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Popularity of the Baby Name Iris


Posts that Mention the Name Iris

Rare Girl Names from Early Cinema: Letter M (part 2)

merna kennedy, actress, cinema, nameLooking for a rare girl name with a retro feel? Here are dozens of ideas. All came straight from very old films that were released from the 1910s to the 1940s.

This is part of a series of posts featuring female names from early cinema. The names below are the second half of the M-list (Me- to My-). The first half includes all the Ma- names.

Enjoy!

Medelina
Medelina was a character played by actress Laura La Varnie in the short film The Nurse at Mulberry Bend (1913).

Meena
Meena was a character played by actress Dorothy Gish in the film Little Meena’s Romance (1916).

  • Usage of the baby name Meena.

Menne O Wa
Meene O Wa was a character played by actress Gertrude Robinson in the short film Before the White Man Came (1912).

Meenie
Meenie Van Winkle was a character played by actress Gertrude Messinger in the film Rip Van Winkle (1921).

Meetah
Meetah was a character played by actress Soledad Jimenez in the film Forbidden Valley (1938).

Meggie
Meggie was a character played by actress Jean Cadell in the film Jassy (1947).

  • Usage of the baby name Meggie.

Mehitable
Mehitable was a character played by actress Eugenie Forde in the film The Road to Divorce (1920).

Melahi
Melahi was a character played by actress Maria Montez in the film South of Tahiti (1941).

Melba
Melba was a character name in multiple films, including Mind Your Own Business (1936) and Pinky (1949).

  • Usage of the baby name Melba.

Melisande
Melisande was a character played by actress Renée Adorée in the film The Big Parade (1925).

Melisse
Melisse was a character played by actress Eugenie Besserer in the short film Partners (1912).

Melissy
Melissy was a character played by actress Ethel Wales in the film Lovers’ Lane (1924).

Melitta
Melitta was a character name in multiple films, including The Alcalde’s Conspiracy (short, 1912) and The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City (1929).

Mellitta
Mellitta was a character played by actress Lya De Putti in the film Phantom (1922).

Mem
Remember “Mem” Steddon was a character played by actress Eleanor Boardman in the film Souls for Sale (1923).

Memory
Memory Baird was a character played by actress Fritzi Brunette in the film Jacques of the Silver North (1919).

  • Usage of the baby name Memory.

Menote
Menote was a character played by actress Francelia Billington in the short film The Pride of Angry Bear (1913).

Mera
Mera Donovan was a character played by actress Vola Vale in the film The Iron Rider (1920).

  • Usage of the baby name Mera.

Merapi
Merapi was a character played by actress Maria Corda in the film The Moon of Israel (1924).

Mercedita
Mercedita was a character played by actress Margaret Cullington in the film Tropical Love (1921).

Merceita
Merceita Esmond was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1869.

Mercia
Mercia was a character name in multiple films, including Another Man’s Shoes (1922) and The Sign of the Cross (1932).

  • Usage of the baby name Mercia.

Merle
Merle Oberon was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1970s. She was born in British India in 1911. Her birth name was Estelle Merle Thompson.

  • Usage of the baby name Merle.

Merna
Merna Kennedy was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1930s. She was born in Illinois in 1908. Her birth name was Maude Kahler.

  • Usage of the baby name Merna.

Merope
Merope was a character played by actress Mrs. A. C. Marston in the short film Madelaine Morel (1916).

Merrilla
Merrilla was a character played by actress Annette Kellerman in the film Queen of the Sea (1918).

Merta
Merta Sterling was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in Wisconsin in 1883.

  • Usage of the baby name Merta.

Mertice
Mertice Kenare was a character played by actress Francelia Billington in the short film The Father (1915).

Meryllyn
Meryllyn was a character played by actress Ollie Kirby in the short film The Barnstormers (1915).

Mesquite
Mesquite was a character played by actress Marin Sais in the short film The Big Horn Massacre (1913).

Messalina
Messalina was a character name in multiple films, including Safety in Numbers (1930) and I, Claudius (1937).

Meta
Meta was a character name in multiple films, including Misbehaving Ladies (1931) and Out of the Past (1947).

  • Usage of the baby name Meta.

Metta
Metta was a character played by actress Muriel Ostriche in the film The Dormant Power (1917).

  • Usage of the baby name Metta.

Michelna
Michelna Libelt was a character played by actress Vivian Martin in the film The Trouble Buster (1917).

Mici
Mici was a character played by actress Marguerite Clark in the film The Seven Sisters (1915).

Mickey
Mickey was a character played by actress Mabel Normand in the film Mickey (1918).

  • Usage of the baby name Mickey.

Mida
Mida was a character name in multiple films, including Grand Central Murder (1942) and Mystery Broadcast (1943).

  • Usage of the baby name Mida.

Midge
Midge was a character name in multiple films, including The Two-Fisted Sheriff (1925) and Time Out for Romance (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Midge.

Mifanwy
Mifanwy was a character name in multiple films, including Mifanwy: A Tragedy (1913) and A Welsh Singer (1916).

Mignon
Mignon Anderson was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in Maryland in 1892. Mignon was also a character name in multiple films, including The Drive for a Life (short, 1909) and Mignon (short, 1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Mignon.

