Old Fashioned Girl Names

Choosing a name for a baby girl is a special and exciting task, especially when looking for a name with history and charm.

Many parents seek names that are not on the top list of baby names every year, aiming for something unique and meaningful.

To assist in this journey, we have compiled a collection of 100 old-fashioned names along with their meanings.

In this list, you will discover names that are uncommon, classic, unique, beautiful, and cute, helping you find the perfect name for your baby girl.

Classic and Old-Fashioned Baby Girl Names

Abigail

In Hebrew, this classic name means “my father is joy.” It was popular during the Puritan era, fell out of fashion, and then saw a revival in the 20th century.

Annmarie

This name combines the classic names Ann and Marie. It peaked in popularity during the 1970s in the United States but has since seen a decline.

Agatha

In Greek, “Agatha” means “good.” This name belonged to a third-century saint, making it a timeless choice for a little girl.

Agnes

This classic Greek name translates to “chaste” and has ties to the Latin word agnus, meaning “lamb.” It’s been popular since the Middle Ages.

Bridget

With Irish origins, the name Bridget means “exalted one.” In Irish mythology, Brighid was the goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. Alternate spellings include Brigid.

Colleen

This name has Irish roots and simply means “girl.” Despite its roots, it’s more popular in the United States than in Ireland.

Donna

Meaning “lady” in Italian, this name is also the feminine form of the male name Donald. It’s a charming option for a little lady.

Dorothy

Originally Dorothea, the name was simplified to Dorothy and gained popularity thanks to the character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Edith

In Old English, Edith means “fortune” and “war.” It was popular among royalty in the 19th century and has been borne by well-known figures like Edith Wharton and Edith Piaf.

Edna

In Hebrew, this name means “pleasure,” while in Irish it means “kernel.” Either way, Edna is an old-fashioned name with charm.

Eileen

Often seen as the Irish version of Helen, which means “torch” in Greek. The origins could also trace back to the English name Aveline or the Irish Eibhlín.

Eleanor

This Old French name of unknown meaning was popular among French and English queens. It was also famously borne by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Ethel

Meaning “noble” in Old English, this name gained widespread popularity in the late 19th century in England. Ethel Kennedy is one famous bearer.

Eunice

With Greek origins meaning “good victory,” this name rose to prominence during the Protestant Reformation. Eunice Kennedy Shriver is a notable example.

Gertrude

The Dutch and English name Gertrude means “spear of strength” in German. Shakespeare used this name in Hamlet. Possible nicknames include Gertie or Trudy.

Gillian

This is the female form of Julian. Variants include Jillian, with common nicknames being Jill or Gill. The name can be pronounced with either a hard or soft G.

Gladys

In Welsh, this name means “country.” It is also the Welsh version of Claudia, which could be another alternative for your baby girl.

Glenda

A feminine form of Glenn, meaning “valley” in Gaelic. This name was particularly popular during the 1940s and 1950s.

Hannah

This old-fashioned name is the biblical forerunner to Anna. It means “grace” in Hebrew and can also be spelled Hanna.

Helga

Of Scandinavian origin, this name is the feminine form of Helge and means “holy” or “blessed.” The Russian version is Olga.

Hilda

This German name comes from a word that means “battle.” It can also be spelled Hilde.

Irene

Coming from a Greek word for “peace,” this name was borne by the Greek goddess of peace. It was popular in the Byzantine Empire.

Iris

A name representing both a flower as well as the Greek goddess of the rainbow. It means “rainbow” in Greek.

Linda

Between 1947 and 1952, this name was the most popular for girls in the United States. In Spanish and Portuguese, it means “beautiful.” In German, it means “soft” or “mild.”

Lois

This name means “better” in Greek and appears in the Bible as well as the Superman comics.

Marjorie

A form of Margaret influenced by the name of the herb marjoram. It can be spelled Margery and was rare until the 19th century.

Mildred

This Old English name means “gentle strength.” Although rare at one point, it was revived in the 19th century.

Ruth

From Hebrew roots, Ruth means “friend.” The name holds biblical significance and became popular in the U.S. following President Grover Cleveland’s daughter, “Baby” Ruth.

Shannon

Named after the longest river in Ireland, this name is also linked to an Irish goddess. It gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1940s.

Sharon

A biblical place name meaning “plain” in Hebrew. It is also the name of a flowering shrub and gained popularity in the 1920s.

Suzanne

The French form of Susanna, derived from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which means “lily” or “rose.” An alternate form is Susan.

Uncommon and Unique Old-Fashioned Baby Girl Names

Aster

Inspired by the name of a flower, Aster means “star” in Greek. This beautiful and unique name carries a touch of nature and celestial charm.

Beryl

Beryl is derived from a Sanskrit word and refers to the gemstone more commonly known as the emerald. This name gained popularity in the nineteenth century. It can be a thoughtful choice for a girl born in May, as emerald is the birthstone for that month.

