Rare 1930s Names for Baby Girls

Are you expecting a little bundle in pink and looking for baby name inspiration? If you're a retro mom (or dad) who loves all things vintage, including baby names from times gone by, our list of unusual girl names from the 1930s could be a good place to start your search.

To be included on this list, names had to meet the following criteria: have more entries in the U.S. Social Security Administration's baby name database for the 1930s than any other decade in recorded baby name history; have at least 1,000 entries in total from 1930 through 1939; and finally, they had to be outside the 1930s' Top 100 Most Popular Girl Names as those wouldn't really qualify as 'unusual'.

So grab that vintage Parker pen of yours and some paper, and see if there are any retro gems that might deserve a spot on your own baby name list!

• Ardith. Along with cousins Cledith and Redith, Ardith remains stuck in a time capsule waiting for some audacious parents to do something about it.
• Bennie. One of the many gender-bending baby names used in the 1930s.
• Bettye. A spelling variation of Betty.
• Beverley. The more common spelling, Beverly, reached the peak of its popularity a bit later, so even though Beverley crested in the 1930s, it does have a kind of mid-century ring to it.
• Billie. After having a bit of an old lady image for decades, this 1930s' fave has been given a more youthful image via the award-winning singer Billie Eilish. Tennis fans may prize the connection to tennis legend Billie Jean King.
• Bobbie. Ranked at #126 in the 1930s, this friendly, upbeat moniker was perfectly on-trend in the 30s.
• Bobby. The Bobby variation was a popular choice for boys in the 1930s, but it was occasionally used for girls as well.
• Bobbye. The most unusual of the Bobbie-variations.
• Deloris. A variation of Dolores.
• Donald. According to the SSA's statistics, the name Donald was bestowed on more than 1000 baby girls during the 1930s. Our advice: If you want to honor a Donald while channeling the spirit of the decade, try Donelda instead.
• Frankie. A perky 1930s' name with unisex appeal.
• Gearldine. If you go with this variation of Geraldine, be prepared to correct people on the spelling.
• Jeanette. Janet—French style.
• Jimmie. Both Jimmy and Jimmie were among the top 100 boys' names in the 1930s, but the latter was also occasionally used for girls.
• Joe. A third president on this list (or fourth, if the Jimmie spelling counts). Better go with Jo!
• Lavonne. The name Lavonne (or LaVonne) was given to over 4,000 baby girls from 1930 through 1939, making it a somewhat unusual but not weird choice.
• Marlyn. This one strikes a definite vintage vibe that may or may not appeal.
• Marlys. A stylish but not overused choice in the 1930s; today on the endangered names list.
• Marylyn. An uncommon variation of Marilyn.
• Myrna. Myrna is an Old Hollywood darling, made famous by everyone from Loy to Dell to Fahey.
• Nelda. Some Nel- and Nell- names are showing signs of a comeback, but Nelda isn't one of them.
• Nona. To some ears, Nona is a cheek-pinching old lady with gray hair. To others, it's a long-lost baby name overdue for a comeback.
• Reta. If short, to-the-point names are your style, this one might appeal.
• Rosalie. The epitome of "what's old is new again".
• Shirlee. Shirley ranked in the Top 10 in the 1930s, but Shirlee hovered in the 300s, 400s and 500s.
• Tommie. A sweet and sassy moniker with a unisex sound.
• Vernell. This unisex name was leaning feminine in the 1930s, but today you'd be hard-pressed to find a little girl called Vernell.