Top 100 Old Fashioned Girl Names With Meanings

Have you ever wondered how to cherish your lovely memories of the era bygone and keep revisiting them now and then? Try uncommon old-fashioned names for your beloved daughter from the vast compilation we have curated just for you. Why? Whether you are fond of history, like vintage glamour, or just looking for an unheard name for your little princess, these old English female names would be your best bet. Old-time girl names not only have the potential to resurface and create a boom, but they are also significant which have already been tried and tested by our grandparents and great-grandparents, and so on.

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Consider these old-fashioned girl names if you’re looking to cherish memories of the past and give your daughter a name that embodies vintage charm. These names carry historical significance and a timeless elegance that is becoming increasingly popular among modern parents.

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So, what are you waiting for? Try these classic girl names and pick the most suitable for your little wonder.

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Beautiful Old Fashioned Girl Names

Keep the nostalgia of good times alive by choosing one from these old-school baby girl names and relive your childhood. These beautiful names are old-fashioned yet compelling, and they perfectly describe the wonderful memories that you have from the days gone by.

1. Anastasia

This name is a classy retro name of Greek origin, made famous by the 4th-century Dalmatian saint who was martyred. It means “resurrection.”

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2. Aubrey

Aubrey is undoubtedly one of the best country girl names. It is a mix of French and English origin. It means “the fair ruler of the little people,” precisely the elves.

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3. Bessie

It is of Greek origin and is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means “oath of God.”

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4. Cecelia

Cecelia is a Latin-origin name that evolved from the word “blind.” Saint Cecelia was a popular name bearer in ancient Rome who converted to Christianity.

5. Charlie

Charlie was once a masculine name, but with time, it has become an attractive and cute unisex name for babies. It means “beautiful” and would suit your child aptly.

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6. Dahlia

Apart from being the national flower of Mexico, Dal is called a “valley” in Sweden, and Dahlia is referred to as a flower from the valley.

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7. Daphne

It has its origins in the Greek world. Legend says that Daphne was a mythological nymph turned into a laurel bush to save her from the god Apollo’s unwanted attention.

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8. Delia

Delia comes from the Greek name, which means “from Delos.”

9. Dolly

Dolly is a variant of the word Dorothy. Doll and Dolly have been used since the 16th century, meaning “the gift of god.”

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10. Dora

Dora is of Greek origin and is the shortened form of Dorothea. It means “gift.” This unique name has become a name on its own.

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11. Edith

This vintage name of Old English origin means “fortunes of war.”

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12. Emily

Emily is the feminine form of Amelia, taken from the Roman family name Aemilius. Emily means “industrious” and “striving.”

13. Faith

It was a very popular name among the 17th-century Puritans, meaning “unquestioning belief and trust in God.”

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14. Gilda

It is an Italian name derived from the Germanic element gild. In English, it means “coated with gold” or “gilded.”

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15. Gladys

Gladys has been taken from the Welsh name Gwladys or Gwladus. It means “royalty.”

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16. Hannah

Hannah is a Hebrew baby name with a beautiful meaning. It means “favoured by God.”

17. Henrietta

Henrietta certainly evokes aristocratic vibes with a hint of playfulness. It is the feminine version of Henry.

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18. Hilda

Hilda was formed initially from the Old Norse name Hildr, which means “glorious warfare.”

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19. Juanita

Juanita is the ultimate baby girl name. If you want vintage Spanish names, they should be on your shortlist. It means “God is gracious.”

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20. Julia

Julia is the feminine form of Julius, a Romanian family name. As pretty as its name, it signifies “youthfulness.”

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21. Kathy

Kathy is taken from the Greek word Catherine. It means “pure.”

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22. Lorraine

Lorraine is derived from the Medieval Latin word Lotharingia and means “from the land of Lorraine.”

23. Louisa

A feminine form of the French name Louis, Louisa means “a famous warrior”.

24. Myrtle

Myrtle stems from a plant named Myrtle. The famous Harry Potter series for the bathroom ghost, Moaning Myrtle, also referenced the name.

25. Rena

Rena is short and cute, perfect for your little girl. The name means “born again.”

