Extravagant names.......

  1. Theodosia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia" is a song in the smash musical Hamilton), and it was the birth name of silent screen vamp Theda Bara. Theodosia actually appeared on the US popularity lists in the 1880s and 90s.
  2. Venetia
    • Origin:

      Italian place-name
    • Description:

      Venetia, the name of the region encompassing Venice, has a radiant, picturesque authenticity, as do the related Venezia and Venice.
  3. Ambrosia
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Ambrose
    • Meaning:

      "Immortal"
    • Description:

      Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
  4. Sophronia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sensible, prudent"
    • Description:

      Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron, it means "sensible, self-restrained".
  5. Sistine
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Sylvester Stallone used Sistine, the name of the Vatican chapel, the site of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling, for one of his daughters -- an imaginative choice.
  6. Florentina
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "blooming"
    • Description:

      The Latin names for girls Florentina may be the most feminissima and flowery of the 'Flor" names. Another option would be Fiorentina, though you can also downshift to Flora or Florence.
  7. Bluebell
    • Origin:

      Flower name from English
    • Meaning:

      "blue bell"
    • Description:

      Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish — choice. Andie MacDowell has a granddaughter named Bluebell Coyote through her daughter Rainey Qualley.
  8. Tempest
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "turbulent, stormy"
    • Description:

      Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.
  9. Concetta
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.
  10. Vesperia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "evening"
    • Description:

      An elaborate form of Vesper, taken from the Latin word for evening, and used to describe a Christian evening prayer. This form may be more specifically tied to the Esperanto Vespera.
  11. Cleopatra
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "glory of the father"
    • Description:

      A royal name in ancient Egypt that's never quite made it to the modern world, though nickname Cleo is widely used. Other now-extinct Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleora and Cleola, achieved some popularity in the early 20th century when there was a crazy for all things Egypt-related as the ancient tombs were opened and artifacts displayed. In the US, Cleopatra became a popular silent film in 1917 starring Theda Bara.
  12. Calpurnia
    • Origin:

      Latin "chalice; cup"
    • Meaning:

      "chalice; cup"
    • Description:

      Calpurnia is a name with a massive history. As the third and final wife of Julius Caesar, Calpurnia has been forever depicted in literature (Shakespeare) and film (Cleopatra; Rome) as a modest and sweet woman, utterly devoted to Caesar. She is said to have foretold his death and to have tried (and failed) to have warned him of the treachery of his trusted allies. Following Caesar's assassination, Calpurnia never remarried.
  13. Teodora
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Slovene and Serbian form of Theodora
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Teodora is an extremely attractive and international choice, with several equally attractive, user-friendly nicknames. Appealing short forms might include Tea, Dora, or Dory for English speakers, however, classic diminutives include the Spanish, Italian, Serbian and Portuguese Dora, the Bulgarian Todorka, and the Swedish Thea.
  14. Cricket
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Nickname name from the era of Father Knows Best, though we can see it making something of a comeback, a la Clover and Pippa. Cricket has new potential especially since it has recently been chosen by Busy Philipps. Still, it's one of the quirkier girl names starting with C.
  15. Vendela
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "wanderer"
    • Description:

      An unusual name associated with the gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian model, actress, and TV host, Vendela is possibly a feminine form of Wendell.
  16. Constantina
    • Origin:

      Latin, female variation of Constantinus
    • Meaning:

      "constant, unchanging"
    • Description:

      Constantina is a pretty, feminissima, if lengthy, variation on the Constance theme. The fourth century Constantina, also known as Constantia and Constantiana, was the eldest daughter of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his second wife Fausta, daughter of Emperor Maximian. Constantina received the title of Augusta by her father, and is venerated as a saint; in English she is also known as Saint Constance.
  17. Honoria
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "woman of honor"
    • Description:

      This is an eighteenth century elaboration of Honor found in Charles Dickens (Bleak House) but rarely heard here and now.
  18. Hildegarde
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "comrade in arms"
    • Description:

      French form of Hildegard
  19. Andorra
    • Origin:

      European place-name
    • Description:

      Andorra is the pretty name of a pocket-sized princedom in the Pyrenees, noted for its skiing.
  20. Adoria
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift, beloved, adored"
    • Description:

      Naming your baby Adoria is a little like naming her Love or Desire. It's a loving message, but perhaps a bit too loving.

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