Ends in -via

Olivia, a lovely Shakespearean name with an admirable balance of strength and femininity, is the Number 1 name for baby girls in the US and one of the top girls' names around the world.

The musical, sylvan Sylvia seems poised to join former friends Frances and Beatrice and Dorothy back in the nursery.

Though it sounds like a chopped-off variation of Olivia, which means olive, the distinctively attractive Livia has been an independent name since the days of the ancient Romans, when it belonged to Livia Drusilla—the powerful wife of the Emperor Augustus—and is still commonly heard in modern Italy.

Octavia began as the Latin, then Victorian name for an eighth child. While there aren't many eighth children anymore, this ancient Roman name has real possibilities as a substitute for the overused Olivia; recommended for its combination of classical and musical overtones. It was chosen for his daughter by Kevin Sorbo.

This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.

An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could change. Seen more in literature than real life, Flavia was used as far back as an1580 romance, then in a William Dean Howells novel and as a Princess in The Prisoner of Zenda. Although the original pronunciation is FLAH-via, Flavie (as in flavor) could make a cute nickname.

Vivia, the fresh Italian version of newly popular name, streamlines and even vivifies the original.

While Alivia may not have achieved the megapopularity of its mother name, it's still a widely used choice. Alivia combines the trendiness of A names with the trendiness of Olivia to create a choice that's slightly off the beaten track -- slightly being the operative word here. Is the distinction the initial A earns you worth a lifetime of explaining, "No, it's Alivia, with an A, not Olivia"? Your call, though ours would be no.

Looking for a discreet poetic name? Extremely popular Indian actress Kavya Madhavan is a notable bearer of this lovely Indian name.

Elvia is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the elements 'alb' or 'elf' meaning 'white' or 'fair.' It can be considered a variation of names like Elva or Alba. Popular in Spanish-speaking countries and communities, Elvia has a delicate, melodious quality that gives it enduring appeal. The name experienced modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but has become less common in recent decades. Despite its relative rarity, Elvia maintains a timeless elegance and cross-cultural versatility. The name often evokes associations with brightness, purity, and beauty, making it an understated yet distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with classical roots.

Cute, distinctive diminutive for this regal-sounding name.

Another name for the herb sage -- which sounds younger and more modern than this version.

Softer and more romantic than Octavia, this is a name once used when it wasn't uncommon for families to have eight children. A possible substitute for the epidemically popular Olivia.

This female version of Levi is much too apt to be mistaken for Livia.

Avia is one of those multi-cultural, vowel-heavy girls' names so popular today, along with such choices as Ayla and Aya.

All too likely to be confused with the ultratrendy Nevaeh.

Belvia is a feminine name with possible Latin derivation, likely related to 'bellus' meaning 'beautiful' or 'pretty.' It may also connect to names like Belva or represent a variant of Sylvia. This uncommon name saw modest usage in the United States in the early 20th century, particularly in southern states, but has since become quite rare. Belvia has a gentle, vintage quality with its flowing sound and 'ia' ending common in feminine names. The name carries connotations of beauty and classical elegance. Some bearers might trace connections to family surnames or regional naming traditions. Its scarcity in contemporary usage makes it distinctive while maintaining a melodic, traditionally feminine character.

Genevia is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a variant of Geneva. It likely shares origins with Geneva, which comes from the name of the Swiss city, derived from the Celtic word "genawa" meaning "mouth" or "estuary." Genevia has a romantic, slightly antique quality with its flowing syllables and melodic sound. The name has never been widely used, remaining a rare choice throughout recorded naming history. With its similarity to both Geneva and the popular name Genevieve, Genevia offers a distinctive alternative that carries echoes of European elegance while maintaining a unique identity that sets it apart from more common names.

Nevia is a feminine name with Latin roots, possibly derived from 'nevis' meaning 'snow' or connected to the ancient Roman clan name Naevius. It may also be related to the Latin word 'novus' meaning 'new.' In Italian, 'neve' means snow, giving the name winter associations. Nevia has a delicate, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has seen some use in Italy and Latin communities. The name offers an elegant alternative to more popular names like Olivia or Sophia, with a similar romantic sound but greater distinctiveness. Parents might be drawn to Nevia for its classical roots, gentle sound, and relative rarity, providing uniqueness without being difficult to pronounce.