30 Rare Vintage Girl Names Ending in -ie That Are the Epitome of Sweet

Girl names ending in -ie are so appealing year after year because they sound informal, lighthearted, and energetic. These feminine baby names come in and fall out of fashion every few decades or so. Today, some of the most popular girl names in the US include more traditional options like Millie, Elsie, Annie, Hattie, and Sadie and newcomers with a fresh feel like Ellie,  Charlie, Kylie, Callie, and Hallie. Among the gender-neutral options that are hot today, you will find Billie, Steve, and Frankie (and Charlie too!).

All of those names are excellent options and you would be wise to choose any. However, you might be searching for a name that isn’t as ubiquitous. The baby name geniuses at Nameberry had an excellent idea and decided to turn back the clock to the late 1800s and early 1900s to discover the forgotten girl names that end in -ie. These vintage charmers are the girl names of your dreams and have an old-fashioned appeal. Check out our favorites below and you just might find the perfect name for your little sweetie!

Arlie

One of the treasured girl names that was popular up until the 1920s, Arlie could take on new life this decade. The name is likely a spelling variant of Arleigh, an English surname that means “from the long field.”

Attie

Attie last saw popularity in the US in the 1890s and it has spent a very long time out of the spotlight. Attie could ba much a name that means “from Athens” or a form of Addie, which was far more popular in the US. If the latter is the case, the name is a diminutive form of Adeline or Adelaide, meaning “noble.”

Cammie

Cammie is a diminutive form of Camila, a name that means “young ceremonial attendant.” Cammie’s most popular years in the US were in the 1880s and 1890s. It is one of the girl names that is long past due for a return.

Dulcie

Last popular in 1905, Dulcie is one of the sweetest girl names on this list. It is a diminutive short form of Dulcibella, a name originating in Latin, meaning “sweet.” It’s one of the girl names that you will find much more popular today in England and Australia. American parents need to take note!

Effie

Effie was in the US top 100 most popular names for girls from the 1880s until 1902. For us, it is one of the most charming girl names that end in -ie. Effie is an English invention, a form of the Greek name, Euphemia. The root of the name means “sweetly speaking.” Of all the girl names on this list, we expect this one to stage a comeback sooner than later so get ahead of the trend.

Estie

Estie was only a hit name the year that baby naming data started being collected by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 1880. We think it has a winning sound and playful vibes. Estie is most likely a short form of Estelle, a name of Persian and French origin that means “star.”

Ettie

Ettie is a short form of a variety of French names that include Henrietta, Juliette, or Colette. The “ette” suffix in French means “little” so we take that as the meaning for this cute name. Sweet Ettie was last popular in the US in 1914. It’s been over 100 years and it’s time to knock some dust off of this appellation.

Florrie

Florrie is one of the girl names ending in -ie that we are not sure will ever return. We think the “floor” sound is a bit dull. Florrie is a short form of Florence or Flora. The Latin roots of these names mean “flourishing” or “flower.” Not bad! Only time will tell if this name has what it takes to stage a comeback.

Flossie

Another one of the girl names that we are fond of but feel unsure what parents today will think about is Flossie. It was the most popular nickname for Florence in the early 20th century and a really popular given name at the time as well. Flossie hung on until the 1940s when it fell from fashion. Again, Florence is a name that means “flourishing.”

Hettie

Hettie was once a wildly popular appellation but that has not been true for decades. Hettie is a short form of Henrietta, a name of German origin, meaning “estate ruler.” It’s a popular choice in England today and American parents just might follow suit.

Jettie

Have you ever heard the name, Jetta on anything else except a Volkswagen? It was once a mildly popular choice in the US but its diminutive form Jettie totally eclipsed it. Jettie peaked in the top 500 in 1889. The name is of English origin and means “jet.”

Lanie

Lanie was only popular in the US as a given name in the late decades of the 19th century. Lanie is one of the girl names on this list that has really taken a journey to get to its current form. Lanie is a diminutive form of Elaine, itself a Scottish diminutive form of Helen, which originated in Greek with a root that means “shining one” or “torch.” This one is so cute we could totally see it making a comeback today.

Lettie

Lettie is a diminutive form of Letitia, a name of Latin origin, meaning “joy.” We must admit it is one of the girl names that always makes us smile. Lettie was most popular in the US prior to the SSA baby name data. In 1880, it was the 195th most popular name for girls. It’s been gone for far too long and we hope new parents today discover its virtues.

Linnie

Linnie is an adorable short form of Linda, a Latinate name that means “pretty.” This was one of the most popular girl names in the 1880s and 1890s. However, it fell from favor completely by the 1940s. Bring Linnie back, parents!

