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

Sela

Hebrew

"rock"

Sela is a Biblical place name, the original term for the city of Petra, which is finding new life through actress Sela Ward, star of several TV series. The young daughter of singer Lauryn Hill is…

Elissa

Variation of Alice or Elizabeth

The Elissa version of a long-popular name is fading in favor of Alyssa, Eliza and other variants. The legion of other forms and spellings includes Alissa, Allissa, Allyssa, Alyssa, Elissah, Ellisa,…

Felipa

Felipa is the feminine form of Felipe, which is the Spanish and Portuguese version of Philip. Derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses' or 'friend of horses,' this name has…

Debra

Spelling variation of Deborah

"bee"

When Deborah seemed too formal in the laid-back sixties, Debra stepped in as a pared-down alternative, but the pendulum is about to swing back.

Debby

Debby is a feminine name primarily used as a diminutive form of Deborah, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'bee.' This friendly, approachable nickname gained independent usage particularly during the…

Liliane

French variation of Lilian

"lily, a flower"

Now that Lily has become hugely popular, parents in love with this flower name are looking further afield for substitutes such as Liliane and Liliana.

Lizanne

English combination of Liz + Anne

"pledged to God + grace"

Lizanne does not sound as dated as other hybrids. Lizanne can also be spelled Lisanne — both are pronounced with the z sound.

Glenda

Feminine form of Glenn, English, Scottish

"valley"

Part nature name, part mid-century favorite, Glenda came into use in the 20th century as a feminine form of Scottish Glenn, likely inspired by Linda and Wanda too. While Glenn would give it the…

Gwenna

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.

Glinda

Literary name

Glinda is famous as the name of the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, invented by author L. Frank Baum. but has there ever been a real life, non-fictional Glinda? Not in the US last year. The name may…

Enrica

Italian, feminine form of Enrico

Novel way to honor Grandpa Henry.