Rare Kentucky Appalachian Baby Names You Don’t Hear Anymore

The Baby Namer and the Name Wrigley

Recently, I saw an article about a professional baby namer who decided on the name Wrigley for her own son. There's a lot to unpack there.

First off, how does one become a professional baby namer? I assume it's self-declared, kind of like a life coach. "I'm just really good at naming babies, so I'm going to charge a poop-ton of money to come up with something you may or may not love."

Second, so many people are hating on the name Wrigley. I'll admit my friend Melissa’s dog was named Wrigley, sweet Wriggles the Pibble, so that is immediately where my brain goes. In fact, I sent the article to her.

She promptly reminded me that we have a young lady named Azdextria Supreme Dragonslayer here in the tri-state and Wrigley honestly feels pretty tame next to that masterpiece.

My Name and the 1980s Naming Wave

As you probably saw by my byline, my name is Ashley. Yes, the most popular girl name of the 1980s. I usually go by Ash because it fits my personality better, and it is easier to write. Smashley if I am feeling feisty.

My mom said she was lying by the pool at Windridge Country Club when she overheard some young men calling a teenage girl Ashley. It reminded her of Gone with the Wind. She had never heard it before and thought it sounded Southern, different, and beautiful.

She had no idea it was about to become THE name of the 80s.

Naming My Daughter and the Name Trend Problem

The same thing happened to me.

Before my daughter was born, I made a list of unusual names I loved. Ava, Ariel, Bianca, Vivian, Veronica, and Lauryn were my top picks. I gave the list to my husband and he chose Ava.

I had heard the name on Nip/Tuck and thought it was unique and pretty. Again, I had no idea it was about to become THE name of the year.

It is okay though. It suits her perfectly.

Now that she is a teenager, I often come across beautiful names that I would have added to that short list. One of my favorites is James.

Yes, it is traditionally a boy’s name.

But after Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their daughter James, I thought it was perfect. It was also my dad’s name, which makes it even better.

Southern and Appalachian Names That Stuck With Me

Anyway, I follow a nurse on Instagram who lives in Appalachia and she recently did a TikTok about some of her favorite Appalachian names.

It reminded me of the Southern movies I grew up watching and how unforgettable those character names were. Fried Green Tomatoes, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, Steel Magnolias.

Drum, Ouiser, Shelby, Truvy, Idgie, Ruth, Ninny, Evelyn, Sipsey, Siddalee, Vivi, Teensy, Necie, Caro, M’Lynn, Clairee, Annelle, Shep.

Those names just stick with you.

Digging Into Appalachian Name History

That sent me down an internet rabbit hole. I started rummaging through genealogy records, old family trees, cemetery listings, and Appalachian naming traditions.

I have always loved when people photograph old graveyards and share the names carved into stones you rarely see anymore. There is something haunting and beautiful about them at the same time.

Some names are elegant. Some are unusual. Some make you pause and wonder what story led a family to choose them.

A List of Unique Appalachian Names

So without further ado, here is my list.

Even if you do not have a baby on the way, it is still fun to look through old names. And who knows, you might end up needing one for a pet someday.

