By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
French poetic form
This could be an obscure choice for literary families, but beware the connotations with virus and virulent.
Irish form of Geraldine
"spear ruler"
Gearóidín is familiar to our Irish members, but is probably unseen outside the Emerald Isle. It would provide some steep challengers to people unfamiliar with Irish names, but since that hasn't…
French
"friend of the people"
This rare French name was made a little more familar via French soccer player Ludivine Diguelman, golfer Ludivine Krautz and actress Ludivine Sagnier.
English word name
Sure it makes a big statement, but if you can call your child Wren, Robin or Falcon, why not also Hummingbird? This pint-sized jewel of a bird is a lovely connotation for the baby that's full of…
Diminutive of Barbara
Australian
Indigenous Australian Lynelda Tippo is a notable bearer of this name.
Nordic
According to Viking legend, Lagertha was a shieldmaiden and wife of famed Viking leader Ragnar Lodbrok.
This is a name teeming with feminist cred. Magistra Hersend was a 12th Century female physician who attended the King of France both at home and in battle and was well regarded by all her peers.
Italian
Best known as a character in Boccaccio's work "Concerning Famous Women", Camiola was a real historical figure, known for her intelligence and moral handling of wealth.
Slavic
"love, dear"
Libussa is a name from medieval legend - the youngest but wisest of three sisters, Libussa became queen after their father died. She founded the Přemyslid dynasty, and prophesied and founded the city…
Czech
"strong"
Another hidden gem of a feminist name! Valasca was a warrior-queen. When Queen Libussa died, Valasca took control and created a women-centred state in what is now the Czech Republic. Among Valasca's…
Welsh
"white, flaxen"
While it may look like it to those unfamiliar, Gwenllian is not a blend of Gwendolyn and Lillian! It is in fact a Welsh name, borne by a medieval Welsh princess noted for her bravery and beauty.…
Persian honorific title
Like masculine version Sayyid, Sayyida is a Persian name that is actually a title - sort of analagous to Lady. Sayyida has a wonderful history behind it - most notably in the form of Sayyida al…
Latin, Greek, Persian, "family"
"family"
A striking, unflowery girls name, Tomyris could work for parents looking for a distinctive choice with a strong namesake. Tomyris was a 6th century warrior queen of the Massagetae (modern-day…
Nature name, English word name
"a quiescent insect pupa, of a butterfly or moth"
Chrysalis is a girls' baby name derived from the state of a butterfly or moth between larva and adult. A chrysalis is a hard-shelled pupa in which the transition of the butterfly or moth takes place.…
Romani
"elf warrior or all true"
The meaning and origin of this extremely rare name are unclear, but it may be related to the Germanic name Alvar "elf warrior", or to Allovera/Elvira "all true". Historically, it has been recorded…
Germanic
"battle"
Derived from the Germanic element badu "battle" combined with Old Norse hildr "battle", this name belonged to a 7th-century English saint who became queen of the Franks after being sold to them as a…
English botanical name
"flower name derived from the Vettones tribe"
This unusual English botanical name would make an interesting update to 80s and 90s favorite Bethany. It belongs to a minty-smelling, flowering herb (also called bishopwort), which has been used…
"love"
The Welsh word for "love" and a term of endearment turned modern word-name, Cariad is a sweet possibility that might work well as a name for a February or Valentines baby or a name for a Christmas…
