Are you looking for a vintage name that is not overused? This list of great uncommon vintage names for girls will help you find the perfect name for your new daughter!
Vintage Girl Names
Are you searching for the perfect vintage name for your baby girl? The search for the perfect name is a lot more difficult than five or ten years ago.
Vintage and old fashioned names have become popular for the last decade, but many vintage names, such as Sophia, Isabella, Olivia and Emma have become extremely common; some might say overused.
So what should you do if you love the vintage baby name trend, but you want to avoid giving your baby an overused name?
Uncommon Vintage Names for Girls
If you’re searching for a unique old fashioned name, I’ve done the legwork for you! I’ve scoured the baby name charts for the most uncommon vintage names. These names were popular in the past, but are not been overused today.
I’ve compiled a list of girl names that were popular in the 19th century, but are still relatively uncommon today. None of the vintage girl names below are among the top 100 most popular baby names this year (according to Social Security).
This means you’ll be unlikely to encounter another baby given the same name, and your daughter will not have another child with the same name in their class in elementary school.
Some names are uncommon, but still familiar, hovering in the 200-300 range on baby name charts this year, while others are not even in Social Security’s records of the top 1000 baby names this year. You’ll have lots of choice for an uncommon name for your baby girl.
If you choose any name on this list, you can be assured that your baby will have a unique name that has not been overused.
So without further ado, let’s get to the names!
Unique Vintage Names for Girls
Ada
Ada is a vintage name originating from Germany. It means ‘nobility’ or ‘noble’. It’s a pretty vintage name that hasn’t been overused yet, and might be the perfect name for you!
Agnes
Agnes is a name stemming from the Greek name, Hagne, meaning ‘pure’. Agnes is a very old name. Saint Agnes was a popular Christian saint. Inez is the Spanish version of Agnes.
Alberta
The feminine form of Albert, Alberta means ‘noble and bright’. Prince Albert was the king consort of Queen Victoria, and their daughter was named Princess Louise Alberta, making Alberta a popular name in Victorian times.
Alma
Alma originally comes from Latin and means ‘nourishing’ or ‘life-giving’. Its popularity peaked around the 1880’s and is due for a comeback!
Alta
Alta is a Latin name which means ‘elevated’. Its popularity peaked in the 1890’s. Alta is the perfect baby name for someone who is looking for an undiscovered but elegant vintage name.
Augusta
Coming from the Latin name, Augustus, Augusta means ‘to increase’ or ‘esteemed’. Sometimes it’s also used to honour the eighth month of the year as well.
Barbara
Barbara has Greek origins and means ‘strange’ or ‘foreign’.
Beatrice
Beatrice is a beautiful French/Italian baby name, stemming from the Latin word Beatrix, which means ‘she who makes happy’.
Belle
Derived from Isabella, or the French word meaning beautiful.
Bernice
Bernice has Greek origins and means ‘victory-bringer’.
Bertha
Bertha has Germanic origins and means ‘bright one’.
Bertie
Bertie is a nickname for Alberta, which means ‘noble and bright’. Prince Albert was the king consort of Queen Victoria, and their daughter was named Princess Louise Alberta, making Bertie a popular name in Victorian times.
Bess/Bessie
Bess and Bessie is a nickname for Elizabeth, which means ‘God is my oath’. It can be used as a nickname or stand as its own name.
Betty
Bette is another vintage name that evokes Old Hollywood glamour. Bette comes from the French and can be a nickname of Elizabeth, meaning ‘my God is plentiful’. Betty and Bettie are English versions of the name.
Beulah
Beulah has Hebrew origins and means ‘married’.
Birdie
Birdie means ‘bright, famous’ or ‘little bird’. It has roots in English, German and Swedish. This name is making a revival as some celebrities, including Busy Philips and Maura West, have named their daughter’s Birdie.
Blanche
From the medieval French word for ‘fair’.
Celia
This Latin name is the feminine form of Caelius, which comes from the Latin word for heaven. Celia is a particularly lovely vintage name that has not been overused in the last decade.
Christine
Christine means ‘follower of Christ’ or ‘anointed’ and has its origins in Greek and Egyptian.
Cornelia
Cornelia has Latin origins and means ‘horn’.
