Updated September 2019
Across 101 pages
of 101
Nature name, English word name
"a quiescent insect pupa, of a butterfly or moth"
Chrysalis is a girls' baby name derived from the state of a butterfly or moth between larva and adult. A chrysalis is a hard-shelled pupa in which the transition of the butterfly or moth takes place.…
Latin
"great, magnificent"
The feminine form of German and French name Augustin, ultimately derived from Latin Augustus. Names with the -ine ending are considered chic in France at the moment; Augustine re-entered the French…
Greek
"gift of beauty"
An extremely rare name of Ancient Greek origin which could be a novel way to Callie. There is a minor Harry Potter character by the name: Callidora Black (later Longbottom).
English botanical name
A botanical name belonging to a small yellow flower in the poppy family. The word ultimately derives from chelidon, the Ancient Greek for "swallow (bird)". Characters called Celandine feature in The…
Literary name
"maiden crowned with a radiant garland"
The name of the wise and beautiful elfin princess in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novels, best known through Cate Blanchett's immortal representation in the film series. This ethereal name…
French
Feminine form of Mathurin.
Bulgarian
"golden glow"
Taken from two slavic root words (Zlato meaning gold and Žara meaning morning glow), this unusual name is catching the attention of parents in both Bulgaria and Russia.
Czech feminine form of Vladislav
"glorious rule"
Alternative spelling of Willodean
Ancient Egyptian
"beautiful companion"
Nefertari Meritmut was the first and favorite wife of pharoah Ramesses II "the Great". She was highly educated and undertook important diplomatic work on behalf of her husband, corresponding with…
"lover of God"
The name of a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek version of the more familiar Amadea / Amadeus. Philothea could make for a lovely, unusual way to get to stylish Thea. Bottom line:…
Scots Gaelic
"name of a bird species"
Ptarmigan is the common English name for the genus Lagopus, in the grouse family of birds. The name is derived from the Scottish word for the bird, tàrmachan (meaning unknown), with the initial P-…
"the red one"
Quitterie is a quirky saint’s name which is considered très chic in France at the moment. St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in…
Native American
"bird woman"
Sacagawea (or, sometimes, Sakakawea or Sacajawea) was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who was instrumental to the Lewis and Clark Expedition across what is now the western part of the USA. She traveled…
Sanskrit
"possessing water"
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, music, and the arts. She is also a river goddess, associated with the mythical Saraswati river, which played an important part in the Vedic…
"Avenging murder"
The name of one of the Furies in Greek mythology, a goddess who avenged crimes of murder. She is described as wearing a dripping blood-red robe, with a serpent coiled around her waist.
Russian
"fierce and glorious"
The feminine form of Yaroslav, a name which belonged to several Grand Princes of Kyiv and Novgorod, including Yaroslav I "the Wise". A city and region called Yaroslavl in Western Russia are named in…
Spanish
Spanish feminine diminutive of Alfonso.
Not to be confused with fellow Game of Thrones name Melisandre, Missandei is one of the closest advisors to Daenarys Targayren in HBO's hit show and the George R.R. Martin novels on which it is…
French word name
"truce, ceasefire"
Armistice is an unusual word name with a meaning that's both militaristic and peaceful. It refers to a ceasefire, temporary or permanent, by agreement in wartime. Armistice Day in celebrated on the…