Girl Names Lists · Historic and Vintage Names · Cool Baby Names
Ancient Names for Girls (You'll Love Right Now)
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Fausta
Latin
"fortunate"
Though often heard in the Hispanic and Italian communities, it hasn't made an impact here, perhaps because of the connection to the character of Faust and his pact with the devil. Variations:…
Faustina
Latin
"fortunate one"
A name with several distinguished namesakes: the wife of ancient Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a famous Italian opera singer, and two Catholic saints--making it both substantial and unusual.
Felicia
Latin
"lucky"
A lacy, lucky name very popular in the Hispanic community a decade ago, less so now.
Flavia
Latin
"golden, blond"
An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could…
Dominica
Italian, feminine variation of Dominic
"belonging to the Lord"
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this…
Fortunata
Spanish variation of Latin
"luck, fate, wealth"
Brimming over with a sense of good fortune. Could make a little girl feel very lucky.
Gaia
Greek and Latin
"earth mother; rejoicing"
Floral, bright, and subtly powerful, Gaia is a name with two separate origins. In Greek mythology, it is the name of the earth goddess and the universal mother, who takes her epithet from the Ancient…
Galla
Spelling variation of Gala
Gala makes the name more festive.
Gaynor
Welsh
"white and smooth, soft"
Gaynor is an early androgynous name with a positive association, related to the Cornish megahit name Jennifer.
Gwenore
Variation of Guinevere
"white shadow, white wave"
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Delicia
Latin
"delight"
Tastier than Alicia or Felicia.
Avita
Latin
"life"
Avita sounds like a drug name. In fact, it is! (It's an acne medication.) While that may not be enough to stop you, you might want to consider Aviva, Vita, or Evita (which has issues of its own)…
Honoria
Latin
"woman of honor"
This is an eighteenth century elaboration of Honor found in Charles Dickens ( Bleak House ) but rarely heard here and now.
Horatia
Latin feminine variation of Horatio
Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
Indah
Indonesian
"pretty"
An Indonesian name that is virtually unknown in the Western World but that is eminently portable, sister of India and Indre or Indra.
Isolde
Welsh, German
"ice ruler"
Sleek, sharp, and soulful, Isolde is the German form of Iseult, the fabled lover of Tristan in the Arthurian romances. First appearing in the 12th-century, the name was fairly popular in the form of…
Aphra
Hebrew, variation of Aphrah
"dust"
Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific…
Jennet
Old English short form of Jean or Janet
"God is gracious"
It feels like a slenderized modern version, but Jennet actually has deep roots. Could this plucky name rescue Janet and Jenny from their datedness?
Jonet
Modern invented name
A Frenchy name that doesn't exist in France, probably an attempt to create a classy feminine version of John or Johnny by rhyming it with Monet.
Decima
Latin
"tenth"
In the days of huge families, this name of the Roman goddess of prophecy and childbirth, and one of the Fates, would be saved for bambina number ten. Now it might be used for a girl born in October,…