Daisy
Daisy is a super cute vintage name that you don’t often hear these days. The name is, of course, after the flower of the same name. The flower name comes from the Old English word meaning ‘day’s eye’. It is also a common nickname for Marguerite, the French name for the flower.
Della
Della is the feminine form of the name Dell, and refers to a dell, or small valley. Della was quite popular in the 19th century. It’s a lovely vintage name that hasn’t regained popularity as quickly as many other.
Delia
Delia is a Greek name, which means ‘born on the island of Delos’.
Dollie
Dollie is a nickname for Dorothy, meaning ‘gift of God’. In the Victorian times, it also stood as a name on its own.
Dora
Dora is a shortened form of Dorothy (meaning ‘gift’ in Greek). It was very popular in Victorian times. One of the main characters in Dicken’s David Copperfield was named Dora. Dora is a fun alternative to Cora, Flora, Nora, etc.
Dorothy
Dorothy comes from the Greek and means ‘God’s gift’.
Edith
Edith comes from Old English and means ‘riches’ or ‘blessed’.
Edna
Edna is a Hebrew name which means ‘pleasure’.
Effie
Effie means ‘pleasant speech’ in Greek and is the shortened form of Euphemia. It’s another vintage name that is not over-used today.
Ellen
Variant of Helen or Eleonora (both meaning shining light).
Eliza
Eliza is another variant of Elizabeth, meaning “God is my light”.
Elsie
Elsie was originally a nickname for Elizabeth, which means “God is my light”, but it now being used as an independent given name. Its popularity reached its highest point last year, jumping from 299 to 280. It’s likely to continue rising next year.
Essie
Essie is a beautiful baby name meaning ‘star’. It makes a great nickname or standalone name for a little girl!
Estella
Estella comes from the Latin word meaning ‘star.’ Stella is a cute, less formal option for a nickname.
Estelle
Stemming originally from Latin, Estelle means ‘star’ in Old French.
Esther
Esther means ‘star’ in Persian. Queen Esther is a notable woman in the Old Testament.
Ethel
Ethel comes from Old English and means ‘noble’.
Etta
Etta is an English name meaning ‘estate ruler’. Is was generally a shortened form of Henrietta, or in some cases, Jamesetta.
Eula
Eula originally comes from the Greek and means ‘well-spoken’.
Eunice
Eunice is a Greek name and means ‘good victory’.
Fannie
Fannie us a shortened form of Frances, a French name meaning ‘free one’.
Flora
From the Latin for ‘flower’ or ‘flower-like’. Flora was the Latin goddess of spring and flowers.
Florence
Florence is a name derived from Saint Florentia, a Roman martyr. Florence means ‘blossoming’ in Latin.
Flossie
Flossie is a shortened form of Florence, which means ‘blossoming’.
Frances
Frances held the 41st place for popular names in the 1880’s. Frances is the female version of Frances. It comes from the Latin word for France, or ‘free one’.
Genevieve
Genny is a cute, but not too common nickname for the beautiful Genevieve.
Gertrude
Gertrude comes from the Germanic language and means ‘strength’ or ‘spear’.
Gladys
Gladys can come from the Welsh language, meaning ‘royalty’ or come from the Latin word for gladiolus, a type of flower.
Goldie
Goldie can be a nickname for Golda, a Yiddish name meaning ‘gold’ or simply a nickname for someone with gold hair. Goldie makes a super-cute name that is recognizable, but unique. Its popularity peaked at the beginning of the 20th century.
Harriet
If you like “old lady names”, you can’t get any more old fashioned than Hattie, which reminds me of a sweet old grandmother. Harriet is a lovely name that hasn’t regained popularity yet, but is bound to come soon.
Hattie
Hattie is a nickname for Harriet, the female form of Harry (a nickname for Henry) which means ‘home ruler’. Hattie was the 33rd most popular girls name in Victorian times.
Helen
Originally from the Greek, meaning ‘moon’. This is a more traditional name that still pays homage to the moon.
Henrietta
Henrietta means ‘estate ruler’ and comes from Old English.
Hilda
Hilda is an Old Norse name meaning ‘battle’.
Ida
Ida is a name that comes from several different cultures including the German (meaning ‘to work’), Old Norse (after the goddess, Iounn), and the Anglicization of the Irish saint, Ide.
