​
​
Advanced Search

Alternatives To Eliana

  1. Cecelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Cecelia, with this spelling, got some recent attention as the name of Jim and Pam's baby on The Office -- and also the name of actress Jenna Fischer's newborn niece. A spelling variation of Cecilia that has a gently old-fashioned feel and several appealing short forms, including Celia, Celie, and, as on the TV show, Cece. Three times as many babies are given the Cecilia spelling as get the Cecelia one, though if you plan on calling your daughter Cece or Celia, Cecelia may feel like the more logical spelling.
  2. Elia

    • Origin:

      Spanish feminization of Elio, Italian and Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      Though the most famous Elia, screenwriter Kazan, was male, this name sounds like a spin on many popular girls' names, from Ella to Ellie to Isla and Leah. While the Italian pronunciation has the middle syllable as LEE, making it closer to the original Elijah would give the middle syllable a long I sound — eh-LYE-ah.
  3. Elva

    • Origin:

      Icelandic and Danish form of Alf, anglicized form of Ailbhe, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bright, light, white; elf"

    • Description:

      Elva is a multicultural choice, being both an anglicization of the Irish Ailbhe and an feminine form of the name Alf, meaning "elf". Popular in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, it remaining in the charts until the '70s, but it has not been given since. The alternative form Alva has faired slightly better, while in Ireland, Ailbhe remains the preferred spelling. Nevertheless, Elva combines the sounds of Elsa, Ella, Eva, and Ever and may also appeal to those expecting a baby at Christmas.
  4. Mariana

    • Origin:

      Latin, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian

    • Meaning:

      "related to the god Mars"

    • Description:

      Mariana is that unusual name that is more than the sum of its parts. While Mary or Maria and Ana or Anna are both perfectly nice classic names, Mariana achieves a lyrical elegance that transcends them.
  5. Eleanora

    • Origin:

      Latinate form of Eleanor, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Eleanor is back, Nora is back, and, as predicted, Eleanora is back too.
  6. Estella

    • Origin:

      Latinate form of Estelle

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Estella is a pretty Latin name, most notably associated with the character in Dickens's Great Expectations, adopted and raised to reek Miss Haversham's revenge on men. With the popularity of Stella, Ella, Esther, and Esme, however, the elaborate Estella has also been making moves up the US charts in recent years.
  7. Valencia

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "brave, strong"

    • Description:

      This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.
  8. Kelly

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "war"

    • Description:

      Once the quintessential bouncy teenager name, Kelly helped launch the trend of unisex Irish names . But it now takes a backseat to more substantial surname names like Kennedy.
  9. Nella

    • Description:

      Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or 'in the,' while as a short form, it often inherits meanings from its longer versions. Nella has historical usage dating back centuries but has experienced periods of renewed popularity in recent decades. The name has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet not overused. With its brief two syllables and melodic sound, Nella strikes a balance between simplicity and distinctiveness. The name carries connotations of sweetness and strength, making it versatile for different personalities.

  10. Elisa

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian, diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Description:

      Elisa is one of the most appealing of this contingent of Elizabeth-related names. In the US, Eliza is much more stylish these days, but Elisa is very popular internationally — especially in Europe and Latin America.
  11. Aelia

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      This little-known Ancient Roman name might make a fresh spin on the popular Ella, Ayla, Isla contingent. The "ae" is pronounced "ee" (think Aesop's fables).The Annals of Aeliana is a children's fantasy series by Ryan Watters. The meaning is thought to derive from the Greek helios, or sun.
  12. Eluned

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "idol, image"

    • Description:

      Romantic and mysterious, Eluned's beauty and intelligence were legendary in Welsh legend; she was the handmaiden of the Lady of the Fountain in a Welsh Arthurian romance, who had a magic ring that made the wearer invisible. Pronunciation is usually similar in emphasis to Eleanor, but with ned instead of nor at the end. However, it's sometimes also pronounced el-LIN-ed or even shortened to Luned, the sounce of Lynette, in Tennyson's Gareth and Lynette.
  13. Ilia

    • Origin:

      Variation of Iliana or Julia, Greek, Basque, Bulgarian "from Illium or Troy; youthful or sky father; Yahweh is God"

    • Meaning:

      "from Illium or Troy; youthful or sky father; Yahweh is God"

    • Description:

      Three syllables in only four letters is quite a feat, but that's exactly what you get with Ilia, a versatile, unisex option with various origins. It could derive from the Greek Iliana, which could denote someone from Illium, or it could be a feminine form of Ilian, a form of Elijah. Alternatively, it is a Basque form of Julia, or a Bulgarian feminine form of Ilya, with again links back to Elijah. Currently a gender neutral option in the US, it may be exclusively masculine elsewhere.
  14. Eleonora

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor

    • Description:

      Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
  15. Eliane

    • Origin:

      Variation of Eliana, Hebrew, or Latin from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "my God has answered; sun"

    • Description:

      Eliane is a melodic name with the very fashionable El- beginning. Lovely and lilting as it is, be aware that there are many El- variations around these days, and little girls called Ellie as a result.
  16. Lynette

    • Origin:

      French elaboration of Lynn or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "idol"

    • Description:

      Linda begat Lynn which gave way to Lynette, which peaked in the late 1960s. Lynette has been off the Top 1000 for a couple decades now, and the Lynn variations finding the most favor are those that put the "lyn" part at the end: Evelyn, Madelyn, Brooklyn.
  17. Emiliana

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emily

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      The enormous popularity of Emily and Emma means that parents will be looking further afield for substitutes -- and this is one of the prettiest.

  18. Elana

    • Description:

      Elana is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, derived from variants of Elena, Helen, or Elaine. It means 'light,' 'bright one,' or 'torch.' This melodic name combines the elegance of Elena with a slightly unique spelling, making it both familiar and distinctive. Elana gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s but has remained relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a name with cultural roots and a gentle sound. The name carries a warm, luminous quality that reflects its meaning, and it works well across various cultural backgrounds while maintaining its connection to Hebrew heritage.

  19. Eldana

    • Description:

      Eldana is a feminine name with possible Hebrew origins, potentially derived from 'El' meaning 'God' combined with 'Dana' which may relate to 'judgment' or 'to judge.' Alternatively, it might be connected to ancient Semitic origins meaning 'God has judged' or 'God is my judge.' The name remains quite rare globally and has never appeared on popular naming charts in the United States or other Western countries. Despite its rarity, Eldana has a melodic quality and familiar structure that makes it accessible. The name has seen limited usage in Israel and among Jewish communities, as well as occasionally in parts of Eastern Europe and Ethiopia. Its uncommon nature offers individuality while its phonetic structure feels both distinctive and approachable.
  20. Aliana

    • Origin:

      Variation of Eliana

    • Description:

      The uber-popular nickname-name Ellie has led to the surge of all names that can be shortened as such. This includes Eliana, a current go-to for parents seeking a frilly name that shortens to a cuter option. Aliana is riding a similar wave, though this time the presumed nickname is Ali/Allie.