Mignonne
Mignonne Golden was an actress who appeared in films in the 1920s. She was born in England in 1904.

Miki
Miki was a character played by actress Olga San Juan in the film Rainbow Island (1944).

  • Usage of the baby name Miki.

Milada
Milada Mladova was an actress who appeared in films from the 1940s to the 1950s. She was born Oklahoma in 1921. Her birth name was Annabel Milada Mraz. Milada was also a character played by actress Luise Rainer in the film Hostages (1943).

  • Usage of the baby name Milada.

Mima
Mima was a character played by actress Dorothy Lamour in the film Road to Singapore (1940).

  • Usage of the baby name Mima.

Mimba
Mimba was a character played by actress Mathilde Comont in the film The Sea Bat (1930).

Mimi
Mimi was a character name in multiple films, including The Call of the Traumerei (1914) and Who’s Your Lady Friend? (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Mimi.

Mimitta
Mimitta was a character played by actress Iris Ashton in the film The Dancer of the Nile (1923).

Mimsey
Mimsey was a character played by actress Virginia Weidler in the film Peter Ibbetson (1935).

Mimsi
Mimsi was a character played by actress Elsie Ferguson in the film Forever (1921).

Min
Min was a character name in multiple films, including The Fringe of Society (1917) and Min and Bill (1930).

  • Usage of the baby name Min.

Minetta
Minetta was a character played by actress Jessie Ralph in the film The Kid from Texas (1939).

Minette
Minette Bunker was a character played by actress Viola Dana in the film The Great Love (1925).

Minna
Minna Grey was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in England in 1877. Minna Gombell was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1950s. She was born in Maryland in 1892. Minna was also a character name in multiple films, including Perils of the Secret Service (1917) and The Oath (1921).

  • Usage of the baby name Minna.

Minnetake
Minnetake was a character played by actress Hedda Nova in the film The Gold Hunters (1925).

Minnette
Minnette Christiewas a character played by actress Edna Murphy in the film Ermine and Rhinestones (1925).

Minta
Minta Durfee was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1970s. She was born in California in 1889. Her birth name was Araminta Estelle Durfee.

Minty
Minty Sharpe was a character played by actress Beatriz Michelena in the film A Phyllis of the Sierras (1915).

Miora
Lady Miora was a character played by actress Kate Lester in the film Beau Brummel (1924).

Mirabel
Mirabel was a character played by actress Frances Dee in the film The Gay Deception (1935).

Mirah
Mirah was a character played by actress Ethel Kauffman in the short film Gwendolin (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Mirah.

Mirami
Mirami was a character played by actress Alma Rubens in the short film Banzai (1913).

Mirandy
Mirandy was a character name in multiple films, including Mirandy Smiles (1918) and His Buddy’s Wife (1925).

Mirella
Mirella was a character played by actress Dria Paola in the film Mr. Desire (1934).

Miriamne
Miriamne Esdras was a character played by mononymous actress Margo in the film Winterset (1936).

Mirza
Mirza was a character played by actress Anna Q. Nilsson in the short film The Second Commandment (1915).

  • Usage of the baby name Mirza.

Mississippi
Mississippi was a character name in multiple films, including Out in Happy Hollow (1914) and Red Barry (1938).

Missouri
Missouri Martin was a character played by Glenda Farrell in the film Lady for a Day (1933).

Missy
Missy Rose was a character played by actress Victoria Spivey in the film Hallelujah (1929).

  • Usage of the baby name Missy.

Mitchette
Mitchette Dubois was a character played by actress Winifred Allen in the film The Long Trail (1917).

Mitsi
Mitsi was a character played by actress Mary Philbin in the film The Rose of Paris (1924).

  • Usage of the baby name Mitsi.

Mittie
Mittie was a character played by actress Dorothy Tree in the film While the Patient Slept (1935).

  • Usage of the baby name Mittie.

Mitty
Mitty Whipple was a character played by actress Fanny Midgley in the film The Heart of Youth (1919).

  • Usage of the baby name Mitty.

Mitzel
Mitzel was a character played by actress Betty Compson in the film Love Me and the World Is Mine (1927).

  • Usage of the baby name Mitzel.

Mitzi
Mitzi was a character name in multiple films, including The Enemy (1927) and My Weakness (1933).

  • Usage of the baby name Mitzi.

Mizzi
Mizzi was a character name in multiple films, including The Marriage Circle (1924) and A Sister of Six (1926).

M’liss
M’liss was a character name in multiple films, including M’Liss (1918) and The Girl Who Ran Wild (1922).

  • Usage of the baby name Mliss.

Moala
Moala was a character played by actress Lucille Moulton in the film The Adorable Savage (1920).

Modesta
Modesta was a character played by actress Goldie Colwell in the film The Yaqui (1916).

Modiste
Modiste was a character played by actress Betty Blythe in the film Stolen Love (1928).

Moina
Moina Robina was a character played by actress Margaret Gibson in the short film The Mystery of the Hidden House (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Moina.

Moitle
Moitle Perry was a character played by actress Fay Tincher in the short film Foiled Again (1914).

Molee
Molee was a character played by actress Linda Perry in the film The Great Garrick (1937).

Molla
Molla Hansen was a character played by actress Blanche Sweet in the film Why Women Love (1925).