Ina
Ina comes from the Anglo-Saxon name for ‘home’ or ‘to entertain’ and means ‘queen’. Ina is also a nickname for any name ending in -ina, such as Marina and Christina.
Inez
Inez is the Portuguese form of Agnes, which stems from the Greek name, Hagne, meaning ‘pure’.
Irene
Irene comes from the Greek word for peace.
Iva
Iva means ‘God is gracious’. Its often a nickname for names beginning with Iv, including Ivana, Ivy, etc.
Janie
Feminine form of John, meaning ‘Jehovah has been gracious’.
Jean
Jean is a unisex name meaning ‘God is gracious’.
Jessie
Jessie was originally a nickname for Janet or Jean. Nowadays Jessie is often the feminine form of Jesse (Hebrew for ‘gift’) or a nickname for Jessica, which also means ‘gift’. Jessie was the 40th most popular name in Victorian times.
Josie
Josie is a French name that means ‘God increases’. It can be a nickname for Joanne or Josephine, or can stand alone.
Leila
Leila stems from the Arabic word meaning ‘night’, or ‘dark beauty’. Leila rose to popularity in the Victorian times after George Byon’s poem, “The Giaour”, was published in 1813.
Lela
Lela is another version of Lelia, originating with the Persian word for ‘dark beauty’ or ‘night’.
Lelia
Lelia is a variation of the name Eulalia, meaning ‘well-spoken’.
Lena
Lena is the shortened form of Elena or Helena, meaning ‘torch’ or ‘light’.
Leona
Leona is the feminine version of the name Leon, meaning ‘lion’. It’s a cute French baby name from the Victorian era.
Lois
Lois is originally a Greek name, which means ‘better’.
Lola
Lola is a nickname for several names. In Spain, it’s a shortened version of Dolores, which means ‘sorrows’, while in German, it’s short for Aloisia, a form of Louise, meaning ‘warrior’. Lola seems like a very modern name, but actually is a Victorian girl name!
Loretta
Loretta is a beautiful Italian baby name, meaning ‘laurel’ or ‘bay’.
Lottie
This is often a nickname for Charlotte, meaning ‘petite’, but can stand on its own as a name.
Louisa
Feminized form of Louis, from the French ‘renowned warrior’.
Louise
Louise was the 38th most popular name in the 1880’s. It’s an old German name meaning ‘famous warrior’. Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter was named Louise, making it a popular choice in the Victorian era.
Lou
Variation of Louis.
Luella
Luella is the combination of two popular baby names, Louise and Ella, combining to mean ‘famous warrior’.
Lucille
Lucille is the French form of Lucia, which means ‘torch’ or ‘light’. Lulu is such a cute shortened version of this beautiful name!
Lulu
The name Lulu stems from Persian and means ‘pearl’.
Lydia
Meaning ‘from Lydia’ and area in Greece.
Mae
Mae can either be a shortened form of Mary or Margaret, or after the month of May (originally after the Roman goddess, Maia).
Mabel
This English name originally stems from the Latin, and means ‘lovable’.
Mamie
Mamie originates in Latin. It is a name related to Mary and can mean ‘bitterness’ or ‘star of the sea’.
Marguerite
You might be wondering how Daisy every became a nickname for Marguerite. Marguerite is actually the French word for Daisy. A super cute, yet uncommon pair.
Marie
French or Czech form of Maria, Marie was made famous by Marie Antoinette.
Marion
Variant of the French name, Marie.
Marlena
Marlena has Hebrew and German origins. It can mean ‘woman from Magdelene’ or be related to the name Mary, and can mean ‘bitterness’ or ‘star of the sea’.
Martha
Martha means ‘the lady, the mistress’, and comes from Aramaic. Martha is featured in the New Testament as the sister of Lazarus.
Matilda
Since I read Roahl Dahl’s famous book, the name Matilda has stuck with me. Tillie is a super sweet vintage nickname that words perfectly with Matilda, which means ‘strength in battle’.
Mattie
Mattie seems like a very modern, unisex name, but it’s actually been around for centuries and was the 34th most popular girls name of the 1880’s. It’s s diminutive for Matilda, meaning ‘strength in battle’.
Maude
An old form of Matilda, meaning ‘strength in battle’.
May
Named after the fifth month of the year.
Mayme
Mayme originates from the Latin and is related to the name Mary. It means ‘star of the sea’. or ‘bitterness’.
