Rare Names from my Family Tree
By viviv
Updated Fri May 12 2023
Share
Copy link
Rare names found on my family tree. This list is US-centric.
I'm going to reference this list for writing honestly lol
- Rosalia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"rose"Description:
Elegant and bright with plenty of flair, Rosalia is widely-used in Spain and Italy, where there is a Sicilian Saint Rosalia. The name Rosalia refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs, which could make it work as a commemorative name, though today it would most likely be used in honor of the uni-named Spanish pop star Rosalía.
- Eziah
Origin:
Hebrew, IgboMeaning:
"Yahweh is salvation; king"Description:
Likely a variation of Isaiah, inspired by the Latin and Greek Esaias, and by the popularity of Ezra, Eziah could mean "Yahweh is salvation". Alternative Hebrew roots could include: a contracted form of Hezekiah meaning "God strengthens"; an elaboration of Ezra, to mean "Yahweh is help"; or a form of Asaiah or Aziah, meaning "God hath made".
- Elsworth
Description:
Elsworth is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English surname meaning 'Ella's estate' or 'Ella's farm.' The name combines 'Ella,' a personal name, with 'worth,' denoting a settlement or homestead. With its distinguished sound and traditional feel, Elsworth projects reliability and steadfastness. The name has never been particularly common, maintaining a consistent but low profile throughout history. Elsworth offers versatility with nickname options like 'Els,' 'Elly,' or 'Worth.' It appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth and a sophisticated English quality. While similar to the more common Ellsworth (with two L's), this single-L variant maintains a slightly more distinctive character.
- Alanzo
Description:
Alanzo is a variation of Alfonso or Alonzo, names with Germanic and Spanish roots. The original form derives from Germanic elements meaning "noble" and "ready" or "eager." This particular spelling combines the familiarity of Alan with the distinctive Spanish flair of Alonzo. While less common than Alfonso or Alonzo, Alanzo has maintained a steady presence, particularly in Hispanic and Italian communities. The name carries a certain charisma and strength, with the 'z' giving it a dynamic quality. Parents might choose Alanzo for its cross-cultural appeal, distinctive spelling, and the noble qualities it suggests, while still having the friendly nickname options of Al or Lan.
- Eustace
Origin:
English from GreekMeaning:
"stable"Description:
Eustace was originally popularized by St. Eustace, who was born a Norman nobleman and is said to have been converted to Christianity by seeing a crucifix between the antlers of the deer he was hunting. It was introduced to England by the Normans, and can be found in medieval legend. In literature the name appears in the person of Eustace Clarence Scrubb in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.
The image of Eustace today is as sedate and stuffy as the monocled Eustace Tilly character on The New Yorker magazine covers. Its diminutive Stacy became a unisex hit.
- Isom
Description:
Isom is a masculine name with historical usage dating back several centuries. It likely originated as a variant of Isham, which itself may be derived from a medieval English surname taken from place names in England. These place names possibly stem from the Old English elements 'is' (iron) and 'ham' (homestead). Alternatively, some sources suggest it could be a variant of the biblical name Ishmael. Isom has appeared consistently in historical records, particularly in the United States, from the 18th century onward. While never extremely common, the name has demonstrated remarkable persistence across generations. Isom represents a naming tradition with deeper historical roots than many contemporary inventions, with documented usage patterns spanning multiple centuries and geographic regions.
- Almeda
Description:
Almeda is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'almus' meaning 'nourishing' or 'kind.' It may also be connected to the Spanish term 'alameda,' referring to a tree-lined avenue or a poplar grove. The name was moderately popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since become quite rare. Almeda carries connotations of nurturing and natural beauty, evoking images of serene pathways bordered by stately trees. While uncommon today, it represents a classic naming style with a melodic quality that could appeal to parents seeking a vintage name with subtle elegance.
- Presley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"priest's meadow"Description:
More universal than Elvis...and more conventionally attractive, too. Cindy Crawford used it for her son, though it's on the rise mainly for girls. The last time Presley ranked in the Top 1000 for boys was 1903, 120 years ago. Today, it's used for girls 14 times as often as for boys, mainly because of the -ley ending.
