Updated September 2019
Across 101 pages
of 101
Norman, German
"strong in work"
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…
French form of Millicent, German
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…
Invented literary name
A fanciful concoction whipped up by L. Frank Baum for a beautiful and powerful princess in one of his Oz books.
African place-name
Abyssinia is the ancient name of the Ethiopian Empire, no longer found on any map but with a possible future as a melodic girls' name in the ever-expanding place-name category. Among African names…
Irish
"true desire"
This Irish Gaelic name would be more accessible in other cultures in its modern Dervla form.
Italian feminine diminutive of Roman family name Domitius, Latin
"tamed"
Domitilla is the name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasianus and the mother of the emperors Titus and Domitianus. There is a Santa Domitilla with catacombs in Rome named after her. The…
French feminine variation of Roman family name Domitius, Latin
Domitille is the French form of the ancient royal name Domitilla. Domitille is used today, and was in the French Top 500 during the 2000s. While English speakers might say it as dom-ih-till or…
Greek
"yellow horse"
Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.
"beautiful sheen"
An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.
Flower name, from English
"yellow wildflower"
Though Buttercup is most often reserved for cows (and pets of other kinds), this humble flower name was given to the princess in "The Princess Bride" and to one of The Power Puff Girls . Yet to rank…
English place-name and surname
"dark wolf's wood or clearing"
Blakesley is the name of a village in England, also sometimes found as a surname along with Blakely and Blakeley, turned into a first name for their daughter by reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter.…
Cornish place and saint's name
"fire soul"
Endellion is the name of an early saint who was a daughter of King Brychan and goddaughter of King Arthur whose life is commemorated by the Cornish village of St. Endellion. This intriguing ancient…
Susanetta is an elaborated feminine form of Susan, which derives from the Hebrew name Shoshana meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This ornate variation adds romantic Italian or Spanish diminutive suffixes to…
Susannagh is a rare feminine variation of the classic Hebrew name Susanna, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This particular spelling incorporates the 'gh' ending common in Celtic or Gaelic name adaptations,…
Spanish from Native American word name
"hurricane"
Hurricane is a storm, but it's also an American name , thanks to rising tennis star Hurricane Black -- whose sister's name is Tornado. There's no reason this tempestuous choice can't work for boys…
French
"Light of the World"
Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations. Seventeenth century French novelist Nicolas des Escuteaux used the name for the…
Polish version of Agnes
In the Top 100 in Poland, this is probably the most flowery and feminine version of Agnes making the rounds.
Dutch variation of Anne-Marie
A variation on Anne-Marie, this sweet name deserves the attention of some Anglophone parents. Note that "Mieke" rhymes with "Peak-a" not "Pike-a".
Variation of Subhadra, Hindi
We prefer the softer Shubhadra to the original Subhadra — plus it leads to the irresistible "Shooba" as a nickname.
Queen of Babylon
Semiramis was the most important Queen of Assyria, who conquered much of Asia. Semiramis restored ancient Babylon and protected it with a high brick wall that completely surrounded the city. Then she…