  • Usage of the baby name Molla.

Momba
Momba was a character played by actress Winifred Greenwood in the film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910).

Mombi
Mombi was a character name in multiple films, including The New Wizard of Oz (1914) and The Land of Oz (1932).

Monaei
Monaei Lindley was an actress who appeared in films in the 1930s.

Monah
Monah was a character played by actress Mary Charleson in the short film The Ancient Bow (1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Monah.

Monelle
Monelle Picart was a character played by actress Dany Robin in the film Monelle (1948).

Monika
Princess Monika was a character played by Kathleen Vaughan in the film The Prince and the Beggarmaid (1921).

  • Usage of the baby name Monika.

Moonlight
Moonlight was a character played by actress Ruth Roland in the short film The Loneliness of the Hills (1912).

Moonyean
Moonyean was a character played by actress Jeanette MacDonald in the film Smilin’ Through (1941).

Moonyeen
Moonyeen was a character name in multiple films, including Smilin’ Through (1922) and Smilin’ Through (1932).

Morag
Morag Lannon was a character played by actress Madge Stuart in the film A Gamble with Hearts (1923).

  • Usage of the baby name Morag.

Morella
Morella was a character name in multiple films, including Beyond the Rocks (1922) and Quicker’n Lightnin’ (1925).

  • Usage of the baby name Morella (which debuted in the data the year after Beyond the Rocks came out).

Morgianna
Morgianna was a character played by actress Gertrude Messinger in the film Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1918).

Morn
Morn Light was a character played by actress Ora Carew in the film Loot (1919).

Morna
Morna Dabney was a character played by actress Susan Hayward in the film Tap Roots (1948).

  • Usage of the baby name Morna.

Mousali
Mousali was a character played by actress Leah Baird in the film The Miracle (1912).

Movita
Movita was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1950s. She was born in Arizona in 1917. Her birth name was Maria Castaneda.

  • Usage of the baby name Movita.

Moya
Moya was a character name in multiple films, including Forked Trails (short, 1915) and My Wild Irish Rose (1922).

  • Usage of the baby name Moya.

Moyna
Moyna MacGill was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1960s. She was born in Ireland in 1895. Her birth name was Charlotte Lillian McIldowie. Moyna was also a character played by actress Colleen Moore in the film Come on Over (1922).

Moyra
Moyra was a character played by actress Alice Hollister in the short film The Shaughraun (1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Moyra.

Mozelle
Mozelle Britton was an actress who appeared in films in the 1930s. She was born in Oklahoma in 1912.

Mula
Mula was a character played by actress Mathilde Comont in the film The Sea Beast (1926).

Mulie
Mulie Davenant was a character played by actress Vivian Martin in the film The Wax Model (1917).

Mulvinia
Mulvinia Minchen was a character played by actress Flora Finch in the short film The Mistake in Typesetting (1915).

Muriel
Muriel Ostriche was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in New York in 1896.

  • Usage of the baby name Muriel.

Murieska
Murieska was a character played by actress Carrie Clark Ward in the film His Hour (1924).

Musa
Musa was a character played by actress Helen Gardner in the short film The Still, Small Voice (1915).

  • Usage of the baby name Musa.

Musette
Musette was a character name in multiple films, including La Vie de Boheme (1916) and On Ze Boulevard (1927).

Musidora
Musidora was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in France in 1889. Her birth name Jeanne Roques.

Myone
Myone Madrigal was a character played by actress Betty Francisco in the film Her Night of Nights (1922).

Myrle
Myrle Davis was a character played by actress Heather Angel in the film Time to Kill (1942).

  • Usage of the baby name Myrle.

Myrna
Myrna Loy was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1980s. She was born in Montana in 1905. Myrna Dell was an actress who appeared in films from the 1940s to the 1980s. She was born in California in 1924. Her birth name was Marilyn Adele Dunlap. Myrna was also a character name in multiple films, including The Face or the Voice (short, 1912) and Broadway to Cheyenne (1932).

  • Usage of the baby name Myrna.

Myrta
Myrta Bonillas was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1930s. She was born in Massachusetts in 1890. Myrta was also a character played by actress Ollie Kirby in the short film The Trap (1917).

  • Usage of the baby name Myrta.

Myrtle
Myrtle Gonzalez was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in California in 1891. Myrtle Stedman was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in Illinois in 1885. Myrtle was also a character name in multiple films, including Salvation Nell (1931) and Rackateers in Exile (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Myrtle.

Mystie
Mystie Stafford was a character played by actress Miriam Cooper in the short film Tide of Battle (1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Mystie.

Mytyl
Mytyl was a character name in multiple films, including The Blue Bird (1918) and The Blue Bird (1940).

…Which of the above names do you like best?

Source: IMDb

Initials that Spell Names

initials that spell names, gus, zoe, eli, seb

In June of 1982, the Toledo Blade ran a short article about two local brothers who “enjoy the distinction of having initials which spell their names.” One was Thomas Owen Matzinger (T.O.M.), the other was James Irvin Matzinger (J.I.M.). Their dad Mike said it was “just as well” that he didn’t have any more kids, because he couldn’t think of any other sets of names to fit the pattern.

