100 Top Old-Fashioned Girl Names With Meanings

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful name for your baby girl with a rich history? If so, we have compiled a list of 100 vintage girl names along with their meanings to help you find the perfect name for your little one. So, whether it’s old-fashioned, classic, unique, beautiful, or cute names you’re after, you’ll find an array of timeless monikers for your baby girl here.

Classic and Old-Fashioned Girl Names

If you’re seeking a popular old-fashioned girls’ name for your little lady, check out our list of some vintage monikers that have stood the test of time. Discover timeless classics from Abigail to Hannah that are sure to capture your heart. 1. Abigail. In Hebrew, this classic girls’ name means “my father is joy.” It was a common name in Puritan times before going out of style and then being revived in the twentieth century. You might like this old-fashioned girls’ name for your daughter. 2. Annmarie. This combination of the traditional girls’ names Ann and Marie, meaning “grace” and “beloved,” is ready for a comeback. Why not bring this pretty name back? 3. Agatha. In Greek, this name means “good.” It was the name of a revered saint from the third century. It has a nice meaning for a good little girl. 4. Agnes. This classic Greek girls’ name means “chaste.” It became associated with the Latin word agnus, meaning “lamb,” and it was the name of a saint who is often depicted with a lamb. The name has been popular since the Middle Ages, so it’s definitely a girls’ name that stands the test of time. 5. Bridget. This name has Irish origins and means “exalted one.” In Irish mythology, Brighid was the goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. The name can also be spelled Brigid. What a fierce name! 6. Colleen. This name has Irish roots and simply means “girl.” Oddly, it’s not too popular in Ireland, and is much more common in the United States. 7. Donna. In Italian, this girls’ name means “lady.” The old-style girls’ name is also the female form of the male name Donald and could be perfect for your little lady. 8. Dorothy. This name originated as Dorothea before getting simplified to Dorothy. The name became popular after the main character in the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Choose the name if you’re a fan of the book or the film. 9. Edith. In Old English, this name means “fortune” and “war.” It was a popular name among royalty, gaining popularity in the nineteenth century. Famous bearers include the American writer Edith Wharton and the French chanteuse Edith Piaf. The name might be a good choice for a future writer or singer! 10. Edna. In Hebrew, this name means “pleasure.” The name also has Irish roots and means “kernel.” It’s up to you which meaning you like best, and either way, this girls’ name has old-fashioned written all over it. 11. Eileen. Often thought of as the Irish version of the name Helen, which in Greek means “torch,” this name may in fact derive from the English name Aveline or the Irish name Eibhlín, the meanings of which are unknown. 12. Eleanor. This Old French girls’ name of unknown meaning was famously used by both French and English queens. It was also the name of famous first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. 13. Ethel. In old English, this name means “noble.” It became widespread in late nineteenth-century England after it was used in popular novels of the time. A famous American bearer of this name is Ethel Kennedy, widow of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. 