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This cheerful Ancient Roman name may be too close to "hilarious" to use these days, but it does provide the root for choices such as Ilarion, Hilary, Ilaria, and Ilariy.

Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer …

Giacinto is a romantic Italian name and an intriguing floral choice for a boy. It comes from the Greek Hyacinthus, a character from Greek myth who shares his name with …

Fauna is the Roman goddess of the earth as well as one of the fairies who protected Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". It can also be considered a word name with …

Fabiola was the romantically elaborate name of a saint who organized the first hospice. Neither Fabiola nor Fabia appear on the most recent US extended list of names given to …

Evangeline is a romantic old name enjoying a major comeback, thanks to its religious overtones, Eva's popularity, and the star of the TV megahit Lost, Evangeline Lilly. Evangelia and …

Energetic Russian and Romanian form of Elisha.

Elisabeta is the Romanian and Portuguese variant of Elizabeth, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "God is my oath" or "God's promise." This elegant feminine name has been used …

… history while offering a distinctive Eastern European flavor. The name has been used by several Romanian royals and nobility throughout history, adding a regal quality to its heritage. In Romanian …

Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off …

Călin is a Romanian boy name, with a more unisex sound to the English ear. It's the word for the viburnum tree in Romanian, and it is also related …

Clorinda is a romantic name invented by a sixteenth-century poet, but has a synthetic sound today.

Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers …

Casca was a Roman cognomen — a proto-surname — that derived from a word meaning "old." It was seen in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, and more recently, in The Hunger …

Carna was a Roman goddess of the heart and flesh. She was eventually conflated with Cardea, goddess of hinges.

Unusual alternative to Roman, chosen for his son by Matthew Modine.

A rare and romantic take on Basil.

Auriel is a Roman name that was revived during the nineteenth-century craze for unique names. Could make an interesting substitution for the popular Aurora or Ariel.

A shimmery ancient Roman name that could still shine today. VARIATION: ARGENTA

Name of the Roman goddess of harvest and grain, appropriate for a fall baby. And a palindrome too!

Used predominantly in Romania, Anca is possibly a variation of Anica and Anna, both meaning "grace", though this is conjecture rather than a solid etymological link. Other interpretations could be …

One of the romantic names favored by British pastoral poets, it was first used as a masculine name by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso for his 16th century play about …

Alexandru is the Romanian form of Alexander, derived from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of men" or "protector of mankind." This masculine name has ancient roots and has been …

In Greek and Roman mythology, Aeneas was the legendary son of Venus (or Aphrodite) who was the hero of Troy and Rome. Appearing in the Aeneid by the poet Virgil …

Feminine, romantic but not overly sweet girls' names with a touch of mystique. Some are common (Anna) others unusual (Orielle).

Wong is a common romanization of the pinyin Chinese family names Huang and Wang, as well as rarer surnames such as Heng and Hong.

Derived from viorea, the Romanian word for the sweet violet flower. Former Romanian prime minister Viorica Dănicilă is a famous bearer.

Elegant and distinctive, this Romanian botanical name refers to either the sweet violet flower or the Alpine Squill, both of which are violet in color. It could make an interesting …

Vicus, an unusual ancient Roman place-name, is used for modern-day boys in Africa.

The name of the Roman goddess of the household is not recommended for your little goddess. More on that deity: Vesta is primarily associated with the vestal virgins, her priestesses …

Used in Moldova and Romania.

Ultimately derived from the Roman family name, Varius, this name is versatile as its meaning suggests. Both ancient and modern in feel, rugged yet regal, it may appeal to those …

Derived from a spirited Roman name, Valeriya is the bright, elegant Ukrainian, Russian, and occasionally Belarusian, form of Valeria or Valerie. It's a popular choice in Russia, and a …

Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for …

This variation of the Roman surname Valerius — most familiar through the feminine forms Valerie and Valeria — has a powerful meaning to bestow upon a baby.

This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a …

A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose …

Used by the ancient Romans to distinguish a sixth daughter from her sisters of the same name. The first three letters make it pretty much unusable today.

Severin is an ancient Roman family name borne by several early saints. It's still alive throughout Europe, and could be ready for import here. Severin Winter is a wrestling …

A goddess worshipped in Roman times by Celtic peoples on the British isles, only recently rediscovered by historians. Though little is understood about her -- most of what we know comes …

Seneca was both a Roman philosopher-statesman and is a Native American Iroquois tribe. Occasionally used for both girls and boys, Seneca is now a Hunger Games character.

Italian form of the Roman cognomen Scaevola, derived from Latin scaevus "left-handed". The first bearer of this name was Gaius Mucius Scaevola, who acquired it, according to legend, after …

A rare alternative to Roman or Ruben, with a sweet meaning for a rosy-cheeked baby boy.

Rosmerta is a Gallo-Roman goddess of fertility, abundance, and prosperity, often depicted holding a cornucopia. In the Harry Potter books, Madame Rosmerta is the landlady of the Three Broomsticks …

He was the original Roman, Remus's twin and a founder of Rome. But parents attracted to this name are advised to read the legend first. Romulus does have some …

Brings to mind the romantic and elegant eighteenth century portraits of George Romney.

A variation of the romantic Shakespearean name, Romeu is most commonly heard in Portugal and Brazil, where it has ranked in the Top 100 and Top 1000 respectively. Pronounced as …

Energetic, sunny, and slightly romantic, Rafael is a popular choice in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Used internationally, Rafael is a Spanish variation of Raphael, that lends itself easily to …

Providentia was an ancient Roman goddess that was important to religion and the Imperial cult of ancient Rome. She personified the ability to foresee and make provisions. As a baby …

This name of the Roman goddess of fruit trees is also associated with a suburban town in Southern California.