By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 15 pages
of 15
German
"peace"
Freda, along with near-identical twin sisters Frida and Frieda, has not been popular in the US for decades. After the two world wars, German names fell out of favor in the US and UK. The…
"strength of a spear"
Could cute nickname Gertie, remembered as cute five-year-old Drew Barrymore in E.T. , revive the long shunned Gertrude? It's tempting to dismiss Gertrude as a name on its way through the door marked…
Spelling variation of Stephanie
Germans spell Stephanie with an f though the i ending is not traditional. Lady Gaga dropped the Stefani and No Doubt's Gwen sports is as a surname. Despite the celebrity connections, we say if you…
German, diminutive of Anselma
"God helmet"
Familiar in the US, Brazil, and Latvia in the early 20th century, Zelma has been off the radar for some time. While the Selma-Thelma-Velma connection might date it, with Zelda and Alma sparking…
Spelling variation of Amory
"industrious"
While Amorie might be strictly a feminizing way to spell the unisex Amory, it also relates to the word Amore and the name Amoris, which mean love,
Scandinavian and German variation of Josephine, French
"Jehovah increases"
"horse protection"
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation. There was a…
Angelika is a feminine name representing the Eastern European, German and Scandinavian spelling of Angelica. Derived from Latin 'angelicus' meaning 'angelic' or 'of angels,' it carries celestial and…
Eleonore is a feminine name with Germanic origins, a variant of Eleanor, which derives from the Provençal name Aliénor, meaning 'other' or 'foreign.' This regal name has been carried by numerous…
Lilie is a feminine name derived from the flower lily, which has long symbolized purity, innocence, and beauty. This elegant spelling variation adds a continental European flair to the more common…
Stefanie is a feminine name that represents a German and Dutch variation of Stephanie, ultimately derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." This elegant name carries…
Old German form of Emmeline and Amelia
"work"
Now that the range of names including the modern Emmeline and Amelia -- relatives of each other, but of neither Emily nor Emma -- has become so fashionable, the original root name Amelina is also due…
"yew tree, archer"
Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven.
German variation of Magdalen
On "Sex and the City," Magda was the elderly nanny from the old country -- which is what this name sounds like. While Magdalene and Magdalena are enjoying fresh life, Magda still feels dated.
"singled out"
Mystical overtones.
Spelling variation of Amalia, rising in popularity throughout Europe.
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"God is my oath"
Bettina is a dainty ballerina version of Betty, that has not been heard much since its 1950s-60s heyday. Bettina appeared in the Danielle Steele novel Loving, and in real life as one of Grace Kelly's…
Dutch, German, and Frisian diminutive of Adelheid
"noble"
Though she has long stood on her own, Elke has many longer cross-cultural connections, to the Dutch/German/Scandinavian Adelheid and Alice and the English Adelaide, as a feminine version of Elkanah…
Amory is best known for the hero of Fitzgerald's 1920 This Side of Paradise , Princeton student Amory Blaine. Amory is in some danger of being borrowed by the girls, a la Avery. Alternate spellings…
Dutch diminutive of names ending in jette or iette
Many popular Dutch short forms are drawn from the middle or end of their proper name: Sanne from Susanne, Bas from Sebastian. Jette could be from a name like Henriette or Mariette.