Uncommon and Unique Old Fashioned Girl Names

Discover charming and distinctive old-fashioned girl names that bring a touch of nostalgia and elegance to modern life. Embrace the beauty of timeless names that stand out in today’s world.

1. Althea

It is derived from the Greek name for the marshmallow plant, which is known to have healing powers. It means wholesome and “to heal.”

2. Blanche

It is derived from the Germanic word Blanc and has many variants. Blanche is one of the cute names still in vogue and means “white” or “fair.”

3. Coleen

Coleen or “Girl” has its roots in Ireland and shares a Gaelic origin. It also means a “lass.”

4. Cora

Cora originates from the name Corrina or Kore and has a rich history behind it. It is a name shared by the Greek Goddess Persephone and means “maiden.”

5. Della

Short and sweet, Della is a trendy name and means noble. It is also an alternate for the name Adela, which means nobility.

6. Dixie

It is a mix of French and English origins and may have been derived from the Mason-Dixon line. Dixie, in common terms, means “ten.”

7. Edie

Edie has an English origin and means “one who is prosperous in war”. Derived from the English word “Eadgyth”, it means “happy or prosperous in war.”

8. Elnora

Elnora is a vintage name with sassy vibes. It means “the other Aenor.”

9. Emmeline

 Emmeline is a sophisticated name of Medieval English origin. The meaning of this name is “work.”

10. Eugenia

Eugenia is the feminine form of the male name Eugene, which has Greek origin. It has a subtle and beautiful meaning, “well-born,” that suits any baby girl.

11. Gertrude

Gertrude shares its lineage from the Germanic name Geretrudis, which means “strength” and “spear.”

12. Gussie

Gussie is a cool-sounding and playful girl whose name means “to increase.” It is a short version of Augusta.

13. Hortense

Mostly common in French-speaking countries, more so than English, this French name means “garden.” Hortense is pronounced with the H silent.

14. Ina

Ina means “ruler.” It shares a rich history with Princess Ina, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter. She became the Queen of Spain in 1906.

15. Josephine

It is a feminine form of Joseph and has a French connection. Josephine, the French empress, was the wife of the legend Napoleon Bonaparte. It means “addition to the family.”

16. Keziah

Keziah is an ancient Hebrew name that has references in the Bible. In the Bible, Keziah was one of Job’s three daughters. The name means “cinnamon” or “cassia.”

17. Lavinia

This voguish old-fashioned name is of Roman origin, meaning “legendary mother of Romans.”

18. Ora

Ora is a unique-sounding English name meaning “pray.”

19. Sophronia

Sophronia is undoubtedly a diamond in the rough for those looking for rare and ancient Greek names. This name means “controlled” or “sensible.”

20. Tamar

Tamar is a Hebrew name for “date palm.”

21. Thirza

Thirza is a meaningful old-fashioned girl’s name, preferable for those with Dutch heritage. It means “favourable” in Dutch.

22. Vesta

Vesta is a mythological name of Roman origin, which belonged to a Roman goddess who was symbolised by eternal fire. Hence, the name means “fireside” or “hearth.”

23. Zillah

Zillah is a traditional ancient Hebrew name meaning “shade.” The name was very popular during the Victorian era.

24. Zora

Zora is a chic Slavic name for “aurora” or “dawn.”

25. Zula

Zula is a Polish name for “lily.”

Classic Old Fashioned Girl Names

Old fashioned baby girl names evoke a sense of timeless elegance and charm, often drawing inspiration from history and tradition. Here’s a list of classic names that beautifully blend nostalgia with sophistication.

1. Alma

Alma is derived from the Latin version of “Alma Mater,” which means “dear mother.” It’s a unique, not overused, and very soulful name.

2. Annie

Annie is a diminutive version of Anna. It means “favoured” and “gracious.”

3. Arlene

Arie stems from Hebrew culture and means “a lion.”

4. Ava

It shares a Latin origin and signifies “life.” Its deep-rooted meaning makes it a perfect choice for your baby girl.

