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Obscure (At the time) 1880's names

  1. Miranda

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "marvelous"

    • Description:

      Miranda, a shimmeringly lovely, poetic name that was invented by Shakespeare for the beautiful and admirable young heroine of his play, The Tempest, is still a recommended choice even though its popularity peaked in the 1990's, partially as an antidote to Amanda. But while Amanda now sounds dated, Miranda retains a good measure of its charm.
  2. Muriel

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "of the bright sea"

    • Description:

      Once a poetic Celtic name, that of the angel who governs the month of June, Muriel became the mom or grandma on TV sitcoms. She does have literary cred via Edinburgh-born author Muriel Spark, author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and also appears as a character in Anne of Green Gables. Muriel was a Top 200 name from 1912 to 1933.
  3. Nelia

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cornelia

    • Meaning:

      "horn"

    • Description:

      This lively and appealing name originated as a short form of Cornelia, but is well able to stand on its own. Nelia is also often in the Hispanic culture, where it can be a short form of Manuela. It did have some American usage in the late nineteenth century, and with Cornelia having a comeback, Nelia could follow.
  4. Nena

    • Description:

      Nena is a charming feminine name with Spanish and Italian origins. It traditionally serves as a term of endearment meaning 'little girl' or 'baby' in Spanish. The name gained international recognition in the 1980s when the German band Nena had a hit with '99 Luftballons'. As a given name, Nena has a sweet, melodic quality that feels both playful and feminine. It can also be used as a nickname for names like Elena, Magdalena, or Anena. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Nena maintains steady usage particularly in Hispanic communities. The name's brevity and easy pronunciation give it a modern feel despite its traditional roots, making it appealing to parents looking for a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural appeal.

  5. Olen

    • Description:

      Olen is a masculine name with multiple origins. In Scandinavian tradition, it derives from the Old Norse name Óláfr, meaning 'ancestor's relic.' In American usage, it has roots as a variant of Owen, meaning 'well-born' or 'young warrior.' In some Slavic regions, it's connected to names meaning 'deer.' Olen has a simple, strong sound with its two distinct syllables. While never extremely popular in the United States, it was most common in the early 20th century, particularly in rural communities. The name has a timeless quality that bridges traditional and modern sensibilities. Olen offers the appeal of being recognizable yet uncommon, giving its bearers individuality without pronunciation challenges.

  6. Olevia

    • Description:

      Olevia is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Olivia, which derives from Latin elements meaning 'olive tree,' a symbol of peace and fertility in ancient cultures. This particular spelling creates a subtly different pronunciation while maintaining connections to the more common form. Olevia emerged as a distinctive alternative, likely gaining limited usage in the mid-to-late 20th century as parents sought unique variations of popular names. While considerably less common than Olivia, Olevia offers a way to honor family members named Olive or Olivia while providing a more distinctive identity. The name carries the same peaceful, nurturing connotations as its root name, with a slightly more vintage or Southern American feel in its pronunciation and appearance.
  7. Orie

    • Description:

      Orie is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it means 'my light' or can be written with characters representing 'weaving' or 'fabric.' In African traditions, particularly Nigerian, it may appear as a variant of Ori, relating to concepts of destiny or head. The name also exists as a diminutive of names like Orion or Orville in Western contexts. Orie has a gentle, flowing quality while maintaining sufficient strength for a masculine name. Its brevity makes it accessible across cultures, while its relative rarity gives it distinction. The name has never ranked among the most popular choices in the United States but maintains a steady, if uncommon, presence. Orie appeals to parents seeking a short, meaningful name with cross-cultural resonance and a soft yet dignified sound.
  8. Orion

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "boundary, limit"

    • Description:

      Orion is a rising star, with both mythical and celestial overtones.
  9. Osborne

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Divine bear; divine warrior"

    • Description:

      A surname style choice that could get you nicknames Bear and Ozzy, which is pretty cool. It comes from the Old English variant of the Old Norse Ásbjǫrn, which was introduced to England after the Norman conquest and used occasionally as a given name ever since. Victorian author Elizabeth Gaskell used Osborne for a character in her final novel, Wives and Daughters while it is also famously associated with Osborne House, the former royal residence of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight, and with musician Ozzy Osbourne.
  10. Ottilia

    • Origin:

      German and Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "prosperous"

    • Description:

      Form of Ottilie or Odilia
  11. Parthenia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "chaste maiden"

    • Description:

      Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon.
  12. Roman

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "citizen of Rome"

    • Description:

      Roman is an ancient name trending in a major way. A surprise hit name of recent years, Roman now ranks in the Top 100 not only in the US but throughout the English-speaking world, and is rising in other European countries as well.
  13. Rosalia

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Latin ceremonial name

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      Elegant and bright with plenty of flair, Rosalia this Sicilian Saint name is familiar in Spain and Italy. It refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs, which could make it work as a commemorative name.
  14. Roseanna

    • Description:

      Roseanna is a feminine name that combines the classic 'Rose' with the graceful 'Anna,' creating a name that's both familiar and distinctive. With Latin and Hebrew roots, it essentially means 'gracious rose' or 'rose of grace.' This romantic, vintage name has maintained consistent though modest popularity throughout the decades, experiencing peaks in the 1950s. Roseanna offers the beauty of the rose symbolism with the enduring quality of Anna derivatives. Often associated with sweetness and femininity, the name appears in pop culture, notably in the 1970s hit song 'Rosanna' by Toto (though with a different spelling). Variations include Rosanna, Roseanne, and Rosana.
  15. Rosy

    • Description:

      Rosy is a charming feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Rose or Rosa. Rose derives from the Latin 'rosa,' referring to the beloved flower symbolizing love and beauty. Rosy also relates to the English word describing a pink, healthy complexion, suggesting warmth and vitality. The name evokes imagery of the delicate flower and carries associations with cheerfulness and optimism. While sometimes used as a nickname, Rosy has established itself as an independent given name in many cultures. Its popularity peaked in the early 20th century but maintains steady usage. The name has a sweet, friendly quality that transitions well from childhood to adulthood, offering both approachability and classic feminine appeal.

  16. Rush

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "basket weaver"

    • Description:

      Might suggest speed, excitement, even danger, were it not for its best-known bearer, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.
  17. Selena

    • Origin:

      Latinized variation of Greek Selene

    • Meaning:

      "moon"

    • Description:

      Selena is smooth, shiny, and sensual, a nineteenth-century name that found new life in the Latino community, following the biopic of slain Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, starring Jennifer Lopez. But you don't have to be Latin to love Selena, which is both distinctive yet in step with stylish modern names such as Seraphina and Celia.
  18. Signe

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "new victory"

    • Description:

      Signe could make an offbeat, more unusual alternative to Sydney or Sigrid. In Norse mythology, Signe was the twin sister of Sigmund. Can also be spelled Signy.
  19. Sydney

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sidney, French

    • Meaning:

      "Saint Denis"

    • Description:

      The Sydney spelling most popular for girls: it's in the Top 50 on the female side. Cool for a girl, still nerdy for a guy.
  20. Tabitha

    • Origin:

      Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"

    • Description:

      Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.