User-created list
Obscure (At the time) 1880's names
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Capitola
Literary invention
Capitola owes its position on the US Top 1000 to the 1859 novel The Hidden Hand , also known as Capitola the Madcap . It was written by E. D. E. N. Southworth — the initials stand for Eliza Dorothy…
Carlotta
Italian variation of Charlotte, French diminutive of Charles
"free man"
Carlotta has a large measure of finger-snapping charm and substance — despite being a not too pleasant character in The Little Mermaid . Carlotta is also the diva/prima donna in The Phantom of the…
Celestia
Variation of Celeste, Latin
"heavenly"
Celestia is a heavenly name that sounds more ethereal than Celeste, Celestia might make a distinctive, feminine choice if your taste runs toward names like Angelina and Seraphina. Celestia was more…
Chesley
Chesley is a masculine name of Old English origin meaning 'camp clearing' or 'meadow settlement.' With roots as an English surname, it transitioned to occasional first-name use in the 19th century.…
Claribel
English combination of Clara + -bel, Latin
"bright + beautiful"
Claribel improves on its mother name Clarabelle by distancing itself from the clown and the cow.
Commodore
Commodore is a masculine name derived from the military naval rank, which originated from the French 'commandeur' and Latin 'commendare' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to command.' As a given name, it…
Cornelious
Spelling variation of Cornelius
"horn"
Cornelious is an elaborated spelling variant of Cornelius, a masculine name with ancient Roman roots. The name derives from the Roman clan name Cornelius, possibly stemming from the Latin word…
Cyril
Greek
"lordly"
A British-accented Greek name with an intellectual image that has been off the U.S. charts since 1966, but was a Top 300 name at the turn of the last century. We have the feeling Cyril's ready for a…
Dana
English, Slavic, Persian Arabic
"from Denmark, gift, or wise"
Baby girl Danas outnumber baby boys with the name nearly ten to one. But Dana is an attractive, sleek name that can certain work for babies of either gender.
Eldon
English
"sacred hill"
Popular in the 1920s, Eldon is a retro name that's waiting to be rediscovered. It has a similar placename/surname appeal to current Top 1000 names Alden and Holden. Several towns in the US and UK…
Eldridge
English
"old, wise leader"
Name long associated with eloquent Black Panther activist Eldridge Cleaver and jazz great Roy Eldridge.
Electa
American, Greek
"chosen, elected; amber"
An early American name inspired by the word spiritual word "elect" and by a passage in the New Testament in which the Christian Church is referred to as "The Elect Lady and Her Children". Used in the…
Eleonora
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor
Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
Elfrieda
English
"elf power"
Form of Elfrida that has an old-fashioned sound you just might find cool.
Eliga
Eliga is a rare masculine name with uncertain origins. It may be a variant of Elijah, which comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' Alternatively, it could derive from Greek…
Elvie
English diminutive of Elva, Irish
"leader of the elves"
If Ellie and Evie are fashionable, why not Elvie? This is a diminutive of the Anglicized version of the Irish name spelled Ailbhe.
Elwin
Elwin is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon origins, combining the elements 'elf' and 'friend,' thus meaning 'elf friend' or 'friend of elves.' This charming meaning connects the name to folklore and…
Erie
Erie is an uncommon feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Erie Native American tribe and the Great Lake named after them, giving it a natural, geographical connection.…
Euphemia
Greek
"fair speech"
Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.
Eura
Eura is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Greek, possibly related to Europa, meaning 'wide-gazing' or 'broad.' Alternatively, it could be a variant of Yura, with…