Historic and Vintage Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Cornish, English
"beloved day"
A loveday in medieval England was a day when people engaged in a dispute would come together and try to resolve their differences amicably. The name was sometimes given to babies, male or female, who…
Form of Latin Amabel
"lovable"
In the Middle Ages, Margaret became Margery, Cecilia became Cecily, and Amabel became Mabel ... and Mabely. Chaucer mentions the name briefly in The Canterbury Tales . It's rare - and maybe a shade…
English diminutive of Maud or Matilda, German
"battle mighty"
Malkin is medieval short form of Maud or Matilda, popular in the Middle Ages. The name later developed folkloric associations, sometimes referring to a female cat (particularly a green-eyed one) or a…
Scottish variation of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
This obscure Margaret variation was a popular name in medieval Scotland and could make a truly distinctive, feminine choice today.
English
"descendant of Mary"
Medieval nickname for Mary that became a surname, then the name of a hotel chain, which makes it unlikely to be adopted as a baby name in modern times.
French diminutive of Maurus, Latin
"dark-skinned"
Maurin comes from the ancient Roman Maurus, which literally means 'Moorish.' This name was traditionally given to people with darker complexions or those from North African descent. Throughout…
Cornish
"a profit from the sea"
A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is…
Irish, meaning unknown
Modwenna is the name of a medieval Irish saint who, according to legend, founded Burton Abbey on the River Trent, site of many miracles. Saint Modwenna, also called Modwen, made a pilgrimage to Rome…
German
"bright or renowned north"
A medieval German saint's name which remained popular in Germany until the middle of the 20th century. It is still in relatively wide use in other European countries, including Poland and Hungary.…
Latin
"golden"
Pretty Victorian-feeling cousin of Ariel; also, more prosaically, a kind of bay window.
Italian
"praise the Lord; deliver us"
An Italian form of expressive Hosanna, this spiritual name might appeal to those who enjoy nicknames Ozzy or Anna. Borne by a number of saints, including a 15th century Italian mystic, Osanna also…
Spanish
"tranquil"
When properly pronounced, has an alluring sound and harmonious meaning.
Cornish variation of Pascal
"Easter"
Pascoe was popular in medieval times and is definitely deserving of revival, especially for a child born in the Easter season. Other spellings are Pasco and Pascow.
Literary name
"head dragon, chief warrior"
The epithet of the legendary king's father Uther in Arthurian legend, later also applied to King Arthur himself. It literally means "head dragon" or "dragon's head", but the name appears in medieval…
"little Peter"
To honor an ancestral Peter.
Perkin sounds a bit Hobbit-ish as a full name, but it might make a good honor name or nickname for a boy called Peter.
Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the…
Norse and French flower name
"poppy"
Poppa of Bayeux was a matriarch of the family that became the House of Normandy. Poppa is a fresh and unexpected medieval name that would work today, given the popularity if Pippa and Poppy.
Welsh
"wheel, circle"
Rhodri, the name of an important ninth century Welsh king known as Rhodri the Great, a renowned warrior who was the ancestor of many of the later dynasties of Wales, was revived in modern Wales. Has…
"slender, fair"
The delicate and haunting Welsh Rhonwen is still a rarity in the U.S., where her English version Rowena is better known, but would be a lovely choice for any parent in search of a name that was both…
