Whimsical Girls' Names

Solstice

English from Latin

"when the sun stands still"

Solstice graduated from word to official first name when author Lionel Shriver used it for a character in her novel Big Brother . But of course, there were people named Solstice before: 16 baby girls…

Sylvianne

Sylvianne is an elegant feminine name that represents an elaborate extension of Sylvia, which derives from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' The addition of the French-inspired suffix…

Wendeline

Wendeline is a feminine name that serves as an elaborate form of Wendy or a feminine version of Wendell. The name has Germanic roots, likely connected to the elements 'wand' meaning 'to wander' and…

Xiamara

Feminine variation of Guiomar, Spanish, Portuguese

"famous in battle"

The longer form of Xia is more rhythmic but also more problematic.

Zea

Latin

"grain"

An unusual possibility; Zea would fit right in with schoolmates named Tea and Leya.

Zinaida

Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian form of Zenaida, Greek

"life of Zeus; dedicated to Zeus"

A name is a bright, sharp sound and an air of antiquity, Zinaida is associated with genus of white-winged doves, a first-century saint and doctor, and the highest of the Greek gods. This particular…

Zoraida

Arabic

"captivating woman"

This name of a beautiful Moorish woman character in Don Quixote is rarely heard.

Eilidh

Gaelic form of Eleanor

Long popular in Scotland, this attractive name is strictly-speaking the Gaelic version of Eleanor, but is also often considered part of the Helen family of names. After the Normans introduced it into…

Forsythia

Flower name, from English surname

"Forsyth's flower"

This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.

Ligeia

Greek

"clear-voiced, whistling"

One of the Sirens in Greek mythology, Ligeia was also the title character in an Edgar Allan Poe story. The mythological Ligeia was half-bird, half-woman. Spelling may also be Lygeia or Ligia.

Melusine

French, folkloric name

Melusine was a figure from early European folklore, associated with the water. Her legends are especially connected with the northern and western areas of France, as well as the Low Countries. She is…

Neal

Irish

"cloud"

An Irish classic for boys that has a streamlined, surnamey, unisex appeal in this spelling.