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On the hunt for the best forgotten girl names in 2024? There are so many baby names that have fallen through the cracks of time. As parents scour lists of unique names they often overlook a treasure trove of vintage gems that once adorned birth certificates a century ago.
So, what are ‘forgotten baby names’ exactly?
The names that we’ve deemed ‘forgotten’ are baby names for girls that used to be in the top 1000 most popular baby names for girls back in the late 1800s or early turn of the century, but have since either completely vanished from the baby name charts, or are stuck somewhere on the bottom of the pop-charts.
The data referenced in this article is pulled from the US’s Social Security Administration database. We’ll be referencing both years gone by, as well as the most recent data available, which is for 2023.
Let’s uncover some of these treasures –
Mattie
Mattie is a girl’s name that can be short for names like Martha, Matilda and even Madeline. The name Martha was wildly popular in the early 1900’s, maintaining a spot in the top 30 most popular girls names until 1945, and then staying in the top 100 until 1965. These days, it’s an uncommon name for girls that you won’t find in the top 500 most popular girls names.
Rosa
Rosa was floating around the top 200 baby names from 1920 until about 1960 and has faded out into the realm of forgotten baby names. While the name ‘Rose’ has been climbing in popularity in recent years, Rosa doesn’t seem to be yet. So if you’re looking for a unique name with floral flair, this is a great option.
Lula
Although ‘-la’ is one of the most popular endings for girls names, Lula is nowhere to be seen in the top 1000 most popular baby names, making it a super rare name these days. The name Lula went through a phase of popularity in the 1960’s before falling off the map.
Effie
Effie is a short and cute name that is great on its own or as a nickname for something longer like: Euphemia, Ophelia, or Persephone. The name Effie means well spoken and is of Greek origin.
Della
The name Della was at its peak of popularity at the beginning of the 1900’s and slowly declined throughout the century until it fell off the charts entirely in the 1970’s. This cute name is definitely making a comeback. It busted back onto the top 1000 most popular names chart in 2018 and has been climbing, although you still won’t see it within the top 500 girls names. If you like the name ‘Ella’ this might be a less-common option for you to consider!
Flora
The name Flora is Latin for Flower and was very popular in the early 1900’s all the way up to the early 50’s when it started to decline in popularity and ultimately fall completley off the charts by the early 1970’s. Well, surprise-surprise! The name Flora made a reappearance in the top 1000 most popular names in 2019 and has been on the rise since!
Elsie
Elsie is another great little name that was super popular in the 1920’s and disappeared off the charts by the 1970’s. Making its way back onto the charts in 2005, you’ll now find the name Elsie within the top 200 most popular names for girls. Elsie is a short-form of the Scottish name, Elspeth, but it also holds its own as a stand-alone name. Elsie means pledged to God.
Dovie
The name Dovie dropped off the popular charts in 1945 and hasn’t been seen since, making it a truly forgotten baby name. If you love the name Dovie, you might also be interested in more of these dreamy old fashioned girl’s names on this list next.
Olive
Love the name Olivia, but want something a little less common? Try Olive. The olive tree is a symbol of peace, love and purity. The name Olive was popular in the 1920’s and has fully made a comeback into the top 200 most popular names. It’s another one of those forgotten names that fell off the charts completely in the 50’s and popped back in during 2007.
Callie
Believe it or not, the name Callie fell right off the charts a couple of times in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. In the 1980’s the name started to regain some popularity and you’ll currently find it just inside the top 200 most popular girls names once again. Callie is a Greek name that means ‘beautiful’ and was probably shortened from the longer name, Callisto.
Willie
The name Willie is short for Wilhelmina or Wilma and was in the top 100 most popular girls names until the mid 1930’s. After that, it began its slow decline off the charts and eventually left the top 1000 in the 70’s. If you ask me, it’s due for a comeback!
Ollie
Ollie was a popular name for girls in the early 1900s before slowly slipping out of style. by the 1960’s the name fell completely off the charts and hasn’t bounced back yet! If you’re looking for something short, sweet and similar to the ever-popular Olivia, you might want to give Ollie a try.
Delia
Delia was most popular in the year 1900 coming in at number 207 in popularity for girls names. This name was barely clinging to the charts in the 80’s and 90’s before leaving the top 1000 completely in 2007. This name is due for a comeback!
Janie
The name Janie held steady, fluctuating in popularity but staying within the top 300 names until 1962. Popularity continued to decline in the 60’s and decades later finally disappeared from the charts in 2003. Janie is of Hebrew origin and means God is gracious.
Ina
Ina was quite popular in the early 1900’s and quickly lost popularity in the 50’s before falling off the charts completely in the 60’s. This is truly a ‘forgotten’ baby name that hasn’t made a comeback since! If you’re looking for something unique, Ina might be the lost treasure you’re searching for.
Myra
The name Myra was within the top 300 most popular girls names until the mid 1900’s and slowly fell into disuse. By 2004 it was off the charts completely but not for long! This rare baby name is already climbing its way back up the charts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it make its way back in to the top 300 names by the end of this decade.
Lelia
Here’s another great name that faded off the charts in the late 1950’s and hasn’t come back yet. The name Lelia means well spoken and is of Italian origin. It’s just as pretty as the more common Leah and Lita, but far more rare.
Lettie
The name Lettie is a nickname for the longer name Scarlett. You might have already noticed within this article that using nicknames as first names are a big vintage trend! This name hasn’t been seen in the top 1000 since 1948.
