Names That Mean Silver

This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.

A modern Welsh name that will be misunderstood as Irene.

Spelling variant of Arianwen. Note that in Welsh, the -wyn suffix is usually masculine.

An intriguing Greek name with an appealing meaning.

One of several similar feminine names often found in the Muslim world but also a Native American name. And in Greenlandic, Naja means "a boy's younger sister", which could be a sweet connection to a big brother. It's a relatively popular name in Denmark.

A more modern form of Argyros.

A sparkling choice for a nighttime-born daughter.

Olympic skier Picabo Street was allowed to choose her name at the age of three, and picked it possibly (a) after a nearby Idaho town or (b) because she loved to play peekaboo. No longer a single-person name, it is now worn by a number of satisfied bearers.

Rare and rhythmic.

Fleetwood Mac introduced the world to Rhiannon, but Arianrhod is a lesser-known woman of Welsh legend. Strap in, this is a name story!

South America provides a continent of interesting, undiscovered names -- Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and the tango-rhythmed Argentina.

Related to the Indian word and currency "rupee', Rupa derives its meaning from the ancient Sanskrit language, and can mean both silver and beautiful. Rupa also has strong historical and literary associations (as Rupa Bhawani was a noted 16th Century poetess and mystic) from Kashmir.

Common name in Japan, would have alcoholic allusions here.

Fiḍḍa al-Nūbīyya was a significant Islamic figure best known for being the maid of Fatima al-Zahra — the Prophet Muhammad's daughter. Fiḍḍa famously spoke in Quranic verses for over 20 years.

This shimmering name belongs to an elf in Lord of the Rings. She was the daughter of Galadriel, the wife of Elrond, and the mother of Arwen.

A shimmery ancient Roman name that could still shine today. VARIATION: ARGENTA

An alternative spelling, found in some sources, of Arianrhod. This version lacks the fashionable "Aria" sound that is part of Arianrhod's appeal.