Updated November 2023
Across 94 pages
of 94
Welsh
"silver wheel"
Fleetwood Mac introduced the world to Rhiannon, but Arianrhod is a lesser-known woman of Welsh legend. Strap in, this is a name story! In the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, a medieval tale, she gives…
Latin from Greek
"opposite the north"
Ed Sheeran put this continental place name on the map when he used it as the middle name for his daughter Lyra, born in 2020.
Proto-Polynesian place name
"place of the gods"
Evocative of the lush islands, Hawaii is a place name that will transport you — at least in spirit.
Hawaiian variation of Miriam
"drop of the sea"
This Hawaiian take on Miriam has all the sounds of a modern-day smash hit — think Amelia, Mila, etc. — but is virtually undiscovered.
Hawaiian
"heavenly flower"
Another name to add to the lineup of lanis, but the unfortunate first syllable will likely keep this one rare. Trivia tidbit: Pualani is the official name of the character in the Hawaiian Airlines…
Greek
"prosperity"
Not to be confused with Euphoria, Euporia was the Greek goddess of abundance.
"abundance"
In Greek mythology, Euthenia was among the younger Charites. She was the spirit of prosperity.
Greek, meaning unknown
An elaborate way to get to Cleo, rooted in Greek mythology. Cleocharia was a water nymph married to King Lelex of Laconia.
"longed for"
Lilaia is the name of a city in Ancient Greece, as well as a modern village, after the mythological nymph Lilaea. As Alaia makes its way up the charts, could parents be convinced to turn to Lilaia?
"woman raging in the mountains"
As elaborate O names such as Olympia and Ophelia gain popularity, Orithyia seems more and more usable. It's the name of several women in Greek mythology, including Orithyia, Queen of the Amazon, who…
Aramaic
"of the furrow"
Feminine form of Bartolomeo
Persian and Punjabi
"jasmine flower"
Persian and Punjabi variant of Jasmine or Yasmin
Yoruba
"born at the right time"
A stunning and unique West African name for a daughter.
Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
"our treasure"
This South African name is often shortened to the spunky nickname Gugu.
Urhobo
"here is my wealth"
A unisex name used among the Urhobo people of Southern Nigeria.
Luhya
"born during weeding season"
The Luhya people of Kenya have male and female names that denote the season the child was born in — Harvest, Planting, Rain, Weeding, Drought, or Hunger Season. Naliaka is the feminine name for…
Roman mythology
"dew"
Mythological Hersilia was the wife of Romulus, founder of Rome. She was later deified as Hora. The exact etymology of her name is unknown, however, possible theories include that it comes from the…
Latin
"envy; to look against"
Invidia's meaning isn't very pleasant — as a Roman goddess, she was the personification of envy. However, Invidia has the sounds of an attractive name, not unlike Olivia.
"forethought"
Providentia was an ancient Roman goddess that was important to religion and the Imperial cult of ancient Rome. She personified the ability to foresee and make provisions. As a baby name, Providentia…
"salt"
Salacia was the goddess of the sea in ancient Roman mythology — the divine personification of the calm, sunlit saltwater. She was also a wife of Neptune. Her name derives from sal , Latin for "salt."