vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered

Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.

Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I--Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.

A rarely used Biblical place-name with a soft and pleasant sound.

Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Philipps named her baby Birdie (inspired by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson), as did soap star Maura West.

Now that parents have picked virtually every name in the garden, from the common Rose to the captivating Zinnia, some are reconsidering the old, more generic names like Flora and Posy and Blossom — which was last in favor in the 1920s and still has a Floradora showgirl aura.

Blythe is Nameberry gem — one of those names that visitors to the site are often searching for, despite the fact it's never ranked in the US charts as a given name.

Bonnie is an adorable nickname name, heading back up the popularity list after a 50-year nap. A Top 100 girls' name throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Americans are later to jump on the Bonnie bandwagon but now it's trending here too.

Bridget is the Anglicized form of Brigid, an Irish-Gaelic name that was derived from the word brígh, which means "strength."

Brita is a feminine name with Scandinavian and German origins. It developed as a variant of Bridget (or Brigid), which ultimately derives from the Celtic name meaning 'strength' or 'exalted one.' Particularly popular in Sweden, Norway, and Germany, Brita has a clean, crisp sound that resonates well in Nordic countries. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, it offers a distinctive alternative to more familiar names like Britta or Brigitte. The name carries connotations of strength and resilience, influenced by its etymological roots. In some regions, it may also be associated with the water filter brand, though this commercial connection is separate from its traditional heritage.

Bryna is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections, primarily associated with Hebrew and Irish origins. In Hebrew, it relates to the word meaning "blessing" or "she is blessed," while in Irish contexts, it may be a variation of Brenda, derived from Old Norse elements meaning "sword" or "flaming sword." This relatively uncommon name combines brevity with a distinctive sound that sets it apart from more popular options. Bryna has maintained a consistent but low profile in usage patterns, never becoming trendy but persisting as a choice for parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon. The name's cross-cultural roots give it versatility, allowing it to feel at home in different cultural contexts while maintaining its unique character and meaningful associations.

Caldonia is a feminine name with Southern American roots, popularized by Louis Jordan's 1945 jump blues hit song 'Caldonia.' The name may be a variation of Caledonia, the ancient Roman name for Scotland, derived from the tribal name 'Caledonii.' Caldonia carries a vintage, soulful quality with its melodic sound and rhythmic cadence. Though never widely common, the name experienced brief recognition during the mid-20th century due to the song's popularity. Caldonia projects warmth, strength, and musical associations, with its flowing syllables and distinctive ending. For modern parents, it offers a unique alternative to more common vintage revivals, bringing to mind the rich cultural heritage of American blues and jazz. The name retains an air of Southern charm and musical nostalgia.

Spelled with either one 'l' or two, Calista came to the fore in 1997 when Calista Flockhart hit it big as Ally McBeal. Flockhart, who bears her mother's middle name, didn't just introduce a name, she introduced a whole sensibility. Pretty and delicate, Calista is definitely worthy of consideration, especially for parents with Greek roots.

Calla is a botanical name that is much more distinctive than popular Lily or similar Callie. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.

Camellia is a rare flower name with distinct roots related to the Camille/Camila group and has varied associations to the moon, water, wealth, and perfection. It could be thought of as a floral replacement for Amelia.

At one time just the sound of the name Camille could start people coughing, recalling the tragic Lady of the Camellias, the heroine played by Greta Garbo in the vintage film based on a Dumas story, but that image has faded, replaced by a sleek, chic, highly attractive one.

The name of a small yellow bird that hasn't taken off in the way that some of its avian sisters – like Robin, Wren or Lark – have.

Carlyn is a feminine name combining elements of Carol and Lynn, though it can also be considered a variant of Caroline or Carolyn. With Germanic origins, it relates to the root 'karl' meaning 'free man' or 'strong,' adapted to feminine usage. This streamlined spelling emerged in the mid-20th century as parents sought alternatives to more traditional forms. Carlyn offers a modern, simplified approach while maintaining connections to classical naming traditions. The name has maintained modest but consistent usage in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. With its strong consonants balanced by the soft ending, Carlyn strikes a pleasing balance between strength and femininity. The name works well in professional settings while avoiding the more common variations of Caroline that might result in duplicate names in social or work environments.

Carmel is a biblical place-name that is often used by Catholic parents around the world. It is given in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is the name of a mountain ridge on the Mediterranean near Haifa in Israel, mentioned in the Old Testament, famous for its lush vegetation and said to have been often visited by Mary and the Infant Christ.