By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 42 pages
of 42
Scandinavian, diminutive of Petronella, or Hebrew
"stone or marvel of God"
This rare name crosses cultures. With the popularity of Ella and Bella, perhaps we'll hear more of Pella one day soon?
Hebrew
"the gold of Jehovah"
Often heard in Israel, spelled with or without the final h.
Hungarian variation of Anna; Hindi
"grace; emerald, leaf"
Panna is a name with many allusions — in addition to being a Hungarian variant of Anna (PAWN-naw) and a Hindi gemstone name (PAHN-nah), it is also a serene and sacred city in India and the Italian…
"light"
A bit blunt.
"fawn or gazelle"
Old Testament name of the daughter-in-law of Naomi, now eclipsed by the originally misspelled Oprah. Oprah Winfrey may have made her name more famous than this original Biblical version, but no baby…
Variation of Orpah, Hebrew
The misspelling that created an indelibly one-person name. And we mean that literally: Despite Oprah Winfrey's fame and appeal, there were no baby girls named Oprah last year, OR Orpah. The Biblical…
"fawn"
The name of a famous Israeli singer, Ofra Haza, but here it would be confused with Oprah.
"gold"
Identified with a region famous for its gold, more commonly spelled Ophira.
"fair, righteous"
A biblical name that was used in colonial times, but which has an unpleasant sound to the modern ear.
"courageous"
Virtually unknown in this country, has an interesting, rhythmic feel.
"a flower bud"
Has a pleasantly fizzy, effervescent feeling.
"candle, light"
Because of its meaning, this is a symbolic name given to girls born on Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Persian
"short spear"
This is most familiar here as a musical name, via Indian Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta, but it certainly could be used by others.
"wolf"
Sharp and sleek, it refers to Benjamin being compared to a wolf in Genesis.
"pleasant, agreeable, likeable"
One of the less attractive Hebrew choices.
"comfort"
See NECHAMA.
"song"
In the Bible, a son of Abraham and Keturah; this ancient and musical name nonetheless sounds like a character in a 1950s science fiction movie.
"prosperous, successful"
Hebrew name with a bountiful meaning but a less-than-attractive sound.
"God rejoices"
Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.
"swift, energetic"
An energetic and distinctive choice.
