270+ Old Fashioned Girl Names That Are Well-Loved

These old fashioned girl names are the best way to channel an era past when naming your daughter. If you know in your heart that your baby girl is destined to be an old soul, read through this list of old-fashioned girl names now.

We all can agree that progress is good and the world is in a better place than it was a hundred years ago. Still, despite what we may have gained, we’ve also lost quite a bit. A sense of community, of togetherness, of everyone being on the same page, of Saturday night football games and church the next morning.

The “good old days” may have been overrated in some respects, but whenever something is gained, something is also lost—and in this case, we’ve lost the charming innocence of a time when life was far less technological and far more simple.

These old fashioned girl names take you back to a time when Facebook didn’t exist but homemade apple pie from a wood-burning stove did. Here are some beautiful old fashioned girl names for your baby.

Old Fashioned Baby Girl Names Based on Character Traits

Alice

This is an English name meaning “noble” or “kind.”

Ada / Adelaide / Adele

This name has German origin, meaning “nobility.”

Adaline / Adeline

This French origin name means “noble” or “nobility” and is a diminutive of Adele.

Agatha / Aggie

This Greek name means “good.”

Audrey / Audree

This name is French, meaning “strength.”

Amelia

This German name means “industrious and striving.”

Annabelle

This name is unique because it combines two names to create one. “Anna” means “grace” in Hebrew, and “belle” means “beautiful” in French.

Beatrice

The French name Béatrice comes from the Latin Beatrix, meaning “she who makes happy” or “bringer of joy.”

Becky

This is an abbreviation of Rebecca, meaning “captivating.”

Belinda

This name has an unknown origin, but could be derived from the Italian “Bella” or French “Belle” meaning “beautiful.”

Belle

This French name means “beautiful.”

Augusta

This is of Latin origin, meaning “great” or “magnificent.”

Blythe

This comes from the old English word “bliþe” meaning “joyous, kind, cheerful, pleasant.”

Bonnie

This is both a Scottish name and a French name. In the Scots language, it means “pretty, attractive” and in the French language, it comes from the French word “bonne” meaning “good.”

Blythe

This comes from the old English word “bliþe” meaning “joyous, kind, cheerful, pleasant.”

Effie

This name is of Greek origin meaning “well-spoken.” It most likely comes from the uncommon 1860’s name Euphemia.

Eleanor / Ellie / Ella

Greek for “bright, shining one” this name has nicknames “Ellie” and “Ella”, meaning “shining light” and “beautiful.”

Justine

This name is of Latin origin, meaning “fair” or “just.” It is the feminine version of Justin.

Kayleigh / Kayla

These names have Irish and Gaelic origins, meaning “slim” or “fair.” Nicknames and variations of spellings for this are Kayley or Kay.

Julia

This Roman name is derived from Julius. It means “youthful.”

Lydia

This Greek name means “beautiful” or “noble.”

Mabel

This English and Latin name means “loveable” or “dear.”

Maxine

This is the feminine form of Max, is of Latin origin, and means “greatest.”

Myra

This name comes from the Sanskrit language meaning “sweet, admirable, extraordinary.”

Myrna

This name comes from Irish and Gaelic origin meaning “beloved.”

Naomi

This name is of Hebrew origins meaning “pleasant.”

Trisha

This is a variant of the Latin name Patricia, meaning “noble.”

Trixie

This cute baby name means “bringer of joy.” The perfect name for your baby girl!

Sophia / Sophie

These two Greek names both mean “wisdom.” They are variants of one another.

Vivien

Of Latin origin, the meaning of this name is “lively.”

Winifred / Winnie

Winifred is of Welsh origin meaning “fair one” or “white and smooth” or “fair and pure.” A common nickname is Winnie.

Old Fashioned Baby Girl Names Based On Nature and Life

Alexandra

This is a Greek name meaning “helper” or “defender of mankind.”

Anna

This Hebrew name means “grace.” It comes from the word חַנָּה (Ḥannāh or ‎Chanah). Interestingly though, the ancient Romans used the name “Anna” to mean “the year’s cycle.”

Dahlia

This Swedish and Scandinavian name means “valley.”

