Saint Names for Girls
- Hermelinda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"powerful and gentle"Description:
An ancient Germanic name that's so clunky and contrarian it's actually cool. One famous Hermelinda was a medieval queen of the Lombards; another was a Belgian saint.
- Fabiola
Origin:
French, Spanish, Italian, and German variation of FabiaMeaning:
"bean grower"Description:
Fabiola was the romantically elaborate name of a saint who organized the first hospice. Neither Fabiola nor Fabia appear on the most recent US extended list of names given to five or more babies, though Fabiana and Fabianna are both used.
- Valery
Origin:
Variation of Valerie, FrenchMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
Valery was in the Top 1000 from 2005 to 2009, and reemerged in 2018. This spelling is often used among Hispanic families in the US.
- Crispina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"curly-haired"Description:
Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.
- Bernardine
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"brave as a bear"Description:
Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name.
- Kateri
Origin:
Mohawk variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
St. Kateri Teckakwitha is the first Native American saint, canonized in 2012. St. Kateri was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior, born in 1656 in upstate New York. She converted to Christianity at age 20 and died at 24, and was known as "Lily of the Mohawk." Kateri was the name the saint took on, a native variation of Katherine, upon her baptism.
- Joaquina
Origin:
Feminine variation of Joaquin, SpanishMeaning:
"God will judge"Description:
As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.
- Maxellendis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A rare saint name, more commonly transcribed in its French form, Maxellende, Maxellendis is associated with a 7th-century French martyr, who is invoked to cure eye diseases and is considered the patron saint of the visually impaired.
- Domitilla
Origin:
Italian feminine diminutive of Roman family name Domitius, LatinMeaning:
"tamed"Description:
Domitilla is the name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasianus and the mother of the emperors Titus and Domitianus. There is a Santa Domitilla with catacombs in Rome named after her.
- Julitta
Origin:
Dutch variation of Julia, LatinMeaning:
"youthful or sky father"Description:
This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.
- Maxellende
Origin:
French form of Maxellendis, Saint nameMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A rare saint's name, Maxellende was a 7th-century martyr, associated with the French Catholic church. She is invoked to cure eye diseases and is more generally the patron saint of the visually impaired. Her name itself is a French form of Maxellendis, possibly linked to Maxence and Maximus meaning "greatest". Other forms of the name are Maxelende (borne by Filipino composer Maxelende Ganade) and Maxeline.
- Michelina
Origin:
Italian diminutive of Michele, feminine form of Michael, HebrewMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.
- Tekakwitha
Origin:
MohawkMeaning:
"she who puts things in place; she who bumps into things"Description:
Tekakwitha was a 17th-century Mohawk woman, who survived the smallpox epidemic that killed her family. She is known for rejecting pressures from those around her to give up her Catholic beliefs and to marry someone who they approved of instead. She later fled her village and converted to Catholicism.
- Arthelais
Origin:
Saint name, exact etymology unknownDescription:
The name of a 6th century Christian saint, Arthelais was the daughter of a Roman official who had to flee to Italy after the emperor Justinian tried to compromise her vows of chastity. She was kidnapped by highway men on her way, but was later freed, after the servants travelling with her prayed for her release. She is venerated as the patron saint of kidnap victims, exiled people, and the sick.
- Hilaria
Origin:
Latin, SpanishMeaning:
"cheerful"Description:
Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert and wife of Alec, Hilaria Baldwin, who was born Hillary.
- Bibiana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.
- Germaine
Origin:
Feminine variation of Germain, FrenchMeaning:
"from Germany"Description:
Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough -- which just might make it the perfect blend of the two cultures. All forms of Germain derive from the Latin Germanus, referring to a person from Germany.
- Maxeline
Origin:
Variation of Maxellende, FrenchMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and invoked to cure eye diseases.
- Justa
Origin:
Feminine form of Justus, LatinMeaning:
"just"Description:
Justa is an ancient saints' name. Saints Justa and Rufina were martyred sisters who are today the patron saints of Seville in Spain.
- Gratia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Although the saintly Gratia was male -- Blessed Gratia of Kotor -- this name feels quite female today.
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