Names That Mean Sweet

Miguel de Cervantes invented this elaborate-sounding name -- which roughly translates as "sweetness" -- for the beautiful maiden Don Quixote is obsessed with in his great novel. Even in the fictional world of the book, though, Dulcinea is not the woman's real name; Aldonza is. And because she never appears in person in the text, it's unclear whether she is as beautiful and saintly as the protagonist believes her to be. Probably not, given Don Quixote's track record.

A simplified, babbling form of the word inequnaq, meaning cute or sweet. It is traditionally shortened to Uno and can also be written as Oquna.

A Greenlandic name with a totally sweet meaning, but a spirited sound, reminiscent of Atilla, that stops it feeling overly cutesy.

Friendly and energetic name from the Mende language of West Africa.

Too sugary sweet and inconsequential for a modern girl.

Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."

Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."

Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs.

From the Irish Leannan, this, unfortunately, would be constantly mistaken for Lennon.

Whether it's an Asian surname-name or short for Channing, has a sound and feel that's both simple and stand-out.

This unusual name found in Scottish poetry would make a distinctive Gaelic pick.

A name whose sweet sound matches with its meaning, Habiba is popular in Somalia and North Africa. It comes from the Arabic habib meaning "dear, beloved", making it a bright and endearing choice.

Cookie is most often used as a dog name, and it should stay that way.

You can call your daughter Sugar, but it's probably best to keep it as a term of endearment. For sweet names, you try Dulcie, Honey, Mitsu, Amai, Sherine, Melita, Eulalia, or Melina, but Sugar does work as a generic nickname.

Lolly is a sweet and playful nickname, usually used for Laura or Charlotte, though other full names could be Dolores, Ololade, Lauren, Lorelei, Lorena, Elodie, Ottilie, Louella, Elora, Elowen, Olive and beyond. Also spelled as Lollie (which featured in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Lolly is still occasionally given as a stand-alone name, with more than 50 girls receiving the name since the 2000s.

Appearing in an early Hindi scripture, The Vedas, Soma is the name of both a ritual drink or elixir, and of a deity, often connected to the moon god Chandra. The drink is sometimes interpreted as having the power to grant immortality or divine qualities, but its actual, more literal meaning is "extract" or "distil" in Sanskrit.

A twentieth-century Greek saint's name redolent of the beverage of the gods that imparted immortality.

Once associated with the first bride on "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire", Darva is a Slavic name with a strong sound and sweet meaning.

I'm sure the parents of the six little girls named Sundae in the US last year were thinking, "well, if Nicole Kidman can use Sunday..." In this case, we think the day of the week spelling is preferable to the dessert spelling.

An Anglicized form of the sharp and pretty Irish name, Sadhbh or Sadb. The name of several real and legendary Irish princesses, its traditional spelling is popular in Ireland but may feel difficult to wear elsewhere. Sive, like Maeve, might appeal to those with Irish ancestry living across the world.