14. Eunice. With Greek origins that mean “good victory,” the classic girls’ name became popular during the Protestant Reformation in England. A famous American bearer of this name was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of U.S. president John F. Kennedy. 15. Gertrude. This Dutch and English name means “spear of strength” in German. The traditional girls’ name was introduced to England by the Dutch, and Shakespeare even used the classic name for one of his characters in Hamlet. Cute nicknames include Gertie or Trudy. It’s a very regal-sounding name with a strong meaning. 16. Gillian. This is the female form of the name Julian. Another variant of the name is Jillian, and nicknames include Jill or Gill. The name can be pronounced with a hard or soft G. 17. Gladys. In Welsh, this name means “country.” It’s also the Welsh version of the name Claudia, which could also be another old-fashioned name option for your little lady. 18. Glenda. This is the feminine form of the name Glenn, which means “valley” in Gaelic. The name was popular in the 1940s and 1950s. 19. Hannah. This old-fashioned girls’ name is the biblical predecessor to the more modern name Anna. In Hebrew, it means “grace.” It can also be spelled Hanna. 20. Helga. This Scandinavian old-timey name is the female form of Helge, which means “holy” or “blessed” in Old Norse. The Russian version of this name is Olga. Either old-fashioned name has a special meaning for your little lady. 21. Hilda. This German name comes from a word meaning “battle.” The name can also be spelled Hilde and has the same pronunciation as Hilda. 22. Irene. This name of Greek origin comes from a word that means “peace.” It was also the name of the Greek goddess who represented peace. The name was popular among Eastern Christians and was commonly used in the Byzantine Empire. 23. Iris. This name both means the flower as well as the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow. In fact, the name means “rainbow” in Greek. Find more names inspired by Greek mythology here. 24. Linda. In Spanish and Portuguese, the old-fashioned girls’ name means “beautiful,” but with its German roots it means “soft” or “mild.” Nicknames include Lindy and Linette. 25. Lois. This name comes from the Greek and means “better.” The name appears in the Bible as well as the Superman comics. 26. Marjorie. This is a form of Margaret that was influenced by the name of the herb marjoram. It can also be spelled Margery. The name was rare until the nineteenth century. 27. Mildred. This name derives from an Old English name that means “gentle strength.” The name used to be rare but was revived in the nineteenth century, perhaps because of its lovely meaning. 28. Ruth. This name of Hebrew origin means “friend.” Ruth was a prominent biblical figure and an ancestor of King David. 29. Shannon. This classic girls’ name is the name for the longest river in Ireland. It’s also associated with the Irish goddess of the same name. 30. Sharon. This is the biblical name of a place on Israel’s coast that means “plain” in Hebrew. It’s also the name of a flowering shrub. As a girls’ name, it became popular in the 1920s. 31. Suzanne. The French form of Susanna, which is based on the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which means “lily” or “rose.” Another variant is Susan.