Mildred
Millie
Millie can be a shortened form of several names, including Amelia, Camilla, Melissa, Mildred or Millicent. It means ‘industrious’.
Minnie
Minnie is traditionally a shortened form of the Hebrew name, Miryam, meaning ‘sea of bitterness’, but can also be a nickname for any ‘M’ name, including Mary, Margaret, Minerva, etc.
Myra
Myra is a name created by the 17th century poet, Fulke Greville. It possibly comes from myrrh, which is myrra in Latin.
Myrtle
English word for an evergreen shrub.
Nancy
Nancy is a diminutive of Ann and means ‘grace’. Nancy peaked in the 1930’s.
Nell
Diminutive for Eleanor.
Nellie
Nellie is another nickname for Helen, and also means ‘bright, shining one’.
Nettie
Nettie can be a nickname for Annette or stand as a name in its own right. Nettie means ‘clean’.
Nina
Nina has etymologic roots all over the world including Russia, Spain, Babylon, South America and a nickname for many names ending in -nina.
Ola
Ola comes from Arabic and means ‘arise’. It also is a nickname for the Polish Aleksandra, or a male name in Norway and Sweden.
Olive
This French girl’s name honours the olive tree. It’s a less common alternative to Olivia. Olive has risen in popularity in the past few years.
Ollie
A shortened form of Olivia or Olive.
Olga
Olga is an Old Norse name that means ‘holy’ or ‘blessed’.
Ora
Ora is a beautiful girl name meaning ‘prayer’ in Latin. It’s a lovely and unique Victorian name.
Pauline
Pauline is the French form of Paulina, meaning ‘little’ or ‘younger’.
Pearl
The name of a gemstone that forms in some shellfish.
Rebecca
Rebecca is a Hebrew baby name which means ‘servant of God’.
Rena
Rena is a Hebrew name meaning ‘melody’. It can also be a shortened form of Irene, meaning ‘peace’.
Rhoda
Rhoda is a Greek and Latin name which can mean ‘rose’, or ‘from Rhodes’.
Rosa
Rosa is a Spanish and Italian vintage girl name that means ‘rose’ in Latin. Rosa is a little more unique than the classic Rose, but is just as sweet.
Roxie
Roxie can be a shortened form of Roxanne, or stand as a name on its own. It comes from the Persian word for ‘dawn’.
Ruth
From the Hebrew, meaning ‘friend’.
Sallie
Sallie is a Hebrew baby name meaning ‘princess’.
Sue
Shortened form for Susanna, meaning ‘lily’.
Susan
Susan means ‘lotus flower’ in Greek. It’s also a variant of the Hebrew name, Susannah, meaning ‘to be joyful’.
Sylvia
Sylvia is a Latin name meaning ‘spirit of the wood’. The Roman god of the forest was Silvanus. Sylvia is the feminine form.
Tillie
Tillie is a shortened form of Matilda, which is a German name meaning ‘glorious in battle’.
Vera
This is a super recognizable, but unique vintage name that is very hip at the moment. Vera is a Russian baby name meaning ‘faith’. This could be the perfect baby name if you’re looking for a mix of frill, yet simplicity!
Vera
This is a super recognizable, but unique vintage name that is very hip at the moment. Vera is a Russian baby name meaning ‘faith’. This could be the perfect baby name if you’re looking for a mix of frill, yet simplicity!
Viola
Viola is an Italian vintage girls name. It comes from Latin and means ‘violet. Viola Davis is a well-known actress with this beautiful name.
Virginia
Virginia stems from the Latin and means ‘virginal or pure’. Virginia is a super vintage name that is barely used anymore. It has two adorable nicknames, Ginny or Ginger.
Willie
A nickname for Wilhelmina or a female form of William, meaning ‘resolute protector’. What a cute and fresh Victorian girl name!
Winnie
Winnie is a beautiful nickname for Winifred, or sometimes Edwina. It comes from the Welsh and means ‘fair one’.
Winifred
Winifred is a Welsh and Old English girl’s name, meaning ‘joy and peace’. Winnie, or Wynne makes a very cute nickname for this beautiful and uncommon vintage name.
Well parents-to-be, I hope this helps you with your search for the perfect unique vintage name!
Happy name hunting!