Appalachian Girls Names

Ada Pearl: Ada means noble; Pearl means precious gem
Adeline: Noble, kind
Ailene: Light, bright
Alafair: Beloved
Almeda: Wise protector
Alpha: First, beginning
Altie: Noble, often a nickname form
Appalona: Rare Appalachian-style name, likely inspired by Apollonia
Araminta: Defender
Arbutus: Evergreen flowering shrub
Arial: Variant of Ariel, “lion of God”
Arlene: Pledge, promise
Arvilla: Southern family-created variation
Audra: Noble strength
Avie: Life; diminutive of Ava
Avielee: Combination of Avie + Lee
Bellezora: Beautiful dawn
Belzora: Variant of Bellezora
Bertie: Bright, famous
Bessie: Consecrated to God
Beulah: Married, prosperous; Biblical
Bina: Understanding
Birdie: Little bird
Buena: Good
Caldonia: Warm spring or fountain
Camilla: Ceremonial attendant
Cleda: Glory
Cleo: Glory
Cloie: Appalachian spelling of Chloe
Corinthia: From Corinth
Cuma: Rare mountain name
Dicey: Beloved or treasured (folk usage)
Docia: Gift of God
Dona: Lady
Dora: Gift
Doris: Gift of the sea
Doshia: Appalachian form of Theodosia
Dottie: Gift of God
Dovie: Dove, peace
Dreama: Dream-like
Drucilla: Fruitful
Easter: Born near Easter season
Edna Mae: Pleasure + beloved May
Effie: Well-spoken
Elva: Elf friend
Elvie: Variant of Elva
Elzada: God has helped
Emalene: Hardworking
Emily Arvaline: Emily = striving; Arvaline is family variation
Ethelene: Ethel + Southern suffix
Evalena: Combination of Eve + Lena
Exie: Rare Appalachian nickname
Fairy: Fairy-like, whimsical
Fairybell: Fairy + beauty
Fannie: Free one
Flossie: Flowering
Fora: Likely related to Flora, flower
Fleta: Swift, flowing
Gazzie: Rare family nickname
Goldie: Golden one
Gertie: Spear strength
Hallie: Meadow dweller
Hattie: Home ruler
Hazel: Hazel tree
Hester: Star
Icy: Ice-like purity
Imogen: Maiden
Ina: Pure
Iner: Appalachian variation of Ina
Inez: Pure, holy
Iva: Yew tree
Jetty: Rare nickname form
Jewell: Precious gem
Josie: God increases
Keziah: Cassia tree
Kissiah: Appalachian variation of Keziah
Kizzie: Favorite
Lavada: Appalachian invention name
Leathy: Rare Southern variation
Lemma: Rare Southern name
Leona: Lioness
Letha: Forgetfulness
Liddie: Lydia nickname
Litzie: Elizabeth nickname
Lola: Strong woman
Loretta: Laurel tree
Lorene: Crowned with laurels
Louvenia: Beloved warrior
Lovey: Affectionate name
Luella: Famous warrior
Lucindy: Appalachian Lucinda variation
Lula: Famous warrior
Lulie: Pearl
Madora: Gift
Mahala: Tenderness
Maize Lee: Cornflower + meadow
Malissie: Melissa variation
Mamie: Beloved
Mattie: Lady
Maytee: May variation
Maysel: Related to May or Mabel
Melvina: Gentle ruler
Merla: Blackbird
Missouri: State name used as personal name
Missouri Belle: Missouri + beautiful
Myrtle: Evergreen shrub
Nan: Grace
Nevada: Snow-covered
Neva: Snow
Novella: New
Ocie: Rare Southern name
Ocie Belle: Rare double name
Ollie: Olive tree
Opha: Increase
Ora: Prayer or gold
Orpha: Fawn; Biblical
Ossie: Divine strength
Oteria: Possibly related to Otilia
Pansy: Flower
Paratheni: Maiden
Parry: Nickname for Paratheni
Pearl: Precious gem
Permelia: Wonderful
Phyllis: Green branch
Pinkie: Affectionate nickname used as name
Polly Ann: Bitter grace
Phronie: Short for Sophronia
Queen: Queen-like name
Reathel: Ruth + Ethel blend
Retha: Virtuous
Rheba: Bound or tied
Rosetta: Little rose
Roxanna: Bright
Roxie: Dawn
Ruby: Red gemstone
Rushie: Derived from Rush
Sadie: Princess
Salina: Moon or salt
Sarah: Princess
Scharena: Rare variation of Sharon
Sena: Moon
Shelby: Willow farm
Sophronia: Wise, prudent
Stella: Star
Sudie: Lily-like sweetness
Sueletta: Unique Southern compound name
Tennessee: State name used as given name
Texanna: Texas + Anna blend
Texie: State-inspired name
Thelma: Will, determination
Thelia: Flourishing
Theodosia: Gift of God
Tilly Jane: Mighty in battle + God is gracious
Tinnie: Tennessee nickname
Tipper: Often from Temperance
Treva: Homestead
Trullibeth: Rare Elizabeth variation
Vallie: Valley
Velma: Protector
Verdie: Green, flourishing
Vernie: Spring-like
Vesta: Hearth and home
Vina: Vineyard
Virigie Lee: Appalachian Virginia form
Wealthy: Prosperous
Wila Jean: Protector + God is gracious
Willa: Protector
Willadeene: Extended Willa form
Zada: Prosperous
Zadie: Fortunate
Zelma: Helmet of protection
Zella: Blessed
Zilpha: Biblical name meaning frailty
Zipporah: Bird
Zora: Dawn
Zula: Radiant