5. Augusta

Augusta comes from the feminine form of “Augustus.” Made famous by the mother’s name of the majestic King George III, it means someone who is venerable or has majestic dignity.

6. Beatrice

It comes from the Latin Beatrix, meaning “one who makes people happy.” A baby is a bringer of joy and blessings. Beatrice is the perfect name for your child.

7. Belinda

It originates from the Old German name Betlindis or Betlinde, meaning a “bright linden tree” or a “bright serpent.” It also means beautiful or “the pretty one.”

8. Bertha

This ancient Germanic name was highly popular in the 9th and 19th centuries. It means “famous” and “bright.”

9. Beth

Beth shares a unique history behind it. It means “God of plenty” and is also the name of the lead heroine of Louisa M. Alcott’s famous novel Little Women.

10. Brenda

Made famous by Walter Scott’s novel in 1822, The Pirate, Brenda was a unique name used only across the Shetland Isles in Scotland. It means “sword” or a “torch.”

11. Bridgett

This name dates back to the history of the mythological Celtic Goddess known to be the Goddess of poetry and fire. It signifies “strength,” “valour,” “virtue,” “vigour,” and “power.” It also means “the exalted one.”

12. Charlotte

It is a feminine name of Charles and means petite. The name has been in vogue since the 14th century and has also found prominence in the present times.

13. Claire

Claire is derived from the Latin name “Clarus.” It means “clear” or “bright.”

14. Cynthia

Cynthia is believed to be one of the names of the moon goddess, who is said to have been born on Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos.

15. Diana

Diana symbolises the Roman Goddess of the Moon and is also identified as the Greek goddess Artemis. It means divine and also heavenly.

16. Eleanor

Eleanor has an English origin and is derived from the Provencal name “Alienor” or Greek Helene. It means the “bright, torch, shining one.”

17. Florence

You could never go wrong with this retro name. This English name means “prosperous.”

18. Georgette

The famous romance novelist of British origin, Georgette Heyer, shares this name. It is a French feminine form of the Greek word George and signifies a “tiller of the soil” or a “farmer.”

19. Jane

The name Jane shares its popularity with the famous novelist Jane Austen. It is derived from the French word Jehanne and means “God is merciful.”

20. Margaret

Margaret shares its origins with Latin (Margarite), Greek (Margarites) and French (Marguerite). It means “Pearl.”

21. Phyllis

Phyllis is a mighty selection within our retro names for girls, meaning “foliage.”

22. Sarah

In biblical reference, Sarah was the mother of Issac, which means “Princess.”

23. Shirley

Shirley means “bright wood” or “bright meadow.” Child actress Shirley Temple shares this beautiful name.

24. Thelma

This name was coined by the renowned writer Marie Corelli for her book “Thelma.” It means “will.”

25. Winifred

Winifred is a worldly name with diverse meanings. It means “blessed” or “friend of peace.”

Cute Old Fashioned Names For Girls

Here are some cute and old fashioned names for your baby girls

1. Adah

Adah is an ancient Hebrew name meaning “adornment.” The name was popularised by the American actress Adah Isaacs Menken, who was quite famous for her stage show, Mazzepa.

2. Angelique

It is a French name derived from Angelique, which originated as Angelicus in Latin and Angelikos in Greek. It means “messenger of God.”

3. Arabella

Arabella is a cute Catalan name meaning “now beautiful.”

4. Arie

 Arie stems from Hebrew culture and means “a lion.”

5. Belle

It originates from the French era, which signifies beauty. It is also a variant of Isabella.

6. Callie

Callie has a Greek origin, and it means “beautiful.”

7. Caroline

Caroline is derived from the Italian name Karl or Charles and represents the feminine side of this name. It means “strong” and “beautiful.”

8. Cecilia

It is derived from Caecilius, the Roman clan name based on the Latin coccus, which means “blind.” Cecilia is the feminine form of the name Cecil.

9. Clara

Derived from the Latin name Clarus, Clara is its feminine form. One of the most popular vintage names for a girl, it means “bright,” “famous,” and “clear.”

