Extravagant names.......

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.

Unusual and lush Roman name adopted, improbably, by the Puritans.

Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.

Literally meaning "beautiful lady" in Italian, Belladonna is the name of a poisonous flower also known as nightshade. This connection gives an otherwise flowery name a darker, more dramatic edge.

A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.

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.

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.

A name some people first encountered in the old children's book series The Five Little Peppers, in which Sophronia, the youngest of the Peppers is nicknamed Phronsie.`It was also used by Dickens in two of his novels: The Old Curiosity Shop and Our Mutual Friend.

Out-of-the-way place name (it's an antiquated holiday spot on England's south coast) that might make a brilliant choice. Actor/director Jon Favreau named his daughter Brighton Rose.

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.

French form of Hildegard

Venetia, the name of the region encompassing Venice, has a radiant, picturesque authenticity, as do the related Venezia and Venice.

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.

Hesperia is the name of one of the Hesperides, known as the daughters of Hesperus or evening. Hesperus is the personification of the evening star in Greek mythology, better known as Venus in Roman mythology. Variations include Hesper and Hespera.

Vesperia is an ethereal feminine name derived from Latin roots, specifically 'vesper' meaning 'evening' or 'evening star' (referring to the planet Venus when visible at sunset). This celestial connection gives the name an elegant, mystical quality. Vesperia evokes twilight skies and carries poetic associations with dusk's tranquil beauty. Though exceedingly rare in common usage, the name appears occasionally in literature and fantasy contexts. Vesperia shares etymological connections with words like 'vespers' (evening prayers) and the scientific term 'vespertine' (relating to evening). The name might appeal to parents drawn to astronomical names, Latin-derived vocabulary, or names with a romantic, otherworldly quality. Its uncommon nature offers substantial uniqueness while still maintaining melodic accessibility.

Andorra is the pretty name of a pocket-sized princedom in the Pyrenees, noted for its skiing.

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

Anatolia is a feminine name derived from the ancient Greek word "anatolē," meaning "sunrise" or "east." It refers to the geographic region now comprising most of modern Turkey, historically called Asia Minor. The name carries rich historical and geographical significance, evoking images of ancient civilizations and the meeting point between East and West. As a personal name, Anatolia remains quite rare, giving it an exotic and distinctive quality. Its melodious sound with alternating consonants and vowels creates a rhythmic, flowing pronunciation. The name's connection to sunrise symbolically represents new beginnings, hope, and illumination. For families with Turkish heritage, it might also serve as a meaningful cultural connection.

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.

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