By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 47 pages
of 47
Latin
"the fragrant mignonette blossom"
A town in the San Fernando Valley: slightly better than Encino or Tarzana.
"strong one"
Now that Courtney is becoming more unisex for babies, surname Fortney also seems like a viable name for a boy. It fits the trend for names with an -ey ending like Huxley and Finley, with an added…
"to be born again"
Common French and German alternative to Renata.
Feminine variation of Quirinus, Roman mythology name
Quirina is the feminine form of Quirinus, the name of the Sabine god of war. This is one mythological name that has not traveled to the modern world -- we've found no babies ever name Quirina or…
"essence"
Sounds like a fictional rank of royalty.
"fifth"
The daintiest and most accessible of the many Q names for a fifth child, now used for girls situated anywhere in the birth order.
French variation of Hadrian
What life Hadrien and Hadrian enjoy today, they owe to Adrian along with the revival of ancient Roman names in general. Hadrian was a 2nd century Roman emperor famous for his wall.
Latin from Greek
"cheerful, happy"
The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.
"the fifth"
Like Quentin, Quintin and Quintana, Quintia was once reserved for the fifth child in a family, but now would make an interesting choice for a child coming anywhere in the birth order.
"harmless, innocent"
Innocent, the name of thirteen popes, is rarely heard in a secular setting, where its loaded meaning could open the door to ridicule.
"fourth"
Octavia has the numerical meaning doubled (eighth) and is much more user-friendly.
"small plum"
Most ella names are hot, but this is one that won't catch fire because of the disagreeable connotations of prunes.
"first rose"
Primula is related to Primrose, the name and the flower, and would make a quirky yet charming (or is it charming yet quirky?) botanical name for a first daughter.
"first"
Will assure your daughter she's numero uno.
"apple"
This name of the Roman goddess of fruit trees is also associated with a suburban town in Southern California.
Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the…
"lost"
A Shakespearean invention for an abandoned baby in The Winter's Tale , Perdita's sense of loss has always been off-putting to parents. But her image was somewhat resuscitated by its association with…
"feather"
Occasionally heard in England, rarely here.
"peace"
A cool name, representing the Roman goddess of peace and offering a positive message to bestow upon a child. Pax is one of the most stylish new names that mean peace .
Latin, from Palmyra, ancient Syrian city
"palm tree; pilgrim"
A place name relating to the tropical palm tree, or a feminine form of Palmiro, meaning "pilgrim".
