Saint Names for Girls

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

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

Nympha sounds like it might be a modern invented name in the trendy mythological group, but it is actually an Ancient Greek name mentioned in the Bible. And there is an obscure St. Nympha, one of the patrons of Palermo.

Borrowed from the name of a massif (or a compact group of mountains) in Abruzzi, Italy, Maiella is used as an Italian surname, notably by the 18th century saint, Gerardo Maiella. Regarded as the patron saint of pregnancy and childbirth, the Irish form of the saint's name is Gerard Majella — although Majella might also be used in Italy to refer to the National Park in which the massif is located.

Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.

Domitilla is the name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasianus and the mother of the emperors Titus and Domitianus. There is a Santa Domitilla with catacombs in Rome named after her.

Valery was in the Top 1000 from 2005 to 2009, and reemerged in 2018. This spelling is often used among Hispanic families in the US.

A rare saint name, more commonly transcribed in its French form, Maxellende, Maxellendis is associated with a 7th-century French martyr, who is invoked to cure eye diseases and is considered the patron saint of the visually impaired.

A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and invoked to cure eye diseases.

The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.

Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.

As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.

Tekakwitha was a 17th-century Mohawk woman, who survived the smallpox epidemic that killed her family. She is known for rejecting pressures from those around her to give up her Catholic beliefs and to marry someone who they approved of instead. She later fled her village and converted to Catholicism.

Although the saintly Gratia was male -- Blessed Gratia of Kotor -- this name feels quite female today.

Honorata is the feminine form of Honoratus, the name of several saints including the patron saint of bakers.

Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert and wife of Alec, Hilaria Baldwin, who was born Hillary.

Justa is an ancient saints' name. Saints Justa and Rufina were martyred sisters who are today the patron saints of Seville in Spain.

Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.

Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name.

This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.