Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.

Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.

Amarissa is kind of cobbled together from two traditional elements: Ama, which means "love" or "lover" and is found in such more established names as Amabel and Amariah, and -issa, which is a common feminine suffix that functions as a diminutive. While Amarissa is pretty and frilly, it may frequently be misunderstood as Marissa, Melissa, and may ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.

More intriguing than the more familiar form Nerida, this name is perfect for a beach baby, or a baby born under a water sign.

Ethel is one of those vintage names that will always will be out...or will it? A generation ago we might have said the same for now-fashionable names like Florence and Ida. Even if Ethel rises, Etheline might sound too much like a chemical compound.

In Etruscan mythology, Feronia was the goddess of wildlife, liberty, fertility, health, and abundance, who also granted freedom to slaves and rights to the poor. She was worshipped by the Sabine and Etruscan people of ancient Italy and was later adopted into Roman religions.

Some names rise in tandem in their male and female forms, but Sebastia is very rare while the male Sebastian is quite popular. But it certainly might be an attractive choice.

This elaborate form of Cornelia derives from the Late Roman family name Cornelianus, borne by a 2nd century rhetorician, Sulpicius Cornelianus. It might appeal to those who don't want to choose between Cora, Nellie, and Eliana.