The Obscure Goddesses

Marica

Croatian and Hungarian form of Maria

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

A striking form of international favourite Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah…

Mera

Mera is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'ocean' or 'sea,' connecting the name to water and vastness. In Arabic contexts, it can relate to words meaning…

Nixi

Latin

"goddess of childbirth"

The Nixi were a tribe of childbirth goddesses in ancient Rome. The similar Nixie is a girls' name associated with German water nymphs. Whichever variation you choose, this is a unique name with a…

Nona

Latin

"ninth"

Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue. In Roman mythology, Nona was also a goddess of…

Patricia

Latin

"noble, patrician"

Patricia still sounds patrician, though its scores of nicknames definitely don't. Wildly popular from the forties (alternately Number 3 and 4 throughout the decade) to the sixties, Patricia has been…

Pax

Latin

"peace"

A cool name, representing the Roman goddess of peace and offering a positive message to bestow upon a child. Pax is one of the most stylish new names that mean peace .

Peta

Native American, Blackfoot,or Greek, "golden eagle, or rock, stone"

"golden eagle, or rock, stone"

Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Tacita

Latin, feminine variation of Tacitus

"silence"

This Roman mythology name for the goddess of silence has the ancient Roman feel now coming into fashion, as boys begin to have names like Atticus and Aurelius.

Tanaquil

Etruscan

"gift of God"

This intriguing name of an ancient Etruscan queen renowned for her prophetic powers was long associated with the prima ballerina Tanaquil LeClerq.