Ancient Names for Girls (You'll Love Right Now)

  1. Gaynor
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white and smooth, soft"
    • Description:

      Gaynor is an early androgynous name with a positive association, related to the Cornish megahit name Jennifer.
  2. Teuta
    • Origin:

      Illyrian
    • Meaning:

      "mistress of the people, queen"
    • Description:

      The name of a 3rd century Illyrian queen, nowadays mostly used by Albanians. A notable namesake is Kosovar-Albanian fashion designer Teuta Matoshi.
  3. Quintia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "the fifth"
    • Description:

      Like Quentin, Quintin and Quintana, Quintia was once reserved for the fifth child in a family, but now would make an interesting choice for a child coming anywhere in the birth order.
  4. Neferure
    • Origin:

      Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "the beauty of Re"
    • Description:

      Also transliterated as Neferura. This alluring name belonged to an Ancient Egyptian princess, the daughter of the pharaohs Hatshepsut and Thutmose II. Unlike other royal Egyptian names, her name has since faded to obscurity, but it would make for a bewitching choice.
  5. Fausta
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "fortunate"
    • Description:

      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, FAUSTIA, FAUSTIANA
  6. Nefertiti
    • Origin:

      Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "the beautiful one has arrived"
    • Description:

      This ancient Egyptian queen's name would be best saved for a cat.
  7. Everild
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "boar battle"
    • Description:

      A halfway house between full-on Anglo-Saxon Eoforhild, and the modern-day version Averil. Everild makes for an interesting blend of medieval with the on-trend "Ever" sound.
  8. Eoforhild
    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon
    • Meaning:

      "boar battle"
    • Description:

      Eoforhild is an Anglo-Saxon name, the source of Everild, Everil, and Averill. In its Latinized forms, Everild and Everilda, it was the name of a 7th century saint.
  9. Queneva
    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon
    • Meaning:

      "queen's gift"
    • Description:

      A Latinized (and more wearable) form of the Anglo-Saxon Cwengifu, Queneva is a sparky sounding name that could get you to vintage nickname Queenie, or to the more familiar Evie, Neve, Eva, or even Quin. It's similarity in sound to Jennifer, Guinevere, and Geneva might help this oldy-worldy name fit in. Queniva is another spelling.
  10. Bahaar
    • Origin:

      Persian, Turkish, Kurdish
    • Meaning:

      "spring"
    • Description:

      This popular Muslim name would more easily translate to English-speaking cultures in its Bahar form.
  11. Urbana
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Urban
    • Meaning:

      "of the city"
    • Description:

      If you live in the city, you might call your urban baby Urbana; if you live in the suburbs--don't even think of Surbana.
  12. Neferura
    • Origin:

      Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "the beauty of Re"
    • Description:

      Also transliterated as Neferure. This alluring name belonged to an Ancient Egyptian princess, the daughter of the pharaohs Hatshepsut and Thutmose II. Unlike other royal Egyptian names, her name has since faded to obscurity, but it would make for a bewitching choice reminiscent of Aurora.