User-created list
Miss America Names
Across 4 pages
of 4
Deirdre
Irish
"sorrowful"
Sadly, this strong Celtic name often has "of the sorrows" attached to it because of the tragic character in Irish legend. Also a bit drab when compared with newer Irish imports.
Donna
Italian
"lady"
Literally meaning "lady" in Italian, Donna was the perfect ladylike housewife mom name on The Donna Reed Show in the fifties and sixties. And there were plenty of namesakes: Donna was in the Top 10…
Debbye
Ericka
Ericka is a feminine variation of the name Eric, which has Norse origins meaning "eternal ruler" or "ever powerful." This spelling with a 'k' and ending with an 'a' gives the traditionally male name…
Erika
English and Scandinavian variation of Erica, Norse feminization of Eric or Italian word name
"eternal ruler; heather"
This is a more spunky and Nordic looking variant of Erica, but the k also makes the connection to the beautiful flower less apparent.
Fay
English
"fairy"
Fay, also spelled Faye, who had been napping quietly since the 1930's, has, like cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae, sat up and started rubbing her eyes, ready for a mini-comeback, especially as a middle…
Gretchen
German, diminutive of Margarethe
"pearl"
Like Greta, Gretchen is a German Margaret diminutive that has become an American quasi-classic, though not much used today, having dropped off the list in 2009. She was at her high point in the…
Heather
English botanical name
"small shrub"
This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers , in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the…
Henrietta
Feminine variation of Henry, German
"estate ruler"
Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that…
Jacquelyn
Jacquelyn is a feminine name of French origin, a variant spelling of Jacqueline, which is the feminine form of Jacques (the French equivalent of James). Ultimately, these names derive from the Hebrew…
Jean
English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
"God is gracious"
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of…
Jacque
Jo-Carroll
Kaye
Short form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Kaye and its more popular sister Kay, once common short forms of the perennially popular Katherine, are now on the endangered list, given to fewer than 50 baby girls each year. But maybe that makes…
Kellye
Kellye is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Kelly, which originated as an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Ó Ceallaigh,' meaning 'descendant of Ceallach' (bright-headed or…
Kirsten
Scandinavian variation of Christine
Lovely, authentic name -- but any Kirsten will be condemned to a lifetime of hearing "Did you say Kristen?" They're both genuine Scandinavian names but too interchangeable.
Kylene
Kylene is a feminine name with modern American origins, likely derived as a blend of the popular prefix 'Ky-' with the feminine suffix '-lene.' It may be considered a variation of Kylie or an…
Laurie
English, diminutive of Laura
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
Laurie morphed into the more streamlined Lori in the sixties but now feels dated for a girl in either spelling. Update Lauren has been renovated as Laurel or Laura itself.
Lee
English
"pasture, meadow"
The original brief, breezy name is somewhat out of favor now even as a middle name. The Leigh spelling has more substance and is more identifiable as female.
Lois
Greek
"most desirable"
The eternal fiancee of Superman turned sweet gray-haired lady who's always available to babysit her grandkids turned....hot new baby name? True to the Hundred Year Rule, Lois is poised to climb the…