My guess is that Mike was joking, because there are several other sets of initials that could work with an M-surname like Matzinger, one of which, T.I.M., is just a letter away from T.O.M.

In fact, there are at least a couple of combinations that would work with every type of surname.

So today, in honor of the Matzingers of Toledo, I’ve come up with a long list of name-spelling initials. They’re sorted by third initial (that is, the first letter of the last name) so you can scroll straight to the set that matches up with your own surname.

Enjoy!

Initials that Spell Names & Nicknames

Surname starts with: Potential full initials (& example combo):
A A.D.A. (Adelaide Diane A.)
A.N.A. (Anastasia Nadine A.)
A.S.A. (Asa Scott A.)
A.V.A. (Ava Virginia A.)
B.E.A. (Beatrix Elaine A.)
E.V.A. (Eva Veronica A.)
G.I.A. (Gia Idonea A.)
I.D.A. (Idabelle Daria A.)
I.N.A. (Ina Nigella A.)
I.R.A. (Ira Ralph A.)
I.S.A. (Isabel Simone A.)
K.I.A. (Kia Ianthe A.)
L.E.A. (Leah Elizabeth A.)
M.I.A. (Mia Imelda A.)
N.I.A. (Nia Ilona A.)
O.D.A. (Odalys Delfina A.)
O.R.A. (Ora Ruth A.)
U.M.A. (Uma Magnolia A.)
U.N.A. (Una Normina A.)
B D.E.B. (Deborah Ethel B.)
J.E.B. (Jeb Evan B.)
L.I.B. (Libbie Ione B.)
R.O.B. (Robert Orville B.)
S.E.B. (Sebastian Everly B.)
S.Y.B. (Sybil Yvette B.)
T.A.B. (Tabitha Araminta B.)
Z.E.B. (Zebulon Ezekiel B.)
C B.E.C. (Becky Eowyn C.)
M.A.C. (Mackenzie Anne C.)
N.I.C. (Nicole Isabelle C.)
V.I.C. (Victor Ivan C.)
Z.A.C. (Zackary Arlo C.)
D J.E.D. (Jedidiah Easton D.)
R.O.D. (Rodney Orrin D.)
T.E.D. (Theodora Eugenia D.)
Z.E.D. (Zedekiah Ezra D.)
E A.B.E. (Abraham Benjamin E.)
A.C.E. (Ace Corbin E.)
E.V.E. (Eve Violet E.)
F.A.E. (Fae Adina E.)
I.K.E. (Isaac Keith E.)
J.O.E. (Joseph Owen E.)
L.E.E. (Lee Ethan E.)
M.A.E. (Maebelle Alice E.)
M.O.E. (Morris Oscar E.)
R.A.E. (Raelene Alicia E.)
S.U.E. (Susan Ursula E.)
Z.O.E. (Zoe Ocean E.)
F A.L.F. (Alfred Leonard F.)
D.U.F. (Duffy Ultan F.)
J.E.F. (Jeffrey Elliott F.)
G M.E.G. (Megan Emiliana G.)
P.E.G. (Peggy Elise G.)
R.E.G. (Reggie Elmo G.)
R.O.G. (Roger Olav G.)
H A.S.H. (Ashton Samuel H.)
I A.B.I. (Abigail Bailey I.)
A.L.I. (Alison Layla I.)
A.M.I. (Ami May I.)
A.R.I. (Ariana Rafaela I.)
A.V.I. (Avi Vincent I.)
E.D.I. (Edith Daisy I.)
E.L.I. (Elijah Logan I.)
E.V.I. (Evie Venetia I.)
J.O.I. (Joi Olivia I.)
K.A.I. (Kai Alexander I.)
O.L.I. (Oliver Lennox I.)
J R.A.J. (Rajesh Ajay J.)
K M.A.K. (Makayla Ashley K.)
O.A.K. (Oakley Atlas K.)
L C.A.L. (Callum Audley L.)
D.E.L. (Delaney Estelle L.)
G.I.L. (Gilbert Ishmael L.)
H.A.L. (Harry Archibald L.)
L.I.L. (Lillian Iva L.)
M.A.L. (Malcolm Angus L.)
M.E.L. (Melanie Eloisa L.)
M.O.L. (Molly Odette L.)
S.A.L. (Sally Angelica L.)
S.O.L. (Solomon Osborn L.)
V.A.L. (Valerie Annette L.)
W.I.L. (Willy Ingo L.)
Z.E.L. (Zelda Erin L.)
M C.A.M. (Cameron Aidan M.)
D.O.M. (Dominic Orson M.)
J.E.M. (Jemima Eleanor M.)
J.I.M. (James Irvin M.)
K.I.M. (Kimberly Imogene M.)
L.E.M. (Lemuel Emerson M.)
P.A.M. (Pamela Alys M.)
R.A.M. (Ramsey Archer M.)
S.A.M. (Samuel Aaron M.)
S.I.M. (Simon Isidore M.)
T.A.M. (Tammy Anita M.)
T.I.M. (Timothy Isaac M.)
T.O.M. (Thomas Owen M.)
N A.N.N. (Annie Nuala N.)
B.E.N. (Benjamin Ellis N.)
C.Y.N. (Cynthia Yelena N.)
D.A.N. (Daniel Avery N.)
D.O.N. (Donovan Oliver N.)
F.I.N. (Finley Ivor N.)
J.A.N. (Janice Andrina N.)
J.O.N. (Jonathan Octavian N.)
K.E.N. (Kenneth Eric N.)
L.E.N. (Leonard Earl N.)
L.Y.N. (Lynnette Yasmin N.)
N.A.N. (Nancy Azalea N.)
R.E.N. (Renato Elian N.)
R.O.N. (Ronald Ormond N.)
V.A.N. (Vanessa Athena N.)
W.I.N. (Winifred Inez N.)
Z.E.N. (Zenobia Evelyn N.)
O F.L.O. (Florence Lily O.)
L.E.O. (Leo Elton O.)
P C.A.P. (Caprice Amity P.)
K.I.P. (Kip Indigo P.)
Q J.A.Q. (Jaquan Anthony Q.)
R.A.Q. (Raquel Alaiah Q.)
R G.A.R. (Gareth Alfie R.)
S C.A.S. (Caspian Atticus S.)
G.U.S. (Gustavo Ulises S.)
J.E.S. (Jessica Esther S.)
L.E.S. (Lester Edward S.)
R.U.S. (Russell Upton S.)
W.E.S. (Wesley Elwood S.)
T A.R.T. (Arthur Roland T.)
C.A.T. (Catherine Aveline T.)
D.O.T. (Dorothy Olive T.)
M.A.T. (Matthew Alastair T.)
N.A.T. (Nathan Arnold T.)
P.A.T. (Patricia Ainsley T.)
U L.O.U. (Louisa Ophelia U.)
P.R.U. (Prudence Rhoda U.)
S.T.U. (Stuart Tucker U.)
T.R.U. (Trudie Rose U.)
V B.E.V. (Beverly Evangeline V.)
L.I.V. (Livia Indiana V.)
N.E.V. (Neville Eldon V.)
V.I.V. (Vivian Ingrid V.)
W L.A.W. (Lawson Amos W.)
L.E.W. (Lewis Edgar W.)
X B.A.X. (Baxter Andrew X.)
D.A.X. (Dax Alec X.)
D.E.X. (Dexter Edison X.)
J.A.X. (Jaxon Antony X.)
L.E.X. (Lexie Eliza X.)
M.A.X. (Maximus Alvin X.)
P.A.X. (Pax Amelia X.)
R.E.X. (Rex Elias X.)
R.O.X. (Roxanna Opal X.)
T.E.X. (Tex Emmanuel X.)
Y A.M.Y. (Amy Michelle Y.)
G.U.Y. (Guy Urban Y.)
I.V.Y. (Ivy Verity Y.)
J.A.Y. (Jay Adam Y.)
J.O.Y. (Joyce Ondina Y.)
K.A.Y. (Katherine Addison Y.)
M.A.Y. (May Augusta Y.)
R.A.Y. (Raymond Adrian Y.)
R.O.Y. (Royce Oberon Y.)
S.K.Y. (Skylar Kerry Y.)
Z H.E.Z. (Hezekiah Ellery Z.)
J.E.Z. (Jezebel Eulalia Z.)
L.I.Z. (Lizzie Iris Z.)
K.I.Z. (Kizzy Isla Z.)
R.O.Z. (Rosalind Olga Z.)

