User-created list
vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered
Across 37 pages
of 37
Philomena
Greek
"lover of strength"
Philomena is an earthy Greek name now used in various Latin countries. While it has felt simply clunky for many years, it's starting -- along with such sister names as Wilhelmina and Frederica -- to…
Philomene
Philomene is a feminine name of Greek origin derived from 'philomenes,' meaning 'loved' or 'sweet-singing.' It's connected to Greek mythology through Philomela, who was transformed into a…
Polly
English variation of Molly, diminutive of Mary, Hebrew
"bitter"
An alternative to the no-longer-fresh Molly, the initial 'P' gives Polly a peppier sound, combining the cozy virtues of an old-timey name with the bounce of a barmaid. Associated with Tom Sawyer's…
Pollyanna
English compound name, Polly + Anna
"beloved + grace"
Has become a byword in English for an overly optimistic person, thanks to the eponymous children's book heroine. Polly is an antiquated short form of Mary.
Portia
Latin
"pig"
Portia is a perfect role-model name, relating to Shakespeare's brilliant and spirited lawyer in The Merchant of Venice , and is now also a Hunger Games name . Another Shakespearean Portia was the…
Primrose
English flower name
"first rose"
A quaint and quirky flower name, until recently considered a bit too prim for most American classrooms but brought back to life in recent years by the attractive character of Primrose "Prim" Everdeen…
Princella
Princella is a feminine diminutive form of "Prince," combining the word with the feminine suffix "-ella." This suffix pattern is common in creating feminine forms of names, similar to names like…
Pernell
Preston
Quintella
Rae
English, diminutive of Rachel, Hebrew
"ewe"
All the old ae/ay middle names for girls are back — Kay, Fay, Mae/May — and Rae is one of the coolest, used as such by celebrities as Mark Wahlberg and Daniel Baldwin. Even more popular in the…
Raelene
Raelene is a feminine name with modern origins, emerging as a creative variation combining elements of Rachel and traditional '-lene' or '-leen' endings popular in the mid-20th century. This melodic…
Raynell
Raynell is a feminine name with Germanic and French influences, combining elements of names like Rayne (from 'raginaz' meaning 'counsel' or from the word for rain) and the feminine suffix '-elle' or…
Rella
Rella is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names ending in '-rella' such as Cinderella, or derive from the Italian word 'bella' meaning beautiful. Some…
Rennie
Rennie is a feminine name that often serves as a diminutive of names like Renata, Irene, or Renee. It has Scottish origins where it can be derived from the Gaelic elements "raon" meaning "rule" or…
Rio
Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
"river or place of the cherry blossoms"
Rio is one of Japan's most popular girls' names, constantly sitting in that country's Top 10. Of course, Rio may also stem from the Portuguese and Spanish word for river, and the Brazilian city Rio…
Romelle
Romelle is a feminine name with French influences, possibly derived as a feminine form of Romeo or from Roman. The name combines the romantic associations of Rome with the soft, elegant ending…
Rosabel
English
"beautiful rose"
Rosabel, a vintage smoosh name created in the 18th century, feels slightly less frilly than her cousins Rosabelle and Rosabella. It could make for a more distinctive alternative to Isabel, or an…
Rosalba
Latin, from the phrase rosa alba
"white rose"
One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa.
Rosary
English word name
"Rose" names are big right now, as are spiritual names , so this rare option could fit the bill for Catholic parents looking for an overtly religious choice. The Rosary is a form of prayer in the…