Rare 1885 baby names mix place names, surnames, and what exactly explains this? names. It makes for a quirky list.
They’re the flipside of the Neglected Gems from the 1880s and 1890s. While the chart toppers of generations past may feel antique today, we remember and acknowledge them as given names. We all imagine that someone will bring back Ralph and Sallie – it’s just a question of when.
If you’re wondering what counted as a chart-topper in 1885? Scroll to the bottom of the post for the Top 20 for boys and girls from the year. A surprise or two mixes in with names we consider rock solid classics.
But how about the names that never caught on? Will they fade from our collective memory?
And is that a problem?
Maybe Capitola and Lugenia are best left to the past.
But other names could be exactly what twenty-first century parents are after – familiar, but seldom heard. Or just a little bit different than the names that everyone else is choosing today.
The names listed here all ranked #500 or higher as of 1885. Some climbed in use, but none of these ever cracked the US Top 100. And while we’ve forgotten them, they could feel fresh and new.
Read on for my favorite 1885 baby names.
1885 GIRL NAMES
ALBERTINE (ranked #696 in 1885)
We hear Madeline and Genevieve everywhere. Is Albertine so different? Rarer than Albert, it comes with great nickname potential and a sort of vintage-cool vibe.
CLOTILDE (ranked #613 in 1885)
Also spelled Clothilde, this Germanic name has been out of favor for years. But it’s a saint name, and a former Queen of the Franks. File it somewhere between Chloe and Matilda, and this name has potential.
DELPHIA (ranked #546 in 1885)
It sounds like Philadelphia, hold the Phil. But it refers to the city of Delphi, where Apollo’s oracle once stood. If we’re wild for Sophia, why not Delphia?
DULCIE (ranked #956 in 1885)
This name means sweet, from the Latin dulcis. It could be short for the equally rare Dulcinea, a literary invention from Cervantes. But I think Dulcie stands on its own, an alternative to Sadie or Maisie.
EXIE (ranked #638 in 1885)
We love the letter X, and names like Ellie, too. Exie sounds a little bit like a modern invention, but it’s waiting on this list of 1885 baby names for rediscovery.
LEDA (ranked #992 in 1885)
With Atlas, Orion, and Penelope so popular, you’d expect Leda to succeed. Not only does it come from Greek myth, but it shares sounds with Layla, Luna, and so many other popular L names for girls.
MAEBELLE (ranked #888 in 1885)
Equally vintage Mabel is catching on. Is Maebelle an elaborate spelling of the same? Or a Mae-Belle smoosh? Either way, it has potential.
NOVELLA (ranked #832 in 1885)
It sounds like a modern word name, a literally literary pick like Story or Fable. But it was probably borrowed from the Latin nova – new, possibly referring to spring.
ODESSA (ranked #535 in 1885)
The original sits in the Ukraine; a Texas city also bears the name. But both refer to that ancient wanderer Odysseus. If you love Tessa, but want something much less common, Odessa fits.
SOPHRONIA (ranked #556 in 1885)
Sophia tops the charts, but Sophronia is nearly forgotten. The name means sensible; the seventh century Saint Sophronius is remembered for his wisdom. It’s elaborate and wearable.
TRESSA (ranked #573 in 1885)
A modern Cornish girls’ name meaning third, Tressa could also be a spin on Theresa. Or maybe it’s just another -ess name from the late nineteenth century. We were wild for Bessie and Jessie, with names like Odessa on the fringes, too.
VICTORINE (ranked #838 in 1885)
There’s regal Victoria and word name Victory, but ‘how bout Victorine? A rare feminine form of Victor, it’s a tailored, elaborate choice for a daughter with a vintage vibe.
1885 BOY NAMES
BENTON (ranked #610 in 1885)
Ben names are enjoying the spotlight recently, from Top Ten Benjamin to Hollywood-boosted Benedict. Benton peaked in the nineteenth century, but has recently returned to the US Top 1000, though it feels modern, rather than vintage, today.
DEMPSEY (ranked #858 in 1885)
A swaggering name, Dempsey means proud. Years after he left the ring, heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey leaves his mark on the name, too.
FIELDING (ranked #726 in 1885)
Henry Fielding makes it literary. But Fielding also fits with Parker, Wilder, and other outdoorsy surname names so popular right now.
HAMILTON (ranked #731 in 1885)
The Broadway blockbuster might inspire a few parents. And while Ham is a non-starter of a nickname, Milo might work.
HOLLIS (ranked #671 in 1885)
It refers to a grove of holly trees, and feels appropriate for a Christmas baby. It also fits right in with so many stylish boy names ending with s, from Miles to Brooks.
HOUSTON (ranked #533 in 1885)
Named for its founder, Sam Houston, the Texas city fits right in with so many place names we’ve used for children’s name in recent years. In fact, at #734 as of 2020, Houston might be on the verge of a comeback.
