With name trend evolving faster than parents can keep up with, sometimes it’s great to look to the past for inspiration.
If you love the idea of a unique and meaningful name then delving into the popular names of the past can help you find something that’s familiar but not overused.
I’ve taken a look at what baby girl names were huge 100 or more years ago to give you a choice of forgotten baby names that you could steal and use today.
Some of the will be familiar, such as Fay. But what I love about this is I’ve found names that I knew, but that I never hear any more! And lots of them are so ripe for a comeback, they really tap into modern trends.
Birdie, Dixie, Etta and Minnie are some of my absolute favourites.
You may also like these vintage girl names.
Forgotten girl names from 1910s
These beautiful baby names come from the Official for National Statistics records. The names were in the top 500 most popular baby names, but crucially are not in the top 100 today.
Agatha: From Greek, meaning good. Popularity: Common in the early 20th century, it has declined but remains classic.
Alpha: Greek origin, meaning first or beginning. Popularity: Peaked in the late 19th century but rare today.
Althea: From Greek, meaning healer. Popularity: Saw a resurgence in the 1940s after being popular in the early 1900s.
Augusta: Latin origin, meaning majestic or venerable. Popularity: Peaked in the 19th century but fell out of use in the 20th century.
Avis: Latin, meaning bird. Popularity: Popular in the early 20th century but has since declined.
Bernadette: French form of Bernard, meaning brave as a bear. Popularity: Peaked in the mid-20th century.
Beryl: Greek origin, referring to the precious stone beryl. Popularity: Popular in the early 20th century.
Bessie: A diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath (Hebrew). Popularity: Very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Birdie: Diminutive form of Bertha or Bridget, meaning bright (Old German) or associated with birds. Popularity: Peaked in the 1880s.
Carmella: Italian origin, meaning garden or orchard (Hebrew origin via Carmel). Popularity: Peaked in the 1920s.
Cleo: Greek origin, meaning glory. Popularity: Peaked in the 1920s.
Delia: Greek, meaning from Delos (a Greek island). Popularity: Popular in the 19th century.
Dixie: From the name of a region in the southern US., possibly from the French word dix (ten). Popularity: Peaked in the 1880s.
Effie: A diminutive of Euphemia, meaning well-spoken (Greek). Popularity: Peaked in the late 19th century.
Etta: Pretty nam of German, French and English origin meaning home ruler. Popularity: Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Fay: From the Old English faie, meaning fairy. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Geneva: Possibly derived from the name of the Swiss city, or a form of Genevieve, meaning tribe woman (Celtic). Popularity: Popular in the early 20th century.
Gertie: Diminutive of Gertrude, meaning spear of strength (Germanic). Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Ida: From Germanic, meaning industrious or labor. Popularity: Very popular in the late 19th century.
Inez: Spanish and Portuguese form of Agnes, meaning pure (Greek). Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Ione: Greek origin, meaning violet flower. Popularity: Peaked in the 1910s and 1920s.
Iva: Possibly from the name Ivy or from Old English, meaning yew tree. Popularity: Popular in the late 19th century.
Lelia: A variant of Lila, meaning night (Arabic). Popularity: Peaked in the late 19th century.
Loretta: Italian diminutive of Laura, meaning bay laurel (Latin). Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Lorna: Of Scottish origin, meaning fox. Popularity: Peaked in the 1920s and 1930s.
Lottie: Diminutive of Charlotte, meaning free man (French). Popularity: Peaked in the late 19th century.
Louella: A combination of Lou and Ella, meaning famous in battle and all (Germanic). Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Lucinda: A Latin form of Lucy, meaning light. Popularity: Popular in the mid-19th century.
Lula: A diminutive of Louisa, meaning famous warrior (Germanic). Popularity: Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Lulu: Diminutive of Louise, meaning famous warrior. Popularity: Peaked in the late 19th century.
Mamie: A diminutive of Mary, meaning bitter or beloved (Hebrew). Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Maude: Derived from Matilda, meaning battle-mighty (Germanic). Popularity: Very popular in the late 19th century.
Merle: From the Old French word merle, meaning blackbird. Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Minerva: From Latin, referring to the Roman goddess of wisdom. Popularity: Peaked in the 19th century.
Minnie: A diminutive of Wilhelmina, meaning will, desire (Germanic). Popularity: Very popular in the late 19th century.
Muriel: From Gaelic, meaning sea-bright. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Myrtle: From the evergreen shrub myrtle (Greek). Popularity: Popular in the early 20th century.
Odessa: Greek origin, meaning wrathful. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Olga: Russian form of Helga, meaning holy or blessed. Popularity: Popular in Eastern Europe, but less common in the US.