Unique Vintage Girl Names

If you’d prefer a vintage name that’s a bit more uncommon, we’ve compiled a list of unique girl names with a classic vibe that will help your baby girl stand out from the crowd. 32. Aster. Based on the name of the flower, which means “star” in Greek, this traditional girls’ name is pretty unique. Here are some more flower names for a baby girl. 33. Beryl. This unique girls’ name refers to the gemstone that’s more commonly known as the emerald. It supposedly derives from a Sanskrit word, and became popular as a name in the nineteenth century. If your daughter is born in May, consider naming her Beryl since the emerald is the birth stone for that month. 34. Blanche. This name was originally a French nickname meaning “fair” or “white.” The name originated in Spain as Blanca before spreading to France when a Spanish princess with the name married a French king. It’s also the name of one of the main characters in the play A Streetcar Named Desire. 35. Cora. In Greek, this name means “maiden” and is spelled Kore. But the more common spelling is this Latin version. It became popular after the novel The Last of the Mohicans. This adorable girls’ name starting with C can also be a shortened form of Cordula, Corinne, and Corinna. The name’s nickname is Coretta. 36. Constance. This is the English form of the Latin name Constantia, which means “constant.” The daughter of William the Conqueror was named Constance. 37. Elspeth. This is the Scottish form of Elizabeth, which means “my God is my oath” in Hebrew. But as this version of the name doesn’t sound as serious and is instead a little more playful. 38. Faye. This simple name means “fairy” in Middle English. It also has roots in Old French, in which it means “fate.” It can also be spelled Fay, and may also be a shortened version of the name Faith. 39. Gretchen. This is the German diminutive of Margareta. Other variants include Greta or Gretel. In Latin, Margareta means “pearl.” Pearl is on the Cute Old-Fashioned Girl Names list. 40. Lorraine. This is the name of a region in France, but it’s been in use as a girls’ given name since the late nineteenth century. 41. Mabel. This is the medieval version of the name Amabilis, which means “lovable.” The traditional girls’ name used to be very uncommon but was revived after a nineteenth-century novel. 42. Maeve. This is the English version of the Gaelic name Medb, which means “intoxicating.” In Irish legend, Medb was a warrior queen. It could be a good name for a baby girl you hope will grow up to be powerful, brave, and strong. 43. Mavis. This unique name may derive from a bird, also called a song thrush. The name of the bird comes from the mythical story of Philomela who was transformed into a bird. As a girls’ name, it was first used in a nineteenth-century novel. 44. Muriel. From the Old Irish girls’ name Muirgel, Muriel was brought to England by the Normans. The name became popular after a nineteenth-century novel. Other variants include Murielle, Meryl, and Merla. 45. Nadine. This is the French version of the Slavic name Nadia, which means “hope.” 46. Sibyl. In Greek, this unique name means “prophetess.” Greek and Roman legend as well as Christian theology mention sibyls, women of divine knowledge. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was revived in the nineteenth century after Benjamin Disraeli's novel Sybil. Variant spellings include Sybil, Cybill, and Sybella. 47. Tallulah. In the Choctaw language, this name means “leaping waters.” It’s also the name of waterfalls in the state of Georgia. 48. Ursula. Meaning “little bear” in Latin, Ursula was the name of a princess saint. The name was popular in the Middle Ages, but why not bring it back? 49. Vera. Meaning “faith” in Russian, this girls’ name has also been associated with the Latin word for true. The unique name has been popular in many European countries since the late nineteenth century. The name can also be a nickname for Veronica. 50. Wanda. This name appears in Polish legends. Wanda was the daughter of the founder of the city of Krakow. The name may have Germanic roots. It was introduced to English-speaking countries in the late nineteenth century. 51. Wilma. This is the short form of the German name Wilhelmina, which is the female form of the name William. The name was introduced to America by German settlers in the nineteenth century. 52. Winifred. This is the English version of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, which means “fair” and “peace.” The uncommon girls’ name was first used in sixteenth-century England.

