, white wave"
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Havelock
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.
Hawise
English variation of Hadewidis, German
"wide battle"
Hawise is a medieval name that started with Hadewidis. In France, Hadewidis evolved into Haueis, which then became Hawise when the Normans brought the name to England. Hawise and Hawis were also…
Helisent
English, Germanic
"temple path"
Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or…
Heloise
French from German
"healthy; wide"
Heloise is an ancient name related to sleek, peppy classic Eloise. Both ultimately derive from the Germanic name Helewidis, which became Helewis in medieval England. In the twelfth century, the name…
Hermelinda
German
"powerful and gentle"
An ancient Germanic name that's so clunky and contrarian it's actually cool. One famous Hermelinda was a medieval queen of the Lombards; another was a Belgian saint. Though neither Herman nor Linda…
Hewet
Diminutive of Hugh, English from German
"mind, intellect"
Hewet is a masculine name with medieval English origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic element 'hug' meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.' This charming…
Hodge
Variation of Roger, German
"famous warrior"
Hodge is a medieval English nickname for Roger, which was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Roger isn't ready for a comeback yet, but we'd love to see the resurgence of Hodge,…
Hutchin
Diminutive of Hugh, English from German
"mind, intellect"
Right in between Hitch (as in the Will Smith movie) and Hudson, Hutchin is a surname and nickname name that has an outside chance of working as a first name for boys. If you're naming your son for an…
Idalia
Greek, Germanic
"behold the sun; work, labor"
A pretty, if unusual choice for a summer baby, particularly a girl with an ancestor named Ida. An epithet of the goddess Aphrodite, Idalia is derived from the Greek place name Idalion. It may also be…
Idonia
Norse
"love again, renewal"
Idonia is form of the Norse goddess name Idun or Idony, who ruled over magic life-giviing golden apples. Idonia was used in England during the Middle Ages but gradually faded from common usage by the…
Idony
English, Norse
"love again, renewal"
Idony is a Medieval variation of Idonea, itself an English form of Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth. She was notable for carrying, keeping, and guarding the box of apples from…
Imiza
Diminutive of Irmentrude
"universal strength"
This name was used by the royal House of Luxembourg in the Middle Ages, as a diminutive of Irmentrude. We definitely think this spunky shortening improves upon the heavy German original.
Immilla
Diminutive of Irmengard
"universal enclosure"
Immilla is a soft and mellifluous sounding name which is exponentially more attractive than the original. The name offers several lovely nickname options, such as Immy, Millie, and Mila. Immilla of…
Isabeau
French variation of Isabel
"pledged to God"
With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist. Isabeau of Bavaria was the wife of King Charles VI of…
Ismerie
French
This French form of the name Ismeria is one of those uncommon names that's been consistently used in France since the middle ages.The origins of this rare name are shrouded in mystery. Ismeria /…
Isolde
Welsh, German
"ice ruler"
Sleek, sharp, and soulful, Isolde is the German form of Iseult, the fabled lover of Tristan in the Arthurian romances. First appearing in the 12th-century, the name was fairly popular in the form of…
