By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 40 pages
of 40
Arabic, Greek
"shining, radiant; throat"
Lamia is a name with two very different images: from its Arabic roots, it is a bright yet gentle choice with a glowing meaning. As a Greek name however, Lamia appears in mythology as a child-eating…
Greek
"woman, wife"
Succinct and simple in spelling, Leda is a currently rare choice from Greek mythology with that appealing four-letter, ending in -a format of Lyra, Maia, Vada, Veda, and Nora. Borne by a Spartan…
Liliah is a delicate feminine name with Hebrew origins, considered a variation of Lilith or Delilah. It may also be connected to the word 'lilac' or 'lily,' flowering plants that symbolize innocence…
German; English, from Greek
"people of victory"
Nicola, an elegant Latinate feminization of Nicholas, has long been standard issue for English girls but for some reason has never voyaged across the Atlantic, which we consider a pity, especially as…
Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Just when we had written off Peggy as the eternal perky, pug-nosed prom-queen she projected from the 1920s into the fifties, along came Mad Men , with intriguing mid-century characters with names…
Greek mythology name
"cassia juice"
Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related…
English diminutive of Catherine
"pure"
Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short…
"gold"
Cressida is a golden, mythological, and Shakespearean name, much better known in Britain than it is in the US. Given to just 11 American girls in a recent year — though still the highest number on…
Demitrius is a masculine name that represents an alternative spelling of Demetrius, which comes from the ancient Greek name Dēmḗtrios (Δημήτριος), meaning 'devoted to Demeter' (the Greek goddess of…
"chaste maiden"
Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon. It was briefly in the US charts in the late 19th century.
"blessed"
Macarius, the name of several early saints, is virtually unknown in the U.S. though its Spanish forms Macario and the feminine Macaria are sometimes used. With the revival of many ancient s-ending…
Tasia is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Anastasia, which comes from Greek meaning 'resurrection.' This shortened form maintains the melodic quality of its longer counterpart while…
Greek, feminine form of Basil
"royal"
Many old-school girl names are feminine forms of male names. This one gets an exotic twist from being the female version not of Basil but the form used very commonly in Greece, Vasilios. This…
Symeon is a historical Greek variant of Simon, originating from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning "he has heard" or "listening." This ancient form appears in the New Testament and was borne by several…
"gentle girl"
This name of an ancient fertility goddess is associated with the month of May and could make a pretty, unusual choice for a springtime baby. Damaris is a similar possibility.
"gift of the sun"
Elidi is intriguing but potentially confusing. Try the French Elodie instead.
"wide justice"
Flowing and intriguing, Eurydice is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the wife of musician Orpheus. After she is poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, Orpheus attempts to rescue…
Diminutive of Alexander, Greek
"defending men"
There's Zan and there's Xan--take your pick. Both of these are the latest generation of Alexander nicknames, Xan having been noticed first as a character on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (a rich source…
"hearth, fireside"
Hestia is the name of the Greek goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. Though Hestia has been long dormant as a name, it's a possibility for the parent in search of a classic name with deep roots…
"Christian, anointed"
See CRISTIANA.
