Old New England Names from Maine

Arette

Arette is a feminine name with French origins, possibly derived from a picturesque village in southwestern France near the Pyrenees mountains. The name carries a delicate, artistic quality with its…

Arvilla

Arvilla is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the elements 'avis' meaning 'bird' or possibly from 'arvum' meaning 'field.' Some sources suggest it may be a variant of Arvella or a…

Aurilla

Aurilla is a feminine name with Latin roots, likely derived from 'aurum' meaning 'gold,' suggesting qualities of preciousness and radiance. It may also be considered a variation of Aurelia or an…

Belvah

Belvah is an unusual feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant spelling of Belva. Belva itself derives from Latin, meaning 'beautiful view' or 'fair to behold.' Extremely rare in modern…

Carline

Carline is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It primarily functions as a French diminutive of Caroline, ultimately derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man.' The name…

Clarinda

Literary elaboration of Clara

"bright, clear"

A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are…

Cleora

Greek

"glory"

Cleora is a now-extinct name (there were no babies named Cleora recorded in the U.S. since 1982) that achieved some standing in the early 20th century thanks to the craze for all things…