Blanche

Blanche means “fair” or “white” and was initially a French nickname. The name originated in Spain as Blanca and became popular in France when a Spanish princess married a French king. It is also known for one of the main characters in the play “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Cora

Cora means “maiden” in Greek, where it is spelled Kore. It gained popularity after the novel “The Last of the Mohicans.” Cora can also be a shortened form of Cordula, Corinne, and Corinna. A common nickname for Cora is Coretta.

Constance

Constance is the English form of the Latin name Constantia, meaning “constant.” One of the historical bearers of this name was the daughter of William the Conqueror.

Elspeth

Elspeth is the Scottish version of the name Elizabeth, which means “my God is my oath” in Hebrew. This version of the name sounds more playful and less formal.

Faye

This short and sweet name means “fairy” in Middle English and “fate” in Old French. It can also be spelled as Fay and might be a shortened form of the name Faith.

Gretchen

Gretchen is the German diminutive of Margareta, which means “pearl” in Latin. Variants of the name include Greta and Gretel.

Lorraine

Lorraine is named after a region in France and has been used as a girl’s name since the late nineteenth century.

Mabel

Mabel comes from the medieval name Amabilis, which means “lovable.” This name saw a revival due to a nineteenth-century novel.

Maeve

Maeve is the English version of the Gaelic name Medb, which means “intoxicating.” In Irish legend, Medb was a warrior queen. Maeve is a strong name, suggesting power, bravery, and strength.

Mavis

Mavis may come from the name of a bird also known as a song thrush. The bird’s name originates from the story of Philomela, who was transformed into a bird in mythology. The name Mavis was first used in a nineteenth-century novel.

Muriel

Muriel comes from the Irish name Muirgel and was brought to England by the Normans. This name became famous after its appearance in a nineteenth-century book. Muriel has several variants including Murielle, Meryl, and Merla.

Nadine

Nadine is the French version of the Slavic name Nadia, which means “hope.”

Sibyl

Sibyl means “prophetess” in Greek. The name has historical significance in Greek and Roman legend as well as in Christian theology. It was revived in the nineteenth century after the novel “Sybil” by Benjamin Disraeli. Variant spellings include Sybil, Cybill, and Sybella.

Tallulah

Tallulah means “leaping waters” in the Choctaw language. It is also the name of waterfalls in Georgia.

Ursula

Ursula means “little bear” in Latin. It was the name of a princess saint and was quite popular in the Middle Ages. This name could be lovely to revive.

Vera

Vera means “faith” in Russian and has also been associated with the Latin word for “true.” The name has been popular in Europe since the late nineteenth century and can also be a nickname for Veronica.

Wanda

Wanda appears in Polish legends as the name of the daughter of the founder of Krakow. The name has potential Germanic roots and was introduced to English-speaking countries in the late nineteenth century.

Wilma

Wilma is a short form of the German name Wilhelmina, which is the female version of William. German settlers introduced it to America in the nineteenth century.

Winifred

Winifred is the English version of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, meaning “fair” and “peace.” This rare girl’s name has been in use in England since the sixteenth century.

Beautiful Old-Fashioned Girl Names

Beverly

In Old English, the name Beverly means “beaver stream” and originally referred to a city. In England, it started as a masculine name before gaining popularity among girls in the early 20th century.

Brenda

Derived from Old Norse, Brenda means “sword” and is likely the feminine version of Brendan. For boy-girl twins, Brenda and Brendan make a compelling pair.

Candace

This biblical name comes from the Cushitic language and translates to “queen mother.” Puritans favored this name, and it gained traction in the mid-20th century.

Celeste

Celeste can be used for both girls and boys. It is the Italian form of the Latin name Caelestis, meaning “of the sky” or “heavenly,” a fitting name for a baby girl.

Darina

The English version of an Irish name, Darina means “fruitful.”

Deirdre

This Gaelic name likely comes from Old Irish meaning “daughter.” It rose to prominence in the early 20th century thanks to plays that had main characters named Deirdre.

Delia

Named for the Greek goddess Artemis, Delia means “of Delos,” referring to the island of her birth. The name became popular in poetic works.

Dolores

A Spanish name meaning “sorrow,” Dolores refers to the Virgin Mary. This beautiful name gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s.

Evelyn

Starting as an English surname, Evelyn became a male name before rising to fame as a girl’s name after the novel “Evelina.” It can also be spelled Eveline.

Florence

Florence comes from the Latin name Florentia, meaning “flourishing.” It’s also the name of a well-known Italian city. Famous bearer Florence Nightingale was a key figure in modern nursing.

Gwendolyn

This Welsh name, also spelled Gwendolen or Gwendoline, means “white ring.” The diminutive form is Gwen.

Lillian

Lillian may originate from the Latin word “lilium,” meaning lily. It could also be a diminutive of Elizabeth.

Lucille

This French form of Lucilla is a diminutive of Lucia. A common nickname for Lucille is Lucy.

Luella

A variant spelling of Louella, Luella combines the names Lu or Lou with Ella.

