User-created list
Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls
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Marianne
French combination of Marie and Anne
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"
A midcentury Catholic classic that's not chosen by many parents today. Leonard Cohen fans might think of the beautiful song So Long, Marianne , named for his lover and muse Marianne Ihlen. The…
Tibby
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.
Liz
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Some might think a girl named Liz on her birth certificate would feel deprived of her full identity, but in a time when mini names like Liv, Kit, Tru, Kai, Lou, and Bea are in style, Liz feels…
Lizbeth
English and Spanish diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
A condensed version of Elizabeth made more familiar by The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 's Lisbeth Salander.
Lisbeth
German, diminutive of Elizabeth
Lisbeth is one of the many short forms of Elizabeth that are used on their own. Not only is it the name of the mother of the main character in George Eliot's novel Adam Bede, but it takes on a whole…
Gilda
English
"covered with gold"
Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved…
Rita
Spanish, Hindi
"pearl; truth, order"
One of the glamour girl names of the Rita Hayworth 1940s, Rita was once a Top 50 name and stayed on the SSA list until 2002. The name Rita still has enough Latin zip to be a lively, revivable short…
Beverley
Beverley is a primarily feminine name (though historically used for both genders) with Old English origins meaning 'beaver stream' or 'beaver meadow.' Originally a place name in Yorkshire, England,…
Lally
Diminutive of any La- name
A likable nickname-name in the Callie, Hallie mode.
Adela
German
"noble"
A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele. Adela, which…
Adelle
Adelle is a feminine name with French origins, considered a variation of Adela or Adelaide, ultimately deriving from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble' or 'nobility.' The name carries an…
Odele
English from Greek
"song"
Sounds a lot like the recently revived Adele.
Thekla
Greek
"fame of God"
Deriving from the ancient Greek name, Theokleia, Thekla is a contracted form that appears in the New Testament. According to the Acts of Paul, Thekla (or Thecla) is a 1st century saint and the first…
Delinda
Delinda is a feminine name with Latin origins, possibly derived from 'linda' meaning 'beautiful' with the prefix 'de' adding emphasis. The name has been in sporadic use in the United States since the…
Lorette
Lorette is a feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive of Lora or Laura. These names ultimately derive from the Latin "laurus," meaning "laurel tree," which symbolized victory…
Dotty
Diminutive of Dorothy, Greek
"gift of God"
Dotty has a cheerful, playful quality that embodies vintage charm. It gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1930s-1950s when nickname-style given names were…
Suzanne
French variation of Susan
"lily"
Suzanne became popular along with Susan but has just dropped out of the Top 1,000. Wait a generation (or two) in the US, though in France Suzanne is once again tres chic.
Suzanna
Variation of Susanna
Part Susanna, part Suzanne, Suzanna is a smidge less attractive than either of those classic options but still carries some appeal. But you (and your child) WILL be spelling it forever.
Suzannah
Suzannah is a feminine name that represents an elegant variation of Susanna, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This spelling adds a touch of sophistication to the traditional form.…
Cordula
Cordula is a feminine name with ancient Latin origins, derived from 'cor' or 'cordis,' meaning 'heart.' This elegant name gained prominence through Saint Cordula, a legendary companion of Saint…