100 Elegant Vintage Girl Names to Consider Today

The allure of bygone eras often weaves a captivating spell, especially when it comes to names. Dive into 100 elegant vintage girl names, steeped in history and sophistication.

A List of Elegant Vintage Girl Names

A

Adelaide: Of German origin, meaning “noble kind”.
Agatha: Greek in origin, this name means “good woman”.
Agnes: Derived from Greek, meaning “pure, holy”.
Alberta: Feminine form of Albert, meaning “noble, bright”.
Alice: Of Old German origin, it translates to “noble”.
Alma: Latin in origin, meaning “nourishing” or “soul”.
Amelia: Blend of the medieval names Emilia and Amalia, meaning “work”.
Anastasia: Of Greek origin, meaning “resurrection”.
Annabelle: Combines “Anna” (meaning “grace”) and “belle” (meaning “beautiful”).
Arabella: Of Latin origin, meaning “yielding to prayer”.
Audrey: Old English in origin, translating to “noble strength”.
Augusta: Feminine form of Augustus, meaning “venerable” or “majestic”.

B

Beatrice: Latin-derived, meaning “bringer of joy”.
Bernadette: Of French origin, denoting “brave as a bear”.
Beryl: Named after the gemstone; Greek in origin, meaning “sea-green jewel”.
Blanche: From Old French, meaning “white, fair”.
Bridget: Of Celtic origin, it means “strength” or “exalted one”.
Brigitte: French variation of Bridget, maintaining the same meanings.

C

Camille: Of Latin origin, meaning “young ceremonial attendant”.
Cecilia: Rooted in Latin, signifying “blind”, symbolizing innocence or purity.
Clara: Of Latin origin, it translates to “clear, bright”.
Constance: Latin in its roots, meaning “steadfastness”.

D

Daphne: From Greek mythology, meaning “laurel tree”.
Delia: Often considered short for Adelia or Cordelia; of Greek origin, meaning “maiden”.
Diana: Roman goddess of the moon and hunting; means “divine”.

E

Edith: Old English in origin, meaning “prosperous in war”.
Eleanor: Of Old French origin, suggesting “light”.
Eliza: A shortened form of Elizabeth, meaning “God is my oath”.
Estelle: Of French origin, meaning “star”.
Eloise: Derived from the Old French name Héloïse, meaning “healthy” or “wide.”
Emmeline: Of German origin, meaning “work.”
Esther: Of Persian origin, meaning “star.”
Ethel: Old English in origin, meaning “noble.”
Elspeth: A Scottish variant of Elizabeth, meaning “God is my oath.”

F

Felicity: From the Latin word “felicitas,” meaning “good luck” or “happiness.”
Florence: Derived from the Latin “Florentius” or “Florentia,” both meaning “prosperous” or “flourishing.”
Frida: Of German origin, meaning “peace.”

G

Genevieve: Of Germanic origin, meaning “woman of the race.”
Georgette: Feminine form of George, meaning “farmer.”
Geraldine: Feminine form of Gerald, meaning “spear ruler.”
Gloria: Latin in origin, meaning “glory.”

H

Hazel: Inspired by the hazel tree and nut.
Helena: Greek origin, meaning “shining light” or “bright.”
Henrietta: Feminine form of Henry, meaning “house ruler.”

I

Ida: Of German origin, meaning “industrious one.”
Ingrid: Scandinavian in origin, meaning “beautiful” or “beloved.”
Isadora: Greek in origin, translating to “gift of Isis.”

J

Josephine: Feminine form of Joseph, meaning “He will add.”
Juliette: French diminutive of Julia, meaning “youthful.”
June: Named after the month, originally derived from the Roman goddess Juno.

K

Katherine: Of Greek origin, meaning “pure.”
Keira: Derived from the Irish name Ciara, meaning “dark-haired.”
Lillian: A variant of Lily, inspired by the flower which symbolizes purity.

L

Louisa: Feminine form of Louis, meaning “famous warrior.”
Lucille: French diminutive of Lucie, meaning “light.”
Lydia: Of Greek origin, referring to a woman from Lydia, an ancient region in Asia Minor.

M

Madeleine: French form of Magdalene, possibly meaning “tower.”
Marguerite: French form of Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
Marianne: A blend of Mary (meaning “wished-for child”) and Anne (meaning “grace”).
Mavis: Of Old French origin, named after the song thrush bird.

N

Nadine: French in origin, meaning “hope.”
Nora: Shortened form of Honora or Eleanor, meaning “light” or “honor.”

O

Odette: French origin, derived from Odo, meaning “wealth.”
Olive: Inspired by the olive tree, symbolizing peace.
Ophelia: Of Greek origin, meaning “help.”
Opal: Named after the precious gemstone, representing hope, purity, and truth.