Marlena

Marlena is a variation of Marlene, derived from Maria and Magdalene, which are names that refer to Mary Magdalene from the Bible.

Pamela

Introduced by poet Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century, Pamela means “all sweetness” from possibly Greek roots. It became popular in the 20th century, and Pam is a cute nickname.

Priscilla

Originally a Roman name meaning “ancient,” Priscilla appears in the Bible and was very popular among the Puritans. Cece is a charming nickname.

Roberta

The female form of Robert, Roberta means “bright fame” in German.

Rowena

The meaning of Rowena is not certain, but it might mean “fame” and “joy” in German. It became known after being used in Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Ivanhoe.”

Sabrina

A name steeped in Welsh legend, Sabrina was a princess who drowned in the River Severn. It appears as a water nymph in John Milton’s “Comus.” The character Sabrina from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” is also well-known.

Sheila

The English version of the Irish name Síle, which stems from Cecilia. Variants include Shayla, Shelia, and Shelagh.

Sonya

A Russian diminutive of Sophia, Sonya means “wisdom” in Greek. This name is also found in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and can be spelled Sonia.

Tamara

Tamara is the Russian version of the Hebrew name Tamar, meaning “date palm.” Tamar was a daughter of King David in the Bible, and the name is famous among Russian actresses and ballerinas.

Winona

In the Dakota language, Winona means “first-born daughter.” It can also be spelled Wynona or Wenona. This name is ideal if your daughter is your first-born.

Cute Old-Fashioned Girl Names

Ada

Ada is a charming name that started as a shorter form of Adelaide. It comes from the German word “adal,” meaning “noble.”

Annette

Annette, the French diminutive of Anne, has been a popular choice in the United States since the 1950s.

Clara

Clara has Latin roots and means “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.” While Clare was more common until the late 19th century, Clara later gained popularity. You can also consider the nickname Clarissa.

Darcy

Originally an English surname, Darcy indicated someone from Arcy in France. The name gained popularity as a result of Jane Austen’s character in “Pride and Prejudice.” It is suitable for both boys and girls.

Denise

A French feminine form of Denis, Denise comes from the name Dionysius. It was common in France before spreading to other regions.

Doretta

Doretta is a cute diminutive of Dora, which can also be short for Dorothy, Theodora, or Isadora.

Edwina

Edwina is the female version of Edwin. In Old English, it means “rich friend.”

Elsa

This name is a shorter form of Elisabeth and has roots in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian cultures. Elsa has a whimsical, enchanting sound.

Francine

Francine is the French feminine version of François, which is the French equivalent of Francis.

Georgina

Georgina derives from the male name George, which means “farmer” in Greek. Other variants include Georgia and the nicknames Georgie or Gina.

Henrietta

Henrietta, sometimes spelled Henriette, is the French feminine form of Henri. It means “home ruler” in German.

Jean

Jean is a variant of Jane, both derived from John. The name was common in England and Scotland in the Middle Ages and spread in the 19th century. Variants include Janice and Jeanne, with diminutives like Jeanette, Janet, and Jeanie.

Loretta

Loretta can also be spelled Lauretta. It may be a diminutive of Laura or Lora, or it could originate from Loreto, a town in Italy meaning “laurel grove.”

Lynette

Though Lynette can be seen as a diminutive of Lynn, it began as Luned or Eluned in Welsh mythology.

Matilda

Matilda means “strength in battle” in German. Named after a saint married to a German king, the name has been popular among royals. In 15th-century England, the name Maud was used. Nicknames include Tilda or Mattie.

Mona

Mona is the English version of the Irish name Muadhnait, which means “little noble one.” It is also tied to a Greek word meaning “one” and is famously known from Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”

Nancy

Nancy started as a diminutive of Annis or Ann but has become its own name. It grew popular in the U.S. in the 20th century and is also the name of a city in France’s Lorraine region.

Odette

Odette is the French version of Oda or Odilia, likely originating from the male name Otto. The name is also known from the ballet Swan Lake.

Pearl

Pearl refers to the gems produced by oysters and has Latin roots in the name Perla. The birthstone for June is the pearl, adding another layer of significance to this name.

Rhonda

Rhonda, meaning “good spear” in Welsh, also has a secondary meaning of “noisy.” The name gained popularity in the 20th century, partly due to a British feminist.

Shirley

Shirley comes from a place name meaning “bright clearing” and is also connected to a novel by Charlotte Brontë. A notable bearer of the name was actress Shirley Temple.

Stacy

Originally a masculine name, Stacy became popular as a feminine name in the 1950s. It can be a diminutive of Anastasia or Eustace. Various spellings include Stacey, Staci, and Stacie.

Wendy

Wendy rose to fame as a character in “Peter Pan.” It likely derives from the Welsh name Gwendolen and became popular following the play’s success.

Yvette

Yvette is the French feminine form of Yves. Variants include Evette, and the nickname Yvonne.

Any of these names can be a beautiful choice for a baby girl.