By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
French
"loyal"
A kind of French virtue name, an affectionate form of Fidele.
Greek
"dedicated to Dionysos"
A name from Greek mythology, much more melodic than its later form Denise. With mythical names on the rise, this would make an interesting lesser-used option.
Literary invention
An intriguing, plausible name--kind of a Nell-Hillary combo--created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book The Lost Princess of Oz .
Fanciful feminissima name created by L. Frank Baum for a character in The Patchwork Girl of Oz .
Invented literary name
A name created for Jellia Jamb, a sweet and beautiful servant in the Royal Palace in the Emerald City of Oz, who appears in several books in the series.
Though it doesn't have historic roots--it was created by L. Frank Baum for a Princess character in his book Ozma of Oz --Evella could fit well into the Eve-Eva-Evelyn group now coming back into favor.
Italian surname
"life"
A bright and dynamic surname closely tied to the legendary Baroque composer of the Four Seasons . Viv or Vivi are easy nicknames.
Breton form of Elinor or Helen
"light"
One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.
Feminine variation of Jonah, Hebrew
"dove"
Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.
Basque
"fern field"
For the parent who genuinely wants something different, this nature choice is popular in Spain. Downside: connection to words irate and irritation.
Italian
"lover of God"
Feminine form of Amadeus popular now in Italy and ripe for export. Might also be spelled Amadea. The preferred pronunciation is AHM-a-DAY-a but it may also be pronounced ah-MED-ee-a.
French form of Millicent, German
"strong in work"
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized…
Composite of Sara and Lee
"princess; meadow"
The cake company pretty much knocked this otherwise-pretty compilation name out of consideration for most parents.
Fruit name
Another entry in the fruit name category, this one borne by writer Strawberry Saroyan, granddaughter of William, so named by her hippie parents. While fruit names may become more familiar, they'll…
Literary name
Douglas Adams invented this name for a character (aka Tricia) in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy . It has a nice, trilly sound, and is accessible via its kinship with Gillian/Jillian.
Greek, place name, meaning unknown
The name of an area in northern Greece, known in the era of Homer's Odyssey as Aeolia, Thessaly makes a spirited and pretty place name. Reminiscent of Tessa, Rosalie, and Thea, the name likely…
Norman, German
Melisende, the mellifluous name of a 12th century queen of Jerusalem, gave rise to the more modern Millicent, after it was brought to England by the Normans. Ultimately, it comes from the Gothic…
Origin and meaning unknown
A name that seems to be a combination of Isabel and Susannah, used in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, most notably for a daughter of Paul Revere. Isannah was also a character in the…
Iranian, Persian
"swallow bird"
The name Parastoo currently seems unusual to the Western ear, with that "too" ending rare in traditional English names. It is sometimes spelled Parastu. Pari or Parisa would make easier imports.
Igbo
"work of God"
Nigerian-born supermodel Oluchi Orlandi brought this little-known (to non-Nigerians), lovely choice into the lexicon.
