The early 20th century brought Janet back from the dead, and the 1980s revived Tiffany and Allison—two names that had once flourished in medieval England before fading into obscurity. Many other forgotten names share a similar story. Countless early English forms were gradually displaced by their Latinized versions, leaving behind a treasure trove of names that feel surprisingly fresh today. With their short, crisp sounds and understated elegance, many of these medieval forms fit seamlessly into modern naming trends.

• Agace (AG-es) – Early English form of Agatha.
• Anastace, Anstice (AN-stis) – Medieval English forms of Anastasia.
• Annis – Vernacular form of Agnes.
• Appelin, Apolyn, Applyn – Early modern English forms of Apollonia.
• Avelyn – Old English form of Aveline.
• Barbery (BAR-beh-ree; BAR-bree) – Middle English vernacular of Barbara.
• Basily (BAZ-e-lee) – Feminine form of Basil, from Basilia.
• Beaton (BEE-tun) – Diminutive form of Beata
• Bennet – early English form of Benedicta, it was a unisex name in Medieval times.
• Blandin (BLAN-din) – early English form of Blandina
• Christian – Early English form of Christiana.
• Collys, Collis (KAHL-lis) – this was used as the English form of Coline, a diminutive form of Nicholin.
• Clemence – English vernacular form of Clementia.
• Dowse (DOWS) – English vernacular form of Dulcie.
• Effemy (EFF-eh-me)– Middle English for Euphemia.
• Emblem – Early form of Emeline; once written as Emblen or Emelyn.
• Ibbot, Ebotte (IB-bet; EB-bet)– Pet forms of Isabella or Elizabeth.
• Jacket – Diminutive form of Jacquetta.
• Jackman; Jacquemine (would have been pronounced JACK-e-men; JACK-men) – Vernacular English rendering of Jacquemina (French).
• Josian (JOZE-ee-an)– English forms of Josiana.
• Julian – Used for Juliana in medieval England; Julian was once unisex.
• Lavin (LAY-vin) – Middle English form of Lavinia.
• Lette (LET) – Vernacular form of Leta.
• Lettice (LET-iss) – Earlier form of Letitia. (Later mocked because of its similarity to “lettuce.”)
• Marin (MARE-en) – Medieval English for Marina.
• Nicholin (NICK-o-lin) – Vernacular feminine of Nicholas (Nicholina).
• Parnell, Parnel (PAR-nel) – English forms of Petronella. (Parnell later fell out of favor when it became slang for a prostitute in the Middle Ages.)
• Perrin (PARE-in) – Feminine diminutive of Perina (from Petronilla).
• Pleasance – From Plescencia or Placentia (“pleasant, agreeable”).
• Rain – Vernacular of Regina.
• Sabine, Sabin (SAY-bin / SAB-in) – English vernaculars of Sabina.
• Scolace (SKAL-es) – Early English form of Scolastica (Scholastica).
• Senobie (SEN-o-bee) – Medieval English version of Zenobia.
• Sence – Early form of Sancia or Sancha.
• Swanel – From Swanhild (“battle swan”), found in Middle English records.
• Thomesin, Thomeson – Feminine diminutives of Thomas (Thomasina).