Old People Names
- Arlene
Origin:
EnglishDescription:
Popular in the US from the 1920s to the 1950s, Arlene is of uncertain origin and seems to be a modern innovation, perhaps based on names like Marlene and Darlene which were popular around the same time. Nowadays, the -lene names are mostly outdated, although the recent rise of retro Arlette could make Arlene seem plausible again as well.
- Irma
Origin:
German, diminutive of several names, meaning "universal, complete"Meaning:
"universal, complete"Description:
A Top 200 choice in the US from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, Irma has nevertheless fallen out of favor with modern parents, and doesn't look set for the sort of comeback that some of her vintage sisters have enjoyed in recent years. The devastating hurricane which hit the Caribbean Islands and the south-east coast of the US in 2017 has no doubt dealt its chances of revival a further blow.
- Bessie
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky.
- Orville
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"gold town"Description:
Only if you're an aviation buff or seriously addicted to popcorn.
- Bertha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright, glorious"Description:
Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
- Rhoda
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"rose"Description:
To those who remember, Rhoda is still reminiscent of the brassy Bronx 1970s sitcom Rhoda Morgenstern. But Rhoda has a much longer history--it is a name that can be found in the New Testament as a servant girl in the house of Mary, mother of John. Later, Rhoda appeared in the novel Vanity Fair and the Shaw play Man and Superman.
- Seymour
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"marshy land near the sea"Description:
Out playing shuffleboard at his condo and not expected back for several generations -- unless it morphs into a girls' name, a la Sydney.
- Verna
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"springtime"Description:
Verna may mean "springtime," but May or Spring is fresher.
- Nelle
Origin:
Spelling variation of NellDescription:
Nelle, pronounced as the one-syllable Nell though some may think it's Nellie or Nella, is the elegant form of the name used by author Nelle Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. With whatever spelling, Nell/Nelle is a charming old-fashioned nickname name -- it was originally short for Ellen, Eleanor, or Helen -- that never took off the way sisters Molly and Maggie did.
- Myrna
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"festive"Description:
Angliziced spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend. Actress Myrna Loy was a notable bearer.
- Janice
Origin:
Variation of JaneMeaning:
"God's gracious gift"Description:
For a minute or two this sounded more modern than Janet, now equally outmoded.
- Alberta
Origin:
English, feminine variation of AlbertMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
This jazzy old name could make a comeback, the way Josephine and Ella have. In England the name was popularized by Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, after whom her governor general of Canada husband named the North American province. Jazz singer Alberta Hunter was a noted bearer.
- Hephzibah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my delight is in her"Description:
Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah (the condensed spelling) Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.
- Waldo
Origin:
German, pet form of names such as WaldemarMeaning:
"to rule"Description:
Its jaunty o-ending makes this name more appealing than most of its Germanic brothers, and we hope we're beyond the constant response to his name being "Where's Waldo?" The weighty reputation of writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson adds a measure of backbone to the name.
- Georgette
Origin:
French, feminine variation of GeorgeDescription:
Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.
- Nanette
Origin:
French diminutive of AnneMeaning:
"grace"Description:
There was a time when French names like Annette, Paulette – and Nanette – were chic, but now, we'd have to say "No, no, Nanette".
- Bernie
Origin:
Diminutive of Bernard, EnglishMeaning:
"strong; brave as a bear"Description:
It's been shown that notable political figures often impact the use of their names, and the same can — sort of — be said about Bernie Sanders. His name increased in use by 47% between 2015 and 2016 (albeit, to a peak of only 21 baby boys given the name). By 2017, Bernie has decreased in usage by almost 60%.
- Thirza
Origin:
Hebrew; diminutive of Theresa, EnglishMeaning:
"delightful; harvest"Description:
This rarely used Old Testament name will inevitably set off a connection to thirst. Thirza was historically used as both an independent name and as a nickname for Theresa.
- Velma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"will helmet"Description:
Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo.
- Ervin
Origin:
Scottish variation of Irving; Hungarian variation of ErwinDescription:
An old-school great-grandpa name, like Irving and Ernest, that may just be ready for revival. It's also a well-known name in Hungary and elsewhere in central and eastern Europe. As a surname, it's associated with jazz sax player Booker Ervin.