Saint Names for Girls

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.

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

St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry. Her name may derive from Kythere ("the red one"), a title of the Phonecian mother-goddess Astarte, perhaps via Greek Kythereia, an epithet of Aphrodite. The French version is Quitterie.

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

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.

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.

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

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