Beautiful and Traditional Girl Names

Steeped in tradition and brimming with elegance, certain female names have withstood the test of time with their antique charm and beauty. These classic girl names, like Celeste and Florence, carry a sense of grace, sophistication, and warmth. 53. Beverly. In Old English, this beautiful name means “beaver stream,” and was originally the name of a city. In England, it was a masculine name before becoming popular as a girls’ name in the early twentieth century. If you like Beverly, you might enjoy our list of girl names starting with B. 54. Brenda. In Old Norse this name means “sword.” The name is also most likely the feminine form of Brendan. If you’re having boy-girl twins, you might consider the twin baby name pairing of Brenda and Brendan, for example. 55. Candace. This beautiful biblical name is derived from the Cushitic language and means “queen mother.” It was a popular name among Puritans and grew in popularity in the mid-twentieth century. 56. Celeste. This name can be both female and male. It’s the Italian form of the Latin name Caelestis, which means “of the sky” or “heavenly.” What a beautiful name meaning for your heaven-sent baby girl. 57. Darina. This is the English version of an Irish name that means “fruitful.” 58. Deirdre. This Gaelic name likely derives from the Old Irish meaning “daughter.” It became popular in the early twentieth century after two plays used the name for the main characters. 59. Delia. This was another name for the Greek goddess Artemis as the name means “of Delos” in Greek, which is the island of her birth. The name became popular after being used in poetry. 60. Dolores. This traditional Spanish girls’ name means “sorrow” and refers to the Virgin Mary. It sounds more beautiful than its meaning. The girls’ name rose to popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. There are plenty of other Spanish baby girl names to consider if you like the ring of this one. 61. Evelyn. This beautiful old-fashioned girls’ name began as an English surname before it became a male English name. Later it became popular as a girls’ name after the novel Evelina. Another spelling option for the name is Eveline. 62. Florence. Derived from the Latin female name Florentia, which means “flourishing,” this old-fashioned name is also the name of the famous Italian city that was the birthplace of the Renaissance. A well-known bearer of this name was British nurse Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. 63. Gwendolyn. Also spelled Gwendolen or Gwendoline, this name means “white ring” in Welsh. The diminutive is Gwen. 64. Lillian. This name may come from the Latin word for lily, which is lilium. But the name may also be a diminutive of Elizabeth. 65. Lucille. This is the French form of the name Lucilla, which is a diminutive of Lucia. A cute nickname for Lucille is Lucy. 66. Luella. A variant spelling of the name Louella, this name came about from combining the names Lu or Lou with Ella. 67. Marlena. This variant of the name Marlene has origins in the names Maria and Magdalene, which refer to Mary Magdalene in the Bible. 68. Pamela. The poet Sir Philip Sidney introduced this name in the late sixteenth century. The beautiful girls’ name was later used in an eighteenth-century novel. The name is possibly made up of Greek words that mean “all sweetness.” The name finally gained popularity in the twentieth century. A cute nickname could be Pam. 69. Priscilla. Originally a Roman name that meant “ancient,” this beautiful girls’ name also appears in the Bible. It was very popular among the Puritans. A cute nickname is Cece. 70. Roberta. This female form of the name Robert means “bright fame” in German. With this old-fashioned name, your little woman could also have a cute nickname like Birdie, Bobbie, or Robyn. 71. Rowena. The meaning of this beautiful girls’ name is uncertain, but it possibly means “fame” and “joy” in German. The name may also have Welsh roots. It became popular after being used in the nineteenth-century novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. Your baby girl may or may not end up being famous, but she will certainly bring you lots of joy! 72. Sabrina. Welsh legend has it that a princess with this name drowned in the River Severn. The character of Sabrina also appears as a water nymph in John Milton’s Comus. Although the history of this girls’ name is quite melodramatic, it’s a beautiful melodic name. You’ll also likely recognize this name from the comic book series and sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. 73. Sheila. This is the English spelling of the Irish name Síle, which is a form of Cecilia. Variant spellings include Shayla, Shelia, and Shelagh. 74. Sonya. This is a Russian diminutive of Sophia, which means “wisdom” in Greek. Sonya is also the name of a character in Tolstoy's novel War and Peace. The name can also be spelled Sonia. 75. Tamara. This beautiful Russian girls’ name is a version of the Hebrew name Tamar, which means “date palm.” Tamar was a daughter of King David in the Bible. Many famous Russian actresses and ballerinas have had the name Tamara. 76. Winona. This girls’ name means “first-born daughter” in the Dakota language. It can also be spelled Wynona or Wenona. If your daughter happens to be your first-born daughter, why not choose this beautiful name.