Opal: From the gemstone name, meaning gem (Sanskrit). Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Pauline: A French feminine form of Paul, meaning small or humble. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Philomena: From Greek, meaning lover of strength. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Polly: A diminutive of Mary, meaning bitter or beloved (Hebrew). Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Rosalind: From Latin, meaning pretty rose. Popularity: Peaked in the early 20th century.
Rosella: A diminutive of Rose, meaning rose. Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Roxie: Diminutive of Roxanne, meaning dawn (Persian). Popularity: Popular in the early 1900s.
Sibyl: From Greek, meaning prophetess or oracle. Popularity: Peaked in the 19th century, rare today.
Theda: A diminutive of Theodora, meaning gift of God (Greek). Popularity: Peaked in the early 1900s.
Winifred: From Old English, meaning blessed peacemaker. Popularity: Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Yolanda: Greek origin, meaning violet flower. Popularity: Peaked in the mid-20th century.
Forgotten baby girl names from the 1880s
I decided to go even further back to find some girl names that were a hit according to US SSA government data.
These names were, like the list above, popular at the time but are hardly used today.
Ida – Hardworking or industrious.
Bertha – Bright or noble.
Carrie – Free man or strong; diminutive of Caroline.
Maude – Mighty in battle; short form of Matilda.
Bessie – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Jennie – White shadow or white wave; diminutive of Jennifer or Jean.
Gertrude – Spear of strength or strength of a spear.
Mattie – Pearl; diminutive of Matilda.
Ethel – Noble or noblewoman.
Lula – Famous warrior; diminutive of Louise.
Myrtle – Myrtle tree; symbol of love and immortality.
Edna – Pleasure or delight.
Fannie – Free one or from France; diminutive of Frances.
Dora – Gift or gift of God; diminutive of Dorothy.
Agnes – Pure or holy.
May – Great or mother; also a month name.
Mamie – Beloved or loved; diminutive of Mary.
Ellen – Bright, shining light; variant of Helen.
Effie – Well spoken or euphemistic; diminutive of Euphemia.
Sallie – Princess or noblewoman; diminutive of Sarah.
Nettie – Nina or little; diminutive of Annette.
Susie – Lily or rose; diminutive of Susan.
Maud – Mighty in battle; alternate spelling of Maude.
Etta – Little or home ruler; diminutive of Henrietta.
Susan – Lily or rose.
Mollie – Sea of bitterness; diminutive of Mary.
Addie – Noble or noble kind; diminutive of Adelaide or Adeline.
Lulu – Pearl or famous warrior.
Nannie – Grace or favor; diminutive of Anna.
Viola – Violet flower or violet.
Henrietta – Ruler of the home or home ruler.
Theresa – Harvester or to reap.
Augusta – Great or magnificent.
Ora – Light or border.
Pauline – Small or humble; feminine form of Paul.
Mildred – Gentle strength or mild strength.
Ann – Grace or favor.
Beulah – Married or to marry.
Lou – Famous warrior or renowned warrior; diminutive of Louise or Louis.
Delia – From Delos or born on Delos.
Iva – Yew tree or one who is knowledgeable.
Mayme – Great or mother; variant of Mamie.
Betty – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Marion – Of the sea or drop of the sea; variant of Mary.
Bettie – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Inez – Holy or pure.
Lela – Dark beauty or night.
Janie – God is gracious; diminutive of Jane.
Cornelia – Horn; derived from the Roman family name Cornelius.
Alta – High or elevated.
Christine – Follower of Christ or Christian.
Harriett – Home ruler or ruler of the home.
Mable – Lovable or beautiful.
Tillie – Mighty in battle; diminutive of Matilda.
Carolyn – Free man or strong; variant of Caroline.
Sally – Princess or noblewoman; diminutive of Sarah.
Ina – Strong or mother.
Essie – Star or little star; diminutive of Esther.
Bertie – Bright or glorious; diminutive of Bertha or Albert.
Nell – Bright or shining light; diminutive of Eleanor or Helen.
Alberta – Noble or bright; feminine form of Albert.
Katharine – Pure or clear.
Lora – Laurel; symbol of victory.
Rena – Born again or rebirth.
Rhoda – Rose or rosebud.
Mathilda – Mighty in battle or battle-mighty.
Abbie – Father’s joy; diminutive of Abigail.
Eula – Well-spoken or eloquent.
Dollie – Gift of God or little doll; diminutive of Dorothy.
Hettie – Little home ruler; diminutive of Henrietta.
Eunice – Good victory or pleasant victory.
Fanny – Free one or from France; diminutive of Frances.
Ola – Ancestor or relic.
Lelia – Dark beauty or night.
Nelle – Bright, shining light; diminutive of Eleanor.
Sue – Lily or rose; diminutive of Susan.
Lucinda – Light or illumination.
Minerva – Intellect or wisdom; Roman goddess of wisdom.
