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Eccentric Classic Names

theresaelsmore
By theresaelsmore
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Classic, rare, and charming with a dash of whimsy; these familiar yet seldomly used baby names suit the latest vintage naming trend - without being obvious.
  1. Adelaide

    • Origin:

      Variant of Adelheidis, German

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"

    • Description:

      Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.
  2. Adeline

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Adele

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"

    • Description:

      Adeline has a lovely, old-fashioned "Sweet Adeline" charm, but has become so popular in the US under so many spellings and variations — with Adalynn and Adalyn also popular — that considered together it is far more popular than it first seems. Adorable nickname Addie is also pervasive.
  3. Alastriona

    • Origin:

      Irish: feminine form of Alasdar

    • Description:

      Spelled Alastríona in its native language, this Irish cousin of Alexandra is little-known but fairly intuitive.
  4. Alexandria

    • Origin:

      Variation of Alexandra, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexandria turns classic Alexandra into a more distinctive place-name, in both Egypt and Virginia, while also giving it a touchy of frilliness. The name peaked in the 90s when it entered the US Top 100 for the first time, but has since been on decline.
  5. Alfred

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wise counselor; elf counsel"

    • Description:

      Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
  6. Alphonse

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "noble, ready for battle"

    • Description:

      Rarely used, and for good reason. Alonzo is a preferable choice.
  7. Amelia

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Amelia is one of the hottest girls' names, a successor to the megapopular Emma and Emily. Amelia, the Number 2 choice in England, is now also comfortably ensconced in the US Top 10, where it ranked as the third most popular name for girls in 2024.
  8. Anastasia

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios

    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"

    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  9. Atticus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Attica"

    • Description:

      Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
  10. Auberon

    • Origin:

      English, French, German

    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
  11. Aurelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"

    • Description:

      Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
  12. Apryle
    • Ashleigh
      • Beatrix

        • Origin:

          Latin

        • Meaning:

          "she who brings happiness; blessed"

        • Description:

          Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
      • Beckett

        • Origin:

          English and Irish

        • Meaning:

          "bee hive, little brook or bee cottage"

        • Description:

          Beckett is one of the big baby name hits of the decade.
      • Bidelia

        • Origin:

          Irish

        • Meaning:

          "strength or exalted one"

        • Description:

          Bridget variation that's the root of the unattractive nickname Biddy. Bedelia is another spelling.
      • Blythe

        • Origin:

          English

        • Meaning:

          "happy, carefree"

        • Description:

          Blythe is Nameberry gem — one of those names that visitors to the site are often searching for, despite the fact it's never ranked in the US charts as a given name.
      • Briar

        • Origin:

          English

        • Meaning:

          "a thorny patch"

        • Description:

          Fairy-tale memories of Sleeping Beauty inspire some parents—such as Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen—to call their daughters Briar Rose. But Briar plus a different middle name might work even better. It's one of the newly popular nature-word names, charting in the US for the first time in 2015 for both genders.
      • Bridgett

        • Description:

          Bridgett is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Bridget, originating from the Irish name Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'strength.' Associated with the Celtic goddess Brighid and later with Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints, the name carries significant cultural and religious heritage. This particular spelling with the double 't' gained popularity in the mid-20th century, offering a slightly modernized take on the traditional name. Bridgett peaked in popularity during the 1970s in the United States but has since declined. The name maintains its appeal for parents drawn to Irish heritage or seeking a name that balances classic roots with a contemporary spelling twist.

      • Bronwen

        • Origin:

          Welsh

        • Meaning:

          "white breast"

        • Description:

          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 is masculine in Welsh).