​
​
Advanced Search

Old Fashioned Names

  1. Darrell

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "dear one, beloved"

    • Description:

      Beach boy name of the 1960s, Darrell is still a presence on the charts and may graduate into a stately surname name.
  2. Hilaria

    • Origin:

      Latin, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "cheerful"

    • Description:

      Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert and wife of Alec, Hilaria Baldwin, who was born Hillary.
  3. Fausta

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate"

    • Description:

      Though often heard in the Hispanic and Italian communities, it hasn't made an impact here, perhaps because of the connection to the character of Faust and his pact with the devil. Variations: FAUSTINA, FAUSTIA, FAUSTIANA
  4. Abimael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my father is God"

    • Description:

      Colonial Americans used many Biblical names forgotten by modern baby namers; this is an Old Testament descendant of Shem. If Moses and Noah can come back, why not Abimael and brethren?
  5. Palantina

    • Origin:

      Latin, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      The name of one of the 35 tribes of ancient Rome, virtually unknown in the modern world
  6. Federica

    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Frederick, German

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that first r.
  7. Aesop

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Description:

      There once was a moralizing fabulist who tried to make it as a baby name...and failed.
  8. Nanna

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "daring"

    • Description:

      Nanna is a name from Norse mythology that is among the Top 30 names in contemporary Denmark. Popular in Norway in the 19th century, Nanna may also be considered a short form of a range of names, from Anna to Johanna to Marianne. As widespread as it is in Scandinavia, though, it's hard to imagine Nanna making a mark as a girl's name in modern day America, given its use as a name for grandmothers.
  9. Helisent

    • Origin:

      English, Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "temple path"

    • Description:

      Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or that it derives from a Visigothic name meaning "temple path". Variants include Elisende, Elisenda, Elysant, Elysande, Elissent and Elisent.
  10. Hassie

    • Description:

      Hassie is a vintage feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Hasselene or as a nickname for names beginning with 'Has-'. It also appeared as a pet form of Hester or Esther in some communities. The name enjoyed modest popularity in the southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has become extremely rare today. Hassie has the characteristic friendly, informal quality of many nickname-names ending in '-ie' from that era. Like other revival vintage names, it combines old-fashioned charm with a distinctive quality that sets it apart from contemporary popular choices. The name's simple pronunciation and spelling make it accessible despite its unfamiliarity to modern ears. Hassie represents a category of names now being rediscovered by parents interested in authentic historical choices.

  11. Gustava

    • Origin:

      Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "staff of the gods"

    • Description:

      Imposing, if not intimidating.
  12. Aspasia
    • Neaira
      • Acheron
        • Bellona
          • Chimera
            • Martinella