If you love names that sound like they belong in a medieval manuscript, a Roman family tree, or a dusty Victorian novel, you are in the right place. These are older, less-used girl names with real history behind them, plus clear meanings to help you find one that feels both rare and grounded.
Ancient and Mythic Girl Names
- Andromeda: ruler of men
- Anthea: flower, blossom
- Ariadne: most holy
- Artemis: safe, butcher (goddess name)
- Astraea: star-maiden
- Atalanta: equal in weight (myth name)
- Athena: goddess of wisdom
- Calliope: beautiful-voiced
- Calypso: she who conceals
- Cassandra: shining upon man
- Circe: bird (myth name)
- Clio: glory
- Cybele: mother of the gods (goddess name)
- Damaris: gentle (traditional meaning)
- Demetria: devoted to Demeter
- Echo: echo (myth name)
- Eirene: peace
- Electra: amber, shining
- Eris: strife (myth name)
- Gaia: earth
- Harmonia: harmony
- Hera: protectress (goddess name)
- Hestia: hearth, home
- Persephone: bringer of destruction (traditional meaning)
Ancient Roman and Latin Classics
- Aelia: sun (Roman family name use)
- Agrippina: born feet-first (ancient Roman use)
- Albina: white, bright
- Aurelia: golden
- Aviana: birdlike (Latin-rooted modern use)
- Camilla: young ceremonial attendant
- Cassia: cinnamon (also cassia tree)
- Claudia: lame (ancient Roman family name)
- Cornelia: horn (ancient Roman family name)
- Domitia: tamed (Roman family name)
- Fabia: bean grower (Roman family name)
- Flavia: golden, blond (Roman family name)
- Honoria: honor
- Junia: youth (Roman family name)
- Lavinia: woman of Rome (legendary Roman name)
- Livia: blue, envious (Latin root)
- Marcia: of Mars
- Maxima: greatest
- Octavia: eighth
- Paulina: small, humble
- Prisca: ancient, venerable
- Sabina: of the Sabines
- Valeria: strength, valor
- Vibia: alive (Roman family name)
Medieval, Saintly, and Old World Favorites
- Adelina: noble
- Aethelthryth: noble strength
- Agnes: pure, holy
- Apollonia: of Apollo
- Benedicta: blessed
- Brigid: exalted one
- Cecilia: blind
- Clarinda: bright, clear (traditional formation)
- Clothilde: famous battle
- Cunegonde: brave kin
- Eadgifu: rich gift
- Ealhswith: noble strength (traditional)
- Etheldreda: noble strength (another form of Aethelthryth)
- Eulalia: well-spoken
- Euphemia: well-spoken, of good repute
- Feodora: gift of God (variant of Theodora)
- Hildegard: battle stronghold
- Idalia: behold the sun (Greek-rooted, old use)
- Isolde: ice ruler (traditional meaning)
- Lucinda: light
- Scholastica: devoted to learning
- Theodora: gift of God
- Wilhelmina: resolute protector
- Winifred: blessed peace
Victorian, Edwardian, and Gilded-Age Rarities
- Althea: healer
- Arabella: yielding to prayer
- Beatrix: voyager, traveler (also linked to “bringer of happiness”)
- Berenice: bringer of victory
- Constance: steadfastness
- Cordelia: heart
- Dorothea: gift of God
- Edith: prosperous in war
- Eleanora: light (traditional meaning)
- Elspeth: my God is an oath
- Esmeralda: emerald
- Estella: star
- Eugenia: well-born, noble
- Florence: flourishing, prosperous
- Georgiana: farmer, earthworker
- Henrietta: home ruler
- Isadora: gift of Isis
- Lettice: joy, happiness
- Millicent: strong in work
- Minerva: intellect (Roman goddess name)
- Myrtle: myrtle plant
- Odette: wealth
- Ottilie: prosperous in battle
- Rosalind: gentle horse
Rare Vintage Nicknames That Stand Alone
- Birdie: bright, famous (from Bertha, modern use)
- Bessie: God is an oath (from Elizabeth)
- Betsy: God is an oath (from Elizabeth)
- Billie: resolute protector (from Wilhelmina or William)
- Connie: steadfastness (from Constance)
- Della: noble (from Adela)
- Dottie: gift of God (from Dorothy)
- Effie: well-spoken (from Euphemia)
- Elsie: my God is an oath (from Elizabeth)
- Esty: star (from Esther or Estelle)
- Florrie: flourishing (from Florence)
- Frankie: free one (from Frances)
- Hattie: home ruler (from Harriet)
- Hetty: home ruler (from Henrietta)
- Libby: my God is an oath (from Elizabeth)
- Lottie: free woman (from Charlotte)
- Maisie: pearl (from Margaret)
- Millie: gentle strength (from Mildred)
- Minnie: of the mind (from Minerva, nickname use)
- Nell: bright, shining one (from Eleanor, nickname use)
- Nettie: grace, favor (from Annette)
- Polly: beloved (traditional use from Mary)
- Tilly: strength in battle (from Matilda)
- Winnie: blessed peace (from Winifred)
The best super old name is the one that feels wearable, not just rare. Pick your top five, say them out loud with your last name, and try writing them in a quick signature. If it still feels good on day two, you are probably onto the one.