Pet Names So Ugly They're Cute

Orpha, with its Biblical roots and its animal meaning, was once a fairly popular name, but fell from sight around the time of the Second World War, along with so many other Old School Names. And its similarity to the word orphan probably didn't help.

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.

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.

Prudy does not improve on Prudence.

Part Hilda, part Mildred, but unfortunately not the good parts of either.

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