Timeless Treasures: 10 Old-Fashioned Girl Names 

Are you pregnant and trying to decide on the best name for your daughter? Modern baby names may sound trendy and fun, but they often lack the vintage charm of old-fashioned girl names. 

Classic monikers are elegant, romantic and timeless — a refreshing alternative to today’s popular choices. Here are some of the most enchanting old-sounding names to give a little girl, plus possible middle names and nicknames for short. 

What Is Considered an Old-Fashioned Name?

According to Nameberry.com, old-fashioned names are those considered popular a hundred years ago but have fallen out of common use and risen again within the last 10 years. However, although names often follow this 100-year cycle, vintage handles may also only be a few decades old. 

How Do You Pair Old-Fashioned Girl Names With Middle Names?

Deciding on the perfect baby name is challenging enough — then, some parents also opt for a middle name. Pairing old-fashioned girl names with a second name is much more complex than it seems. It must sound just right when combined with your surname, too.

The following tips can help you discover intriguing middle names for daughters with old-fashioned first names:

• Honor a loved one, such as a grandmother or great-aunt.
• Stick to family traditions with a name passed down for generations.
• Pair a vintage name with something more modern.
• Use one of the leftover first name choices as the middle name.
• Invent a name — for instance, if the grandmothers’ names are Karen and Tina, opt for Karina.
• Pick something gender-neutral.

Always say your child’s first name and middle name options out loud to ensure it has a ring. Pay attention to how the sounds come together, whether it’s difficult to pronounce and if there’s rhythm with the syllables. 

Also, always check whether the initials spell an unwanted acronym. For example, Lorraine Olivia Lewis spells “LOL.” Or worse, Winnie Teresa Fisher spells “WTF.” 

Step Back in Time With These 10 Vintage Names for Daughters

It’s little wonder you’re considering old-fashioned girl names for your daughter. These names are enduring and beautiful — something they’ll be proud to go by their whole lives. Here are 10 vintage names to think about with potential middle names and monikers to match. 

1. Alice

Alice is a feminine Germanic or Old French name derived from Adelais, meaning “noble” or “nobility.” Some records suggest it resurged between 2000 and 2010. You may think of the children’s book “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll or Queen Victoria’s Princess Alice. 

Possible middle names: Genevieve, Rosamund, Madeline

Nicknames: Allie

2. Clara

Fans of The Nutcracker may like the idea of naming their little girl Clara. It’s a sweet old-fashioned name with Latin roots, meaning “bright,” “famous” or “clear.” Some people also spell it with a “K” instead of a “C.”

Possible middle names: Ruth, Lenore, Elizabeth, Marie

Nicknames: Claire, Cee Cee

3. Daphne

Daphne originates from Greece and means “laurel tree.” The name also comes from Greek mythology, where the nymph Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the god Apollo’s pursuits. The laurel tree symbolizes victory and honor, and its branches are often used to crown winners after sporting events. 

Possible middle names: Mae, Arabelle, Paige, Simone

Nicknames: Irene, Paloma, Jolene

4. Helen

The world is full of symbols of hope — from the dawn of a new day at sunrise to extending an olive branch to someone in need. The Greek name Helen also evokes a similar sense, meaning “light,” “shining” or “torch.” This old-fashioned girl’s name has historically appeared as a solar deity worshiped in Laconia and Rhodes and is a main character in Greek mythology. Early Christians also made the name famous, inspired by Saint Helena. 

Possible middle names: Grace, Patricia, Maeve

Nicknames: Nellie, Len, Leni, Hela

5. Katherine

Katherine is a trendy vintage girl name meaning “pure.” It also has Greek origins, with its first use dating back to the fourth century with a medieval saint. There have since been many name variations, including Katharina, Kathryn, Catherine, Catharina and Kathrin.

Possible middle names: Elizabeth, Ainsley, Lucille, Rose

Nicknames: Katie, Kat, Kathy

6. Lillian

Lillian is a Latin name meaning “purity” and “lily.” Although new moms are inclined to spell it with one “L,” traditional spelling uses the double “L.” This is certainly a name that would have been popular when your grandmother or mother was growing up. 

Possible middle names: Meredith, Cordelia, Jean, Bette, Mae

Nicknames: Lily, Lila

7. Nellie

It’s possible Nellie is a variant of Eleanor or Helen, both of which are beautiful old-fashioned girl names in their own right. Nellie has a more playful and stylish ring to it, though. The name was popular in the eighties before its highest ranking in 2021. 

Possible middle names: Mae, Grace, Ruth

Nicknames: Nell, Elle 

8. Pauline

Pauline is of 20th-century French and German descent and means “small” and “humble.” Different countries use several variants — for instance, Palina in Belarus, Paolina in Italy, Polina in Ukraine and Pavlina in Czech are all common spellings and pronunciations. Although Pauline reached its peak in 1915 and has been on a downward trend since, there’s no reason you can’t bring it back for your child. 

Possible middle names: Jade, Rae, M

Nicknames: Pia, Paula, Pauly, Polly

9. Stacy

Stacy may be a teeny-bopper-sounding name that reminds you of The Babysitter’s Club book series and 80s pop fangirl posters. However, it has a much richer history with Greek origins. Stacy means “resurrection” and is a derivative of Anastasia — daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, Russia’s last emperor. 

Possible middle names: Sophia, Bella, Anne, Grace

Nicknames: Stace

10. Victoria

The Latin Victoria is the feminine version of Victor — a popular name with royal connotations since 1900. Victoria was the goddess of victory in Roman mythology, while Queen Victoria ruled over the United Kingdom for 64 years — many refer to this as the “Victorian Era.” It especially gained popularity in the late 90s when Victoria Adams Beckham — Posh Spice — came on the scene with the infamous British pop group, the Spice Girls.

Possible middle names: Faye, Lynne, Grace, Rose

Nicknames: Vic, Vicky, Tori, Ria

A Nostalgic Name Journey for a Little Girl

Old-fashioned girl names have a magic about them you can’t find in modern monikers. These names have stood the test of time, which is why they always come back. Rediscover romance and charm by giving your daughter a beautiful vintage name.