1923 Girl Names: Aurelia, Rita, Yvette

1923 girl names range from classic Anna to the unexpected Marvel.

In naming, we often talk about the “100 Year Rule.”

It’s more of a notion than an ironclad law.

The 100 Year Rule in brief: We generally find the names of our parents’ generation quite dated. Our grandparents’ names can feel awfully, well, old. But our great-grandparents’ names? Those strike us as fresh and interesting.

Since a generation is around 25 years in length, that means that it takes about 100 years for names to cycle in and out of favor.

That suggests that in 2023, we should be looking to the year 1923 for inspiration.

And these 1923 girl names deliver! While some of them, like Gladys and Thelma, still feel stuck in style limbo, others are racing up the popularity charts once more.

Let’s start with some of the more intriguing 1923 girl names, and then dive into the whole Top 100.

RARE and INTERESTING 1923 GIRL NAMES

AURELIA (#516 now; #529 in 1923)

Golden Aurelia was relatively uncommon in 1923. Today, that’s still the case. But it fits with every trend we love for our daughters, and could make a perfect alternative to current chart-toppers like Amelia or Olivia.

BESS (unranked now; #812 in then)

A sweet Elizabeth nickname, Bess was once given independently, too, at least sometimes. Today it’s seldom heard at all, but with Tess so popular, it might be the perfect revival pick.

CECILE (unranked now; #296 then)

File tailored, sophisticated Cecile somewhere between cousin Cecilia and the equally French Genevieve. It’s an unexpected choice that would wear well.

CONSUELO (unranked now; #368 then)

A Spanish-English crossover possibility with the vintage glam of Gilded Age icon Consuelo Vanderbilt. Named for her half-Cuban godmother, Consuelo went on to make headlines when she married the Duke of Marlborough in 1895.

DELPHINE (unranked now; #491 then)

Like Cecile, this tailored, French name could wear well today, fitting right in on the same playground as Josephine.

FAYE (#607 now; #203 then)

An ethereal mini name, Faye is equal parts straightforward vintage charmer and fanciful surprise.

GARNET (unranked now; #511 then)

A gemstone name every bit as wearable as Pearl or Ruby.

GEORGETTE (unranked now; #462 then)

Georgia is on top. So is Scarlett. Georgette combines the best of both, with plenty of spark.

LEATRICE (unranked now; #449 then)

Leah meets Beatrice, a name made famous by silent film star Leatrice Joy.

LETTIE (unranked now; #512 then)

With names like Sadie, Millie, and Hattie in favor, Lettie fits right in.

LIDA (unranked now; #714 then)

With names like Leah, Lyla, and Lydia so popular, Lida is just a little different.

LUCINDA (unranked now; #488 then)

We love Lucy, but this longer form remains rare today.

MARVEL (unranked now; #583 then)

It sounds like a twenty-first century innovation, but 1923 girl names included some stunning word choices, too.

NOVELLA (unranked now; #513 then)

Nova meets Ella for a very 2023-approved choice.

RAMONA (#794 now; #330 then)

While Ramona was even more stylish then, it’s a dramatic, romantic choice with plenty of strength – just right for now.

RITA (unranked now; #50 then)

A favorite among 1923 girl names, Rita could fit right in with so many favorites like Luna, Aria, and Ruby.

THORA (unranked now; #950 then)

Cora, Nora, and Aurora all make the current Top 100, and Flora is rising fast. Back in 1923, -ora names were also having a moment, and they brought Norse import Thora along with them.

TWILA (unranked now; #565 then)

Stella’s overlooked twin, Twila means twilight.

YVETTE (unranked now; #589 then)

1923 girl names included plenty of Eve names, like French import Yvette.

ZELLA (unranked now; #408 then)

Another -ella name, a logical addition to our list of so many favorites, from Ella to Antonella to Aubriella.

TOP 100 GIRL NAMES from 1923

1. Mary
2. Dorothy
3. Helen
4. Margaret
5. Betty*
6. Ruth
7. Virginia
8. Mildred*
9. Elizabeth
10. Frances
11. Doris*
12. Evelyn
13. Anna
14. Marie
15. Alice
16. Marjorie*
17. Irene
18. Florence
19. Jean*
20. Lillian
21. Martha
22. Louise
23. Rose
24. Catherine
25. Ruby
26. Shirley*
27. Lois*
28. Eleanor
29. Gladys*
30. Josephine
31. Thelma*
32. Edna*
33. Barbara
34. Annie
35. Lucille
36. Edith
37. Pauline*
38. Ethel*
39. Grace
40. Hazel
41. Norma*
42. June
43. Bernice*
44. Marion*
45. Phyllis*
46. Beatrice
47. Esther
48. Gloria
49. Clara
50. Rita*
51. Juanita*
52. Ann*
53. Emma
54. Sarah
55. Jane
56. Patricia*
57. Lorraine*
58. Geraldine*
59. Gertrude*
60. Katherine
61. Elsie*
62. Julia
63. Agnes*
64. Bertha*
65. Marian*
66. Eva
67. Willie*
68. Ida*
69. Vivian
70. Kathleen
71. Anne
72. Kathryn
73. Laura
74. Wilma*
75. Nancy
76. Maxine
77. Charlotte
78. Pearl
79. Viola*
80. Wanda*
81. Bessie*
82. Vera
83. Dolores*
84. Myrtle*
85. Audrey
86. Violet
87. Elaine
88. Nellie
89. Alma
90. Jeanne*
91. Lillie
92. Lucy
93. Ella
94. Jessie
95. Eileen
96. Stella
97. Genevieve
98. Sylvia
99. Minnie*
100. Leona

* Indicates that the name does not rank in the current US Top 1000 for calendar year 2021, as updated in May 2022.

Do you have any favorite 1923 girl names?