P

Patricia: Of Latin origin, meaning “noblewoman”.
Penelope: Greek in origin, Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus in Homer’s “Odyssey”.
Philippa: Feminine form of Philip, meaning “lover of horses”.
Prudence: Latin origin, meaning “caution” or “good judgment.”

Q

Queenie: Originally an affectionate use of the English word queen.
Quinn: Of Irish origin, derived from the surname O’Quinn, meaning “descendant of Conn” (leader or chief).

R

Ramona: Feminine form of Ramon, meaning “wise protector”.
Rebecca: Of Hebrew origin, meaning “to join” or “to bind”.
Rosalind: Of Old German origin, meaning “gentle horse” or “rose”.
Rowena: Possibly of Old Welsh origin, meaning “white spear” or “fame-friend.”

S

Sabrina: Latin origin, named after a river in Wales.
Selma: Of German origin, meaning “godly helmet”.
Seraphina: Derived from the biblical word “seraphim”, meaning “fiery ones” – referring to a type of angel.
Susannah: Of Hebrew origin, meaning “lily.”

T

Tabitha: Of Aramaic origin, meaning “gazelle”.
Theresa: Of Greek origin, possibly meaning “to harvest”.
Tillie: A diminutive form of Matilda, meaning “mighty in battle”.

U

Ursula: Latin origin, meaning “little bear”.
Una: Of Irish origin, meaning “lamb”.

V

Valentina: Feminine form of Valentine, meaning “strong, vigorous, healthy”.
Vera: Slavic in origin, meaning “faith” or “truth”.
Violet: Named after the purple/blue flower.
Vivian: Of Latin origin, meaning “alive.”

W

Wanda: Of Slavic origin, possibly meaning “a Wend,” referring to the Slavic people.
Wilhelmina: Feminine form of Wilhelm, the German form of William, meaning “resolute protector”.
Winifred: Of Welsh origin, meaning “blessed peacemaking”.

X

Xanthe: Of Greek origin, meaning “yellow” or “fair-haired”.
Xena: Of Greek origin, meaning “stranger”.

Y

Yvette: French in origin, meaning “yew”, which is a type of tree.
Yvonne: Feminine form of Yvon, meaning “yew”.

Z

Zelda: Shortened form of Griselda, meaning “dark battle”.
Zoe: Of Greek origin, meaning “life”.

Pairing Vintage Names with Modern Middle Names

When it comes to choosing a name for your child, striking a balance between vintage charm and modern flair can result in a beautifully unique and timeless name. By pairing a vintage first name with a modern middle name, you can achieve this blend effortlessly.

Blending Styles: Modern middle names can give vintage first names a fresh twist. For instance, “Clara Sky” or “Eleanor Luna” combines classic with contemporary.
Consider Flow and Rhythm: The syllables and sounds in names can make them flow smoothly. For example, a longer vintage name like “Marguerite” pairs well with a short, snappy modern middle name like “Zoe.”
Complementary Meanings: Consider pairing names that have meanings which align or create a story. “Hazel Dawn” could be interpreted as the first light seen through a hazel tree.
Alliteration and Phonetics: Names that start with the same letter or sound can be particularly catchy. “Violet Vega” or “Alice Aria” have a pleasing repetition.
Cultural Mix: A vintage English name can pair beautifully with a modern name from another culture. “Genevieve Amani” (Amani being Swahili for ‘peace’) offers a rich blend.

Tips for Parents Considering Vintage Names

Research the Origins: Dive deep into the name’s history. It gives a richer understanding and makes for a great story as your child grows.
Check Popularity Trends: While you’re choosing a vintage name for its uniqueness, it’s worth checking recent popularity trends to ensure it hasn’t made a massive comeback.
Say it Out Loud: Sometimes, names look beautiful on paper but might be tricky to pronounce or sound different than expected. Always vocalize them a few times.
Consider Nicknames: A lot of vintage names have natural short forms or nicknames. Think about whether you like them as well. For instance, “Margaret” could be shortened to “Maggie” or “Margie.”
Get Feedback: Sharing with friends or family can give you insight into initial reactions. However, remember it’s ultimately your choice.
Match with Surname: Ensure the vintage name sounds harmonious with your last name. Some combinations might be unexpectedly challenging.
Consider Sibling Names: If you already have children or plan on having more, think about how the names sound together.
Connect with Ancestors: Some parents choose vintage names based on family history, connecting their child with generations past.

Conclusion

The world of names is vast, yet there’s an undeniable charm in the elegance of the past. Embrace the magic of these 100 elegant vintage girl names, and let history be a part of your child’s story.