Unique Girl Names Ending with A

Talitha

Aramaic

"little girl"

Talitha appears in the Bible as words Jesus says to awaken a young girl whose parents feared she was dead. It has been used in the US since colonial times. Talitha is also the name of two stars in…

Marietta

Italian diminutive of Maria

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea");…

Carlotta

Italian variation of Charlotte, French diminutive of Charles

"free man"

Carlotta has a large measure of finger-snapping charm and substance — despite being a not too pleasant character in The Little Mermaid . Carlotta is also the diva/prima donna in The Phantom of the…

Saskia

Dutch

"Saxon"

From the first time we saw the name Saskia attached to a portrait of Rembrandt's wife (her full name was Saakje van Uylenburgh, but she was always called Saskia), we have found it utterly charming…

Rowena

Welsh

"white spear; famous friend; fame and joy"

A fabled storybook name via the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), which featured a heroine called Rowena of Hargottstanstede, and also a Harry Potter name, as Rowena Ravenclaw,…

Pandora

Greek

"all gifted"

Pandora has occasionally been used by the British gentry (for girls with brothers who might be called Peregrine) and is now starting to be heard in the US too: It was given to 34 baby girls last…

Sela

Hebrew

"rock"

Sela is a Biblical place name, the original term for the city of Petra, which is finding new life through actress Sela Ward, star of several TV series. The young daughter of singer Lauryn Hill is…

Apollonia

Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

"destroyer, strength; father's light"

This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain . It could…

Acadia

Greek

"idyllic place"

Acadia, the French name for Nova Scotia and the name of a gorgeous national park in Maine makes a fresh, rhythmic choice for your little girl. Acadia is an original yet accessible member of the…

Heloisa

Heloisa is a feminine name with Portuguese and Spanish origins, derived from the Old German name Helewidis, composed of elements meaning 'hale' or 'healthy' and 'wide' or 'encompassing.' It's the…

Vincenza

Italian feminine form of Vincent

"conquering"

Vincenza makes romance of Vincent. Vincenza Gerosa was one of the founders of the Sisters of Charity of Lovere and was later made a saint.

Cosima

Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek

"order, beauty, universe"

Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in…

Wisteria

Flower name, from English surname

"Wister's flower"

A frilly southern-accented flower name yet to be planted on many birth certificates. In the language of flowers, the wisteria is a symbol of devotion. It is named for American horticulturalist John…

Gioia

Italian

"joy"

Prettier than Joy and just beginning to be used here.

Christa

Short form of Christina

Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.

Ginevra

Italian variation of Guinevere or Jennifer

"white shadow, white wave"

Arty and elegant, Ginevra is one of the most popular girls' names in Italy at the moment, ranking at #3 in a recent year. Ultimately from the Arthurian Guinevere, it's a relative of Jennifer, meaning…

Concetta

Italian

"pure"

A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.

Honora

Latin

"woman of honor"

Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue…

Bibiana

Latin

"life"

Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.

Anahita

Persian

"immaculate"

Anahita is the name of the water goddess who rules, among other things, fertility and wisdom. Associated with Venue, Anahita is a stylish Iranian name for girls. Anahita was derived from the Old…