Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls
- Clytie
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"glorious or renowned"Description:
Clytie was a sea nymph who loved the sun god Helios, who spurned her. She turned into the heliotrope flower.
- Colette
Origin:
French, short form of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, GreekMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Like the French author with whom the name is most closely associated, Colette is a chic and charming name that is being rediscovered. After disappearing for nearly 30 years, Colette rejoined the Top 1000 in 2012 at Number 659 and has continued to rise since then.
- Colomba
Origin:
Italian version of ColumbaMeaning:
"dove"Description:
This spelling used in Italy and Spain shares the peaceful meaning of dove with the more familiar Columba. It's a Top 35 name in Chile.
- Columba
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Columba is an early saint's name that rhumbas to a modern beat. While the original St. Columba is male, the name sounds more appropriate for a girl in the modern world. Leave variations Colm and Callum for the boys.
- Comfort
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
This Puritan virtue name may be unstylish, but it is also sympathetic and appealing in these largely uncomfortable times.
- Concordia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peace, harmony"Description:
This name of the goddess of peace creates a lovely ideal.
- Constance
Origin:
English version of Latin ConstantiaMeaning:
"steadfastness"Description:
Constance is one of the more subtle of the virtue baby names, but still has quite a prim and proper image. One impediment to its revival has been the decidedly dated nickname Connie, though modern parents might well opt for using the strong and dignified name in full.
- Constantia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"constant, steadfast"Description:
A rare and refined name, which could make for a surprising route to cute nickname Connie.
- Constantina
Origin:
Latin, female variation of ConstantinusMeaning:
"constant, unchanging"Description:
Constantina is a pretty, feminissima, if lengthy, variation on the Constance theme. The fourth century Constantina, also known as Constantia and Constantiana, was the eldest daughter of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his second wife Fausta, daughter of Emperor Maximian. Constantina received the title of Augusta by her father, and is venerated as a saint; in English she is also known as Saint Constance.
- Cora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
- Coralee
Description:
Coralee is a charming feminine name that combines the name Cora with the popular suffix 'lee.' Cora has Latin origins meaning 'maiden' or Greek roots meaning 'heart,' while the suffix adds a southern, melodic quality. This combination creates a sweet, slightly vintage feel reminiscent of American southern charm. Coralee evokes images of warmth and femininity, with connections to both the heart (cor in Latin) and coral from the sea. While never extremely common, the name saw modest usage in the early 20th century and has experienced a small revival along with other vintage names. It appeals to parents who appreciate names with a touch of nostalgia and sweetness, offering the appealing nickname options of Cora or Lee.
- Coralene
Description:
Coralene is a delicate feminine name that draws inspiration from the natural beauty of coral reefs. It combines 'coral' – the vibrant marine organism forming colorful underwater structures – with the feminine suffix '-ene,' creating a graceful elaboration that sounds both vintage and fresh. The name evokes images of the ocean, suggesting qualities of resilience and natural beauty. While not widely used, Coralene has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, particularly in Southern regions of the United States. It shares sounds with more common names like Coraline, Caroline, and Coralie, but maintains its own distinctive character. For parents seeking a rare nature-inspired name with a subtle vintage charm, Coralene offers a melodic option with connections to the sea.
- Coralia
Origin:
Variation of CoralieMeaning:
"coral"Description:
Coralia was the name of a dancing mermaid in a 19th century ballet. As Cora -- which has another root and means maiden -- rises, so may elaborations and related names such as Coralie, Coraline, and Coralia.
- Coralie
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"coral"Description:
Coralie is a French name not often heard here, though she's gaining some recognition via Neil Gaiman's similar sounding spooky and lovely children's book, Coraline. Other literary appearances: Coralie is the stage name of an actress in Balzac's Lost Illusions, and a French girl in an 1850 Thackeray novel.Coralie is currently very popular in French-speaking Quebec, and there is a contemporary French singer named Coralie Clement.
- Coraline
Origin:
Diminutive of Coralie and Caroline, EnglishMeaning:
"coral; man; army"Description:
Coraline may not be original to Neil Gaiman's wonderful book of the same name, but it might as well be. Gaiman's young heroine Coraline Jones is constantly called Caroline but as a name Coraline is more distinctive and has a more mysterious feel. The 2002 novel Coraline was made into a 2009 animated film voiced by Dakota Fanning and nominated for an Academy Award.
- Coralyn
Description:
Coralyn is a feminine name that beautifully combines elements of Cora and the popular suffix "-lyn." It likely emerged as a variation of Coraline or as an elaboration of Cora, which derives from the Greek name Kore, meaning "maiden" and associated with the goddess Persephone. The "-lyn" ending adds a modern, melodic quality while maintaining the name's vintage charm. Coralyn evokes images of classical beauty with a contemporary twist. Though not historically common in naming records, it began gaining modest attention in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as parents sought names that felt both familiar and distinctive. The name carries a delicate, feminine quality with its soft sounds and flowing cadence, appealing to families looking for something with traditional roots yet uncommon enough to stand out.
- Cordelia
Origin:
Latin; CelticMeaning:
"heart; daughter of the sea"Description:
Cordelia is exactly the kind of old-fashioned, grown-up name for girls that many parents are seeking for their daughters today. The name of King Lear's one sympathetic daughter, Cordelia has both style and substance along with its Shakespearean pedigree.
- Cordula
Description:
Cordula is a feminine name with ancient Latin origins, derived from 'cor' or 'cordis,' meaning 'heart.' This elegant name gained prominence through Saint Cordula, a legendary companion of Saint Ursula who was martyred in Cologne, Germany during the early Christian era. While popular in German-speaking countries and parts of Eastern Europe throughout history, Cordula remains quite rare in English-speaking regions. The name carries connotations of courage and devotion, as Saint Cordula was said to have initially hidden from persecution but later voluntarily surrendered to share her companions' fate. Its distinctive sound combines classical depth with an unusual melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking uncommon names with historical significance.
- Corey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the hollow"Description:
Cool a few decades ago, along with Lori and Tori. Currently out of fashion but may make a retro tomboy choice as an offbeat spin on Charlie.
- Corinda
Description:
Corinda is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Spanish "Corinda" or "Corina," which comes from the Greek name "Korinna," meaning "maiden" or "girl." Alternatively, it could be linked to the Latin "corus," meaning "heart" or "spirit." In Australia, Corinda is also known as a place name for a suburb of Brisbane, which took its name from a local indigenous word. As a personal name, Corinda has remained quite rare throughout modern naming records, giving it an exotic and distinctive quality. The name has a lyrical, flowing sound that resonates with other feminine names ending in "-inda" such as Belinda or Melinda. Corinda may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with classic feminine qualities and potential multicultural connections.