Mittie
Mittie is a nickname for Martha or Matilda and was popular at the beginning of the 1900’s. It became less and less popular over the 1920’s and 30’s until falling off the charts in 1940.
Lina
The name Lina has had it’s ups and downs over the last century! Lina is a Greek name meaning tender or delicate. Between the 1940’s and early 2000’s you’ll barely see the name Lina make an appearance in the top 1000 most popular baby names. From 2010 until now, it’s begun making a solid comeback, rising all the way from #855 to number 583.
Elva
If you’re following the cottage-core trend, you might love the name Elva. 1974 is the year the name Elva officially became forgotten and it hasn’t made a return back to the popular charts yet.
Rosalie
Love the name Rosalie? You might also like these names that end in -ie or -y. Rosalie was holding strong within the top 200 most popular girls names from 1900 through to 1945, when it started to decline. By the late 1980’s it was off the chart completly and became officially forgotten in 1989. This name popped back onto the charts in 2009 and has been making a swift comeback back into the top 200 most popular names. What a comeback story!
Leora
Similar to Leonora, but much more unique, Leora is a name that was popular until the late 1940’s and then disappeared in 1951, never to be seen again… If you’re looking for a truly unique girls’ name with the heart of a lion, this is it.
Tennie
Tennie had it’s moment to shine in the early 1900’s until it became forgotten in 1923. Easy to pronounce, short and cute, this forgotten baby name is full of charm.
Ettie
Ettie briefly made an appearance on the popular charts between 1900-1914, when it disappeared completely. It’s a short form of the name Ester or Ethel and is of British origin meaning noble.
Rosella
The name Rosella hasn’t been seen on the charts since 1953! This forgotten name is the perfect combination of two super popular girls names: Rose and Ella, both of which you’ll find currently in the top 200 most popular girls names. I think that makes this name one of my top-picks for a forgotten baby name that’s overdue for a comeback.
Missouri
The name Missouri had a brief moment of popularity between 1900-1912, when it fell off the charts and entered the realm of forgotten baby names. If you’re looking for a vintage, all-American girl’s name, this is it!
James
Following the trend of using boy names for girls right now, James is due for a comeback! Between 1900 and the late 1980s, James was middle-of-the-pack in terms of popularity, hovering around number 500 before dropping off into obscurity. If you love gender-neutral names, check out this whole list of modern boy names for girls.
Aurelia
Between 1950-2012, Aurelia disappeared from the pop-charts completely. Over the past decade, this name has risen from number 813 to number 371, and I don’t think it’s done climbing yet! The name Aurelia is of Latin origin and means golden one.
Pinkie
Pinkie is a cute, vibrant name that’s also short for Patricia. It was most popular in the early 1900s, before falling off the charts in 1936 and hasn’t been seen since.
America
The name America had a breif appearance on the charts just beore 1910 and then wasn’t seen again until the late 1990’s when its comeback story begins. It was most popular in the early 2000’s and has AGAIN fallen off the charts since 2015.
Metta
Metta was on the top-charts in 1901 and 1902, never to be seen again! It is of Scandinavian origin, meaning pearl.
Sophronia
With other-worldy appeal and timeless charm, Sophronia graced the charts until 1909 before disappearing completely. The name Sophronia is a Greek name that means sensible.
Lovie
Lovie was on the charts from 1900-1945 before exiting the top 1000 most popular girls names. This is a name with English origins, meaning loved one.
Emmaline
In 1911 and 1915, Emmaline made an appearance on the charts and then disappeared for over a century until 2012 when it came back at number 850. This name has been hovering near the tail-end of the popularity chart ever since.
Gracia
Gracia is a Latin name meaning blessing. The name Gracia has lots of cute nicknames like Grace and Gracie. If you’re looking for more girls’ names with nicknames, consider these options next!
Salome
Though it vanished from the charts in 1908, the name Salome has a similar vibe to names like Romi, Selina and Salma, making it totally appropriate for this year! Salome is a Hebrew name that means peace.
Bennie
Are you too young to remember the song ‘Bennie and the Jets’? (Seriously, give it a listen, it’s a classic). The girls name Bennie disappeared off the charts in 1955 and follows the current trend of boy names for girls, meaning it’s prime for a reappearance on the charts. The name Bennie is great on its own, or as a nickname for the longer girls names like Bernice or Bernadette.
Evelina
I can’t believe this name hasn’t been on the charts since 1908! Both names (Eve and Lina) are currently ranking on the popular charts, but this combination is nowhere to be found. This is a truly rare girl’s name that’s waiting to be rediscovered.
Augustine
The name Augustine is of Latin origin and means great or magnificent. This name dropped off the charts in 1940 and hasn’t come back since.
Celestia
Celestia is the perfect girls name for your little blessing from above. If you’re looking for more celestial girls names, check out this list next. Believe it or not, the name Celestia has never quite made it onto the top 1000 most popular girls names.
Nealie
The name Nealie was popular in the late 1890s and never made it on to the charts in the 1900s or 2000s. Nealie is an old Celtic name that means ruler.
Vallie
The name Vallie dropped off the charts in 1928. It’s of Latin origin and means healthy, or strong. Vallie is a great nickname for Valerie or Valentina if you’re looking for a longer name.
Wrapping Up
Old names can definitely become new again! Whether you’re inspired by the elegance of the past or simply seeking a name with character and depth, these vintage names offer something truly special. Have you added any of these forgotten girl names to your list?