Daisy

This name comes from an Old English word meaning “day’s eye.”

Eva / Eve / Evie / Evelyn

These baby names have Latin and Hebrew origins, meaning “living one” or “life” or “mother of life.”

Fay / Faye

This Old French baby name means “fairy.”

Flora / Flossie

These names, in Latin, mean “flower.” In Roman mythology, it is the name of the goddess of springtime. This is a beautiful name for a little girl!

Florence

Although this could be considered one of those “old lady names”, it’s still a cool name. If you think your baby is going to be an old soul, consider naming them this. It is old French and Latin, meaning “blossoming” or “I blossom/flower.”

Gilda / Golda / Goldie

Gilda is an Old English name meaning “golden” or “gilded.” Golda is also an Old English name, inspired by gold. Goldie is an English name meaning “made of gold” and is a diminutive form of Golda.

Hazel

This English name meaning might be obvious: it refers to a greenish-brown color. However, it can also mean “hazelnut tree.”

Iris

This name is of Greek origin, meaning “rainbow.” It can also be related to the ancient Greek messenger of the gods.

Kimberly / Kim

This Old English name comes from the personal name Cyneburg, meaning “royal forest.”

Lenora

This Greek name means “sun ray.” It can also be related to Eleanor or Lenore.

Liliana / Lillian / Lily

Liliana and Lillian are Latin names meaning “lily” as well as “care free” and “innocent.” Lily is derived from the white flower, signifying innocence.

Lucinda / Lucy

This Latin name means “light” and is commonly abbreviated or nicknamed Cindy and Lucy.

Mae / May

Mae name has a number of meanings: “goddess of springtime and warmth” and “star of the sea.” It comes from the Hebrew name Magdalene, meaning “flower” or “Month of May.” May, being the short and feminine form of Matthew and Mary, has various meanings. It is of English origin meaning “the fifth month.” It is also after Maia, the Roman earth goddess.

Myrtle

This Latin name means “evergreen shrub” and can also be related to Venus, the goddess of love.

Margaret / Greta / Madge / Maggie / Maisie / Mamie / Margot

Margaret is a name derived from French, Latin, and ancient Greek origin. It comes from the Old Persian word meaning “pearl.” Greta, Madge, Maisie, Mamie, Margot, and Maggie are short forms and nicknames of Margaret.

Lorene / Loretta

Lorene is a Latin name meaning “laurel” or “sweet bay tree.” Loretta means “laurel” too.

Marigold

This is of English origin, referring to the golden flower. It is also a combination of the name Mary and gold.

Marilyn

This name is a variation of Mary and also means “star of the sea.”

Marlene

This name means “star of the sea” and can also be considered biblical, referencing Mary Magdalene.

Miriam

This name is of Hebrew origin meaning “of the sea.”

Nellie

This is an English name meaning “horn” or “sun ray.” It is also a variant of Cornelia and Eleanor.

Olive / Olivia

The name Olive is directly related to an “olive tree.” Olivia has the same meaning and is a variant of this name.

Rosalind / Rosalinda

This name is of Old German and Spanish origin. It means “beautiful rose” with “lind/linda” meaning beautiful in Spanish and “Rosa” meaning rose.

Roxanne

This name derives from Greece after Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great. In Persian, it means “bright star” or “sunlight.”

Shannon

This Old Irish name means “old river” or “wise river.”

Sylvia

This French name is of Latin origin meaning “spirit of the wood.”

Tessie

Of Greek and English origin, this name means “late summer.” It is also related to the names Theresa and Tessa.

Religious Old Fashioned Baby Girl

Anastasia

This name is of Greek origin. It derives from the word anástasis (ἀνάστασις), meaning “resurrection.” The male equivalent name is Anastasius.

Alma

The origin of this Latin name is much debated. It is believed to be derived from the phrase “alma mater”, in reference to the Virgin Mary. It can also mean “feeds one’s soul” or “lifts the spirit.”

Angeline / Angelique

This name is of Greek origin, meaning “messenger of God.”

Ava

This Latin name is considered to have a religious significance, taken after Eve, the companion of biblical Adam. In Hebrew, it means “to breathe” or “to live.”

