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Vintage Family Tree Names

fishwish
By fishwish
Updated Tue Nov 28 2023
The best and/or most unusual selections from my family tree. (All from my grandparents' generation or older).
  1. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  2. Alma

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "nurturing, soul"

    • Description:

      Alma is a somewhat solemn, soulful name that had a burst of popularity a century ago, then faded into the flowered wallpaper, and is now finding its footing once more.
  3. Leander

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lion-man"

    • Description:

      Leander was once an almost unknown name, however, with the popularity of Leo and the rise of Leandro, it now feels like a perfectly accessible alternative to Leon or Alexander. In Greek legend, Leander was the powerful figure who swam across the Hellespont every night to visit his beloved Hero, a priestess of Venus.
  4. Leona

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lioness"

    • Description:

      A Top 100 name from 1896 to 1921, Leona reached as high as Number 72. Since then, Leona had seemed to be one of the most unfashionable of the pride of lion names, but singer Leona Lewis has done a lot to rejuvenate it. Leona returned to the Top 1000 in 2009 after decades of being away.
  5. Lena

    • Origin:

      English, Scottish, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian, diminutive of various names ending in -lena

    • Description:

      This pet form of Helena and other ena-ending names, long used as an independent name, is attracting notice again as an option both multicultural and simple. Lena was a Top 100 name from 1880 to 1920.
  6. Julius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded"

    • Description:

      Immortal through its association with the ancient Caesar (it was his clan name), Julius may still lag behind Julian, but is definitely starting to make a comeback, and in fact feels more cutting edge, in line with the current trend for Latin -us endings.
  7. Zelda

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Griselda

    • Meaning:

      "gray fighting maid"

    • Description:

      Classified as an early beauty, Zelda has long and often been used as such for characters in books and films. Since 1986, Zelda has been a prime Nintendo name, as in the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
  8. Damien

    • Origin:

      French from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "to tame, subdue"

    • Description:

      Converting Damian to Damien – or Julian to Julien or Lucian to Lucien – adds a certain je ne sais quoi to names. But most people in English speaking areas will still pronounce this the same as the -an ending form. The French pronunciation is more like "dah-mee-u(n)".
  9. Nadine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Nadia, Russian

    • Meaning:

      "hope"

    • Description:

      Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.
  10. Lula

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any Lu name

    • Description:

      Lula is one of the livelier nickname-names with the fashionable double-L sound: It joins Lulu, Lila, Lily, and Lou among the trendiest names today. Lula might be short for Talula and sisters or for Lucy or Louise, or may stand on its own two adorable feet. Lula was actually a Top 50 name in the late 1880's and continued in the Top 100 for a couple of decades more.
  11. Geneva

    • Origin:

      Swiss place-name or French

    • Meaning:

      "juniper tree"

    • Description:

      Unlike its somewhat formal Swiss city namesake, this is a lively and appealing place-name that also has a real history as a female name.
  12. Lloyd

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "gray"

    • Description:

      This Welsh surname was taken up as a first in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century, originally as a nickname for someone gray-haired. The original Welsh nickname was Llwyd, pronounced LHOO-eed, and is the Welsh word for the color.
  13. Armin

    • Origin:

      Form of Herman or Armen

    • Meaning:

      "soldier or wish, hope"

    • Description:

      Possibly related to the Ermin- names (which gave us Emma and her variants) or to Herman OR to the Persian/Kazakh/Armenian names Arman or Armen, this is an unusual choice which fits current trends.
  14. Eugenie

    • Origin:

      French form of Eugenia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"

    • Description:

      Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring a patina of royal sheen it hadn't had since the time of Napoleon III's glamorous empress--who spent much of her life in England. It was also borne by Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom Prince Andrew's younger daughter was named.
  15. Ludwig

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "famous warrior"

    • Description:

      As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
  16. Veronique

    • Origin:

      French form of Veronica

    • Meaning:

      "true image"

    • Description:

      Veronica seems poised to rise again, along with many other V names, and with it may follow this more romantic French version.
  17. Reinhart

    • Description:

      Reinhart is a masculine German name derived from the Old Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' and 'hart' meaning 'strong' or 'brave.' It can be translated as 'strong in counsel' or 'brave advisor.' This name has historical roots throughout Germanic countries and has several spelling variations including Reinhard, Reinhardt, and Rheinhart. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Reinhart has maintained steady usage in German-speaking regions. The name conveys qualities of wisdom and strength, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a traditional name with substantial meaning. Notable bearers include various European nobles and the fictional character Reinhart Fuchs from medieval literature.

  18. Erna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "to know"

    • Description:

      That er sound -- as in Myrna, Myrtle, and Bernice -- sounds terminally dated.
  19. Sylena

    • Description:

      Sylena is a feminine name with Greek origins, possibly derived from 'Selene,' the Greek goddess of the moon, or as a variant of Selina/Celina meaning 'heaven' or 'moon.' This melodic name carries an ethereal, elegant quality with its flowing syllables. Sylena remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive appeal for parents seeking something recognizable yet not overused. The name's lyrical quality evokes images of grace and beauty, while its connection to celestial elements adds a touch of mystery and wonder. Sylena shares stylistic elements with popular names like Selena and Sylvia, while maintaining its own unique character. Though never ranking among top names in popularity charts, Sylena has maintained consistent, modest usage throughout the decades, particularly appealing to those drawn to names with classical roots and feminine sounds.

  20. Thankful

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "conscious of benefit received"

    • Description:

      In the Plymouth Colony of the seventeenth century, Thankful was the third most popular of the abstract word names. It disappeared after 1700 and has virtually no chance of returning.