- Sybil
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"seer, prophetess"Description:
The image of the lovely Lady Sybil, tragic youngest daughter of the Crawley family on Downton Abbey is likely to go a long way towards reviving this almost forgotten name, off the list since 1966 and most popular in the 1920s and '30s.
- Temperance
Origin:
Virtue nameDescription:
Not too long ago, Temperance was found only on lists of Puritan baby names.
- Permelia
Description:
Permelia is a feminine name with historical roots dating back to the 19th century in America. It's a variant of Pamela or Permilia, derived from Greek elements meaning 'all honey' or 'sweetness.' The name enjoyed modest popularity during the 1800s, particularly in rural communities across the United States. Permelia fell out of common usage by the early 20th century, making it a rare vintage choice in modern times. Women named Permelia were often nicknamed 'Melia' or 'Perm.' The name carries a quaint, old-fashioned charm that connects to America's pioneer heritage and represents the ornate naming style popular in Victorian-era America.
- Calista
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"most beautiful"Description:
Spelled with either one 'l' or two, Calista came to the fore in 1997 when Calista Flockhart hit it big as Ally McBeal. Flockhart, who bears her mother's middle name, didn't just introduce a name, she introduced a whole sensibility. Pretty and delicate, Calista is definitely worthy of consideration, especially for parents with Greek roots.
- Magdalene
Origin:
Spelling variation of MagdalenMeaning:
"woman from Magdala or high tower"Description:
This name made famous in the New Testament has gone from crusty grandma to sleek and chic in recent years, or is it months? The name's image is perhaps helped by the fact that Mary Magdalene was one of the most intriguing women inthe Bible, both a saint and a sinner.
- Clarinda
Origin:
Literary elaboration of ClaraMeaning:
"bright, clear"Description:
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 not particularly in right now.
- Lavern
Description:
Lavern is a unisex name that was more commonly used in the mid-20th century, though it has traditionally been more popular for women. Derived from French elements, it likely combines "la" (the) and "verne" (alder tree or spring-like), suggesting natural imagery. The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1920s-1940s. Lavern carries a vintage charm that connects to an era of classic Americana. While less common today, it maintains appeal for those seeking a distinctive retro name. The name is sometimes associated with actress LaVerne Andrews of the famous Andrews Sisters trio, giving it musical and nostalgic connections.
- Orlena
Description:
Orlena is a delicate feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Orlene, which derives from French roots meaning "golden" or can be considered a feminine form of Orlando. Some sources suggest connections to the Irish name Orlaith, meaning "golden princess." This melodious three-syllable name carries an old-world charm with its flowing sound and uncommon status. Though never achieving widespread popularity, Orlena has appeared consistently but rarely throughout naming records, appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds traditional yet remains distinctive. With its soft consonants and ending in the feminine 'a', Orlena balances uniqueness with accessibility in pronunciation. The name evokes qualities of elegance and warmth while offering the nickname options of Lena or Orla.
- Easter
Origin:
English, from GermanDescription:
Easter has been used as a name for several hundred years, as part of the day-naming tradition; now, this rarely heard holiday celebration name would make a novel choice for a springtime baby. Background:The early Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar Bede took the name of a goddess--Eostre-- whose feast was celebrated at the vernal equinox and gave it to the Christian festival of the resurrection of Christ.
- Arley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the rabbit meadow; eagle's woodland; noble"Description:
Similar in sound to Harley, Marley, and Arlo, this surname-style name is familiar in Brazil and a Top 1000 choice in England and Wales. Pronounced as AHR-lee in English and ahr-LAY in Latin America, it may be a habitational name, relating to rabbits, hares, or eagles, depending on what Old English root you follow, though it may also relate to the names Arlette, Arleth, and Arlington, lending it the meaning "noble".
- Reva
Origin:
Hindi river name; HebrewMeaning:
"rain"Description:
Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
- Vena
Description:
Vena is a concise feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Latin word 'vena' meaning 'vein,' symbolizing life's vital essence, or possibly from a shortened form of names like Lavena or Rovena. In some cultures, it relates to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Vena has remained consistently uncommon throughout history, appealing to parents who prefer rare, short names with a gentle sound. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots. With its soft consonants and open ending, Vena offers a delicate yet distinctive choice. Its rarity means a Vena will likely stand out while still carrying a name that's easy to pronounce and spell.
The Nameberry App Is Live
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