Lettie – Joy or gladness; diminutive of Letitia.
Roxie – Dawn or bright; diminutive of Roxana.
Hilda – Battle or battle maid.
Hulda – Sweet or gracious.
Bernice – Bringer of victory or victorious.
Jean – God is gracious; variant of John.
Cordelia – Heart or daughter of the sea.
Marian – Of the sea or drop of the sea; variant of Mary.
Francis – Free man or from France; can be unisex.
Jeanette – God is gracious; diminutive of Jean.
Gussie – Exalted or great; diminutive of Augusta or Augustus.
Lois – More desirable or better.
Lura – Famous warrior or fame.
Mittie – Mighty in battle; diminutive of Matilda.
Olga – Holy or blessed.
Hester – Star or myrtle leaf.
Lida – Delicate; diminutive of Lydia.
Claudia – Lame or disabled; from Latin.
Marguerite – Pearl or daisy.
Bess – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Emilie – Rival; variant of Emily.
Rosetta – Little rose.
Verna – Spring or fresh.
Myrtie – Myrtle; symbol of love and immortality.
Elva – Elf or white.
Georgie – Farmer or earth-worker; diminutive of George.
Elnora – Shining light or torch.
Linnie – Lime tree or soft, gentle; diminutive of Lina.
Madge – Pearl; diminutive of Margaret.
Polly – Sea of bitterness or wished-for child; diminutive of Mary.
Virgie – Maiden or virginal; diminutive of Virginia.
Eugenia – Well-born or noble.
Lucile – Light or illumination; variant of Lucille.
Mabelle – Lovable or beautiful; variant of Mabel.
Kittie – Pure or clear; diminutive of Katherine.
Meta – Mother or pearl; diminutive of Metta or Matilda.
Dessie – Desired or from the land of the desired; diminutive of Desdemona.
Georgiana – Farmer or earth-worker; feminine form of George.
Selma – Safe or protected.
Wilhelmina – Helmet or resolute protector.
Lilla – Little or delicate.
Malinda – Gentle or sweet.
Vina – Vine or wine.
Freda – Peace or joy.
Gertie – Strength of a spear; diminutive of Gertrude.
Jeannette – God is gracious; diminutive of Jean.
Louella – Famous warrior or renowned fighter; combination of Lou and Ella.
Mandy – Worthy of love or beloved; diminutive of Amanda.
Roberta – Bright fame or famed, bright.
Cassie – Unheeded or pure; diminutive of Cassandra or Catherine.
Corinne – Maiden or young girl.
Lyda – Beautiful; diminutive of Lydia.
Norma – Pattern or rule.
Margie – Pearl; diminutive of Margaret.
Nona – Ninth or grace.
Zella – Bringer of joy or blessed.
Dovie – Dove or little dove; diminutive of Dove.
Elvira – White or truth.
Erma – Whole or universal.
Irma – Whole or universal.
Leota – Loyal or faithful.
Artie – Bear or noble; diminutive of Arthur.
Blanche – White or fair.
Charity – Love or kindness.
Lorena – Crowned with laurel or laurel tree.
Lucretia – Wealth or success.
Orpha – Beautiful or gazelle.
Alvina – Elf friend or noble friend.
Annette – Grace or favor; diminutive of Ann.
Catharine – Pure or clear.
Elma – Noble or bright.
Geneva – Juniper tree or white wave.
Janet – God is gracious; diminutive of Jane.
Leora – Light or shining.
Lona – Light or shining.
Sudie – Princess or noblewoman; diminutive of Susan.
Zula – Bright or luminous.
Adella – Noble or nobility.
Alpha – First or beginning.
Frieda – Peace or joy.
Leonora – Light or shining light.
Tennie – Fire or heat; diminutive of Tennessee.
Angeline – Messenger or angel; diminutive of Angela.
Docia – Gift or present; diminutive of Dorothea.
Ettie – Little one or noble; diminutive of Henrietta or Esther.
Flossie – Flower or blossom; diminutive of Florence.
Letha – Forgotten or death; from Greek mythology.
Minta – Mint or the herb.
Retta – Pearl; diminutive of Henrietta or Loretta.
Rosella – Little rose or rose.
Adah – Adornment or beauty.
Berta – Bright or famous; short form of Bertha.
Leola – Loyal or noble.
Margret – Pearl; variant of Margaret.
Floy – Flower or blossom; variant of Floyd.
Idella – Industrious or work.
Juanita – Little Jane or God is gracious; diminutive of Juana.
Lenna – Light or bright; diminutive of Helena.
Lucie – Light or illumination; variant of Lucy.
Eda – Wealth or fortune; diminutive of Edna.
Isabell – Devoted to God; variant of Isabel.
