Historic and Vintage Names
Medieval Names
Across 17 pages
of 17
Annabel
Scottish variation of Amabel
"loving"
Annabel is a spirited name that embodies quirky British gentility. Appearing in Scotland as early as the twelfth century, where it was a royal name, it also recalls the romantic Edgar Allan Poe poem…
Celestina
Italian and Spanish variation of Celeste
"heavenly"
We are hearing more of such heavenly names as Celeste and Celia, which opens the door to the range of lovely variations rarely heard before. Celestina is one of them, though given the more accessible…
Cecily
Feminine variation of Cecil
"blind"
Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily…
Anice
Variation of Agnes
"pure, virginal"
Anice and Annis are variations of Agnes that have fallen from use, perhaps because of pronunciation issues. Neither spelling was used for any baby girls in the US in the most recent year counted,…
Casilda
Spanish
"poem, ode; battle"
An obscure medieval saint's name which nevertheless sounds pretty on-trend right now: a softer alternative to Matilda, perhaps. If you're searching for Spanish names for girls , this can make an…
Angharad
Welsh
"much loved"
This name dates back to Arthurian legend, in which Angharad was the lover of Percival, one of the Knights of the Round Table, and was used more recently for the name of the favorite wife of the…
Aldus
Variation of Aldous, English from German
"old"
The name Aldus gained some recognition through Aldus Manutius, a renowned 15th-century Italian printer and publisher who founded the Aldine Press. The name might be more familiar in its Aldous form,…
Africa
Place name, various meanings
Most Africas today would be named for the continent, but the name actually existed in Scotland in medieval times, where there was a Celtic queen named Affrica. Africa has also been a Spanish name for…
Bráulio
Spanish from German
"glowing"
Bráulio was a medieval bishop and saint whose name has an energetic, modern quality.
Bronwen
Welsh
"white breast"
Bronwen is widespread in Wales, but still rare enough here to sound somewhat international — we think Bronwen is a real winner. (Note: the Bronwyn spelling is an Anglicization, since the -wyn ending…
Anchoret
English from Welsh
A medieval Anglicization of the Welsh name Angharad, meaning "more love". A possible variant form is Ingaret.
Blanchefleur
French
"white flower"
A widely used name in medieval Europe that's been almost completely forgotten. Blanche still reads as old lady-ish, and the frilly "-fleur" doesn't make it feel younger. But it could be a striking,…
Bess
English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.
Amparo
Spanish and Portuguese
"refuge, shelter"
Amparo is a medieval name related to the Virgin Mary most closely associated with the city of Valencia, in Spain. Although it does not appear at all on the most recent US name roster, meaning it was…
Aldin
Aldin is a masculine name with Germanic roots, likely derived from the elements 'ald' meaning 'old' or 'wise' and 'win' meaning 'friend.' This creates a meaning along the lines of 'old or wise…
Bertille
French
"heroine, bright maiden"
The name of medieval French saint, similar to Sally Field's name, Bertrille, on the old The Flying Nun sitcom, leading some to expect the word "Sister" in front of it.
Emiland
French
"rival or emulator"
An almost forgotten, but rather dashing, medieval French member of the Emil- family of names.
Berengaria
Latin
"bear spear"
Berengaria was one of the medieval queens of England - married to Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart). She was originally from Navarre (in modern northern Spain) and despite being the…
Emeric
French form of German Emmerich
"power"
A name popular both in France (where it's Number 405) and within the Cajun population, it's more substantial than Eric, and occurs twice in the Harry Potter series.
Emelisse
French
"rival"
A medieval French name little used today, which certainly appeals to modern tastes.