User-created list
By peaseblossom · Updated May 2023
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Richilde is a feminine Germanic name combining the elements 'ric' meaning 'power' or 'ruler' and 'hild' meaning 'battle' or 'warfare,' thus signifying 'powerful battle maiden' or 'strong female…
Latin
"showing clemency"
Clementia, related to names like Clementine and Clemence, was the older and original feminine version of this name. It was used most frequently in the Middle Ages in continental Europe. Clementia was…
"lame; enclosure"
Yes, we tend to think of Claude as a male name and Claudia and Claudette as the female, but this ancient clan name is used in France for girls as well as boys, and could make a distinctively chic boy…
Eufemia is a classical feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'euphemia' meaning 'good speech' or 'words of good omen.' In ancient Greece, euphemia referred to speaking words of praise or…
Ingeberg is a feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots, representing a variation of the more common Ingeborg. The name combines elements meaning 'Ing' (referring to an ancient Germanic…
"bear spear"
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…
Gertrudis is a feminine name of Germanic origin, a Latin/Spanish variation of Gertrude, meaning 'spear of strength' from the elements 'ger' (spear) and 'trud' (strength). Popular throughout medieval…
Norse
"Day maiden"
This royal Danish name has long been used across Scandinavia, Germany and Slavic countries and somewhat in the US around the turn of the last century --it was #622 in 1888. There were two notable…
Jutta is a feminine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a medieval German form of Judith. The name Judith comes from Hebrew, meaning "woman from Judea" or "praised." Jutta has been used in…
Ulrika is a feminine name of Scandinavian and Germanic origin, representing the female form of Ulrich or Ulrik, derived from the Old High German elements 'uodal' (heritage, patrimony) and 'rihhi'…
Swedish
"battle maiden"
This popular old Swedish name is not one that would appeal to many modern American parents, though shortening it to Nilla helps.
Yolande is a feminine name of medieval French origin derived from the Germanic elements 'yol' meaning 'viking' or 'valiant' and 'lande' meaning 'land' or 'territory'. It was introduced to England…
Greek
"good conduct"
This rare name, used by a Byzantine saint, is not as attractive as other Greek "Eu" name like Eugenia, Eulalie and Eudora. This probably belongs in the footnotes of the history books.
Persian
"noble lineage"
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…
Greek and Latin
"purple flower"
Too close to violent.
Italian and Portuguese variation of Matilda
Mafalda is nearly unknown in the English-speaking world, despite an appearance in Harry Potter. Indeed, it does have a witchy feel. Matilda itself is preferable, or her French form Mathilde, Spanish…
Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
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…
French from German
"comrade in arms"
French form of Hildegard
Elisaveta is the Slavic form of Elizabeth, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is abundance.' This elegant variation is particularly common in Bulgarian,…
Medieval English and Old Swedish form of Adelaide
"noble, nobility"
Adeliza is a unique member of the popular Adelaide-Adeline family. Different enough to distinguish it from all the others? Maybe, and it's definitely got an appealing sound that makes it sound a bit…