vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered
By thesedays
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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girls’ names i’m currently loving that ranked in the top 3000 in 1930; many are timeless classics that have simply faded into obscurity in the past century (e.g. enid, hester, drusilla, philomena), some are completely unexpected stand-outs that are still on-trend with cool factor to spare even today (including zephyr, paz, star, karma, and marlowe), while others are attractive and truly unique gems facing near or total extinction after being neglected — criminally so, i’d say — for several decades (looking at you, audine, delrose, halcyon, janaan, marvel, and willodean). i guarantee you’ll find something on this list you love, regardless of your personal stylistic tastes and typical repertoire of favorites — there are a LOT of phenomenal beauties on this list, so many that there’s bound to be one that will fit your little lady’s old soul like a dainty lace glove. ♡
- Ada
Origin:
German or TurkishMeaning:
"noble, nobility, or island"Description:
Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
- Adair
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"shallow place in a river near oaks"Description:
This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
- Adda
- Addie
Origin:
Diminutive of Adelaide or AdelineDescription:
Old-fashioned nickname with sweet turn-of-the-last-century charm that's become a favorite among the popular girl names starting with A of today. In fact, with all spellings of Adeline/Adalynn taken together firmly in the Top 10, and Adelaide and Addison also high in the charts, Addie is one of the most frequently-heard short forms around. But no matter how popular (or pandemic) it gets, Addie is undeniably one of the cutest names for baby girls. Little girls might like the fact that it's the name, though spelled Addy, of an American Girl series doll.
- Adela
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble"Description:
This variation of Adele sounds somewhat more feminine than the original by virtue of the a- ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the recent celebrity-related success of Adele.
- Adelaide
Origin:
Variant of Adelheidis, GermanMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.
- Adelita
Origin:
Spanish variation of Adelaide or Adela GermanMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Adelita is a more recent entry into the popular group of girl names starting with Adel -- Adele, Adela, Adeline, and Adelaide. Adelita is technically a diminutive itself, but also carries the nickname Alita.
- Adora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"adored"Description:
A name that would lavish your child with adoration, a princess name--as in Princess Adora of She-Ra: Princess of Power.
- Adria
- Afton
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Name of a town in Scotland that has a feminine strength.
- Agatha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"good woman"Description:
Agatha until recently summoned up visions of martyred saints, mauve silk dresses, and high lace collars, but now that some dauntless excavators have begun to resurrect it, we're sure more will follow their lead. Actor Thomas Gibson used it for his daughter in 2004.
- Aggie
Origin:
English, diminutive of Agatha and AgnesDescription:
Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.
- Agnes
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos, meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as a girl's name. Agnes Grey is the title of one of the two novels written by Anne Brontë.
- Aili
Origin:
Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of EilidhMeaning:
"holy, blessed; bright and shining light"Description:
An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
- Alanna
Origin:
Variation of AlanaMeaning:
"handsome, cheerful"Description:
The extra n makes it feel less like an feminization of Alan and more like a name unto itself. Alanna is more common in Puerto Rico than the original Alana.
- Alba
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"Description:
Alba is quietly making a behind-the-scenes comeback, perhaps thanks to actress turned baby-product mogul Jessica Alba. Last on the Top 1000 a century ago, the name was given to nearly 200 baby girls in the US last year. Alba might be tomorrow's successor to Ava and Ella. In Spain, Alba ranks among the Top 20 girls' names. Alba is the name of a character in The Time Traveler's Wife.
- Alcie
Origin:
Diminutive of Alcina, GreekMeaning:
"strong-willed"Description:
Alcie and Alsie are antiquated short forms that feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again. Mother name Alcina was an operatic sorceress who turned men into trees and animals.
- Aleta
- Aletha
- Alethea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"truth"Description:
Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now as one of the goddess names stylish for baby girls.