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Names from the Golden Age of Hollywood

  1. Deanna

    • Origin:

      English variation of Diana, Latin, feminization of Dean

    • Meaning:

      "divine; church official"

    • Description:

      Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
  2. Brigitte

    • Origin:

      French variation of Brighid

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
  3. Katharine

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Katherine, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      This is the spelling that old-time film star Katharine Hepburn used, and it's still favored by fans wanting to reference her classic strength and beauty. But in general, it's losing ground to Katherine and even Ms. Hepburn's own favorite short form, Kate.
  4. Bette

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Description:

      Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
  5. Jeanette

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Jeanne

    • Description:

      Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.
  6. Hedy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Hedwig

    • Description:

      Linked to one of the great screen beauties, but has never appealed much to Americans.