Looking for a name that stands the test of time?
Vintage girl names have made a huge comeback, and for good reason.
These names carry a sense of history, character, and charm that modern names sometimes lack.
From names that graced the birth certificates of the early 1900s to those popular in the mid-century, these classics feel both familiar and fresh.
The best part? They won’t be shared by five other girls in your daughter’s kindergarten class.
Ready to find that perfect old-soul name that feels just right for your little one? Let’s dive into these gorgeous throwback options.
Unique Vintage Girl Names With Meanings
- Abigail – A Hebrew name meaning “my father’s joy,” popular during colonial times.
- Ada – Short and sweet, meaning “noble” or “adornment.”
- Adelaide – Of German origin meaning “noble kind,” elegant and sophisticated.
- Adeline – A French diminutive of Adele meaning “noble” and “kind.”
- Agnes – Greek name meaning “pure” or “holy,” popular in the Victorian era.
- Alice – Of German origin meaning “noble,” made famous by Lewis Carroll’s character.
- Alma – Means “soul” in Latin and “apple tree” in Celtic languages.
- Amelia – Has Germanic roots meaning “work” and connotes industriousness.
- Anastasia – Greek name meaning “resurrection,” with royal connections.
- Angelica – Means “angelic” or “messenger of God.”
- Annabelle – A combination of Anna and Belle, meaning “gracious” and “beautiful.”
- Arabella – Of Latin origin meaning “yielding to prayer,” elegant and feminine.
- Audrey – Anglo-Saxon name meaning “noble strength.”
- Aurora – Latin name meaning “dawn,” associated with the Roman goddess of sunrise.
- Beatrice – Latin name meaning “she who brings happiness.”
- Bernadette – Brave as a bear, with French origins.
- Betsy – A diminutive of Elizabeth meaning “God is my oath.”
- Beverly – From the Old English meaning “beaver stream” or “meadow.”
- Blanche – French name meaning “white” or “pure.”
- Bonnie – Scottish name meaning “pretty” or “attractive.”
- Camille – French name meaning “young ceremonial attendant.”
- Caroline – Feminine form of Charles, meaning “free man.”
- Cecilia – Latin name meaning “blind to one’s own beauty.”
- Charlotte – Feminine form of Charles, meaning “free man,” with royal connections.
- Clara – Latin name meaning “bright” or “clear.”
- Claudia – Feminine form of Claude, meaning “lame” or “enclosure.”
- Clementine – Means “merciful,” popularized by the folk song “Oh My Darling.”
- Cora – Greek name meaning “maiden,” popular in the Victorian era.
- Cordelia – Celtic name meaning “daughter of the sea.”
- Daisy – Derived from “day’s eye,” referring to the flower that opens at dawn.
- Daphne – Greek name meaning “laurel tree,” associated with mythology.
- Darlene – Means “dearly loved” or “tenderly loved.”
- Deborah – Hebrew name meaning “bee,” symbolizing industriousness.
- Delilah – Hebrew name meaning “delicate” or “languishing.”
- Diana – Roman goddess of the moon and hunting, meaning “divine.”
- Dinah – Hebrew name meaning “judged” or “vindicated.”
- Dolores – Spanish name meaning “sorrows,” referring to the Virgin Mary.
- Dora – Greek name meaning “gift,” often a nickname for Dorothy or Theodora.
- Dorothy – Greek name meaning “gift of God,” like the character from The Wizard of Oz.
- Edith – Old English name meaning “prosperous in war” or “blessed.”
- Edna – Hebrew name meaning “rejuvenation” or “pleasure.”
- Eleanor – Greek name meaning “bright, shining one.”
- Eliza – Short form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Elizabeth – Hebrew name meaning “pledged to God,” with countless variations.
- Ella – Germanic name meaning “fairy maiden” or “all.”
- Ellen – Greek name meaning “bright, shining light.”
- Eloise – Old German name meaning “famous warrior.”
- Elsie – Diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Emmeline – German name meaning “work” or “universal.”
- Esther – Persian name meaning “star,” from the biblical queen.
- Ethel – Old English name meaning “noble.”
- Eugenia – Greek name meaning “well-born” or “noble.”
- Evangeline – Greek name meaning “bearer of good news.”
- Evelyn – From the French surname Aveline, meaning “desired.”
- Fanny – Diminutive of Frances, meaning “free one.”
- Felicity – Latin name meaning “happiness” or “good fortune.”
- Florence – Latin name meaning “flourishing” or “prosperous.”
- Frances – Latin name meaning “from France” or “free one.”
- Genevieve – French name meaning “tribe woman.”
- Georgia – Feminine form of George, meaning “farmer.”
- Gertrude – Germanic name meaning “strength of a spear.”
- Gladys – Welsh name derived from “gwledig,” meaning “country” or “kingdom.”
- Gloria – Latin name meaning “glory.”
- Grace – Latin name meaning “charm” or “goodness.”
- Greta – Short form of Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
- Gwendolyn – Welsh name meaning “white ring” or “blessed ring.”
- Hannah – Hebrew name meaning “grace.”
- Harriet – English form of Henriette, meaning “home ruler.”
- Hazel – English name referring to the hazelnut tree and color.
- Heidi – German name meaning “nobility.”
- Helen – Greek name meaning “bright, shining light.”
- Henrietta – Feminine form of Henry, meaning “home ruler.”
- Hester – Variation of Esther, meaning “star.”