Agnes

This is a religious name, derived from the Greek Ἁγνή Hagnḗ, meaning “holy” or “pure.”

Annie

This English name means “gracious” or “merciful.” It is a diminutive form of “Ann”.

Babette

This is name is of French origin, meaning “My God Is My Oath.” It is also a diminutive form of the name Barbara.

Bessie

This name has Hebrew, Dutch, and English origins. It has meanings of “God is my oath” and “God’s promise.”

Bethany

This name has Aramaic or Hebrew origin, meaning “house of figs.” It derived from the Biblical town, Bethany, near Jerusalem. It is commonly referred by the nickname Beth.

Betsy

This biblical name is Hebrew, meaning “God is perfection.”

Cammie

This name is of Latin origin, meaning “helper to the priest.”

Candace

This comes from the New Testament of the Bible, taken from Kandake, the Queen of Ethiopia.

Cecilia / Celia

This biblical name is based on the Roman surname “Caecilius,” which came from “caecus,” the Latin word for “blind.” It was a name to honor St. Cecilia, a second-century martyr.

Celeste

This name comes from the Latin “caelestis” meaning “heavenly” or “celestial.”

Constance

This Latin name means “constant.” It imbues a sense of one’s faith in the Bible.

Delilah

This is an old name, from the Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible. Delilah – meaning “delicate” – was a strong Nazirite. It also has origins in Arabic and Greek.

Dolly / Dorothy / Dora / Dot

Dolly is of English origin and is the short form of Dorothy, meaning “gift of God.” Dora and Dot are derived from Dorothy, meaning “God’s gift.”

Elise / Eliza / Elizabeth / Elsa / Elsie

Elizabeth is a beautiful old fashioned French name that means “My God is an oath.” Eliza and Elise are shortened versions. It is most commonly used as a middle name for a child. Elsa and Elsie are pet name variations of Elizabeth too.

Gloria

This Latin name means “immortal glory, fame, praise, honor.” It could be considered anglicized or biblical in the sense that it means “Glory to God.”

Grace

This name comes from Latin origin and was first used as a reference to “God’s grace.” Although this name could be considered biblical, it can also just mean “charm,” “goodness,” and “generosity.”

Edna

Although this name originates from several languages, it is most commonly related to the Hebrew language. It means “pleasure” and can also be etymologically related to Eden, the Biblical Garden of Eden.

Hannah

This common name is Hebrew, meaning “favor” or “grace.” It could also be considered a biblical name, in reference to the Old Testament.

Helga

This Old Norse name is common German-speaking countries. It means “holy” or “blessed.”

Faith

This is an English American name meaning “confidence,” “trust,” “belief.” This also has religious connections, meaning “may God reign.”

Hope

This beautifully common name is of English origin meaning “desire of fulfillment.” This could be a Christian name, inspired by the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity) or just to signify the expectation of eternal life.

Ina

Derived from an Anglo-saxon word, it means “home” or “to entertain.” However, in Christianity, it it is a woman/queen. It can be used as a nickname for Marina or Christina.

Inez

Coming from Spanish, Portuguese, and French origin, this religious name means “holy,” “pure” and “virginal.”

Isabella

This name has multiple origins. It is the Spanish and Italian version of a Hebrew name, meaning “devoted to God.” Nicknames for this could be Izzy, Bella, or Belle.

Jan / Janet / Jane

Janet is a Dutch and Hebrew name meaning “God is gracious.” Jan is a short form of Janet. Jane can also be a variation of this name, meaning “gracious” or “merciful.”

Joy

This name means, literally, “joy, happiness.” A common variation of this name is Joyce. In Hebrew, it can be “joy of the Lord.”

Judith

While this Hebrew-dervied name typically means “woman of Judea,” it can also mean “she will be praised.”

Liza / Lizzie

Both Liza and Lizzie are Hebrew and biblical names meaning “God’s promise.”

Mary

This name is of Hebrew, Latin, and Greek origin with various meanings: “beloved,” “wished-for child,” or “drop of the sea.” This could also be a biblical name, after Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Meredith

This Welsh name means “Great Lord.”