Letitia – Joy or gladness.
Malissa – Bee or honey bee; variant of Melissa.
Pattie – Noble or noblewoman; diminutive of Patricia.
Almeda – Forest or work.
Dolly – Gift of God; diminutive of Dorothy.
Jannie – God is gracious; diminutive of Jane.
Kathleen – Pure or clear; variant of Catherine.
Kathrine – Pure or clear; variant of Catherine.
Lavinia – Purity or white.
Marietta – Little Mary or sea of bitterness.
Melvina – Smooth or counsel.
Ona – Grace or favor.
Pinkie – Small or little one; diminutive of Pink.
Susanna – Lily or rose.
Donnie – World ruler or noble; diminutive of Donald.
Gladys – Lame or beautiful; from Welsh.
Matie – Gift of God; diminutive of Martha.
Pearle – Pearl or precious stone.
Vesta – Goddess of the hearth; Roman mythology.
Vinnie – Conquering or victory; diminutive of Vincent or Lavinia.
Antoinette – Priceless or beyond praise; French form of Antonia.
Edythe – Wealth or riches.
Harriette – Home ruler or mistress of the house.
Libbie – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Lue – Light; variant of Lou.
Lutie – Famous warrior or noble; diminutive of Lutecia.
Meda – Mother or a gift.
Rita – Pearl; diminutive of Margarita or Margarita.
Tena – Strong or defender.
Zelma – Helmet of God or noble.
Adelia – Noble or nobility.
Annetta – Grace or favor; diminutive of Anna.
Antonia – Priceless or beyond praise.
Dona – Lady or noblewoman.
Elizebeth – God is my oath; variant of Elizabeth.
Georgianna – Farmer or earth-worker; feminine form of George.
Iona – Island; from Greek mythology.
Lessie – God is my oath; diminutive of Leslie.
Leta – Gladness or joy.
Liza – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Mertie – Pearl; diminutive of Myrtle or Mertie.
Neva – Snow or white.
Oma – Home or grandmother.
Alida – Little winged one or noble.
Alva – White or bright.
Cecile – Blind or sixth.
Donna – Lady or noblewoman.
Ernestine – Serious or determined.
Helene – Shining light or torch.
Minna – Love or will; diminutive of Wilhelmina.
Myrta – Myrtle or evergreen.
Prudence – Wisdom or cautious.
Queen – Ruler or sovereign.
Rilla – Young lion or little queen.
Tessie – Harvester or gatherer; diminutive of Teresa.
Tina – Little one or follower of Christ; diminutive of Christina.
Agatha – Good or honorable.
America – Home ruler or land of the free.
Anita – Grace or favor; diminutive of Ana or Anna.
Arminta – Defender or protector.
Dorothea – Gift of God.
Luvenia – Beautiful or loving.
Marjorie – Pearl or daisy.
Maybelle – Beautiful or lovely; combination of May and Belle.
Mellie – Honey or sweet; diminutive of Melissa.
Nan – Grace or favor; diminutive of Nancy.
Pearlie – Pearl or precious stone.
Sidney – Wide island or Saint Denis.
Velma – Will-helmet or guardian.
Clare – Bright or clear.
Constance – Steadfast or constant.
Dixie – Ten or southern; colloquial reference to the Southern United States.
Iola – Violet or purple.
Louvenia – Light or moon.
Ludie – Famous warrior or noble; diminutive of Ludmila.
Patsy – Noble or noblewoman; diminutive of Patricia.
Phebe – Bright or shining.
Sophronia – Sensible or self-controlled.
Avis – Bird.
Betsy – God is my oath; diminutive of Elizabeth.
Emmaline – Work or universal; variant of Emmeline.
Ethelyn – Noble or noble maiden; variant of Ethel.
Louie – Famous warrior or renowned fighter; diminutive of Louis.
Lovie – Beloved or dear.
Marcella – Warlike or brave.
Melinda – Sweet or gentle.
Mona – Noble or mountain.
Odessa – From Odessa or serene.
Aimee – Beloved or loved.
Annabel – Grace or beautiful.
Cathrine – Pure or clear; variant of Catherine.
Clyde – Warm or hill; from Scottish origin.
Dena – Divine or valley; variant of Dina.
Dolores – Sorrows or sufferings; Spanish origin.
Eleanore – Shining light or bright one.
Elmira – Aristocratic or noble.
Fay – Fairy or loyalty.
Jenny – Fair or white; diminutive of Jennifer.
Kizzie – Cinnamon or sweet; diminutive of Keziah.
Loula – Famous warrior or renowned; diminutive of Louisa.
Magdalene – Of Magdala or tower.
Peggy – Pearl or precious; diminutive of Margaret.
Reba – Fawn or beauty.
Zada – Fortunate or lucky.
