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

Athalia

Hebrew

"the Lord is exalted"

Athalia was an Old Testament daughter of Jezebel and a king's powerful wife with a gory history. You don't wanna know -- and you probably don't wanna name your kid after her either. Pretty name,…

Beulah

Hebrew

"married"

A name with a sound that is both unique and familiar, Beulah is a Biblical name, reminiscent of Bella, Luna, and Selah. In the Bible, Beulah is a place, applied to the land of Israel by the prophet…

Gwenore

Variation of Guinevere

"white shadow, white wave"

An offbeat way to get to Gwen.

Jamesina

Feminine variation of James

"supplanter"

More grown up than Jamie, but never given to more than 13 baby girls in the US per year (and that back in 1968). Modern parents prefer Jamie, Jameson or even James itself, as Blake and Ryan Reynolds…

Rosetta

Persian

"splendid"

Associated with the ancient Rosetta stone, this is also the pretty Italian pet form of Rosa.

Dollie

Dollie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Dorothy (meaning 'gift of God') or Dolores (meaning 'sorrows'). Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dollie has a…

Imogene

Imogene is a feminine name of Celtic origin, believed to be derived from the Gaelic word 'imogen,' meaning 'maiden' or 'daughter.' Some scholars suggest it may also have connections to the Latin…

Mayella

Compound name, combining May, Mary, Margaret or Maya with Ella

"Maytime fairy; beloved fairy; pearl-like fairy; fairy mother"

A sunny sounding name, Mayella is a smoosh name with various meanings, depending on which etymological root you follow for May . The name is perhaps most associated with Mayella Ewell in Harper Lee's…

Emmaline

English variation of Emmeline, French

"work"

This iteration of the name makes the link to the ultra-popular Emma even more obvious. It lags behind alternate spelling Emmeline on the US Top 1000 list. Emmaline Henry was an American actress, best…

Emmalina

English variation of Emmeline or a compound of Emma + Lina

"brave and courageous; universal tenderness; universal free man"

Princess-y but not overly fussy, thanks to the classic simplicity of Emma, Emmalina is a sweet, bright alternative to Emilia. The meaning can vary depending on if you see it as an elaboration of…

Lotty

Lotty is a diminutive of Charlotte or sometimes Carlotta, carrying a vintage charm with English origins. The name conveys a sense of playfulness and warmth, often associated with affectionate…

Lotta

Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, French

"free man"

This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?

Carol

English, feminine variation of Charles

"free man"

A Caroline abbreviation that was wildly popular with Mom's generation...or Grandma's. At one time it was a name for baby girls born at Christmas . because of its association with Christmas carols.…

Carole

Carole is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the masculine name Charles, ultimately from Germanic roots meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' Popularized in English-speaking countries during…

Judy

Diminutive of Judith, Hebrew

"He will be praised or woman from Judea"

Judy was the nickname of choice for almost all the Judiths born in the 1940s and 50s; today's little Judiths are much more likely to be called Judith -- or, possibly, Jude.

Edie

English, diminutive of Edith

"prosperous in war"

Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a…

Wanda

Slavic or German

"shepherdess; wanderer"

Rarely heard, and when it is, usually attached to a witch. Historically, though, Wanda was a legendary eighth century queen of Poland, and in literature it is the central character of Ouida's…

Ernestina

Ernestina is a feminine name derived from the Germanic masculine name Ernest, which means "serious," "resolute," or "battle to the death." This elegant feminine form adds Latin-based feminine suffix…

Blanche

French

"white"

Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to…

Dot

English, diminutive of Dorothy

Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.