Pauline

This old-fashioned name is of Latin origin, meaning “small.” It is the feminine form of Paul and is in reference to Saint Paul of Christianity.

Samantha

This name is of Arabic and Hebrew origin, both meaning “listens well” and “as told by God.”

Simone

This is a Hebrew and Greek name meaning “God had heard.”

Theodora

This is a biblical name deriving from Greek words meaning “gift of God”

Zelma

This name is of Old German origin meaning “helmet of God.”

Classic Retro Names For Your Baby Girl

Imagine a favorite music artist or band from the 60s and 70s. Think of tie-dye shirts, medallion necklaces, bell-bottoms. These baby names are classic and cool and will stand the test of time.

Birdie

This name has English, American, and German origins meaning “bright, famous” or “little bird.”

Brenda

This name is of Old Norse origin meaning “sword.”

Bridget / Brigid / Bridgit

This Gaelic/Irish name is derived from the word “brígh” with multiple meanings: “strength,” “virtue,” and “exalted one.”

Clarice / Clarissa

Coming from Latin and Greek origin, this name means “bright, clear, famous, brilliant.”

Callie

This Greek name means “beautiful” and is a form of Carrie and Caroline.

Caroline

This is the French form of Charles, meaning “free man.”

Catherine

This name is of Greek origin meaning “pure.”

Claudette

As the feminine version of Claude, this French name means “lame.”

Clementine

From French and Latin origins, this name means “merciful.”

Charlotte / Lottie

This name comes from France, meaning “petite” or “little” It is the female form of Charlot. Nicknames for this can be “Charlie” or “Lottie.”

Claire / Clare / Clara

This name is of French origin, meaning “clear.”

Dixie

This French and English name means “tenth.” It most likely originated from the surveyors of the Mason-Dixon line. In Cajuan French, “dix” means “ten”.

Donna

This old fashioned name means “woman” in Italian.

Genevieve

This is a French name with some Germanic and Celtic origin meaning “woman of the race.”

Jocelyn

This name could have a few meanings. In Old German, it can be in relation to a member of the Gauts, a German tribe. In Hebrew, it is a name for a “supplanter.”

Jolene

This French name means “pretty” in French. It is commonly shortened as “Jolie.”

Layla / Lila

Layla is a Hebrew and Arabic name meaning “night” or “dark.” It is a name often given to a child born in the middle of the night. Lila has various meanings: “fire,” “strength,” “beauty,” “night,” and “dark beauty.” It can also be a variant of the Hebrew name Layla, meaning “night.” It could also be a nickname for Delilah.

Ophelia

This name is of Greek origin meaning “help.” If you’re a fan of Shakespeare and his play Hamlet, you might love this name!

Philomena

This Greek name means “friend” or “loved one.”

Priscilla

This English name means “classical” or “ancient.”

Ruby

Literally meaning “the red gemstone,” this name is of English origin and was first used in the 1870s.

Sarah / Sadie

Sarah means princess and is also the biblical wife of Abraham. Sadie is a nickname of Sarah and has the same meaning.

Scarlett

This English name symbolizes courage, passion, force, and heat. It relates to the color scarlet red!

Selma

This name is believed to have Celtic origins meaning “peaceful” or “beautiful view.”

Stella

Of Latin origin, this name means “star.”

Old Fashioned Girl Names From Greek and Roman Mythology

Anthea

This name comes from the Greek word Ἄνθεια, meaning “blossom.” It is an epithet of Hera, the classical Greek goddess.

Chloe

This Greek name means “blooming” or “fertility.” It comes from Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest, who was sometimes referred to as Chloe. The name also appears in the New Testament of the Bible.

Cora

Derived from Ancient Greece, this name is an epithet of the Greek goddess Persephone. It can also be based on a Gaelic word meaning “honest, just, virtuous.”

Diana

In mythology, Diana was a Roman divinity and was associated with the Greek god Artemis. This classic name means “divine.”

Daphne

This is a Hebrew name meaning “victory.” However, it can also be associated with the Greek mythological naiad nymph named Daphne, the (minor) goddess of fountains, wells, springs.