Can you come up with other good ones? If so, please leave a comment!

Source: “So Named.” Toledo Blade 29 Jun. 1982: P-1.

Rare Girl Names from Early Cinema: V

valli valli, v names, baby names, girl names, actress,
Valli Valli (1882-1927)
Here’s the next installment of uncommon female names collected from very old films (released from the 1910s to the 1940s).

Vail
Vail was a character played by actress Vivian Rich in the short film Via Cabaret (1913).

  • Usage of the baby name Vail.

Val
Val Lorraine was a character played by actress Evelyn Brent in the film Attorney for the Defense (1932).

  • Usage of the baby name Val.

Valda
Valda Valkyrien was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in Iceland in 1894. Her birth name was Adele Eleonore Freed.

  • Usage of the baby name Valda.

Vale
Vale Harvey was a character played by actress Shirley Mason in the film My Husband’s Wives (1924).

  • Usage of the baby name Vale.

Valentine
Valentine Grant was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in Indiana in 1881.

Valeska
Valeska Suratt was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in Indiana in 1882. Valeska was also a character name in multiple films, including For a Woman’s Honor (1919) and Broadway Scandals (1929).

Valette
Valette Bedford was a character played by actress Margaret Sullavan in the film So Red the Rose (1935).

Valia
Valia Venitshaya, often credited simply as Valia, was an actress who appeared in films in the 1920s. She was born in England in 1899.

  • Usage of the baby name Valia.

Vallery
Vallery Grove was a character played by actress Dolores Costello in the film Second Choice (1930).

Valli
Valli Valli was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in Germany in 1882. Her birth name was Valli Knust. Alida Valli, often credited simply as Valli, was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 2000s. She was born in Italy (now Croatia) in 1921. Valli was also a character played by actress Margaret Livingston in the film What a Widow! (1930).

  • Usage of the baby name Valli.

Vallie
Vallie Martin was a character played by actress Marin Sais in the short film The Man in Irons (1915).

  • Usage of the baby name Vallie.

