Pet Names So Ugly They're Cute
- Verda
Origin:
Variation of Verde, SpanishMeaning:
"green"Description:
Verda was a fairly popular girls' name in the US from the 1880s through the 1920s, when it started to slip, finally dropping from sight after World War II.
- Girtha
Origin:
Variation of Gertha, English from ScandinavianMeaning:
"enclosure, stronghold"Description:
Don't put "girth" in a baby name.
- Delma
Origin:
Short form of Adelma, GermanMeaning:
"noble, famous"Description:
Adelma shot to stardom on the coattails of 19th century Eastern European spiritualist Baroness Adelma Vay de Vaya. Delma continued to be used in the US until the 1950s, when it dropped from sight.
- Prudy
Origin:
Short form of Prudence, English virtue nameMeaning:
"caution"Description:
Prudy does not improve on Prudence.
- Hildred
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"battle advice"Description:
Part Hilda, part Mildred, but unfortunately not the good parts of either.
- Earlene
Origin:
Feminine form of Earl, English aristocratic titleDescription:
Earlene is even more out of style than Earl. These are among the names that have not been revived ala the Hundred Year Rule.
- Burnell
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"little brown"Description:
Burnell had some life as a first name in the early decades of the 20th century. Today, a handful of baby boys are still given the name, perhaps in honor of one of its famous bearers.
- Ugolino
Origin:
Short form of Ugo, Italian form of HughMeaning:
"mind, intellect"Description:
Ugolino could be a silly nickname for an oh-so-seriously named baby Hugh or Hugo or Ugo.