Lissie

Despite being as sweet as they come, Lissie is a name that fell off the popularity charts completely by 1908. Lissie is a short form of Elise, a French variant of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin that means “pledged to God.”

Lollie

As with Lissie, Lollie is a name that last ranked in the top 1000 in 1908. Lollie is just the kind of offbeat name that modern parents are being drawn to today. Lollie is a charming short form of Charlotte, a name of French origin that means “free man.”

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Maxie

Well, it seems like 1908 was a pivotal year for a bunch of these girl names. It’s the year that the name Maxie peaked in the US. Maxie is a form of Maxima or Maxine, which are names of Latin origin that mean “greatest.” If you expect your baby girl to be the best of the best, you know what to do!

Mettie

Mettie is one of the girl names that end in -ie that you might have never encountered. It was last popular in the US in 1909 and has gone virtually unused ever since. Mettie is a short form of Martha or Matilda. Martha is a name of Aramaic origin that means “lady.” Matilda comes from German and means “battle-mighty.”

Mintie

Mintie is one of the girl names for parents who are searching for something truly fresh! Mintie, despite its sound, is not related to the herb. It is a short form of the name Araminta which is an invented hybrid name from Arabella and Aminta. Mintie takes its meaning from Aminta which is of Greek origin and means “defender.”

Missie

Missie is a common nickname for girls regardless of their given name. But, Missie originated as a short form of the Greek name Melissa which means “honeybee.” 1897 was the last year that this name was mildly popular in the US. We think its a real cutie and one of the girl names on this list that more parents should turn to.

Nettie

Nettie was most popular in the US in the 1880s and 1890s but it did hang around on the top 1000 list until the early 1960s. It’s been several decades since the name was on a number of birth certificates and it now could be the time for it to return. Nettie is most closely associated with the name Neta which is of Hebrew origin and means “plant.”

Pearlie

Pearlie is another one of the girl names that hung on until the 1960s which is pretty surprising. Pearlie, of course, is a form of Pearl. What do you think of Pearlie? Does this name stand a chance today?

Queenie

Queenie was last popular as a given name in the US in 1927. Queenie has royal flare while also being especially cute. It is a form of Queen which originated in English.

Roxie

Roxie is a name that remained mildly popular through the 1960s but it has been missing in action ever since then. Roxie is a shortened form of Roxana or Roxanne, originating in Persian and meaning “dawn” and “little star.”

Texie

Yes, the name Texie was a popular one in the US but only until 1893. Texie is likely a short form of Texana, related to the name the state of Texas is named for. Texas comes from a Caddo Indian word that means “friends.”

Tinnie

Tinnie might sound hollow to some but we think it’s a genuine charmer with old-fashioned vibes. Tinnie is another one of the girl names that did not last into the 20th century. The origin of the name is disputed but it is likely a short form of Christina and Tina. It could also be related to the Welsh name Bryn.

Vallie

Last popular in 1927, Vallie is a name that comes from the Latin, Valentina, meaning “strength.” Vallie sounds like a nature name but it wears like a nickname. It can further be shortened into the adorable nicknames, Val and Leigh.

Vinnie

Yes, Vinnie was a popular name for girls at the turn of the last century. We most associate it as a nickname for Vincent today but back then it was all the rage for Lavinia. If you like the idea of gender-neutral names like Billie, Charlie, etc., Vinnie just might be one of the best girl names for you to consider.

Zadie

Zadie is one of those vintage girl names that we just can’t believe is not popular today. It is an English variant form of Sadie, a name of Hebrew origin that means “princess.” 1910 was the last year this zesty name was popular. Zadie is currently popular once more in the UK and we hope parents in the US follow the trend. It’s one of the best girl names ever!

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Zettie

Zettie was a popular choice for girls until 1912. It’s a mystery as to what Zettie is short for or comes from but a possibility is the name Zethra. It too is of unclear origin. Regardless, Zettie is one of the zippiest girl names on the list that we hope you will give a try. It’s likely that you have never encountered this name and we hope that makes it even more desirable to you. Long live, Zettie!

There you go! What did you think of these rare vintage girl names that end in -ie? We hope you found some worth considering for your baby girl. These playful names are just too fun to pass up. If you would like even more baby name inspiration, keep reading. We’ve rounded up the cutest vintage nickname girl names to share with you.

