User-created list
By RuthShterna · Updated May 2023
Across 95 pages
of 95
Greek
"from Doris"
A male name occasionally borrowed by the girls, as in Dorian Cramer, a long-running female character on the soap One Life to Live and famous midcentury model Dorian Leigh.
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…
Floriana is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'flor' meaning 'flower.' It's essentially an elaborated form of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. The name has been…
Gabbie is a cheerful feminine name typically used as a diminutive of Gabriella or Gabrielle, names derived from the Hebrew name Gabriel meaning 'God is my strength.' With its friendly '-ie' ending,…
Flower name, from English surname
"Garden's flower"
More uncommon and powerful than garden varieties like Rose and Lily. Named for Scottish botanist Dr Alexander Garden.
Sanskrit; Latvian; Czech "song; pearl or strength or exalted one"
"song; pearl or strength or exalted one"
A simple, international name extremely popular in India. The word, meaning "song", also appears in the name of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text. Geeta is a spelling variant. Gita has also seen…
Cornish, Breton
"white, blessed"
Quirky but tough, Gwenna is a name of both Cornish and Breton origin that might work as a long form for Gwen for those unsure of Gwendolen, but fans of Tessa and Willa.
Diminutive of Ida, German
"industrious one"
Ida is one of those terminally old-fashioned names that suddenly sounds fresh again, especially given how fashionable it is in Europe. Ida, usually pronounced ee-da, is a Top 100 name in Scandinavia…
Greek or Welsh
"violet; beautiful lady"
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that…
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…
Latin variation of Arabella
"beautiful altar"
Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.
Ozella is a feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly derived from the Hebrew name Azaliah (meaning 'God has set aside') or as a feminine form of Oswald (from Germanic elements meaning 'god' and…
"green bough"
Phyllis has been used by classical poets for the idealized pastoral maiden. A Greek mythological name of a woman who was turned into an almond tree, Phyllis was in the Top 100 from 1916 to 1958,…
German
"small brook"
Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form…
Portuguese version of Thelma
"will"
Sometimes used in the Hispanic community, along with the male TELMO. Has been associated with Telma Hopkins, singer with Tony Orlando & Dawn and onetime TV sitcom star.
Spanish
"vineyard"
Occasionally heard in the 1920s and 30s, along with siblings Bina and Mina; Vienna would be a more modern choice.
English variation of Arabella, Latin; Scottish
"yielding to prayer; lovable"
There were only SIX baby girls named Arabel in the US last year, astonishing when you consider the popularity of Arabella, used for over 1300 baby girls, and Arabelle, given to over 100. As isabel is…
French feminine form of Axel
"father of peace"
Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.
"brave as a bear"
As dated as the old Pat Boone song.
Christabelle is a feminine name with French and English origins, an elaborated form of Christina or Christabel. The name combines elements of 'Christ' and 'belle' (meaning 'beautiful' in French),…
