By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Indian
"feminine star"
Tarabai is an Indian name with a lot of feminist clout. Tarabai Bhosale was a 17th century Maratha queen who was a skilled military leader in her own right and successfully resisted the Mughal empire…
Feminisation of Voltaire
The origins of the nom de plume Voltaire are obscure - it is believed that it is an anagram of Arovetli (the Latin form of his surname Arouet). But the name was also chosen for its connotations of…
Spanish variation of Hermes
"messenger"
Hermila stems from the Greek name Hermes, though in the contemporary world it would be considered one of the Spanish names for girls . One notable bearer, who certainly was a messenger with a…
Greek
"beautiful flow"
Kalliroi is a modern Greek form of the Classical name Callirrhoe, who in mythology was an ocean nymph who accompanied Persephone to the underworld. If you're looking for unusual names with ocean…
Flemish, meaning unknown
Isala has a mellifluous sound, and ties in nicely with more familiar names like Isolde and Isla. Isala Van Diest was the first woman in Belgium to qualify as a doctor. Once qualified she advocated…
Irish
"beautiful sheen"
A slimmed down spelling of the more traditional Aoibheann. It's a beautiful name, growing in popularity in Ireland, but the spelling and pronunciation might (will) throw off some non-Irish natives.
Literary name
The eponymous character in an Edgar Allan Poe ghost story, gothic Morella was likely based on Latin mors ("death") or Greek mauros ("black"). It’s also a subtle nature name, being an alternative name…
English, Irsh
"dark ewe"
Familiar in the UK, this hyphenated name has a sparky, unisex sound but a feminine spelling. It debuted in the UK Top 1000 in 2020 and then reappeared again in 2025.
"great"
In Greek mythology, Megara was the first wife of Heracles (Hercules); the character of Megara "Meg" in the Disney film is loosely based on her. It’s also a place name in Greece and Sicily. Read more…
French
Feminine form of Mathurin.
Japanese
"increase + generation; increase + gift"
Masuyo has always been a rarity in Japan, but it was more common in the 19th century than at any other time.
Flower name, from Latin
"little sword"
A floral name with a sharp, cool meaning, Gladiola derives rom the Latin gladiolus , translating to "little sword", and given in reference to the spiked shape of gladioli flowers. This form appears…
Iymona is an extremely rare feminine name with unclear origins. It may be a creative modern invention or a variant spelling of another name such as Imona or a feminine form of Imon. With virtually no…
Cornish
"joy"
Lowena is the Cornish word for "joy". As a given name, it is most commonly spelt Lowenna. Another variation is the more unisex Lowen.
Lowena is the Cornish word for "joy". As a given name, it is most commonly spelt as in this entry - Lowenna. Lowen is a lovely unisex option which is closely related: it means "joyful" or "glad".
Cornish, English
"beloved day"
A loveday in medieval England was a day when people engaged in a dispute would come together and try to resolve their differences amicably. The name was sometimes given to babies, male or female, who…
"beautiful night child"
Most common in Japan in the mid-20th century, but to Western ears it doesn't sound dated.
Ellie Rose combines two beloved feminine names into a sweet, charming compound name. Ellie, originally a diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen, has gained popularity as a standalone name meaning 'bright,…
Scandinavia
"little mother"
Lillemor is a relatively recent coinage in Scandinavia, where it was most popular in the 1930s and '40s, especially in Sweden. As such, it is considered rather dated in Scandinavia, but it would…
"grey lady"
A variation of an old Irish saint’s name, Liadin, and the name of a lovelorn poetess in Irish folk legend. Be prepared for some clumsy pronunciation outside Ireland, however.
