Name Image · Historic and Vintage Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Scandinavian
"Thor's stone"
Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.
Greek
"demi-god"
Despite the possibility of gender confusion, the Hero in Greek myth was a woman. Myleene Klass got that when she chose Hero for her daughter, and Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson used it as their…
Word name
"fate"
The next Destiny? Kismet seems like it might be fated for increased use.
Sanskrit
"the daughter of the mountain"
This Hindu goddess name is very popular in India. The goddess of love, fertility and devotion, representing female force, Parvati is the wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesh. There is a Harry…
"truth"
In Buddhism, Dharma embodies the basic principles of cosmic existence--making it a fitting name for the hippyish character on the sitcom Dharma and Greg , whose middle name was Freedom. Students of…
Hindi
"divine, shining one"
If you don't want your daughter to be a Diva, try this Hindu moon goddess name that was chosen by actress Monica Bellucci for hers.
Diminutive or Derek or Dermot or Irish place-name
"like an oak"
With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner. The unusual Irish Derry was given to zero babies of either gender in the US last year, but it's a merry…
"goddess of the moon"
Chandra is the name of the Hindu moon goddess last groovy when incense and meditation were hot new concepts but a new possibility with the resurgence of astrology and other non-Western spiritual…
Scottish occupational name
"minstrel, poet"
Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights. The…
"worship"
Puja (and variant spelling, Pooja) is a common name for girls in Hindu culture. In Hinduism, puja is a worship ritual of offering to a deity.
Greek, Pop Culture
"to light up; room; light of the sun"
A rare and mystical choice, Aithusa may appeal to those looking for alternatives to contemporary favorite, Athena. A name from Greek mythology, Aithusa is the daughter of Poseidon and Alcyone, and a…
Variation of Ora, Latin
"prayer"
Orra and Ora are simple yet rare names with a lovely religious meaning.
Latin
"golden"
Pretty Victorian-feeling cousin of Ariel; also, more prosaically, a kind of bay window.
English
"unexpected good fortune"
A unique virtue name with a sound as happy and lively as its meaning.
"bird"
The original Greek form of Circe, also used in various other languages. Less soft than the English Circe, Kirke nonetheless has a distinct sound with modern appeal. In Greek mythology, she is a…
Hindi-Sanskrit
"love, desire"
This simple but alluring name — some might associate it with the Kama Sutra — was chosen by heavy metal rocker Sammy Hagar for his daughter.
"agreement, concord"
One Greek mythological name -- she was the goddess of order -- not yet embraced by American parents.
Hariti is a Buddhist goddess of the protection of children, smooth delivery, and positive parenting. In Japanese Buddhism, she is known as Kishimojin and has a dual personality as the demon of misery…
Chinese mythological name
"he who looks down upon sound, he who perceives the world's lamentations"
Guanyin is the bodhisattva of compassion. It's the Chinese translation of the original Sanskrit bodhisattva's name, Avalokiteśvara. Avalokiteśvara's depiction as male or female varies by culture, but…
"God's gift"
Whether you think of the chocolates or the naked long-haired lady on the horse, Godiva is a name with baggage no child should have to carry.
