Old-Fashioned, Vintage, Retro, Classic, Eclectic, Unusual and Uncommon Names for Girls

Another, more feminine, female form of Jacob sometimes heard in Scotland.

Jacobine is a rare -- no baby girls received the name in the US last year -- feminine form of the popular Jacob. But Jacobine has a quirky appeal. The Jacobins were a radical political club formed during the French revolution as well as an order of Dominican friars.

Jacqueline originated as a feminine form of Jacques, the French variation of James, and therefore Jacob. Jacob was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov, and gets its meaning, "supplanter" from the story of Jacob supplanting his brother Esau as the first-born son in the Bible. Jacqueline was first used in France in the Middle Ages.

Jacquelyn is a feminine name of French origin, a variant spelling of Jacqueline, which is the feminine form of Jacques (the French equivalent of James). Ultimately, these names derive from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning 'supplanter.' Jacquelyn gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, influenced by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The name offers a blend of classic elegance and femininity with its flowing sound and distinctive 'yn' ending, which differentiates it from the more common Jacqueline. While its usage has declined since its peak, Jacquelyn maintains appeal as a sophisticated name with vintage charm. Common nicknames include Jackie, Jack, Jacqui, and Lynn.

Jakoba is a feminine name that serves as the female form of Jacob, which derives from Hebrew and means 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' This name appears in various European languages, particularly in Basque, Dutch, and Nordic cultures. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has maintained steady usage in parts of Northern Europe. Jakoba combines traditional roots with a distinctive feminine ending, offering a strong yet unmistakably feminine character. The name carries the rich biblical heritage associated with Jacob while standing apart from more common derivatives like Jacqueline or Jacobina. For parents seeking a name with historical depth that remains unusual, Jakoba offers a compelling blend of strength, cross-cultural appeal, and distinctive sound while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce.

Jakobe represents a modern variant spelling of Jacob, which derives from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' This contemporary spelling combines traditional roots with distinctive orthography. While traditionally a masculine name, this entry identifies it as feminine, representing the growing trend of gender-crossing names. The addition of the final 'e' softens the name, potentially enhancing its appeal as a female option. Jakobe remains relatively uncommon regardless of gender, offering uniqueness while maintaining connection to the widely recognized biblical name Jacob. Parents choosing this spelling often seek to preserve traditional meaning while creating a more distinctive identity.

More grown up than Jamie, but never given to more than 13 baby girls in the US per year (and that back in 1968). Modern parents prefer Jamie, Jameson or even James itself, as Blake and Ryan Reynolds chose in 2014.

Jan, not short for Janet or Janice but standing on its own, ranked in the Top 200 throughout the 1950s but dropped off the Top 1000 in the 1980s and now is a truly extinct name, given to fewer than five baby girls in the US each year.

No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.

Janet started as a pet form of Jane but has long been used independently. Jane is a feminine form of John, which derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janet can also be considered a variation of Jeannette, a derivative of Joan and another feminization of the name John.

For a minute or two this sounded more modern than Janet, now equally outmoded.

Will this old-fashioned nickname make a comeback, now that Jane has shed her "plain" image? Janie is cute and approachable, and would stand as well on the birth certificate as Josie and Jessie do now.

Has lost all trace of its French accent.

Last moment of glory was in the Janis Joplin sixties.