Deep South Names
- Annabelle
Origin:
Combination of Anna and Belle or French form of AmabelMeaning:
"loving"Description:
This is a charming name that rose steeply along with other-belle names, such as Isabelle, until the horror film Annabelle and its sequels knocked it out of favor. Made famous by the Edgar Allen Poe poem Annabel Lee. Annabelle is saucy and stylish, a tad upscale, has a sense of humor, is melodious and lively, but is unfortunately off its peak.
- Annabeth
Origin:
Combination of Anna and BethDescription:
This is a long-recognized smoosh name merging Anna with the short form of Elizabeth, and is one of the prettiest combo names, a possible alternative to Annabel.
- Abeline
- Clora
Description:
Clora is a feminine name with Latin roots, likely derived from 'chloros' meaning 'green' or 'pale green,' which has connections to flora and growth. It can be considered a variant of Clara or Chloris, the latter being the Greek goddess of flowers. Historically, Clora saw modest usage in the United States particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but has since become quite rare. The name has a vintage charm that aligns with the renewed interest in rediscovering classic names from previous generations. With its soft sounds and botanical associations, Clora offers a delicate alternative to more common flower-inspired names. Though uncommon in contemporary use, it might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical presence, natural connections, and a gentle, feminine quality that remains distinctive without being difficult to pronounce.
- Coralee
Description:
Coralee is a charming feminine name that combines the name Cora with the popular suffix 'lee.' Cora has Latin origins meaning 'maiden' or Greek roots meaning 'heart,' while the suffix adds a southern, melodic quality. This combination creates a sweet, slightly vintage feel reminiscent of American southern charm. Coralee evokes images of warmth and femininity, with connections to both the heart (cor in Latin) and coral from the sea. While never extremely common, the name saw modest usage in the early 20th century and has experienced a small revival along with other vintage names. It appeals to parents who appreciate names with a touch of nostalgia and sweetness, offering the appealing nickname options of Cora or Lee.
- Delia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"born on the island of Delos"Description:
Delia is a somewhat neglected southern charmer that stands on its own but also might be short for Adelia or Cordelia.
- Delphina
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"of Delphi; womb"Description:
Delphina is another form of the sleek French Delphine, rising in popularity. The Blessed Delphina was a Provencal nun.
- Dixie
Origin:
Latin, FrenchMeaning:
"I have spoken; tenth"Description:
A sassy, spunky, punchy kind of name, Dixie can also be considered a place name, one that has become problematic because of its association with the antebellum South. The Dixie Chicks recently dropped Dixie from their band name because of its association with slavery and white privilege.
- Daelynn
- Elsie
Origin:
Diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish variation, ElspethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Elsie is a sweet vintage nickname-name turned modern star. After a 30-year hiatus, Elsie started climbing the US popularity list 20 years ago and is still headed for the top.
- Emmeline
Origin:
Old French form of archaic German AmalMeaning:
"work"Description:
Emmeline is an Emma relative and Emily cousin that is destined for greater use in the wake of the megapopularity of those two names. A recommended Nameberry fave, Emmeline hopped onto the US Top 1000 in 2014 for the first time ever. While it is genuinely an old name, it was rarely used a century ago; only 17 baby girls were named Emmeline in 1915, the same number as were named Ernie!
- Fannie
Origin:
Spelling variation of Fanny, diminutive of FrancesMeaning:
"from France; free man"Description:
It's hard to believe, via a 21st-century sensibility, that Fannie was ever a Top 50 name. But Fannie was even more popular than Fanny in its late 19th-century heyday, and stuck around much longer, staying on the Top 1000 until the 1960s while Fanny fell off in 1940. Today, however, Fannie sounds antiquated at best, and rude at worst.
- Fayanna
Description:
Fayanna is a lyrical feminine name that appears to combine the fairy-like charm of Fay with the graceful ending of names like Anna or Arianna. Fay itself derives from the Middle English word for 'fairy' or from the Old French 'fae,' suggesting something magical or enchanted. The combination creates a name with an ethereal, magical quality while maintaining a traditional feminine sound pattern. Though uncommon in historical records, Fayanna represents the modern trend of blending established name elements to create something distinctive yet accessible. The name evokes images of fantasy and enchantment while still functioning as a practical, pronounceable given name. Fayanna remains rare in usage, appealing to parents who appreciate names with magical associations and melodic qualities, yet desire something beyond the more common fairy-inspired names like Faye or Faeryn.
- Georgia
Origin:
English, feminine variation of GeorgeMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
Georgia is so rich, lush and luscious, it's almost irresistible. Georgia's now a rising star among the feminizations of George, helped by associations with the southern state (named for British King George II) and painter Georgia O'Keeffe, with the Ray Charles song "Georgia On My Mind" or maybe "Sweet Georgia Brown" playing in the background.
- Lavinia
Origin:
Latin, from ancient place name LaviniumDescription:
Lavinia is a charmingly prim and proper Victorian-sounding name which actually dates back to classical mythology, where it was the name of the wife of the Trojan hero Aeneas, who was considered the mother of the Roman people.
- Lenora
Origin:
English, contracted form of LeonoraMeaning:
"light"Description:
A lovely (and uncommon) longer form for Nora, one of the most fashionable international nickname names around. Lenora fell off the US charts in the 70s, but just re-entered in 2022 as parents' love for short forms Leni and Nora is growing.
- Lula
Origin:
Diminutive of any Lu nameDescription:
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.
- Lindley
- Magnolia
Origin:
Flower name, from French surnameMeaning:
"Magnol's flower"Description:
Magnolia, a sweet-smelling Southern belle of a name made famous via the iconic Edna Ferber novel and musical Showboat, is one of the latest wave of botanical names, along with unexpected blossoms Azalea and Zinnia. It is named for French botanist Pierre Magnol.
- Maisie
Origin:
Scottish diminutive of Margaret or MaryMeaning:
"pearl or bitter"Description:
Maisie, a charming name long popular as a nickname for Margaret or Mary, entered the Top 1000 as itself ten years ago and continues to rise. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams helped propel the name back into the limelight, along with the that of her character, Arya.