- Ida – Germanic name meaning “industrious one.”
- Imogen – Celtic name meaning “maiden” or “daughter.”
- Ingrid – Scandinavian name meaning “Ing’s beauty.”
- Irene – Greek name meaning “peace.”
- Iris – Greek name meaning “rainbow,” also a flower name.
- Isabel – Spanish variation of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Ivy – English name referring to the climbing plant, symbolizing fidelity.
- Jane – Feminine form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
- Josephine – Feminine form of Joseph, meaning “God will increase.”
- Joyce – Latin name meaning “lord” or “joyful.”
- Judith – Hebrew name meaning “woman from Judea” or “praised.”
- Julia – Feminine form of Julius, meaning “youthful” or “downy.”
- June – Latin name referring to the month and goddess Juno.
- Katherine – Greek name meaning “pure.”
- Laura – Latin name meaning “laurel tree,” symbolizing victory.
- Lavinia – Latin name possibly meaning “to wash” or of Etruscan origin.
- Leona – Latin name meaning “lioness.”
- Lillian – Latin name meaning “lily flower,” symbolizing purity.
- Loretta – Latin diminutive of Laura, meaning “laurel.”
- Louise – Feminine form of Louis, meaning “famous warrior.”
- Lucille – French name meaning “light.”
- Lucy – Latin name meaning “light.”
- Lydia – Greek name referring to an ancient kingdom in Asia Minor.
- Mabel – Latin name meaning “lovable.”
- Madeline – French form of Magdalene, meaning “from Magdala.”
- Margaret – Greek name meaning “pearl.”
- Marguerite – French form of Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
- Marion – Hebrew name meaning “bitter” or “beloved.”
- Martha – Aramaic name meaning “lady” or “mistress of the house.”
- Matilda – Germanic name meaning “battle-mighty.”
- Maud – German name meaning “powerful battler.”
- Maxine – Latin name meaning “greatest.”
- May – English name referring to the month, or short for Mary.
- Meredith – Welsh name meaning “great lord” or “sea lord.”
- Mildred – Anglo-Saxon name meaning “gentle strength.”
- Millicent – Germanic name meaning “strong in work.”
- Minerva – Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare.
- Miriam – Hebrew form of Mary, possibly meaning “beloved” or “bitter.”
- Molly – Diminutive of Mary, meaning “bitter” or “star of the sea.”
- Myrtle – Greek name referring to the evergreen shrub.
- Nancy – Diminutive of Ann, meaning “grace.”
- Naomi – Hebrew name meaning “pleasantness.”
- Nellie – Diminutive of Helen or Eleanor, meaning “bright, shining one.”
- Nora – Short form of Eleanor or Honora, meaning “light” or “honor.”
- Octavia – Latin name meaning “eighth.”
- Olive – Latin name referring to the olive tree, symbolizing peace.
- Ophelia – Greek name meaning “help” or “benefit.”
- Penelope – Greek name meaning “weaver,” from Homer’s Odyssey.
- Philomena – Greek name meaning “lover of strength.”
- Phoebe – Greek name meaning “bright” or “pure.”
- Priscilla – Latin name meaning “ancient.”
- Prudence – Latin name meaning “caution” or “discretion.”
- Rachel – Hebrew name meaning “ewe” or “female sheep.”
- Rebecca – Hebrew name meaning “to bind” or “to tie.”
- Regina – Latin name meaning “queen.”
- Rose – Latin name referring to the flower.
- Rosemary – Combination of Rose and Mary, also an herb.
- Ruby – Latin name referring to the precious stone.
- Ruth – Hebrew name meaning “companion” or “friend.”
- Sabrina – Celtic name meaning “from the boundary.”
- Sadie – Diminutive of Sarah, meaning “princess.”
- Sally – Diminutive of Sarah, meaning “princess.”
- Samantha – Aramaic name meaning “listener.”
- Sarah – Hebrew name meaning “princess.”
- Shirley – Old English name meaning “bright meadow.”
- Sophia – Greek name meaning “wisdom.”
- Stella – Latin name meaning “star.”
- Sylvia – Latin name meaning “from the forest.”
- Tabitha – Aramaic name meaning “gazelle.”
- Theresa – Greek name meaning “harvester.”
- Thelma – Greek name possibly meaning “will” or “volition.”
- Vera – Russian name meaning “faith.”
- Victoria – Latin name meaning “victory.”
- Viola – Latin name referring to the flower or musical instrument.
- Virginia – Latin name meaning “maiden” or “virgin.”
- Winifred – Welsh name meaning “blessed peacemaking.”
Final Thoughts: Tips for Choosing a Vintage Name
- Look through your family tree for inspiration—names often skip generations before coming back into style.
- Consider the nickname potential—some vintage names come with built-in cute nicknames.
- Try pairing a vintage first name with a more modern middle name for balance.
- Say the full name out loud several times to make sure it flows well.
- Check the meaning behind the name—some old names have meanings that might not align with your values.
- Think about how the name will grow with your child from baby to professional adult.
- Don’t worry too much about current trends—vintage names have already proven their staying power.
- Consider initials and potential monograms before finalizing your choice.
- Trust your gut—the right name will feel special and meaningful to you.
Choosing a vintage name for your daughter connects her to the past while giving her something unique in today’s world. These timeless classics have character, history, and a certain elegance that never goes out of style.
Your little girl might share her name with her great-grandmother, but she’ll likely be the only one in her class—and that’s pretty special.