Names That Mean Also
Across 5 pages
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Nessa
Scandinavian
"headlands, promontory"
Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
Alisha
Phonetic spelling of Alicia; also Sanskrit
"protected by God"
This name has two derivations. One is as a member of the well-populated Alice/Alicia family (with an overly literal spelling), which gives it the meaning "noble"; the other is an Urdu name with the…
Melia
Greek mythology name, diminutive of Amelia, or Hawaiian
"ash tree; honey; work; plumeria"
This is a rich, melodic shortening of the popular girls' name Amelia that can stand on its own. There are several figures in Greek myth named Melia, most notably a daughter of Oceanus. The Meliae are…
Burgundy
French place-name; also color name
It's a place. It's a wine. It's a color. -- no wonder trend-heavy Burgundy's been discovered as a name.
Sherry
Phonetic variation of French Cheri; also a Spanish fortified wine
Peppy cheerleader name of the 1960s and 70s that's sure to evoke the Four Seasons song of that name.
Claret
English word name from French and Latin
"deep purple-red; clear"
Rich purplish red color choice that may gain favor along with Claire, though the wine connection can't be ignored.
Courtney
English from French
"short nose; courteous, from the court"
Among the Top 20 names of the 1990s, today's Courtney is more apt to be the babysitter than the baby. Courtney has dropped since its peak at Number 17 in 1995. Familiar from Courtney Love and…
Dai
Japanese
"to shine"
Pronunciation would not be obvious to Americans.
Doreen
Variation of Dora; also Anglicized variation of Irish Doireann
"sullen"
Much fresher Irish imports available for colleens now.
Dorinda
Greek
"bountiful gift"
Cinderella stepsister type Victorian-valentine name.
Elmira
English, Turkish
"noblewoman; country, world commander; ruler of the people"
A name with various origins, Elmira combines the sounds of multicultural Mira with the popular El- beginning. Despite this, the name is rarely heard in the US, though it does rank in the Top 100…
Isa
Germanic, Persian, or diminutive of Isabel
"ice; strong-willed; pledged to God"
Isa is a name unto itself as both a Persian name meaning "strong-willed" and as Germanic one derived from the element is meaning "ice". It can also be a short form of Isabel, Isabella, Isadora,…
Marguerite
French variation of Margaret; also a flower name
"pearl; daisy"
Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here. Another reason you might…
Randa
English, feminine variation of Randall; also Arabic
"delicate desert tree"
Sounds incomplete, like a pet form of Miranda.
Naida
Greek
"water nymph,"
Possibility for a girl born under one of the water signs -- Cancer, Pisces, or Scorpio.