vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered

Estie

Estie is a charming feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive of Esther, which comes from the Persian word for 'star.' It can also be a nickname for Estelle, meaning 'star' in Latin, or…

Ethelyn

Ethelyn is a vintage feminine name with Anglo-Saxon roots, derived from the Old English elements 'æðel' meaning 'noble' or 'royal' and 'lyn,' a diminutive suffix implying 'little' or 'beloved.' This…

Ether

Ether is an uncommon feminine name derived from scientific and philosophical concepts rather than traditional naming conventions. The word 'ether' historically referred to the fifth element in…

Etoile

French

"star"

This French word for star sounds like even more of a celebrity-worthy choice than Star or Esther or Estella or Stella. But count on English speakers who never took high school French to stumble over…

Eulalie

French form of Eulalia, Greek

"sweetly speaking"

Eulalie hasn't ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1899, but its French roots might make it more appealing to modern ears than its sister Eulalia. "Eulalie" is a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, and the name…

Fanchon

French variation of Frances

"from France; free man"

Fanchon is a sweet and affectionate Gallic choice.

Farrell

Irish

"courageous"

Farrell is usually considered a boy's name, though the soft sound of this Irish surname makes it perfectly appropriate for a girl, reminiscent of Farrah.

Faustine

Latin, feminine variation of Faust

"fortunate one"

Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to…

Fayette

Fayette is a feminine name with French origins, derived from the word 'fay' meaning 'fairy' or 'faith.' It gained recognition in America through the influence of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French…

Fayne

Fayne is a distinctive feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Old English word 'fain' meaning 'glad' or 'willing,' or could be a variant of Faye, which comes from the…