LAFE (ranked #623 in 1885)
A phonetic spelling of Scandi name Leif, Lafe rhymes with Rafe – though neither is particularly common in the US these days.
LEOPOLD (ranked #676 in 1885)
If Leo names rule, why not Leopold? It sounds like the name of a minor German prince, or, of course, one of The Producers. It’s unexpected and fun.
ORSON (ranked #910 in 1885)
More subtle than Fox or Bear, Orson is borrowed from the Latin ursus – bear. Orson Welles makes it familiar, but it’s quite rare for a child.
RANSOM (ranked #572 in 1885)
It rhymes with handsome, and it shares a deep, spiritual meaning. (Christ died as a ransom for the sins of the world.) If you love two-syllable, ends-with-n boy names, this is among the rarest.
ROME (ranked #687 in 1885)
The eternal city is as good a place name candidate as Camden or Boston, and far less expected. As brief as Kai and Jude, Rome remains much rarer than Roman – but it could work. And, like fellow place name Houston, Rome ranks in the US Top 1000, at #970 as of 2020.
SUMNER (ranked #758 in 1885)
Yes, it would almost certainly be mistaken for Summer. Maybe constantly. But that’s a plus, too, a summery surname name that feels familiar, but is quite rare.
Would you consider any of these 1885 baby names for a child today?
First published on March 18, 2016, this post was revised and re-published on April 1, 2020 and updated again on November 8, 2021.
Loved the use of friction to describe the ‘bert’ syllable in Albertine. Thanks! 🙂
So I found it! I found It! I found it! I solved the mystery… applause please…. Exie is a variation for Exa which is for Achsah. Pronounced Ahk-Suh, hence the derivation of Exa and later Exie.OTHER FORMS: Achsa, Acsah, Aksah, Axy, Exa, Axar, Ax-her. Achsah is Hebrew for Ankle bangle or bracelet. . Behind the names.com is the source.
According to nameberry, Exie is a separate Ancient Greek term for “habit” or “permanent feature in one’s character.” It was used by Aristotle a lot. Exa is suppose to be the Americanized version of Achsah. Also, Achsah Young, known as False, was the first American women hung for witchcraft out of the thirteen American colonies. But there are literary sources but all the books mentioned hold the same fate as Achsah Young.
Known as Alse not False
Fascinating – thank you!!
glad to help out and solve the mystery. it is such a fun name.
Exie might again be a shorten variation of Eudoxia, not jjustEupraxia and Zeuxima. I’m certain the list will runneth over with more research.
Exie might be short for Eupraxia which was sometimes used alternately with Praxedes. The nicknames vary and all forms became names on their own. Nook of names wrote an interesting post on Praxede. I find exie cute and quirky. She pairs well with names like Dimity but has the same sound as Elsie. I have had a long time love for Sophronia but I just love Sophronius better. I like all the boys names especially Leopold, its a family name.
Exie might **ALSO** be a short version of the name Zeuxima. I know for certainty that Praxedes and Eupraxia were in use but am not certain with Zeuxima.
I love Hollis, Sumner, and Hamilton. Hamilton is a family name for me, so I have no qualms about having it on my list. It’s worth mentioning that Lafe was also a nickname for Lafayette.
Actually, I like Lugenia more than any of the other girl names on the list. Cute, cute!! I liked a lot of the boy names. My sister is prego right now and if it is a boy her top two name contenders are Fielder and Skandar. I like Fielder more than Fielding, but they both have a great literary vibe for me. (If it is a girl she is hoping to convince her husband that Navy June is not too “out there.” Her second choice girl name is Thisbe, but hubby thinks that is also “weird.”)
I think Novella maybe inspired by famous soprano Clara Novello. A ton of girls in Britain in the 1850s onwards were named “Clara Novello” (such as famous Welsh singer Clara Novello Davies) or “Clara Novella” as a variant. Around the same time, the name “Novello” and “Novella” on their own appear in the records.
Now that is interesting! Thanks, Elea.
I actually know a Delphia! She’s not that much older than I am.
Ransom also has the benefit, nowadays, of being a literary-surname name: Arthur Ransom, of Swallows and Amazons fame.
I’m not sure I’d actually consider any of them, but I do like some of these a lot. From the girls’ list, I love Clothilde/Clotilde and like Delphia (Delphi is my cousin’s name and I’ve always thought it’s beautiful). I actually really love the cute, fun sound of Exie too – is it short for something?
From the boys, I (slightly guiltily) like Ransom, Rome and Orson, and Leopold is one I’d actually, genuinely consider for a son, at least as a middle name. It sounds so strong and regal, but Leo is current and familiar enough to stop it feeling too OTT.
I’m pretty sure Exie was on my daughter’s list but they decided it was too close to “sexy”. I have a hard time understanding why Odessa and Dempsey (Patrick Dempsey aka McDreamy) aren’t more popular.