By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
Latin
"mist"
Could be the next Nova, now that celestial baby names are in the ascendent.
Latin and French
"fair Christian"
Though Isabel is a smash hit, Christabel still hasn't been fully embraced. It was originally popularized in England via the Coleridge poem Christabel ("whom her father loves so well") and was given…
"lord, master"
One of those ultimate cool-girl names, played by Keira Knightley in a movie about a supermodel-turned-bounty hunter, but kids might associate it with the game. High profile British designer India…
"fruitful"
Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.…
Latin, diminutive of Dulcibella
"sweet"
A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia. In Agatha Christie's…
Latin, female form of Lucretius
"profit, wealth"
A pretty and plausible Latin name that's gotten a bad rap through the years via a link to Lucrezia Borgia, who, though long considered a demon poisoner, was actually a patron of learning and the…
Short form of Veronica, Latin
"true image"
More often spelled Nika, this is a well-used diminutive for the Eastern European Veronika, and there's no reason that the same principle can't apply in the West. It makes a venerated saint's name…
English word, Old English
"an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"
One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May…
Italian variation of Benedicta, Latin
"blessed"
The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.
"spear"
Corin is a Shakespearean male name that could easily be adapted for a girl, making a strong update for Corinne or Karen.
French
"blooming, flowering"
Florence is back, and the adorable short form Flory (or Florie) is too. Or you could just choose Flora and cover all bases with one stroke.
"alert, watchful"
Sounds like a child in a Gothic novel.
"from Laurentium or bay laurel"
We approve of this name for a girl, but prefer the au, Laura-Laurenish, spelling.
"warlike"
Marcellina is one feminine form of the names derived from the ancient Roman Marcellus. There was a Saint Marcellina who was a 4th century virgin and the only sister of Saint Ambrose.
Latin variation of Arabella
"beautiful altar"
Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.
"corn, grain"
Name of the Roman goddess of harvest and grain, appropriate for a fall baby. And a palindrome too!
"bird"
Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his…
Greek
"to sprout, to swell"
Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan…
Latin from Greek
"lordly"
Cyrilla is an obscure feminization of Cyril that's a bit buttoned-up but also intriguingly unique, with an authentic pedigree. Spelling Cirilla is more visible thanks to The Witcher series, in which…
"delight"
Tastier than Alicia or Felicia.
