Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls
- Florina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"flower"
- Florinda
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese elaboration of Flora or FlorenceDescription:
Florinda may be taking a good thing, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime, and making it too elaborate.
- Florine
Origin:
FrenchDescription:
This rare and archaic French name is a little too close to Chlorine for our liking. Despite its flowery origins, Florine has a warrior history - Florine of Burgundy was a female French crusader, who fought in battles alongside her husband and died after continuing to fight with seven arrows in her chest.
- Florrie
Origin:
English, diminutive of Florence and FloraDescription:
A sweet Bobbsey-twin era nickname, fluffy and floral.
- Florry
Description:
Florry is a feminine name typically considered a diminutive of Florence or Flora. These parent names have Latin origins related to 'flowering' or 'flourishing.' Florry has a distinctively vintage charm that recalls the early 20th century when nickname forms were commonly used as given names. While Florence has experienced periods of popularity, Florry has always remained a less common variant, giving it a unique quality. The name has a light, playful sound that contrasts with the more formal Florence. In the UK and Ireland, Florry might occasionally be encountered as a family nickname, though it's rarely found on birth certificates in recent decades. Its cheerful sound and floral associations give it a sweet, nostalgic quality that could appeal to parents seeking vintage charm.
- Flossie
Origin:
Diminutive of FlorenceMeaning:
"flourishing, prosperous"Description:
Flossie was an extremely popular Florence nickname that was used independently in the early twentieth century, given to over five hundred girls per year a century ago. Flossie was one of the younger twins in the iconic children's book series The Bobbsey Twins, first published in 1904. Appealing, if a little cutesy--sweet as candy floss. A similar name is Florrie.
- Flossy
Description:
Flossy is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Florence, which comes from the Latin "Florentius" meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous." During the Victorian era, Flossy was used as a nickname before occasionally becoming a given name in its own right. It exemplifies the vintage trend of using affectionate diminutives as formal names. Flossy has a distinctly antique charm, evoking images of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though it reached modest popularity in the early 1900s, it has since become quite rare. The name carries connotations of sweetness and daintiness, with its soft sounds and nostalgic quality appealing to those who appreciate vintage-inspired names.
- Fortunata
Origin:
Spanish variation of LatinMeaning:
"luck, fate, wealth"Description:
Brimming over with a sense of good fortune. Could make a little girl feel very lucky.
- Fran
Origin:
Diminutive of FrancesMeaning:
"from France or free man"Description:
This short form has been pretty much replaced by Frankie, however, it could fit in with other clunky but charming names, like Peggy, Bess, and Enid.
- Frances
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"from France; free man"Description:
Frances, a soft and gentle classic last popular a hundred years ago, is trending again. The cool nickname Frankie is one reason for the revival of Frances, adding lightness and sass to a serious name. Frances is the feminine form of Francis, the English variation of the Latin name Franciscus. Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman," was taken from the Germanic tribe the Franks, which got its name from the francisca, the axe they used in battle. Until the seventeenth century, the spellings Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes.
- Francie
Origin:
Diminutive of Frances, English from LatinMeaning:
"from France; free man"Description:
Francie is one of the most neglected nicknames for Frances, despite having more style value than Franny and Fanny and being more unique than Frankie. We'd love to see it get more use, whether as a Frances short form or as an independent name.
- Francine
Origin:
French diminutive pet form of FrancoiseMeaning:
"from France or free man"Description:
With the advent of Pope Francis, all forms of this ancient and saintly name came up for a fresh look. Along with most other -een and -ine (when pronounced like -een) names for girls, Francine has a dated midcentury Mad Men feel. But its choice for their daughter by modern glamour couple Casey Neistat and Candice Pool, respectively a video star and a jewelry designer, has made Francine chic again.
- Frannie
Description:
Frannie is a charming feminine diminutive typically derived from Frances or Francesca. These parent names have Latin origins meaning 'from France' or 'free one.' Frannie carries a warm, friendly, slightly vintage quality that evokes nostalgia while remaining sweetly appealing. While often used as a nickname, Frannie has occasionally been given as a formal name in its own right, especially during the mid-20th century. The name has an unpretentious, approachable feel with its soft sounds and affectionate '-ie' ending. Though never extremely common, Frannie has maintained consistent recognition, appearing in literature and popular culture. It strikes a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness, offering the substance of its traditional roots while feeling more casual and personable than Frances or Francesca.
- Franny
Origin:
Latin, diminutive of FrancesMeaning:
"from France or free man"Description:
If Frances and Fran are too serious for you, and Fanny too saucy, you might like Franny, still identified by some with J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey stories.
- Franziska
Description:
Franziska is a feminine name of German origin, serving as the female form of Franz (Francis). The name ultimately derives from Latin "Franciscus," meaning "Frenchman" or "free one." Franziska has been consistently popular in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, where it's appreciated for its classic elegance and cultural roots. The name gained recognition through figures like Franziska von Hohenheim, a German noblewoman of the 18th century. While less common in English-speaking countries, Franziska offers an international alternative to Frances or Francesca. The name carries a sophisticated European flair with its distinctive consonant blend and melodic three-syllable structure. It provides the charming nickname options Franzi or Ziska, adding versatility to this culturally rich name.
- Freda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peaceful,"Description:
Pronounced as Fred with an a, Freda is sometimes heard in England, but mostly among older generations. Much more popular in the U.K. these days, though yet to reach the US, is Freya.
- Freddie
Origin:
Short form of Alfreda or FredericaDescription:
Freddie, especially with the ie ending, is one of the old-school boy-names-for-girls that came into vogue at the turn of the last century. Freddie, all on its own, ranked among the Top 1000 girl names until 1958, but in 2021 it was given to just 8 baby girls. Maybe that makes it prime for a comeback, ala Billie?
- Freddy
Origin:
Short form of Alfreda, Frederica, or Winifred, EnglishMeaning:
"wise counselor, peaceful ruler, blessed peacemaking"Description:
Freddy is a quintessential boys name across the pond, but with tomboy nicknames like Charlie and Leni rising for girls -- Freddy may very well make a splash for girls next!
- Frederica
Origin:
Feminine variation of Frederick, English from GermanMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness.
- Frederika
Description:
Frederika is a feminine name with Germanic origins, serving as the female equivalent of Frederick. It derives from the Germanic elements 'fridu' meaning 'peace' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power,' thus conveying the beautiful meaning 'peaceful ruler.' Various spellings exist across European languages, including Frederica, Friederike, and Frederieke. The name carries an air of nobility and elegance, having been used in royal families throughout European history. While never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Frederika maintains steady usage in Northern European countries, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. The name offers several friendly nickname options including Freda, Rika, or Freddie, allowing for versatility as a person grows from childhood into adulthood.