Latin Names

A pretty and plausible Latin name that's gotten a bad rap through the years via a link to Lucrezia Borgia, who, though long considered a demon poisoner, was actually a patron of learning and the arts.
 Lucretia is a U.S. First Lady name, borne by the wife of President James A. Garfield; a worthy namesake is Lucretia Mott, a Quaker abolitionist, and peace and women's rights advocate.
 In the Harry Potter saga, Lucretia Black Prewett is a pure-blood witch.

Lucretia

While only 8 baby girls were named Milia in the US in 2021, its rise seems inevitable along with the rise of Emilia and Mila and other similar names. Like Livia, Milia has the advantage of being different from the rest, but the disadvantage of maybe not being different enough (and being a word for tiny, harmless white spots on skin).

 In Greek, Milia means "apple tree" and is also found as a place name in Greece.

Milia

More often spelled Nika, this is a well-used diminutive for the Eastern European Veronika, and there's no reason that the same principle can't apply in the West. It makes a venerated saint's name sound fresh and cute.


Nica

An old aristocratic English name which also belongs to Cambridge college, named for George Augustus Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand, subsequently Bishop of Lichfield. 

Selwyn

Aemilia is the Ancient Roman spelling of the popular Emilia and family. With Emilia and Amelia so popular, this version, while authentic and attractive, will only create confusion without adding real distinction.

Aemilia

The name of a woman who played a dramatic role in ancient Roman legend, it seems quite slight for modern use.
Variation: ARIA

Arria

One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May or Rae.
 Other associations with bay are the bay laurel tree, prized since ancient times for its medicinal and culinary (bay leaves!) properties, and the reddish-brown color usually applied to horses. There's also the Old English connection, from beġ meaning "berry", making it a fun name for any future Baby Berry. And of course there is the contemporary term of endearment, "Bae", short for baby. 
 Bay Kennish was a character on the show Switched at Birth; and conservative political commentator Bay Buchanan was born Angela Marie.

The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.

Benedetta

All names bella have been popular in recent years, and though Clarabella suffers from its association with Clarabelle clown and cow, it may rise as those negative images fade.

Clarabella

Corin is a Shakespearean male name that could easily be adapted for a girl, making a strong update for Corinne or Karen.

Corin

Delphina is another form of the sleek French Delphine, rising in popularity. The Blessed Delphina was a Provencal nun.

Delphina

Florence is back, and the adorable short form Flory (or Florie) is too.  Or you could just choose Flora and cover all bases with one stroke.

Flory

Gregoria

On one hand, Caron is a place name, deived from the Welsh caru meaning "to love", and therefore related to Carys and Caradoc. Alternatively, it's influenced by the Greek Charon ("fierce brightness" and mythological ferryman for the dead) or the French Chèron (possibly from Roman Carinu, "beloved, dear").

Caron

Roman statesman's name with a cool and quirky sound. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman scholar, orator and lawyer who had an immense impact on the Latin language. 

Cicero

Dacia was an ancient region comprised of what is modern Romania and Moldova and smaller parts of other Eastern European countries.  Its inhabitants were called the Dacians, and the Dacian Kingdom flourished around the time of Christ until it was toppled by the Romans.  Daciana is the female version sometimes used in Romania.

Dacian

We approve of this name for a girl, but prefer the au, Laura-Laurenish, spelling.


Lawrence

The modern French take on Luna, ranking in the French Top 100, but sure to cause confusion in the US.

Louna

Marcellina is one feminine form of the names derived from the ancient Roman Marcellus.  There was a Saint Marcellina who was a 4th century virgin and the only sister of Saint Ambrose.

Marcellina

Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.

Orabella

Latin names are plentiful throughout English-speaking countries, as Latin is one of the root languages for English. Latin names include many of the most popular baby names in the Western world, including Lucy and Oliver, Julia, and Miles.

Latin names in the US Top 100 for girls include Ava, Clara, Lillian, Olivia, and Stella. For boys, Latin names in the US Top 100 include Dominic, Lucas, Julian, Roman, and Sebastian. In Rome, popular names include Cecilia, Viola, Christian, and Santiago.

Of course, many unique baby names have Latin origins too, such as Sidra, Domino, and Vesper. Latin was the language of ancient Rome, another source for fashionable modern names, such as Augustus, Cassius, and Octavia.

Browse all of our Latin baby names here, ordered by popularity on Nameberry. 

Latin names of origin in the Latin language, the language and culture of ancient Rome, including Latin names for boys and Latin names for girls, with meanings and popularity. (Page 25)