Cute Old-Fashioned Girl Names

Do you want to explore the adorable and charming world of old-fashioned names for females? These names have a timeless appeal and bring a touch of cuteness. In this section, we’ll delve into some of these sweet and old-timey names for girls, like Matilda and Wendy, that always remain cute and never go out of style. 77. Ada. This cute girls’ name starting with A was typically short for the name Adelaide, which is another old-fashioned name. It’s derived from the German word adal, which means “noble.” 78. Annette. This is the French diminutive of Anne means “grace,” making it a sweet and elegant name. 79. Clara. This cute traditional girl’s name has Latin roots and means “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.” The spelling Clare was more popular until the late nineteenth century when Clara overtook it in popularity. But feel free to choose either spelling of the girls’ name. A popular nickname is Clarissa. 80. Darcy. This name was originally an English surname (written as d’Arcy) and it indicated that the person came from Arcy in France. It became popular after a male character in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. It is considered a unisex name. 81. Denise. Denise is the French female form of the male name Denis, which is derived from the name Dionysius. The name was common in France before making it to England and other parts of the world. 82. Doretta. Another cute and traditional girls’ name is the diminutive for Dora, which is often short for names like Dorothy, Theodora, or Isadora. 83. Edwina. This is the female form of the name Edwin. In Old English, the name means “rich friend.” 84. Elsa. This short form of Elisabeth has German, Dutch, and Scandinavian roots. Like many of the other cute traditional girl names on this list, Elsa has a whimsical sound. 85. Francine. Here’s the French female version of the male name François, which is basically the French version of Francis. 86. Georgina. This name is derived from the male name George, which in Greek means “farmer.” Other variants include Georgia, and the nicknames Georgie or Gina. 87. Henrietta. Another spelling of this name is Henriette. Both are the French feminine form of Henri, which has German roots and means “home ruler.” 88. Jean. This cute name is a variant of Jane, with both names derived from John. The girls’ name was common in England and Scotland in the Middle Ages before it spread to the rest of the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. Variants of the name include Janice and Jeanne, and the diminutives Jeanette, Janet, and Jeanie. 89. Loretta. Also spelled Lauretta, this cute and old-fashioned girls’ name can be a diminutive of Laura or Lora. It may even originate from Loreto, a town in Italy that means “laurel grove.” 90. Lynette. This adorable girls’ name may be considered a diminutive of Lynn, but the name started as Luned or Eluned from Welsh mythology. 91. Matilda. This traditional German girls’ name means “strength in battle.” It was also the name of a saint who was the wife of a German king. Many royals have since had the name. In fifteenth-century England, the medieval form Maud became popular. Cute nicknames are Tilda or Mattie. 92. Mona. This is the English version of the Irish name Muadhnait, which means “little noble one.” The cute girls’ name is also sometimes associated with a Greek word that means “one” and it’s also the name of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting Mona Lisa. 93. Nancy. A diminutive of the name Annis or Ann, this name is now considered a name in its own right. There’s also a city with this name in the Lorraine region of France. Lorraine is on the Uncommon and Unique Old-Fashioned Baby Girl Names list. The two names could make a cute pairing for twin girls. 94. Odette. This is the French version of the name Oda or Odilia, likely originating in the male name Otto. Ballet fans will also recognize this cute girls’ name from Swan Lake. 95. Pearl. This name refers to the pearls that oysters produce. The name also has Latin roots as the name Perla. The birthstone for June is the pearl, so this could make a great old-fashioned name option if your little woman is born then. Supposedly pearls impart health and wealth—two more reasons to choose this cute name. 96. Rhonda. Of Welsh origin, Rhonda means “good spear,” but it has also been thought to mean “noisy.” Well, it could be a cute choice for a noisy little newborn. The girls’ name became popular in the twentieth century after a British feminist. 97. Shirley. This name derives from a place name and means “bright clearing.” It’s also the name of a Charlotte Brontë novel. A famous bearer of this old-fashioned girls’ name was actress Shirley Temple. 98. Stacy. Stacy can either be a diminutive of the Russian name Anastasia or the medieval name Eustace. Originally, it was considered a masculine name before being used as a feminine name starting in the 1950s. It can also be spelled Stacey, Staci, or Stacie. 99. Wendy. This cute and vintage girls’ name was used for the character in the play Peter Pan in the early 1900s. It’s believed that it may be a derivative of the Welsh name Gwendolen. The name Wendy rose to popularity after the play. 100. Yvette. Here’s the French female form of the male name Yves. Another variant spelling is Evette, and the French nickname is Yvonne. Any of these names would make a beautiful name for your baby girl.

The Bottom Line

Have you found the perfect old-fashioned name on this list for your baby girl? If you haven’t, there are plenty of other options you can check out. Take a look at our top 1,000 baby girl names for even more great ideas. Or, check out our Baby Name Generator, which can also help you find a name using filters like first letter and theme.

If you’ve already chosen the perfect name for your little one, you might be wondering whether to share your choice with others. If so, read our helpful article on whether to share your baby’s name or not.