vintage girl names begging to be rediscovered
- Clemma
Origin:
Diminutive of Clementine, FrenchMeaning:
"mild, merciful"Description:
Clemma is a one-hit wonder, appearing on the US popularity list only once, back in the 19th century. This is one case where the diminutive is not cuter than the proper name.
- Cleo
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
- Cleone
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glorious"Description:
An unusual Greek mythological name belonging to a fresh-water nymph, also known as Cleona, Kleone, and Kleona.
- Cleora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Cleora is a now-extinct name (there were no babies named Cleora recorded in the U.S. in 2012) that achieved some standing in the early 20th century thanks to the craze for all things Egypt-related. A range of Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleo, Cleora, Cleona, and Cleola, made the Top 1000 then as the ancient tombs were opened in Egypt.
- Cleotilde
Origin:
Variation of Clotilde, Spanish, French, Italian, PortugueseMeaning:
"famous in battle"Description:
A rare and warmer version of Clotilde, in combination with the Greek name Cleo. The first recorded use of Cleotilde was in 1894. It peaked in 1924 when 16 baby girls were named Cleotilde.
- Clois
Description:
Clois is a feminine name that likely developed as a blend of popular names like Chloe and Lois, or as a variation of Cloris. With potential Greek roots if derived from Chloe (meaning 'young green shoot'), the name has an interesting vintage quality. Clois saw modest usage in the United States during the early to mid-20th century but remains relatively uncommon today. The name gained some recognition among fans of the Superman franchise, where 'Clois' became a portmanteau term referring to the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. With its short, distinctive sound, Clois offers simplicity while remaining uncommon enough to be distinctive.
- Clover
Origin:
Flower name, from Old EnglishMeaning:
"key"Description:
Clover is a charming, perky choice if you want to move beyond hothouse blooms like Rose and Lily, and it's recently become a new celeb favorite, chosen by both Neal McDonough and Natasha Gregson Wagner, who used it to honor her mother, Natalie Wood, one of whose most iconic films was Inside Daisy Clover.
- 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.
- Colena
Description:
Colena is a feminine name with Scottish and Greek origins. It can be considered a feminine form of Colin (which derives from the Greek name Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people') or a variation of the Scottish name Cailean. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft consonants and ending with the feminine 'a' sound. While uncommon in contemporary use, Colena has historical precedent particularly in Scottish communities. The name carries a classic yet distinctive feel, offering parents an alternative to more common names like Colleen or Nicole. Colena blends traditional roots with relative rarity, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with historical connections but unlikely to be shared with many others in a child's peer group.
- Columbia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"land of Columbus"Description:
Columbia is a rarely used name with many associations. From the eighteenth century it has been used as a female personification of the United States, often appearing as a flag-draped patriotic figure. And as such it's inspired a plethora of place and company names, from the District of Columbia to Columbia University to Columbia Records, and songs like "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean." A character called Columbia appears in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- Corabelle
Description:
Corabelle is a charming feminine name that combines elements of Cora and Belle, both names with their own rich meanings. Cora comes from Greek, meaning "maiden" or possibly from the Latin "cor" meaning "heart," while Belle is French for "beautiful." Together, they create a name suggesting a beautiful-hearted or lovely maiden. Corabelle emerged during the Victorian era when compound names were fashionable. With its vintage charm and melodious four-syllable flow, the name carries a delicate, romantic quality. Though never extremely common, Corabelle has seen periodic interest from parents seeking names with an antique, Southern belle aesthetic. The name conjures images of lace, charm, and classic femininity while maintaining a distinctive quality that stands out from more common vintage revivals like Emma or Charlotte.
- Coral
Origin:
Nature nameMeaning:
"a rock like substance formed by sea creatures; pinkish-red; gemstone"Description:
A color name, a gemstone name, and an ocean-inspired choice, Coral has a lot going for it with its sharp C sounds yet sweet vintage feel. Unlike Scarlett or Violet, however, it is only quietly used in the US these days, perhaps because of its similarity to more 'dated' Carol.
- 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.
- Cordella
Description:
Cordella is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'cor' meaning 'heart,' suggesting someone warm-hearted or brave. It's a melodic variation of Cordelia, which gained literary fame through Shakespeare's character in 'King Lear.' The name carries an elegant, vintage charm with its flowing syllables and romantic sound. While less common than Cordelia, Cordella offers a slightly more distinctive alternative while maintaining the same sophisticated appeal. The name evokes images of classical beauty and grace, fitting for parents drawn to names with literary connections and timeless quality. Though never reaching mainstream popularity, Cordella has maintained a steady presence among parents seeking names with depth and character. Its rarity makes it special while still being recognizable and pronounceable.
- Coretta
Origin:
English, elaborated form of CoraDescription:
Famous as the name of the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Corinne
Origin:
French variation of Greek KorinnaMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Corinne is one of the names that, it might surprise you to learn, ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names until 2020, when it fell off the charts after 140 years. Its most popular year was 1926, when it ranked Number 249. Corinna is another pretty ancient form of the name, technically a diminutive.
- Corliss
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"carefree person"Description:
Corliss, eccentric yet well-established, has an independent and artistic air.
- Coy
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"shy, taciturn"Description:
Though rarely heard now, Coy has been around for a century and was not an uncommon name for boys a hundred years ago. There have been a couple of NFL players named Coy, Coy Bowles is in the Zac Brown band, and of course there was Coy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard. Due to the flirty connotations of the word "coy", McCoy is a more popular and recommended choice today.
- Crispina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"curly-haired"Description:
Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.
- Cruz
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"cross"Description:
Cruz might be a sister for Concepcion and Corazon, although its masculine side was emphasized when the high profile David Beckhams chose it for their son.