Gutsy Gals

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.

Delly is a feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive form of names like Adele, Cordelia, or Delilah. With English origins as a nickname, it has occasionally emerged as a given name in its own right. The name has a cheerful, friendly quality with its bouncy sound and '-ly' ending. Delly gained some recognition following the popularity of Australian basketball player Matthew Dellavedova, nicknamed "Delly." As a standalone name, it remains uncommon, making it distinctive without being unrecognizable. The name evokes a sense of warmth and approachability with its informal, endearing quality. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across different languages and cultures.

Delphie is a charming feminine name with Greek origins, typically functioning as a diminutive form of Delphine or Philadelphia. Its roots connect to Delphi, the ancient Greek sanctuary and home to the famous oracle, linking the name to concepts of wisdom, prophecy, and spiritual insight. The name also relates to the Greek word 'delphis' meaning dolphin, imbuing it with associations of playfulness, intelligence, and grace. Delphie has a vintage, whimsical quality that fits with the revival of Victorian-era diminutives. While not commonly used, it has seen modest increased interest alongside other sweet, old-fashioned nicknames. The name offers a friendly, approachable alternative to more formal Greek names while maintaining classical roots. Its soft sound and 'ie' ending give it a naturally endearing quality.

Delphina is another form of the sleek French Delphine, rising in popularity. The Blessed Delphina was a Provencal nun.

Delta is an unusual vintage option with a lazy-day-down-by-the-river feel. Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and also the geographical name given to an island formed at the mouth of a river.

Somewhat light and silly on its own.

Dimity is fairly common in Australia, but unheard of outside of it, which is surprising given its similarity to names like Amity, Verity, and Cassidy.

As the song says, "Dinah, is there anyone finer?" Dinah is a charming, underused Old Testament name with a rich literary and musical resume.

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.

The "Little Dorrit" title character of Charles Dickens' novel was actually named Amy; Dorrit was her last name. The Dorit spelling is a short form of Dorotea in Danish and Dorrit has been used as a first name, but its origins are as a surname derived from Dorothea or Durward.

A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia.

Short, but still kind of a mouthful.

Less electric and melodramatic, more serene, than Electra. Isabella Rossellini's daughter (and Ingrid Bernman's granddaughter) is named Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.

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.

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.

The vintage Fenna, an old lady name making a comeback in the Netherlands, originates in Friesland in the northern part of the country, where the Fries language is spoken. Rhyming with Jenna, it's both rare and familiar and could conceivably enjoy wider usage in the English-speaking world as well. Fenna is a Top 50 girls' name in the Netherlands.

Galia is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'wave of God' or 'God will redeem,' while in Russian and Slavic languages, it serves as a diminutive of Galina, meaning 'calm' or 'serene.' The name also has connections to ancient Gaul (modern-day France), potentially meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner.' Galia has an elegant, international appeal with its flowing sound and relatively simple pronunciation. The name has enjoyed modest popularity in Israel, Eastern Europe, and among parents seeking distinctive yet accessible multicultural names. With its cross-cultural significance and melodic quality, Galia offers a beautiful option that feels both exotic and approachable, combining strength and femininity in its brief but impactful syllables.

One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.

Hard as it might be to believe, Gladys was the Harper of 1900, emerging almost out of nowhere to take the naming world by storm. It became a favorite among parents — and writers of romantic Edwardian novels, seen as alluring and unusual. One impetus was the 1870 Ouida novel Puck, whose heroine was the idealized beauty, Gladys Gerant.