Pet Names So Ugly They're Cute

  1. Verda
    • Origin:

      Variation of Verde, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Girtha
    • Origin:

      Variation of Gertha, English from Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold"
    • Description:

      Don't put "girth" in a baby name.
  3. Delma
    • Origin:

      Short form of Adelma, German
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Prudy
    • Origin:

      Short form of Prudence, English virtue name
    • Meaning:

      "caution"
    • Description:

      Prudy does not improve on Prudence.
  5. Hildred
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "battle advice"
    • Description:

      Part Hilda, part Mildred, but unfortunately not the good parts of either.
  6. Earlene
    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Earl, English aristocratic title
    • Description:

      Earlene is even more out of style than Earl. These are among the names that have not been revived ala the Hundred Year Rule.
  7. Burnell
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Ugolino
    • Origin:

      Short form of Ugo, Italian form of Hugh
    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"
    • Description:

      Ugolino could be a silly nickname for an oh-so-seriously named baby Hugh or Hugo or Ugo.