vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered

Audra

English, Lithuanian

"noble strength; storm"

Used primarily in Scotland, and represented here by singer Audra McDonald, the girls' name Audra has been overshadowed by the return of the classic Audrey. Audra may be to Audrey what Jenna is to…

Audrea

Audrea is a feminine name that functions as a variant spelling of Audrey, which derives from the Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð, meaning 'noble strength.' This alternative spelling maintains the…

Augusta

Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin

"great, magnificent"

Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and…

Aurea

Latin

"golden"

This golden Saint name was familiar in Spain during the first half of the 20th century, however, it fell out of favor in the 60s. Usually written as Áurea, the similar sounding Aurora is often…

Aurelie

French variation of Aurelia, Latin

"the golden one"

Aurelie is the delicate French variation of Aurelia, one of the most improbable popular names of recent years. Both versions of the name are lovely, but it might be difficult to insist that Americans…

Aurilla

Aurilla is a feminine name with Latin roots, likely derived from 'aurum' meaning 'gold,' suggesting qualities of preciousness and radiance. It may also be considered a variation of Aurelia or an…

Aurore

Aurore is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning 'dawn.' It's the French form of Aurora, the Roman goddess of the morning. The name evokes images of daybreak, new beginnings, and golden light. In…

Avalon

Celtic

"island of apples"

Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina--…

Avelina

Spanish, place name

The feminine form of Avelino, a Spanish name after the Italian saint Andrea Avellino (which in itself comes from an Italian town also named Avellino). It was fairly well-used in Spain in the first…

Averil

English

"boar battle"

One of the rare English surname names originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle". Also spelled Averill, it's an extremely rare choice today, but shares…

Avis

Latin

"bird"

Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his…

Axie

English, invented name

A zingy nickname-style name that was used occasionally in the early twentieth century, and returned to the charts in 2020. There are no obvious names it could be short for, which is all the more…

Azalee

Azalee is a flowering variation of Azalea, the botanical name for colorful flowering shrubs native to several continents. The name derives from Greek 'azaleos' meaning 'dry,' ironically referring to…