Vanda
Vanda Muroff was a character played by actress Greta Nissen in the film Danger in Paris (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Vanda.

Vanina
Vanina Vanini was a character played by actress Alida Valli in the film Passione (1940).

Vanna
Vanna was a character name in multiple films, including The Romance of a Movie Star (1920) and Vanity’s Price (1924).

  • Usage of the baby name Vanna.

Vantine
Vantine was a character played by actress Jean Harlow in the film Red Dust (1932).

Varda
Varda Ropers was a character played by actress Claire Du Brey in the film A Man and His Money (1919).

  • Usage of the baby name Varda.

Varlia
Varlia Lloyd was a character played by actress Helen Vinson in the film Transatlantic Tunnel (1935).

Varvara
Princess Varvara was a character played by actress Dorothy Revier in the film The Red Dance (1928).

Vashti
Vashti was a character played by actress Thelma “Butterfly” McQueen in the film Duel in the Sun (1946).

  • Usage of the baby name Vashti.

Vedah
Vedah Bertram was an actress who appeared in films in the early 1910s. She was born in Massachusetts in 1891. Her birth name was Adele Buck.

  • Vedah, who died of appendicitis at the age of 20 in 1912, “became the first noted film player to be mourned by the movie-going public.” According to the San Francisco Call, her East Coast family had not been aware of her film career. “Hoping to keep her actions from her friends and relatives, she assumed the name under which she has been acting.”

Vee
Vee Newell was a character played by actress Olive Borden in the film Hello Sister (1930).

  • Usage of the baby name Vee.

Veeda
Veeda was a character played by actress Lois Collier in the film Cobra Woman (1944).

  • Usage of the baby name Veeda.

Veerah
Veerah Vale was a character played by actress Mary Thurman in the film Love of Women (1924).

Vee-Vee
Vee-Vee was a character played by actress Nora Swinburne in the film A Girl of London (1925).

Velda
Velda was a character played by actress Elissa Landi in the film The Inseparables (1929).

  • Usage of the baby name Velda.

Velma
Velma Whitman was an actress who appeared in films in the 1910s. She was born in Ohio in 1885. Velma was also a character name in multiple films, including The Greatest Menace (1923) and The Lone Wolf’s Daughter (1929).

  • Usage of the baby name Velma.

Velvet
Velvet Brown was a character played by actress Elizabeth Taylor in the film National Velvet (1944).

  • Usage of the baby name Velvet.

Venetia
Venetia was a character name in multiple films, including The Story of the Rosary (1920) and Week Ends Only (1932).

Venice
Venice was a character name in multiple films, including Lady with a Past (1932) and Outcast Lady (1934).

  • Usage of the baby name Venice.

Vera-Ellen
Vera-Ellen was an actress who appeared in films in the 1940s and 1950s. She was born in Ohio in 1921.

Verbena
Verbena was a character name in multiple films, including A Darktown Wooing (short, 1914) and Should Sailors Marry? (short, 1925).

Verebel
Verebel Featherstone was a character played by the actress Dorothy Christy in the film Sierra Sue (1941).

Vergie
Vergie was a character name in multiple films, including The Impalement (short, 1910) and Heaven on Earth (1931).

  • Usage of the baby name Vergie.

Vermuda
Vermuda was a character played by actress Martha Sleeper in the short film Sure-Mike! (1925).

Verna
Verna Mersereau was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in 1894. Verna was also a character name in multiple films, including His Temporary Wife (1920) and Here Comes Carter (1936).

  • Usage of the baby name Verna.

Verne
Verne Drake was a character played by actress Iris Adrian in the film I Killed That Man (1941).

  • Usage of the baby name Verne.

Vernie
Vernie was a character played by actress Anna Q. Nilsson in the film Babe Comes Home (1927).

  • Usage of the baby name Vernie.

Verona
Verona Babbitt was a character played by actress Maxine Elliott Hicks in the film Babbitt (1924).

  • Usage of the baby name Verona.

Veronique
Veronique Sauviat was a character played by actress Louise Vale in the short film The Country Parson (1915).

Verree
Verree Teasdale was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1940s. She was born in Washington in 1903.

  • Usage of the baby name Verree.

Vesta
Vesta Tilley was an actress who appeared in films from the 1900s to the 1910s. She was born in England in 1864. Her birth name was Matilda Alice Powles. Vesta was also a character name in multiple films, including The House in Suburbia (short, 1913) and The Duke of Chimney Butte (1921).

  • Usage of the baby name Vesta.

Veya
Countess Veya was a character played by actress Myrna Loy in the film The Climbers (1927).

  • Usage of the baby name Veya.

Vianna
Vianna Courtleigh was a character played by the actress Ruth Clifford in the film Mothers-in-Law (1923).

  • Usage of the baby name Vianna.

Vicki
Vicki was a character name in multiple films, including I Loved You Wednesday (1933) and A Star Is Born (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Vicki.

Victoire
Victoire was a character name in multiple films, including Arsene Lupin (1917) and Just Married (1928).

Victorine
Victorine was a character name in multiple films, including Paris at Midnight (1926) and After the Ball (1932).

Vilda
Vilda was a character name in multiple films, including The Return of the Riddle Rider (1927) and Timothy’s Quest (1936).

