Updated November 2023
Across 108 pages
of 108
Irish, English
"intoxicating"
An Anglicized form of Medb borrowed by both Shakespeare and Percy Bysshe Shelley for the of queen of the fairies. Perfect if you want something both adventurous and simple - though you could use it…
Norse
"peacefulness, mercy"
So airy, it's almost not there.
English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
"battle-mighty"
Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude…
Greek
"thunder"
Bronte is the lovely surname of the three novel-writing sisters, now used as a baby name; a fitting tribute for lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. An extra element of Bronte's appeal: the…
Poll is an uncommon feminine name that likely originated as a diminutive form of Mary, through the nickname pathway Mary → Molly → Polly → Poll. It emerged primarily in medieval and early modern…
Diminutive of Winifred or Winslet
Win might be an upbeat short form for a girl named Winifred or the new-fangled Winslet, or can stand on its own. The Welsh name Wynn feels more complete and sounds the same.
Brit is a feminine name with strong Scandinavian and British connections. Derived from 'Briton' or 'Britannia,' it refers to a person from Britain or of British descent. In Scandinavian countries,…
Bab is a diminutive feminine name with several possible origins. Most commonly, it functions as a nickname for Barbara, which derives from Greek meaning 'foreign' or 'strange.' In Persian culture,…
Marth is an uncommon feminine name that may have originated as a variant of Martha, which comes from the Aramaic word meaning 'lady' or 'mistress of the house.' The simplified spelling without the…
Eyde is a rare feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian influences. It likely derives from names like Ida or Ada, or possibly represents a variation of Edith, which means 'prosperous in war' or…
Brite is a feminine name with English language origins, essentially a creative spelling of 'bright.' This word-name draws from the English term meaning 'shining, radiant, or intelligent.' As a given…
Marne is a feminine name derived from geography, specifically the Marne River in France, site of two pivotal World War I battles. As a personal name, it gained limited recognition in the United…
Marje is a feminine name that serves as a shortened form of Marjorie, which itself derives from the medieval name Margery, a variant of Margaret meaning 'pearl.' This concise version offers a…
Edi is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Albanian, it's a short form of names containing the element 'ed' meaning 'wealth' or 'prosperity.' In Hebrew contexts, it may be a diminutive…
Brionne is a delicate feminine name of French origin that carries a subtle elegance. While relatively uncommon, it may be derived from Celtic roots related to 'bri' meaning 'high' or 'noble,' or…
English diminutive of Barbara, Greek
"foreign woman"
Barb is a midcentury nickname name that, like Deb and Sue, feels terminally dates now. But with the revival of Barbie, Barb may not be far behind.
Ede is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hungarian tradition, it's a feminine form of Eduard, meaning 'wealthy guardian.' In West African cultures, particularly among the Yoruba…
Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Meg, perennially one of the Little Women, is a Margaret short form that manages to be neither quite in nor quite out of style. Meg is sleeker and more sophisticated than Maggie, more contemporary…
Brione is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Italian town of Brione in Lombardy, giving it geographic significance. Alternatively, it could be a…
Danish and Swedish diminutive of Eberhard, German, or Esben, Danish
"brave boar; god bear"