270+ Old Fashioned Girl Names That Are Well-Loved
These old-fashioned girl names take you back to a time when Facebook didn’t exist but homemade apple pie did.
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 little girl is destined to be an old soul, read through this list of old-fashioned girl names now.
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.