Helen

This Greek name means “light” or “bright.” It can be related to Helen of Troy, the daughter of Zeus and wife of Menalaus.

Irene

Coming from a Greek goddess, this name means “peace.”

June

This Latin name can quite literally mean “born in June.” It comes from the Roman goddess Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth.

Penelope

This name comes from Greece, meaning “weaver.” In Greek mythology, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus who spent time weaving and fending off suitors.

Phoebe

This is an ancient Greek name and an epithet of Apollo meaning “bright.” In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a titan with the power of prophecy.

Phyllis

Another Greek mythological name, Phyllis dies for love and is transformed into a tree. This name means “greenery.”

Old Fashioned Girl Names Based On Occupations or Locations

Colleen

This Irish-American name comes from the term of “unmarried girl/woman.” It is a diminutive of caile meaning “country woman.”

Cynthia

This is of Greek origin meaning “from Mount Kynthos.”

Etta / Henrietta

This is a name of English origin meaning “ruler of the home.”

Fabia

This name comes from Latin origin meaning “bean grower.”

Georgette / Georgia / Georgina

The variations of this name are of Latin and French origin, meaning “farmer.” This would be an occupational name.

Harriet / Hallie / Hattie / Henrietta

Harriet, Hattie, and Henrietta are of old English origin meaning “home ruler.” Hallie is a variant of Harriet and is an English name meaning “dweller in the hall meadow.” Henrietta is a more formal version of Harriet.

Names for Girls That Radiate Elegance

Eloise

This cute name has French origin, meaning “famous warrior.” It is of the French form “Louise.”

Emma

Coming from the Germanic word “ermen,” this name means “universal” or “whole.”

Esme / Esmé / Esmée

This English first name means “esteemed” or “beloved.” However, it is also used as the Spanish feminine name Esmeralda meaning “emerald.”

Emily

Coming from the Roman family name Aemilius, this name means “rival.” However, the Greek interpretation of this could mean “wily” or “persuasive.”

Ethel

This is a pretty uncommon name, but a classic one nonetheless. It is an Old English name meaning “noble.” It is sometimes used as a last name.

Gwendolyn

This Welsh name means “fair bow” or “blessed ring.” A common nickname is Gwen.

Heloise

This name comes from French and Old German origin that has a few meanings. It means both “famous warrior” and “healthy.”

Molly

This is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name “Mary.” It most commonly means “sea of bitterness” or “rebellion.”

Nadia / Nadine

In many Slavic languages, Nadia means “hope.” Nadine is the French variant of this name, meaning “showerer of blessings.”

Nora

This name is of Anglo-Norman and Latin origin meaning “honor” and is also Scottish, being the feminine form of Norman. It is also short for the Greek name Eleanora meaning “light.”

Rose / Rosella / Rosetta

Rose quite literally is in reference to the flower. Rosella and Rosetta are variations of this name.

Old Fashioned Baby Names That Can Be Unisex

Here is a list of somewhat uncommon old-fashioned names that can be for a girl or a boy, however your child wants to identify as.

Aubrey

This name has origins in English, Norman French, and German. It has been translated to mean “king of the Elves.” It is a unisex name.

Charlie

This is a unisex name meaning “free man”. It comes from the name Charles, as a nickname.

Hayden

This could be considered a unisex name from English. It originated as a respelling of the name Haiden, meaning “heathen.”

Poppy

This is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin meaning “from the flower.”

Old Fashioned Names or Vintage Names For Girls

The following names could be considered “old lady” names, and not something most parents would consider naming their newborn. If you want to be old-fashioned and name your child something different, something vintage, timeless, and beautiful, then keep on reading.

Bertha

This Old German name comes from as early as the 6th century. It means “bright one.”

Dolores

This vintage name comes from Spanish origin, meaning “sorrowful” or “pain.” This name is related to other names like Lolita and Lola.

Eugenia

While this is a feminine name, it is related to the masculine form Eugene. It is Greek and means “well-born.”

Fannie / Fanny

This cute name is of English origin meaning “free.”

Hilda

Derived from the Old Norse hildr, this name means”battle.” It can also be related to Saint Hilda (seventh century) who was an abbess in England.

