Fancy Girl Names
- Xanthippe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"yellow horse"Description:
Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.
- Swanhild
Origin:
SaxonMeaning:
"battle swan"Description:
An ancient name belonging to "the most beautiful of all women" in Germanic mythology, whose tragic story features in many northern European legends. The daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun, her jealous husband had her murdered after she was accused of infidelity, and was then himself killed by Swanhild's brothers.
- Berengaria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"bear spear"Description:
Berengaria was one of the medieval queens of England - married to Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart). She was originally from Navarre (in modern northern Spain) and despite being the Queen of England, she only lived in England after her husband had died. Despite its royal roots, Berengaria is one of the less attractive medieval names, although it gets points for having an unusually strong meaning for a feminine name.
- Cipriana
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"from the Island of Cyprus"Description:
Offbeat and romantic place-name.
- Arcangela
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"high-ranking angel"Description:
Arcangela is a heavenly possibility if Angel or Angela isn't elevated enough for you.
- Parthenia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"chaste maiden"Description:
Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon. It was briefly in the US charts in the late 19th century.
- Sheherazade
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"noble lineage"Description:
The tale-spinning heroine of The Thousand and One Nights, Sheherazade is an extravagantly elaborate name for a little girl. Too extravagantly elaborate? It's lovely and beguiling, and with the rise of such evocative monikers as Persephone and Ophelia, Sheherazade may have a chance in the modern baby name world. Another accepted spelling is Scheherazade. While the origin of this name is Persian, there are also modern Arabic forms of the name.
- Abyssinia
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
Abyssinia is the ancient name of the Ethiopian Empire, no longer found on any map but with a possible future as a melodic girls' name in the ever-expanding place-name category. Among African names for girls, this one is undiscovered.
- Elocadia
Description:
Elocadia is an extremely rare feminine name with Latin roots. It likely derives from the Latin word 'eloquentia' meaning eloquence or fluent speech, possibly connected to the concept of elocution. The name carries an elegant, classical quality with its flowing syllables and melodious sound. Elocadia has never achieved widespread popularity, remaining a truly uncommon choice throughout recorded naming history. The name has an antique, scholarly feel that evokes images of classical literature and refined education. With its distinctive sound and unusual letter combination, Elocadia offers a truly unique option for parents seeking a name with historical depth that few others will share. The name's elaborate structure gives it a formal, dignified quality while still maintaining feminine grace.
- Swanhilde
Origin:
GermanicMeaning:
"swan battle"Description:
Form of Swanhild
- Scirocco
Origin:
Italian, from ArabicMeaning:
"warm wind"Description:
A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.
- Samaria
Origin:
Place-name, HebrewMeaning:
"to guard, to keep"Description:
Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J. It's the name of an ancient Palestinian city, located in present-day Jordan, and is associated with the Biblical story of "The Good Samaritan" who came from Samaria. Derived from shamar meaning "to guard" this name was chosen for 100 girls in 2023 in the US.
- Petronilla
Origin:
Roman and Italian feminine variation of PetroniusMeaning:
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"Description:
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.
- Tamarind
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"tree and spice name"Description:
A hardwood tree native to Africa, India and other tropical regions, which bears sweet pod-shaped fruits which are used as a flavoring in many world cuisines, including Indian and Filipino. A rare and intriguing nature name which could honor an ancestral Tammy or Tamar.
- Heliotrope
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Despite the beauty of this flower's appearance and fragrance, this is one of the clumsier flower names.
- Petronia
Description:
Petronia is the feminine form of Petronius, a Roman family name derived from the Latin 'petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' With ancient Roman origins, it shares its roots with more common names like Peter and Petra. Petronia carries an air of classical dignity and strength. While never widely popular, the name has historical significance and has been used intermittently throughout European history, particularly in regions with strong Roman influence. The name possesses a formal, somewhat aristocratic quality with its classical roots and rhythmic three-syllable pronunciation. Petronia might appeal to parents interested in history or seeking a feminine name with substance and gravitas that remains relatively uncommon in contemporary usage.
- Illuminata
Description:
Illuminata is a rare feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'illuminatus' meaning 'enlightened' or 'illuminated.' This distinctive name carries connotations of brightness, knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment. Historically, it appeared in religious contexts, sometimes given to girls born on feast days associated with light or to honor St. Illuminata, an early Christian martyr. Despite its beautiful meaning and melodious quality with its flowing syllables, Illuminata remains extremely uncommon in modern usage. The name offers potential nicknames like Lumi, Mina, or Nata, making this elaborate name more accessible for everyday use while maintaining its unique heritage and profound significance.
- Fidelity
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Fidelity is an admirable virtue, yes, but as a name it tends to sound like a financial institution. Faith, Honor, or Patience would be easier to live with than Fidelity.
- Polyxena
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"very hospitable"Description:
Polyxena was a minor figure in Greek mythology - a daughter of King Priam and a love interest of the famed warrior Achilles. The name is a bit clunky but could be pulled off by the right woman.
- Preciosa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"precious, valuable"Description:
See PRECIOUS.