Appalachian Boys Names

Absolam: Father of peace
Ambrose: Immortal
Amos: Carried by mountain preachers and farmers
Ansel: Follower of a nobleman
Asa: Healer
Audie: Noble strength
Bascom: Valley settlement
Berry: Berry gatherer
Bert: Bright, famous
Blueford: Blue ford crossing
Brock: Badger
Burl: Knot in wood; rugged strength
Buster: Nickname turned given name
Chauncey: Chancellor, fortune
Clell: Short for McClellan
Cowan: Blacksmith
Coy: Quiet, shy
Crockett: Frontier surname name
Dayton: Bright town
Delbert: Bright day
Dock: Nickname for Doctor
Early: Born early or first-born meaning
Ebb: Short for Ebenezer
Ellis: Benevolent
Enoch: Dedicated
Ezra: Help
Ezekiel: God strengthens
Finley: Fair-haired warrior
Fleming: Man from Flanders
Franklin: Free landowner
Gerald: Rule of the spear
Greenberry: Nature + surname blend
Hailiton: Variant of Hamilton
Harlan: Rocky land
Harold: Army ruler
Harry: Home ruler
Harvey: Battle worthy
Herman: Army man
Hiram: Noble brother
Hobart: Bright-hearted
Hollis: Holly tree dweller
Houston: Hill settlement
Ike: Laughter
Ira: Watchful
Isham: Ancient Biblical mountain name
Jasper: Treasurer
Jethro: Excellence
John: God is gracious
Johnse: Appalachian John variation
Kermit: Free man
Larmon: Rare surname-based name
Lawrence: Crowned with laurel
Lazarus: God has helped
Lemon: Rare surname-style name
Lincoln: Settlement by the pool
Lindsey: Linden tree island
Linzy: Appalachian variation of Lindsey
Macon: Stoneworker’s son
Marquist: Marquis variation
McClellan: Son of the servant of Saint Fillan
McCoy: Son of Hugh
Melvin: Gentle protector
Monroe: Mouth of the Roe River
Newt: Short for Newton
Obadiah: Servant of God
Omer: Speaker
Otho: Wealth, prosperity
Parley: Discussion
Pleasant: Virtue name
Press: Short for Presley/Preston
Reason: Wisdom and judgment
Ransom: Redemption
Roland: Famous throughout the land
Roscoe: Deer forest
Rush: Energetic plant name
Samuel: Heard by God
Shade: Shade or shelter
Shadie: Appalachian variant of Shade
Shelby: Estate on a ledge
Silas: Forest
Skipper: Captain
Squire: Community leader
Thaddeus: Courageous heart
Tilman: People’s ruler
Tolliver: Appalachian surname name
Virgil: Flourishing
Wade Hampton: Southern double name
Wash: Short for Washington
Wess: Western meadow
Wiley: Determined, clever
Woodrow: Row near woods
Zeb: Short for Zebulon
Zebedee: Gift of God
Zebulon: Dwelling of honor
Zeke: God strengthens

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