By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Lavona is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, potentially derived from Latin 'lavare' meaning 'to wash' or as a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name. It might also relate to names…
Joretta is a feminine name that likely represents an elaboration of the name Jora or a feminine form of George. The name George derives from Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.'…
American, Miwok
"evening star"
The name of a lake in Yosemite National Park, California, Tenaya has its roots in Miwok, a language spoken by the Ahwahnechee (or Awani) people, who lived in the Yosemite Valley. The lake was named…
Patrica is a feminine name that represents a spelling variation of Patricia, which derives from the Latin word 'patricius,' meaning 'noble' or 'of patrician rank.' This alternate spelling removes one…
Laquita appears to be a modern feminine given name that gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Linguistically, it may be a creative variation or elaboration of names like…
African, Zulu
"they are enough"
This attractive Zulu name is associated with nonbinary South African photographer Zanele Muholi. Their name means "they are enough," with the implication that there have been enough daughters born to…
Ada Rose combines two classic feminine names into a sweet, vintage-inspired combination. Ada, with Germanic origins meaning 'noble' or 'nobility,' experienced renewed popularity in recent years…
Italian, literary name
Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroines of operas by Handel…
Japanese
"child of peace"
Kazuko is a Japanese feminine name that combines the character kazu ("harmony") with ko ("child"), creating a name that in total symbolises a child of peace. In Japan, names ending in ‘ko’ are rarely…
Compound name or French diminutive of Marie and Louise
"beloved and renowned in battle; bitterness and strength in battle"
A cheerful and bubbly compound name that is popular in France and Belgium. It might also be used in the Philippines as a combination of Maria and Lourdes.
American
"resolute protection + valley; resolute protection + high ranking priest; willow valley"
The Social Security Lists show this name to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states, where it likely appealed alongside Clarabel and Marigold. It feels part…
Hindi, Sindhi, and Bengali
"mint, peppermint"
Pudina is the word for mint in many Indian languages. It's slightly more common than the Pudeena variation, although each are rare as baby names.
Bettylou is a feminine compound name that combines two classic American names: Betty (traditionally a diminutive of Elizabeth) and Lou (which can be short for Louise or Louis). Popular primarily in…
Compound name, combining Betty and Jane
"Gracious God is my oath"
A smoosh name, blending Betty and Jane that made the US Top 1000 in the 1920s.
Ethelene is a feminine name with Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Old English element 'ethel' meaning 'noble' or 'of noble birth.' It emerged as an elaboration of the medieval name Ethel,…
Elwanda is a feminine name of American origin, likely created as a combination of the popular 'El-' prefix (found in names like Elaine or Eleanor) and possibly the element 'wanda,' which has Slavic…
Fumiko is a Japanese feminine name rich in cultural significance. It combines the elements 'fumi' meaning 'writing' or 'literature' and 'ko' meaning 'child,' a common suffix in traditional Japanese…
Swedish
"little devoted one"
A sweet and sparky modern Swedish name, derived from the word for "little" plus the suffix vi , which may mean "devoted, dedicated". An intriguing alternative to the popular Lily family of names.
Toshiko is a feminine Japanese name composed of elements that typically mean 'alert' or 'valued' (toshi) and 'child' (ko), though exact meanings can vary depending on the kanji characters used to…
Scottish surname
"wood man"
Faraday is a whimsical Scottish surname that works equally well as a first name for girls or boys.
