vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered
- Dariel
Origin:
Feminine variation of Darrell, FrenchMeaning:
"dear one, beloved"Description:
Dariel is one of many similar forms and variations of different names—Dara, Dariela, Daria and Darya—that are all unusual and pretty if not quite authentic-feeling.
- Darlene
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"darling"Description:
A modern(ish) invented name, only in widespread use since the 20th century. It is a combination of the English word darling and the popular midcentury suffix -lene. It was recently used on a character in the BBC comedy-crime drama, Death in Paradise.
- Davis
Origin:
Surname derived from David, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Davis may seem an unlikely choice for a girl, but over 50 baby girls received the name in the US last year, perhaps in honor of an ancestral David. Viola Davis is a notable female namesake.
- Dean
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"church official"Description:
Like many passé boys' names, this one sounds fresh again for girls.
- Delaine
Description:
Delaine is a feminine name with French origins, derived from 'de laine' meaning 'of wool.' It gained recognition from a type of lightweight wool fabric called delaine that was popular in the 19th century. As a personal name, Delaine emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century, offering a sophisticated alternative to more common names like Elaine or Delaney. The name carries connotations of elegance and refinement, perhaps influenced by the association with fine fabrics. While never extremely common, Delaine has maintained a consistent, if modest, presence in naming patterns, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible.
- Delene
Description:
Delene is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Delene or Delena, which could derive from Greek elements meaning "visible" or "bright." Alternatively, it might be related to the French "Hélène" (Helen) or represent a shortened form of names containing "del" like Adeline or Madeline. The name has a gentle, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While never among the most popular names, Delene has maintained a quiet presence in naming records throughout the 20th century, particularly in the southern United States. Its relative rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet remains distinctive and uncommon.
- Delia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"born on the island of Delos"Description:
Delia is a somewhat neglected southern charmer that stands on its own but also might be short for Adelia or Cordelia.
- Dell
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"shaded valley"Description:
A sweet and simple nature name that could also be short for the surname name Odell, the vintage name Della, or the obscure saint's name Endellion.
- Della
Origin:
Diminutive of Adela, Adele or AdelaideMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Fresh, bright, and sunny, Della could be an alternative to Ella, Delilah, or Adeline. Familiar but not yet overused, it combines the elements of contemporary favorites with vintage charm.
- Dellie
Description:
Dellie is a feminine name with American origins, primarily found in the southern United States. It emerged as a diminutive form of names containing the 'del' sound, such as Cordelia, Adelaide, or Adele. The name peaked in popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since become quite rare. Dellie has a delicate, vintage charm that evokes images of southern hospitality and simpler times. The name carries a sweet, affectionate quality with its soft sounds and -ie ending, a common feature in nicknames of that era. While uncommon today, Dellie represents the American tradition of creating familiar, endearing forms of longer names, particularly in close-knit rural communities.
- Delphia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the womb"Description:
Feminization of the Greek place name Delphi (of oracle fame), Delphia could also be used as a nod to American city Philadelphia. Delphine and Delphinia are similar names.
- Delphine
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"of Delphi; womb"Description:
Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
- Delsie
Description:
Delsie is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names like Adela or Cordelia, or possibly derived from the German name Adelheid, meaning 'noble type.' The name has a vintage charm characteristic of names popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Delsie peaked in popularity in the United States around the 1910s-1920s and has since become quite uncommon, giving it that distinctive quality sought by parents looking for revival names with historical precedent but current rarity. The name's soft sounds and ending 'ie' give it a gentle, feminine quality while maintaining simplicity and approachability, fitting with current trends of rediscovering vintage names.
- Delta
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fourth letter; island formed at the mouth of a river"Description:
Delta is an unusual vintage option with a lazy-day-down-by-the-river feel. Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and also the geographical name given to an island formed at the mouth of a river.
- Despina
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lady"Description:
Despina is best known as the clever and wily maidservant character in Mozart's opera Così fan tutte. It is a name of Greek origin, derived from Despoina, who in Greek mythology was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon.
- Dessa
Description:
Dessa is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names like Odessa or Theodessa, or it could derive from the Greek name Odessa, referring to the ancient Greek city. Alternatively, it might be connected to the Latin "adessa," meaning "to be present." In some Slavic languages, similar names relate to "destiny" or "fate." Dessa has gained some recognition through its use by the American rapper and writer Dessa Darling. The name has a soft, gentle sound while maintaining a certain strength and brevity. Its short, two-syllable structure makes it practical and memorable, appealing to parents seeking a name that's uncommon yet accessible, with a feminine quality that's neither overly frilly nor traditionally masculine.
- Dessie
Description:
Dessie is a charming feminine name with multiple origins. Primarily considered a diminutive of Desdemona (from Greek, meaning 'ill-fated'), it's also used as a nickname for names like Desirée (French for 'desired') or Odessa (derived from a Ukrainian city name). Additionally, Dessie is the name of a city in Ethiopia, giving it geographical significance. The name peaked in popularity in the early 1900s in the United States, particularly in southern regions, and carries a sweet, vintage quality. With its soft sounds and approachable nature, Dessie evokes a friendly, warm personality. Though relatively uncommon today, it maintains appeal for parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with historical roots and a gentle, feminine quality.
- Devera
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"to sweep away"Description:
Devera was the name of a Roman goddess who protected midwives and laboring women. She would use a broom to sweep evil away, referenced in the meaning of her name.
- Devora
Origin:
Variation of DeborahDescription:
Both a biblical and an Israeli place-name, this can be used as an offbeat substitute for Deborah.
- Dezzie
Description:
Dezzie is a feminine name that likely originated as a diminutive form of names like Desdemona or Desiree, or possibly as a variant of Daisy. It has a cheerful, playful quality with its 'z' sound and '-ie' ending that gives it a vintage nickname charm. Dezzie peaked in limited popularity during the early 20th century when diminutive nicknames were commonly used as given names. The name carries a friendly, approachable feeling while maintaining a touch of uniqueness. As with many nickname-style names, Dezzie has an inherent sweetness and informality that some parents find appealing as an alternative to more formal traditional names.