Check Out Vintage Nickname Girl Names Below:

Edie

We absolutely adore the vintage nickname Edie for a girl. It’s often used as a shortened form of Edith or Meredith, but Edie just sounds much cuter. Edith means “rich in war” which might not be the most appealing name meaning, but we don’t see it as a dealbreaker. The name is comprised of two Old English words “ead” which means “blessed” and “gth” which means “battle.” By naming your girl, Edie, you’re giving her the better part of the name and she’ll simply be “blessed.”

Elsie

Not too far apart from Edie, Elsie is another great nickname that would make a handsome proper name. Elsie is often short for Eloise or Felicity. The given name Elsie is a popular Scottish name that means “God is bountiful.” 16-year-old actor Elsie Fisher who recently starred in the film, Eighth Grade is a famous example of a person who reps this name well.

Evie

Sorry to give you so many vintage nicknames that start with “E” but there are so many excellent ones! We even skipped Emmy! Evie is yet another girl’s name that’s beautiful. It’s often used as a nickname for Evangelina, Yvonne, Evelyn, and Eve. Evie comes from the same root as the name Eve and in Hebrew, it means “life.”

Nora

While names like Elenor, Eleanora, and Honora are lovely names, you could do better by simply choosing Nora as a name for your daughter. The name Nora actually comes from the Anglo-Normans and means “honor” or “light.” There are quite a few well-known Noras like writer and filmmaker, Nora Ephron and comedian Nora Dunn.

Poppy

Poppy is a Latin name that means “red flower” and as you might expect is also the name of a red flower, the poppy. Calliope and Penelope are a bit of a mouthful and the shortened form, Poppy is much nicer and a very attractive vintage nickname for a girl.

Sadie

Sadie is a common nickname for Sarah, Mercedes, Sadira, Sarita, and Seraphina. However, Sadie makes an excellent given name for a girl. The name is Hebrew and means “princess.” Comedian and actor Adam Sandler gave his daughter the name in 2006.

Thea

Girls with the names Theodora, Athena, and Mathea are often nicknamed Thea. In Greek mythology, Thea was the goddess of light,  mother of the sun, moon, and dawn. The name means “goddess.” Thea von Harbou was a famed German screenwriter who wrote the classic film Metropolis. Thea is not just a great name, it’s a unique one as well. You will probably be the only parent with a kid named Thea in school.

Mae

Mae comes from May, the month name that was chosen for its connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood. Mae can be used as a vintage nickname for the names Mary and Margaret. For instance, actress Mae West was named Mary at birth. Alternate spellings include May, Mei, and Maye. The May spelling makes it more of a month name, while Mae makes it a vintage nickname name. Hilary Duff chose Mae as her daughter’s first name.

Millie

Millie is back, baby! It’s a top 100 name throughout much of the English-speaking world. However, it’s just now heating back up in the US. Millicent would be an appealing long form, but many people are using Millie all by itself. So many new parents, in fact, that it returned to the top 500 in 2015 for the first time since WWII. The name means “gentle strength.”

Winnie

This short form of names such as Winifred and Edwina and Gwendolyn, Winnie has loads of vintage nickname charm. Winnie had been used regularly on its own in the US through the early 1950s. The name was on the decline until recently when it took a turn for the better. We expect this name to be back in the US top 500 in the next couple of years.

Lottie

Lottie was a top 100 name at the end of the nineteenth century. Lottie fell off the popularity list around 1960 but well might climb back on most likely as a short for the currently popular Charlotte. It’s already the 85th most popular given name for girls in the UK. This vintage nickname shares its meaning with Charlotte, meaning “free man.”

Hattie

In the USA, Hattie is one of those vintage nicknames that is now more popular than the appellation it was derived from, Harriet. In England, however, Harriet is still by far more popular than Hattie. It’s a strange divergence considering how popular nickname names are in the UK. Hattie is firmly in the top 500 most popular names for girls in the US today. The name means “estate ruler.”

Nell

Nell, a nickname for Helen, Ellen, or Eleanor, is a sweet vintage nickname that is fashionably used today in its own right. While Nell is primed for use among contemporary vintage names, it hasn’t taken off the way some of its sisters have and so maintains an air of distinction. This great option is simple yet refined and it means “shining one.”

Delia

Delia is a somewhat neglected charmer that stands on its own but also might be short for Adelia or Cordelia. Delia was once an extremely popular given name for girls. But, today, it feels like one of the vintage nicknames that deserves a comeback. Delia is a name of Greek origin that means “of the island of Delos.”

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Bea

Bea is a former old lady name that’s cute again as a vintage nickname that still holds tons of potential. Bea actually stood alone on the popularity charts for four years at the beginning of the twentieth century. It could be time for this vintage nickname to return! Bea is a short form of Beatrice, a name of Latin origin, that means “she who brings happiness.”