Ida

This name is more common in Europe, mostly popular in Scandinavian countries. It has ancient Germanic etymology and is derived from a Germanic word. This name means “labor, work.”

Imogen / Imogene

This Irish and Gaelic name means “maiden.”

Isadora

This name comes from Latin and Greek origin, meaning “gift of Isis,” and is related to the principal goddess of Ancient Egypt.

Darla / Darlene

From Old English, this name means “little dear one” or “darling.”

Dinah

This Hebrew name means “judged” or “vindicated.”

Edie / Edith

Edie is an Old English name meaning “strife for wealth” and Edie, is a variant of this name.

Eileen

This cute name has origins from Norman French and Gaelic Irish. In French, it is “aveline”, which means “hazelnut.” In Gaelic Irish, it means “shining.”

Felicia

Coming from the Latin word “felix”, this name means “happy, lucky, happy times.”

Josephine

This is an English version of a French name and also the feminine form of Joseph, taken from the Hebrew name Yosef. It means “shall grow.” Nicknames for this could be Josie or Jo.

Katherine / Kate / Kathy / Kitty

Derived from a Greek word meaning “pure,” this name also comes from a saint martyred in Alexandria. A nickname or also a common name derived from this is Kate, Kathy, and Kitty.

Maribel

This Spanish name means “bitter” or “sour.”

Martha

This female-given name means “mistress” or “lady.”

Nancy

This name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “grace.”

Odele

This name is of Greek origin and means “song.”

Odette

This name is of Old French and German origin meaning “wealth.” Fun fact, in the famous Swan Lake, the good swan’s name is Odette.

Rosemary

This baby name is of Latin origin meaning “dew of the sea” and can be in relation to that fragrance we all know and love.

Ruthie

This old lady name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “friend.”

Old Fashioned Names for Girls Related to Strength and Bravery

Bernardine

This German and French name means “strong” and “brave.”

Gertrude

This female-given name is derived from Germanic roots, meaning “spear” or “strength.” A cute nickname for this is Trudy.

Lorraine

This Old French name was to symbolize someone “from Lorraine,” a place in France. However, it also derives from a German word meaning “famous army.”

Louella

This name has English and German origins meaning “famous warrior.”

Louisa / Louise

These names have German origins meaning “famous warrior.”

Matilda

This name is of German origin meaning “battle mighty.”

Mildred

This Anglo-Saxon name has old English origin, meaning “gentle strength.”

Millicent / Millie

This name has been used since the Middle Ages. It is German and means “work” or “strength.”

Thelma

This baby name means “willful” and “ambitious” in Greek.

Trudy

This name is of German origin meaning “universal strength.”

Other Old Fashioned Baby Girl Names

Abigail

This Hebrew name means “the father’s joy.”

Alethea

This name is derived from Greece, meaning “truth.”

Althea

This name could be considered Greek or old English. In old English, it means “healer” or “wholesome”, and in Greek, it is a variation of Althaea (Αλθαια), meaning “healing.”

Antoinette

This name is of French origin, meaning “priceless one.”

Arlene

This Irish name is a variant of “Charlene” meaning “free man.” It is the feminine diminutive of Charles.

Frances

You’d think that this is only a French name, but it is also of Latin origin. From “Frances,” it means “free one.”

Ivy

This name is derived from an Old English word. It represents fidelity, based on the ancient Greek newlyweds who were given an ivy wreath to symbolize faithfulness to one another.

Jewel

The meaning of this name is quite literal: “a precious gem.” It is of old French origin, also meaning “delight.”

Sybil

This old lady baby name is of Greek origin meaning “oracle.”

Velma

This name is of old English but has German origins as well. It means “determined protector.”

Vera

With Slavic origin, this name means “faith.” However, in Latin, it means “true.”

Victoria

In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. This Latin name means “victory.”

Viola / Violet

Violet and Viola are two names that are related to the color purple and the flower.

Wilhelmina / Willa / Wilma

Wilhelmnia comes from the Dutch and German masculine name William. Coming from the German “wil” meaning “will, desire” and “helm” meaning “protect,” this name means “the will to protect.” Nicknames or variations of this name are Willia and Wilma.