  • Usage of the baby name Vilda.

Vilma
Vilma Banky was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in Austria-Hungary (now Hungary) in 1898. Vilma was also a character name in multiple films, including Federal Agent (1936) and Meet the Boy Friend (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Vilma.

Vima
Countess Vima Walden was a character played by actress Madge Evans in the film Heartbreak (1931).

Vincenza
Vincenza was a character played by actress Rose Tapley in the short film An Infernal Tangle (1913).

Viney
Viney was a character name in multiple films, including The Last of the Hargroves (short, 1914) and The Overland Stage (1927).

  • Usage of the baby name Viney.

Vinnie
Vinnie was a character played by actress Irene Dunne in the film Life with Father (1947).

  • Usage of the baby name Vinnie.

Vinuella
Vinuella was a character played by actress Anita Hendrie in the short film The Road to the Heart (1909).

Violante
Violante was a character played by actress Mrs. A. C. Marston in the short film The Ring and the Book (1914).

Violantha
Violantha Zureich was a character played by actress Henny Porten in the film Violantha (1928).

Violey
Violey was a character played by Loretta Weaver in multiple films, including Jeepers Creepers (1939) and Grand Ole Opry (1940).

Virgie
Virgie was a character name in multiple films, including Lend Me Your Husband (1935) and The Littlest Rebel (1935).

  • Usage of the baby name Virgie.

Virginie
Virginie Harbrok was a character played by actress Marguerite Courtot in the film The Unbeliever (1918).

Visakha
Visakha was a character played by actress Lotus Liu in the film The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938).

Vittoria
Vittoria was a character played by actress Gladys Hulette in the film Enemies of Women (1923).

Viva
Viva Hamilton was a character played by actress Edna Flugrath in the film A Dear Fool (1921).

  • Usage of the baby name Viva.

Viveca
Viveca Lindfors was an actress who appeared in films from the 1940s to the 1990s. She was born in Sweden in 1920.

  • Usage of the baby name Viveca.

Vivette
Vivette was a character played by actress Evelyn Dumo in the film The Strange Story of Sylvia Gray (1914).

Viviette
Viviette was a character played by actress Vivian Martin in the film Viviette (1918).

Voine
Voine was a character played by actress Greta Nissen in the film Rackety Rax (1932).

Vola
Vola Vale was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in New York in 1897. Her birth name was Violet Irene Smith.

  • Usage of the baby name Vola.

Vonia
Vonia was a character played by actress Eva Novak in the film The Man Who Saw Tomorrow (1922).

Vonnie
Vonnie was a character played by actress Minna Gombell in the film Sob Sister (1931).

  • Usage of the baby name Vonnie.

Vroni
Vroni was a character played by actress Esther Ralston in the film Betrayal (1929).

Vultura
Vultura was a character played by actress Lorna Gray in the film Perils of Nyoka (1942).

*

Which of the above names do you like best?

Sources:

Biggest Changes in Girl Name Popularity, 2016

Which girl names increased the most in popularity from 2015 to 2016? Which ones decreased the most?

The SSA likes to answer this question by analyzing ranking differences within the top 1,000. I like to answer it by looking at raw number differences that take the full list into account. So let’s check out the results using both methods…

Girl Names: Biggest Increases, 2015 to 2016

baby names, girl names, more popular

Rankings

1. Kehlani, +2,487 spots — up from 3,359th to 872nd
2. Royalty, +618 spots — up from 1,150th to 532nd
3. Saoirse, +465 spots — up from 1,448th to 983rd
4. Ophelia, +396 spots — up from 976th to 580th
5. Aitana, +368 spots — up from 917th to 549th
6. Itzayana, +356 spots — up from 1,125th to 769th
7. Alessia, +348 spots — up from 1,175th to 827th
8. Kaylani, +301 spots — up from 1,056th to 755th
9. Avianna, +298 spots — up from 751st to 453rd
10. Nalani, +294 spots — up from 1,280th to 986th

Kehlani and Kaylani were influenced by singer/songwriter Kehlani Parrish. (Kehlani was the top debut name of 2015, and variant Khelani debuted impressively in 2016.)

Royalty was influenced by the R&B singer Chris Brown, whose daughter (b. 2014) and 7th album (2015) were both called Royalty.

Saoirse was influenced by Irish actress Saoirse Ronan — perhaps specifically by those American talk show appearances in which she talked to the hosts (Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen Colbert, etc.) about how to pronounce her name. Plus there was that widely circulated Ryan Gosling quote on the same topic (“It’s Ser-sha, like inertia”).

Alessia was influenced by singer/songwriter Alessia Cara.

Raw Numbers

1. Adeline, +1,700 baby girls — up from 2,403 to 4,103
2. Charlotte, +1,649 baby girls — up from 11,381 to 13,030
3. Riley, +1,390 baby girls — up from 5,720 to 7,110
4. Adaline, +971 baby girls — up from 902 to 1,873
5. Amelia, +864 baby girls — up from 9,838 to 10,702
6. Luna, +849 baby girls — up from 2,796 to 3,645
7. Emilia, +804 baby girls — up from 2,215 to 3,019
8. Camila, +765 baby girls — up from 5,271 to 6,036
9. Nova, +754 baby girls — up from 1,518 to 2,272
10. Evelyn, +708 baby girls — up from 9,352 to 10,060

Adeline and Adaline were influenced, at least initially, by the movie The Age of Adaline (2015).

