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

  1. Ernesta

    • Description:

      Ernesta is a feminine name derived from the Germanic name Ernest, which means 'serious,' 'resolute,' or 'vigorous.' This feminine variation adds the Latin feminine suffix '-a' to create a name with a blend of strength and elegance. The name has historical usage across various European countries, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Germany. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Ernesta has maintained steady usage throughout the 20th century in Southern European regions. The nickname Erna or Nesta offers a softer alternative to the full name. Ernesta conveys qualities of determination and sincerity while maintaining distinctly feminine qualities. This name might appeal to families seeking a traditional yet uncommon name with clear etymological roots.
  2. Ernestina

    • Description:

      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 "-ina" to create a name that balances strength with grace. Popular throughout European countries, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, Ernestina reached its peak popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name offers several friendly nicknames including Tina, Erna, or Nessie. While less common among recent generations, Ernestina represents the classic tradition of feminizing masculine names. The name carries an air of vintage sophistication that may appeal to parents drawn to reviving elegant names from earlier eras. Notable bearers include Mexican artist Ernestina Garfias and Portuguese writer Ernestina de Champourcin.

  3. Ernestine

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Ernest

    • Description:

      One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine..
  4. Estella

    • Origin:

      Latinate form of Estelle

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Estella is a pretty Latin name that's sounding more and more stylish, remembered as the ward of Miss Haversham in Dickens's Great Expectations. Though Estella ranked as high as Number 110 in the 1880s, it now sits near the bottom of the US Top 1000 along with near-twin Estelle. Either would be well worth considering as an alternative to the popular Stella.
  5. Estelle

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Maybe it's because she shares that winning -elle sound with Isabel and Bella, but Estelle is no longer seen as a muumuu-wearing canasta player of a certain age (think George Costanza's mother on Seinfeld or Joey Tribbiani's talent agent in Friends). This could be in part thanks to the young Royal Couple of Sweden, who chose it for their firstborn daughter, or the single-named British R&B singer. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2012 after a nearly fifty-year absence.
  6. Esther

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Esther was derived from the Old Persian word stāra, meaning "star." In the Old Testament, Esther, originally named Hadassah, was the captured Jewish wife of the King of Persia who risked her life to save her exiled people from annihilation. This story is celebrated by Jews on the holiday of Purim, so that it has traditionally been given to girls around that time.
  7. Ethel

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "noble maiden"

    • Description:

      Ethel is a name we once declared as 'So Far Out They'll Probably Always Be Out,' but with the return of other names on that list and with its new starbaby cred via Lily Allen, its soft sound and admirable meaning, we're not so sure.
  8. Ethelene

    • Description:

      Ethelene is a feminine name with Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Old English element 'ethel' meaning 'noble' or 'of noble birth.' It emerged as an elaboration of the medieval name Ethel, popular during the late Victorian era when Anglo-Saxon names experienced a revival. Ethelene has a vintage, somewhat aristocratic quality that evokes images of the early 20th century. While never achieving widespread popularity, it maintained modest usage through the 1930s before declining. The name's similarity to the chemical compound ethylene gives it an unintended scientific association. Today, Ethelene has become quite rare, appealing primarily to parents seeking authentic vintage names with historical depth and the melodious quality of its three flowing syllables.

  9. Ethelinda

    • Origin:

      German, Spanish compound name, Ethel + Linda

    • Meaning:

      "noble + pretty"

    • Description:

      Ethelinda is a feminine name that combines the elements "ethel" meaning "noble" or "of noble birth" and "linda" meaning "pretty." The name was used in medieval England but became less common after the Norman Conquest and is virtually extinct today, given to no baby girls in the US at the most recent count.
  10. Etheline

    • Origin:

      Variation of Ethel, English

    • Meaning:

      "noble maiden"

    • Description:

      Ethel is one of.those vintage names that will always will be out...or will it? A generation ago we might have said the same for now-fashionable names like Florence and Ida. Even if Ethel rises, Etheline might sound too much like a chemical compound.
  11. Ethelyn

    • Description:

      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 charming combination creates the meaning 'little noble one' or 'beloved princess.' Popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ethelyn has that classic, dignified quality reminiscent of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Though it declined in usage mid-century, it's seeing renewed interest among parents drawn to vintage revivals. The name offers several nickname possibilities, including Ethel, Etty, or Lynn. Ethelyn balances formal elegance with a gentle, approachable quality in its full form.
  12. Etta

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish, short form of any name ending with -etta: Henrietta, Loretta etc.

    • Description:

      Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. Back in the US Top 1000 as of 2023 and rising rapidly up the UK charts, where it sits in the Top 200, Etta is a snappy, smart and sparky choice.
  13. Etty

    • Origin:

      French diminutive

    • Meaning:

      "little"

    • Description:

      Ettie or Etty works as a nickname for any name with a prominent "et" sound, usually at the end: think Henrietta, Juliette or Colette. The -ette ending is a French diminutive suffix.
  14. Eudora

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "generous gift"

    • Description:

      Eudora is the name of five minor goddesses of Greek mythology and a major goddess (in the person of Pulitzer Prize-winning Eudora Welty) of modern American literature. Eudora is pleasant and euphoneous and a possibility for rejuvenation.
  15. Eugenia

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Eugene, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"

    • Description:

      Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival.
  16. Eugenie

    • Origin:

      French form of Eugenia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"

    • Description:

      Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring a patina of royal sheen it hadn't had since the time of Napoleon III's glamorous empress--who spent much of her life in England. It was also borne by Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom Prince Andrew's younger daughter was named.
  17. Eula

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Eulalia

    • Description:

      Eula is a slightly sweeter and more compact version of Eulalia. Currently, neither name is given to more than a handful of girls each year. Eula was fairly popular in the US during the early twentieth century, and she last ranked in the Top 1000 in 1960.
  18. Eulalia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sweetly speaking"

    • Description:

      Eulalia is a melodious name with a southern drawl, thanks to those lilting double Ls.
  19. Eulalie

    • Origin:

      French form of Eulalia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sweetly speaking"

    • Description:

      Eulalie hasn't ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1899, but its French roots might make it more appealing to modern ears than its sister Eulalia.
  20. Eunice

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "good victory"

    • Description:

      Eunice is a New Testament name of the mother of Timothy, long associated with one of the Kennedy sisters, the founder of the Special Olympics. As high as Number 106 in the early 1900s, it lasted on the list until 1995. Eunice was the birth name of Nina Simone, which gives it a modicum of cool.