By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
German short form of Cornelia
"horn"
Cute tomboyish diminutive that's popular in Germany but has not spread far. An interesting choice for the parent who wants an elaborate feminine proper name with a modern short form.
German feminine diminutive of Roman name Crescens
"to grow"
Senta is a lovely name, but if you name your daughter Senta, will the kids call her Santa? Maybe, but this obscure yet simple German name for girls .may appeal to parents searching the untraveled…
Variation of the word wild or German
"to strive"
The German name for girls Wylda was introduced to the world by British filmmaker/artist, director of Fifty Shades of Gray Sam Taylor-Wood and her actor husband, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who named their…
German diminutive of Cecilia or Celia
"blind"
Along with the more common Silke, a diminutive used in Germany for Cecilia and Celia. Both Silke and Zilke are unknown yet usable German names for girls .
English, Germanic
"temple path"
Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or…
German diminutive of Margarethe
"pearl"
Meret is an interesting name found in several cultures. In Egyptian mythology, she was a goddess associated with singing, dancing and rejoicing and her meaning is 'beloved.' But the name also has…
German and French feminine form of Christian
There are not one but two notable modern women with this name: journalist Christiane Amanpour and physician/author Christiane Northrup. In Germany, the pronunciation is kris-tee-AH-na while in…
German
"strength of a spear"
Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina. Gesine comes from the same roots - Geretrudis - and shares the name's…
French feminine version of Leopold
"brave people"
A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.
French version of Germanic Ermendrud
"universal strength"
Ermentrude was the name of two medieval queens of France. Despite these distinguished beginnings, this antique name is unlikely to catch on with contemporary parents, perhaps because the first…
Feminine form of Caecilius, Latin
The ancient Roman name that gave us Cecilia, Cecily, and related names. This spelling looks authentic, but might raise more pronunciation problems than it solves.
Combination of Maria and Lies, German, Dutch
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + pledged to God"
Strong but sweet with the emphasis on the second syllable, Marlies is a blend of Maria and Lies (a German and Dutch diminutive of Elisabeth) that might appear to those who enjoy Martha and Elise. It…
Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, French
"free man"
This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?
Hungarian form of Zinnia, flower name
Cinnia is one of those names we recently discovered and couldn't believe we didn't know it before now. Its pronunciation and spelling are fairly straightforward in English, and it sounds not unlike…
German, Dutch
"rose + free man"
Poetic and whimsical but with touch of valor about it, Roselotte is a rare compound name, blending two classics together. It would likely be pronounced with four syllables ("RO-zuh-law-tuh") in…
Diminutive of Hilda, German
"battle"
A short form of Hilda, or any name containing the hild or hildr element, from Mathilda to Swanhild and Hildegard. Hildie has never ranked as a stand-alone name, but with names like Birdie, Bonnie,…
Linchen is a feminine name with Germanic roots, functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive form of names like Caroline, Karoline, Lina, or Angelina in German-speaking regions. The suffix…
Line is a feminine name with multiple origins and pronunciations. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Denmark, it's pronounced 'LEE-neh' and often serves as a diminutive of names like…
Gitta is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It commonly functions as a diminutive of Brigitta or Birgitta in German, Swedish, and Hungarian usage. These names derive from the Celtic…
Bertilde is a feminine name with Germanic origins, combining the elements 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous' and 'hild' meaning 'battle.' This powerful combination creates a meaning along the…