Other names that saw raw number increases in the 200+ range included Eleanor, Teagan, Kinsley, Scarlett, Everly, Quinn, Aria, Remi, Harper, Penelope, Thea, Claire, Rowan, Hazel, Ruby, Blake, Aurora, Ivy, Harley, Eloise, Willow, Elena, Josephine, Alice, Blakely, Saylor, Nora, Leia, Iris, Margot, Isla, Freya, Samara, Joy, Zara, Eliana, Joanna, and Malia.

Girl Names: Biggest Decreases, 2015 to 2016

baby names, girl names, less popular

Rankings

1. Caitlin, -542 spots — down from 609th to 1,151st
2. Caitlyn, -462 spots — down from 598th to 1,060th
3. Katelynn, -402 spots — down from 652nd to 1,054th
4. Kaitlynn, -381 spots — down from 994th to 1,375th
5. Neriah, -344 spots — down from 943rd to 1,287th
6. Bryanna, -276 spots — down from 783rd to 1,059th
7. Kiley, -275 spots — down from 898th to 1,173rd
8. Yaritza, -271 spots — down from 935th to 1,206th
9. Denise, -210 spots — down from 993rd to 1,203rd
10. Kaelyn, -203 spots — down from 521st to 724th

caitlyn jenner, magazine coverCaitlin, Caitlyn, Katelynn, and Kaitlynn, were negatively influenced by Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner), who appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair in mid-2015 with the headline “Call me Caitlyn.”

This reminds me of what happened a few decades ago to Hillary — another name that was strongly associated for a time with a female who wasn’t conforming to gender norms. Perhaps tellingly, the name Bruce wasn’t hit nearly as hard. Jenner did fall of the charts, though.

Raw Numbers

1. Sophia, -1,311 baby girls — down from 17,381 to 16,070
2. Alexa, -1,289 baby girls — down from 6,049 to 4,760
3. Madison, -1,090 baby girls — down from 10,072 to 8,982
4. Emma, -1,001 baby girls — down from 20,415 to 19,414 (…but still the #1 name overall)
5. Aubrey, -869 baby girls — down from 7,376 to 6,507
6. Isabella, -852 baby girls — down from 15,574 to 14,722
7. Emily, -840 baby girls — down from 11,766 to 10,926
8. Kylie, -753 baby girls — down from 4,149 to 3,396
9. Alexis, -744 baby girls — down from 3,406 to 2,662
10. Abigail, -672 baby girls — down from 12,371 to 11,699

Other names that saw raw number drops in the 200+ range included Kaitlyn, Avery, Allison, Alyssa, London, Kaylee, Sofia, Katelyn, Kimberly, Zoey, Mia, Chloe, Kendall, Taylor, Sadie, Khloe, Mackenzie, Hannah, Peyton, Addison, Samantha, Ashley, Olivia, Gabriella, Brianna, Lauren, Anna, Brooklyn, Morgan, Jocelyn, Sydney, Natalie, Victoria, Makayla, Zoe, Hailey, Payton, Brooke, Annabelle, Trinity, Keira, Adalyn, Jordyn, Kayla, Molly, Audrey, Faith, Madelyn, Lillian, Caitlin, Caitlyn, Makenzie, Paige, Aaliyah, Paisley, Nevaeh, Elizabeth, Amy, and Jessica.

Interesting how certain like-names went in opposite directions last year. Leia, Alessia, and Adaline rose; Leah, Alyssa, and Adalyn fell.

Do you have any other explanations/guesses about any of the names above? If so, please comment!

(In 2015, the big winners were Alexa and Alaia, and the big losers were Isabella and Isis.)

Sources: Change in Popularity from 2015 to 2016, Emma and Noah Remain Social Security’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2016

Top 50 Nature Names for Baby Girls

Nature is waking up again! Let’s celebrate by checking out which nature names are the most popular for baby girls right now. Ironically the top 50 list below includes all the seasons except for “Spring,” but it does feature lots of springtime things: flowers, birds, trees…

nature names, girl names, top 50, baby names,

For this list I stuck to names that are also correctly spelled English words. This means that I skipped names that are non-English words (like Stella and Luna) and alternative spellings of words (like Brooke and Briar). I should also mention that several of the above (including Rowan, Robin, and Clementine) do have more than one etymology to choose from.

Here are links to the popularity graphs:

1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50
Lily
Violet
Hazel
Autumn
Ruby
Willow
Jasmine
Jade
Ivy
Rose 		Daisy
Summer
Iris
Olive
Rowan
Amber
River
Ember
Aspen
Sage 		Magnolia
Meadow
Wren
Ivory
Laurel
Sky
Clementine
Dahlia
Juniper
Raven 		Holly
Savanna
Rosemary
Winter
Crystal
Azalea
Pearl
Jewel
Heather
Robin 		Diamond
Poppy
Opal
Sunny
Coral
Emerald
Clover
Pepper
Sapphire
Amethyst

Which nature name(s) do you like best?

P.S. Nature names that didn’t quite make the top 50 included Stormy, Zinnia, Sandy, and Acacia.