Pippa

Pippa is a peppy vintage nickname and form of Philippa. The name was already popular in the UK before it garnered widespread visibility via Kate Middleton‘s sister. Despite its popularity in the rest of the English-speaking world, the name has never widely appealed to American parents. We think it deserves a chance! The name is derived from Greek and means “lover of horses.”

Effie

Effie is the vintage nickname for Euphemia. Effie was popular as a given name in the US until the 1960s. That makes it a vintage nickname that is ripe for revival. Effie is derived from Greek and means “pleasant speech.”

Maisie

Maisie might traditionally is a short form of Margaret or Mary, but it can also work as a nickname for Melissa, Marissa, or even Esme, And, it stands perfectly well on its own. This vintage nickname is a Scottish nickname that means “bitter” or “pearl.” Maisie returned to the US top 1000 in 2014 at 658, making it one of the fastest-rising names of that year. While the vintage nickname has picked up speed in the US, it pales in comparison to the name’s popularity in the UK today.

Molly

Molly originated as a short form of Mary, coming from medieval variations Malle and Molle. Molly has been used as a standalone pet form of Mary since the Middle Ages and has been consistently popular as an independent name in the US over the past several decades. It’s a top 200 name today. Due to its Mary origins, this name means “bitter.”

Rosie

Rosie, also spelled Rosy, has been standing on her own for many decades in the US. It’s one of the vintage nicknames that is picking up steam once more across the English-speaking world. In the US, Rosie came back to the top 1000 in 2013, after a 30-year hiatus. This name is of English origin and does indeed mean “rose.”

Lilibet

Lilibet is the delightful diminutive form of Elizabeth. Notably, the vintage nickname was used as the childhood nickname of Britain’s queen. It feels fresh today thanks to the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It has never been widely used as a given name in the US but we expect that to change thanks to the Duke and Duchess. The name is derived from Hebrew and means “pledged to God.”

Prue

Surprisingly, the name Prue has never been a popular given name in the US. Perhaps that is due to its mother name, Prudence, falling from popularity by the 1950s. Prue has a carefree feel to it and is one of our favorite vintage nicknames that we want to take off. The name means “caution.”

Trudy

Trudy peaked as a given name in the US in 1946 before falling from fashion completely in the 1970s. Trudy is a short form of Gertrude, which is of German origin and means “spear of strength.” Wouldn’t you love to hear more of this vintage nickname?

Caddie

In Colonial times, Caddie was used as a short form of Caroline. As a given name, Caddie has never been extremely popular but it did rank in the top 1000 for a couple of years in the 1980s. Thanks to its Caroline connection, this vintage nickname is taken to mean “free man.”

Georgie

A vintage nickname for Georgia, Georgette, Georgina, or Georgiana, Georgie is a slightly boyish name that is similar to Frankie and Charlie for girls. Georgie as a given name for girls was once popular in the US but it fell from favor in the 1950s. Bring this winner back, parents! Ultimately, Georgie is of Greek origin and means “farmer.”

Mabs

Mabs is a rare vintage nickname that we hope more parents will consider for their daughters. It’s a short form of Mabel or Amabel. The nickname means “lovable.” With the rise of Mabel and Amabel in recent years, we expect this nickname to also follow.

Polly

Polly was once a very popular given name in the US but it faded by the 1980s. Polly is an English short form of Molly, itself a short form of Mary. Despite Molly’s comeback, Polly is a vintage nickname that never returned to favor. It could be time!

Tilda

Actress Tilda Swinton injected this dated, vintage nickname name with some modern charm. The name is considered a Spanish or Estonian short form of Matilda, meaning “battle might.” As with so many of these vintage nicknames Tilda was once popular in the US before cooling during the 1910s.

Sukie

This centuries-old nickname feels fresher and more modern today than Susie or Sue. A good short form if you’re into names like Susan, Susanna, or Susannah. Susan is a name derived from Hebrew that means “loved one.” Sukie has never been wildly popular despite most folks knowing about this darling nickname.

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Lou

Lou is a gender-neutral vintage nickname that is considered a short form of Louise for girls. Lous was a favored name in the US for girls until the 1970s. At the moment, Lou is having a huge moment across Europe. While it is no longer popular here, in France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, it has become one of the trendiest names for baby girls.

What did you think of these vintage nicknames for girls? We hope you found some worth considering for your daughter. Using a nickname instead of a more traditional surname is all the rage today. If you liked learning about these nicknames, keep reading for even more options.