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Old New England Names from Maine

  1. Malissie

    • Description:

      Malissie is a feminine name that appears to be a variation of Melissa or possibly Malissa. It carries the sweetness of its root name Melissa, which derives from Greek meaning 'honeybee.' The added '-ie' ending gives it a diminutive, affectionate quality common in Southern American naming traditions. Malissie was occasionally found in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural communities, but remains quite rare in contemporary usage. The name conveys warmth and folksy charm with its melodic three-syllable rhythm. Parents drawn to vintage names with a touch of Southern sweetness might appreciate Malissie as an alternative to more common names like Melissa or Mallory.
  2. Marden

    • Description:

      Marden is a masculine name with English origins, derived from a place name that combines the Old English elements 'mere' (lake or pond) and 'denu' (valley), essentially meaning 'valley with a lake.' It exists as a surname and place name in England, notably in Kent and other counties. As a given name, Marden has always been quite rare, never entering mainstream popularity. It has a strong, dignified sound with its two-syllable structure and gentle ending. The name carries associations with the natural world and English heritage, offering subtlety compared to more common nature-inspired names. Marden might appeal to parents seeking a masculine name with historical roots that remains distinctive and uncommon in contemporary use.

  3. Marston

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "residence near a marshy place"

    • Description:

      Streamline it to Marsh, Mason, or Carson.
  4. Meda

    • Description:

      Meda is a feminine name with ancient roots. It's believed to originate from Greek mythology, possibly as a variant of Medea, the sorceress in the tale of Jason and the Argonauts. In Romanian, Meda carries the meaning of 'honey' or 'sweetness,' reflecting qualities of gentleness and warmth. The name also has roots in Old English, where it may have meant 'meadow.' Throughout history, Meda has remained relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive and memorable quality. While never reaching mainstream popularity, the name has endured across various cultures, particularly in Eastern European countries. Its brevity and melodic sound make it appealing to modern parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with historical depth.
  5. Medora

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "mother's gift"

    • Description:

      Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.
  6. Mellie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Melissa, Amelia, Melanie and related names

    • Description:

      Mellie is not Millie and it's not Nellie, though it will forever be confused with those too more familiar nicknames. It's cute, too, and while some of the names it's usually short for may be sailing into the sunset (so long, Melody!), others like Amelia are rising through the ranks and may give Mellie a new chance to shine as a cute girls' nickname. Just be prepared for endless confusion.
  7. Melvina

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "chieftain"

    • Description:

      Melvina ranked in the Top 1000 for over 65 years in the US, coinciding to a large extent with the years its much more popular masculine counterpart Melvin ranked in the Top 100. Today, Melvin is still hanging on in the Top 1000 for boys, but Melvina hasn't been given to more than 20 babies in a year since 1991.
  8. Mertie

    • Description:

      Mertie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Myrtle or Martha. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, Mertie has a quaint, vintage charm characteristic of the Victorian era. The name Myrtle comes from the evergreen shrub, which symbolized love and immortality in ancient Greek mythology. Martha, meanwhile, derives from Aramaic meaning 'lady' or 'mistress of the house.' Mertie peaked in popularity around the 1890s-1910s before gradually declining. Today, it's considered a rare vintage name, seldom given to newborns. The name carries a sweet, nostalgic quality that evokes rural Americana and simpler times. For those interested in reviving genuine vintage names rather than modern inventions, Mertie offers authentic historical usage with a gentle, unpretentious sound.

  9. Miles

    • Origin:

      English form of Milo, Latin and Old German,"soldier or merciful"

    • Meaning:

      "soldier or merciful"

    • Description:

      Miles, which has a permanent veneer of cool thanks to jazz great Miles Davis, is a confident and polished boys' name that's an American classic. Always ranking in the US Top 1000, it's been drifting up the charts for the past half century and now ranks at its highest point ever, in the Top 50.
  10. Milla

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Hungarian

    • Meaning:

      "young ceremonial attendant, gracious people"

    • Description:

      Milla originated as a diminutive of names like Camilla and Ludmilla, but has since become well established as a name in its own right in several European countries. Milla Jovovich is a Ukrainian-born actress and supermodel, while Milla is also used for a character in the novel and musical adaptation, Wicked.
  11. Myrna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "festive; affection, endearment"

    • Description:

      An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a notable bearer and her fame caused a spike in popularity of the name, when it reached the US Top 150 in the 1930s.
  12. Myrtilla

    • Description:

      Myrtilla is a delicate feminine name with classical roots. It's derived from the Latin word "myrtus" or Greek "myrtos," referring to the myrtle plant, which was sacred to the goddess Venus and symbolized love and immortality in ancient times. Myrtilla can be considered a diminutive or elaboration of Myrtle, which was fashionable in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though Myrtilla is exceedingly rare today, it carries a vintage charm and literary quality that might appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive name with historical depth. Its soft sound and nature connection give it an ethereal, romantic quality.
  13. Maidy
    • Maitland
      • Mariba
        • Mehitable
          • Merithew
            • Minnetta
              • Nella

                • Description:

                  Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or 'in the,' while as a short form, it often inherits meanings from its longer versions. Nella has historical usage dating back centuries but has experienced periods of renewed popularity in recent decades. The name has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet not overused. With its brief two syllables and melodic sound, Nella strikes a balance between simplicity and distinctiveness. The name carries connotations of sweetness and strength, making it versatile for different personalities.

              • Neva

                • Origin:

                  Spanish

                • Meaning:

                  "white snow"

                • Description:

                  Has a pure, clean aura, but is also evocative.