In the Aristophenes comedy, Lysistrata is the Athenian woman who organizes her fellow wives to end war in their country by denying their disbands sex until a peace treaty is signed. An intriguing choice with nicknames Lissy or Lettie, Lysandra might be a more approachable possibility.

Eleftheria is derived from the male saint's name Eleutherios/Eleftherios. The national motto of Greece is Eleftheria i thanatos, "freedom or death".

Franchesca is a feminine name that represents a romantic variation of Frances or Francesca. Derived from Latin origins meaning 'free one' or 'from France,' this spelling adds a distinctive flair to the traditional form. Popular in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities, Franchesca gained visibility in American culture during the late 20th century. The name carries an elegant, sophisticated quality while maintaining a friendly, approachable nickname potential in 'Frankie' or 'Chesca.' Though less common than Francesca, this variant appeals to parents seeking a name with European charm and a slightly unconventional spelling. Franchesca projects an image of independence, artistic sensibility, and cosmopolitan flair.

The popular cosmetics brand Maybelline inspires at least a few baby girls' names each year. Company founder Thomas Lyle Williams created the name as a portmanteau of Mabel and Vaseline after watching his sister Mabel mix up a quasi-eyeshadow out of coal dust and Vaseline.

Evangelene is a feminine name that represents an elegant variation of Evangeline, which derives from Greek elements meaning 'bearer of good news.' This melodious name has roots in both Greek and Latin traditions, with connections to religious concepts of evangelism and spreading positive messages. The slightly altered spelling with an additional 'e' gives the name a distinctive quality while preserving its classical charm. Evangelene carries a lyrical, flowing quality with its five syllables and gentle ending. Though less common than Evangeline, it shares the same romantic associations, partly popularized by Longfellow's famous poem 'Evangeline.' The name suggests qualities of hope, faith, and beauty, appealing to parents drawn to names with both spiritual significance and literary elegance.

Alastríona is a feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, representing an elaborate form of Alastriona, which is the feminine version of Alastair or Alistair. These names ultimately derive from the Greek 'Alexandros' (Alexander), meaning 'defender of mankind.' The accent mark (fada) over the 'i' indicates a longer vowel sound in Irish pronunciation. Alastríona maintains strong connections to Celtic heritage and Irish cultural identity. It is quite rare even within Ireland and extremely uncommon internationally. The name carries an air of Celtic elegance and ancient tradition, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with authentic Irish roots. Its melodic quality and rich historical connections make it an attractive though uncommon choice for those with Irish heritage or an appreciation for Celtic names.

A unique option for a November baby (the November birth flower is a chrysanthemum) or to honor an ancestral Chris, Chrysanthe feels more wearable than the full Chrysanthemum, despite the storybook mouse.

A fresh and summery — if rather long — color that sounds namelike, but is extremely rarely used.

Andromache is a name found scattered throughout ancient literature. She was Hector's long-suffering wife in The Iliad and The Odyssey, featured in The Trojan Women and Andromache by Euripides, then later appeared in Shakepeare's Troilus and Cressida, and Jean Racine's 1667 play Andromaque. It has not made many appearances in the modern world, but now Charlize Theron's character in The Old Guard 2 is named Andromache, nickname Andy.

The Roman equivalent of Persephone, making her a goddess of spring, and queen of the underworld. Also spelled Proserpine.

Friederike is a feminine German name derived from the Germanic elements "fridu" meaning "peace" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "power." It's essentially the female form of Friedrich (Frederick in English). The name has deep historical roots in German-speaking countries, where it has been used since medieval times. Friederike Gossweiler, a Swiss mathematician, and Friederike Mayröcker, an Austrian poet, are notable bearers of the name. While common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Friederike remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name carries an elegant, classical European quality with a strong cultural heritage, appealing to parents looking for a distinctive name with substantial historical significance.

Even purer than Chastity...and as difficult, at least outside the Hispanic community.

One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Read more about Cinderella and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

Marcheline was the first name of Angelina Jolie's late mother, who was part French-Canadian, which Jolie and Brad Pitt used as the middle name for their twin daughter Vivienne. The name is related to the Latin Marcellus and Marcus, which come from Mars, the name of the God of War, and is often spelled Marceline. Jolie's mother's birth name was Marcia Lynne.

French form of Hildegard

Margaretta is an elaborate feminine variation of Margaret, which derives from the Greek word "margarites" meaning "pearl." This extended form adds a romantic, slightly European flair to the classic name. Margaretta has appeared throughout history, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, though it has always been less common than Margaret or its other variants like Marguerite or Margarita. The name has an elegant, vintage quality with its flowing four syllables and graceful ending. While never reaching high popularity rankings, Margaretta maintains an air of distinction and refinement, appealing to those who appreciate traditional names with a touch of uncommon sophistication.

Not cutting edge, but still graceful and feminine. Parents who care about style may pass on all names Chris (or Kris) related, which were so popular in the second half of the 20th century. But Christiana feels strong and distinctive, given to only about 50 baby girls each year. It does, however, feel distinctly Christian.

Aikaterine is a feminine name representing the original Greek form of Katherine. It derives from the Greek 'Aikaterinē,' though its exact etymology remains debated. Some scholars connect it to the Greek word 'katharos' meaning 'pure,' while others suggest links to the goddess Hecate or the Greek 'aikia' (torture), referring to St. Catherine's martyrdom on the wheel. This traditional form maintains the authentic Greek spelling and pronunciation (eye-kah-teh-REE-neh), offering historical depth compared to the more common Katherine variants. While rare in English-speaking countries, it remains closer to forms still used in Greece. The name carries an air of classical elegance and learned sophistication, appealing to parents drawn to names with historical authenticity and cultural significance rather than modernized adaptations.

Aleksandra is the preferred spelling in many Eastern European languages and cultures, but for English-speakers it's ironically more confusing if also perfectly phonetically clear.

A mythological name, Parthenope is a rare and distinctive choice that may nevertheless appeal to those looking for little known alternatives to Penelope or Persephone. While some sources suggest the name means "maiden's face" or "virgin appearance", others interpret it as "maiden's voice".