Vintage Names

Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."

Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to fight the stereotype of faded Southern belle, a la Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire and Blanche Devereaux in TV's Golden Girls. Now all three of the Golden Girls--Blanche, Rose and Dorothy--could be ready for revival, with Blanche sounding like a stronger, simpler alternative to Bianca.

If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the Lambs pronunciation. Clarice was the name of the wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, and Clarice Cliff was a famed British ceramics artist. Though a Top 300 name from 1906 to 1934, modern parents might prefer the more delicate Clarissa.

Fresh, bright, and sunny, Della could be an alternative to Ella, Delilah, or Adeline. Familiar but not yet overused, it combines the elements of contemporary favorites with vintage charm.

Doris had long been on our so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out-for-babies list, and seemed to be written there in indelible ink. But there are signs of a sea change, that Doris could profit from the revivals of Dorothy and Dorothea.

Exie is a vintage feminine name that enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often used as a nickname for names beginning with 'Ex-' or as a diminutive for Elizabeth or Exilda, it has a quaint, old-fashioned charm. The name nearly disappeared from usage by the mid-20th century, making it extremely rare today. Its brevity and distinctive sound give it potential appeal to modern parents seeking truly uncommon vintage names. Exie has Southern American associations, as it appeared more frequently in Southern states during its peak usage. The name's simplicity and unique 'x' sound offer a combination of antique appeal and contemporary phonetic interest.

Of all the botanicals, Fern has been one of the slowest to move back from the front parlor into the nursery, despite the appealing girl character in the children's classic Charlotte's Web. Fern was most popular from the turn of the last century through the 1940s, reaching a high of #152 in 1916. We can certainly see her rejoining the long list of popular greenery names.

Florence is back, returning to the US Top 1000 girl names in 2017 after a nearly 40 year absence. Other English-speaking countries have been quicker to welcome Florence back into fashion.

All but unheard of today, Floy was a popular Florence nickname used on its own in a century ago: it was Number 448 in 1914. Charles Dickens uses Floy as a pet name for the character Florence Dombey in his novel Dombey and Son.

Kattie or Katti is an unusual short form of Katherine, more old fashioned than Kate and more unusual than Kathy. Plus there's the "catty" issue.

Mossie is a feminine name with Irish origins, traditionally used as a nickname for Maurice (for males) or Maureen (for females). In Irish contexts, it's pronounced more like 'MOH-shee' and has been used as an independent given name for generations, particularly in rural communities. The name has a gentle, vintage quality reminiscent of simpler times. Outside Ireland, Mossie might evoke associations with moss—the soft green plant—lending nature-inspired overtones. While uncommon in most English-speaking countries today, it retains usage within Irish families honoring heritage. The name has a friendly, approachable quality with its soft sounds and diminutive ending, making it feel simultaneously quaint and affectionate. Mossie represents a connection to Irish naming traditions while maintaining a distinctive character.

Ossie is best-known as the name of actor Ossie Davis, whose full name did not start with Os: It was Raiford. But Ossie makes a cute contemporary short form for any name beginning with Os.

Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form for names ending in -rilla, like Marilla from the Anne of Green Gables books (Anne's youngest daughter is Bertha Marilla, called Rilla for short). Rilla may also derive from the German word Rille, meaning "brook; stream".