Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls

Gudrun

Scandinavian

"god's rune; secret battle"

Difficult name familiar here mainly via D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love .

Brunhilda

Norse

"armed for battle"

Variant of Brunhild, still clad in heavy armor. Though the heroine Brunhilda of Quentin Tarantino's recent film Django Unchained may have given this version of the name new appeal.

Octaviana

Octaviana is a feminine name with Latin origins, the feminine form of Octavian, ultimately derived from the Roman name Octavius meaning 'eighth.' In Roman naming traditions, it would historically…

Cathy

English diminutive of Catherine, Greek

"pure"

One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties — and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? — now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.

Pleasant

Word name

An admirable quality to impart; Pleasant was used by Charles Dickens in Our Mutual Friend and in modern times is known via American Girl dolls creator Pleasant Rowland.

Clemencia

Latin

"mild, merciful"

This ancient feminine form is the kind of name your child will grow into...at least by her fiftieth birthday.

Opaline

Elaboration of Opal, French, Sanskrit

"gem"

A word name with a touch of Adeline/Caroline/Apolline mixed in, Opaline has a sleek and stylish yet whimsical feel.

Faustina

Latin

"fortunate one"

A name with several distinguished namesakes: the wife of ancient Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a famous Italian opera singer, and two Catholic saints--making it both substantial and unusual.

Drusilla

Latin

"fruitful"

Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.…

Biddy

Irish and English diminutive of Bridget

"strength or exalted one"

A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.

Bellerose

French and English

"beautiful rose"

A felicitous combo of two sweet names; also a Queens, New York neighborhood.

Jeremine

French feminization of Jeremy or Jeremiah, Hebrew

"the Lord raises up"

The French Jeremine is one of the softest and most modern sounding of the "JER"-starting names. If you're naming a baby girl for Grandma Geraldine or Geri (or grandpa Jerome), consider Jeremine,…

Maribel

English combination of Mary and Bel, or Spanish short form of María Isabel, "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"

This modern name gathers some steam from the wildly popular Isabel. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter"…

Maribella

English, combination of Mary and Bella

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"

Frilly but undeniably beautiful. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and…

Ebba

Feminization of Ebbe, Swedish and Danish, or variation of Old English Æbbe

"bear god; brave boar"

Ebba, the feminine version of Ebbe (a diminutive of Eberhard or Asbjorn) and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of…

Rosalyn

Variation of Rosalind

True Blood may be the reason that variation Rosalyn has retained some popularity while the original Rosalind still languishes. Moderately popular in the middle of the last century, Rosalyn may…

Ethelyn

Ethelyn is a vintage feminine name with Anglo-Saxon roots, derived from the Old English elements 'æðel' meaning 'noble' or 'royal' and 'lyn,' a diminutive suffix implying 'little' or 'beloved.' This…

Marietta

Italian diminutive of Maria

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea");…

Elnora

English variation of Eleanora, meaning unknown

Elnora is best known as the name of the heroine of the early 20th century novel A Girl of the Limberlost . While Elnora might plausibly have many derivations, the most logical is that isn't a…

Elna

Scandinavian diminutive of Helena or Elena, Greek

"shining light; torch"

A short, succinct short form of the classic Helen and Helena along with the international variant, Elena, Elna was a popular choice in the 19th and early 20th century in the US, but has since fallen…