10. Clarissa

Derived from the Latin name Clarus and the Germanic name expansion Clarice, Clarissa is an unusual baby name with an old-fashioned tinge.

11. Eliza

Eliza is a shortened form of Elizabeth with a beautiful meaning. It means “God of plenty.” Over the 18th and 19th centuries, Eliza had made its name.

12. Elsa

Elsa is a variant of the Greek name Elisabeth and the Hebrew name Elisheba. It was initially used as a nickname for Elizabeth, but now it has become a given name by itself. Elsa means “joyful” and “noble.”

13. Eva

The Latin counterpart of the English name Eve is Eva. Derived from a Hebrew name, it means “the living one” or “full of life.”

14. Evelyn

Evelyn originates from the surname derived from the French name Aveline. It transitioned into a first name and meant “wished for a baby.”

15. Fanny

Fanny has an English origin and is widely derived from the word Frances. It means “free.” The fictional character in John Cleland’s Fanny Hill has made this popular among parents.

16. Hattie

Hattie has an English origin, meaning “powerful ruler” or mistress of the home.”

17. Irene

The name originated from the Greek name Eirene and means “peace” and “calm.”

18. Iris

 Iris has a Greek origin, which means “rainbow.” It also denotes the iris flower or the coloured part of the eye.

19. Isabella

It is taken from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning “god is perfection” and “he is my oath.”

20. Ivy

One of the cute names, Ivy, means “fidelity” in English. In the old days, Greeks gave newlyweds a wreath of ivy to symbolise their love and faithfulness towards each other.

21. Jemima

As beautiful as its name, Jemima has a Hebrew origin and means “little dove.”

22. Kimberly

Derived from the place Kimberley, Northern Cape, located in South Africa. It means from the “meadows of the royal fortress.”

23. Lillian

Lillian is derived from the beautiful flower Lily. Lily denotes innocence, beauty and purity.

24. Nellie

This cutesy English and Swedish name is popular. The name is a nickname version of any name starting with Nel.

25. Stella

It also shares a dual origin from Latin and Italian and means “star.”

FAQs

1. How can you choose an old fashioned girl name?

To choose an old-fashioned girl name, consider names that have stood the test of time, such as those popular in the early 20th century. Look for names with classic charm and historical significance, like Eleanor or Beatrice. Additionally, consider family heritage or names that evoke nostalgia to find a meaningful choice.

2. Do old fashioned girl names have specific cultural variations?

Old-fashioned girl names reflect their historical and cultural roots. Names like Ada (Germanic, meaning “noble”) and Agnes (Old French, meaning “pure”) showcase their origins. Miriam and Hallel, rooted in Hebrew culture, derive significance from the Bible.

Revising these names often ties to their meanings, conveying virtues such as nobility and grace. Names like Maeve (Irish) and Marguerite (French) highlight the influence of different cultures on vintage names, enriching the naming landscape and connecting individuals to their heritage.

3. Are there any considerations when giving an old-fashioned name to a girl in a modern context?

When choosing an old-fashioned name for a girl in a modern context, consider its cultural relevance and how it resonates with contemporary trends. Vintage names can evoke nostalgia while offering versatility and charm, often accompanied by appealing nicknames. Be mindful of social perceptions, as reactions can vary widely; some may find old-fashioned names unique, while others might see them as outdated. Additionally, names with historical significance can add depth and meaning, honouring the past while remaining relevant today. Ultimately, the choice should reflect personal values and the desired identity of the child, balancing tradition with modernity.

This comprehensive list of unusual baby names will make finding your baby’s ideal name easy. So, pick a beautiful name for your little princess from this list of old-fashioned names for baby girls!

Also Read:

Latest and Modern Girl Names
Soft Names for Girls with Meaning
Long Names for Girls & Their Meanings
Country Names for Girls with Meanings

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About the Author
Gauri Ratnam

Gauri Ratnam completed her Masters in English Literature from the University of Pune. She began her journey as a German translator soon after completing her graduation, but later moved on to pursue her passion for writing. Having written for both digital and print media in a varied range of industries, she has the ability to write relatable and well-researched content, benefical for anyone seeking advice or direction.

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