classic and unusual character names for Women

Blondell

Blondell is a feminine name that originated as a medieval diminutive surname meaning "little blonde one" or "fair-haired." With French and Old German linguistic roots, it was historically given to…

Bluebell

Flower name from English

"blue bell"

Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish —…

Briseis

Greek

In Greek mythology, Briseis is a princess captured by Achilles during the Trojan War, who later becomes the object of the dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon which drives the plot of Homer’s Iliad…

Buffy

English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an…

Bunny

Animal name or English diminutive of Berenice, Greek

"she who brings victory"

Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny? Still, Bunny as a baby name is in the spotlight since Bryan Adams…

Butterfly

English word name

Fluttery and flighty. But there are a couple of names that mean butterfly you might consider, such as Yara and Farasha.

Calanthe

English from Greek

"Christmas orchid"

If you love Calliope and Callista, you'll love Calanthe, which combines the trendiness of the Greek 'cal' names with the equally fashionable "the" ending (like Xanthe and Evanthe) and a connection to…

Calixta

Greek

"most beautiful"

Calista Flockhart may have made her variation of this beautiful Greek name familiar to modern Americans, but the even-edgier x version was the name of an earlier feminist heroine: a character in Kate…

Callidora

Greek

"gift of beauty"

An extremely rare name of Ancient Greek origin which could be a novel way to Callie. There is a minor Harry Potter character by the name: Callidora Black (later Longbottom).

Camelia

Romanian and Spanish form of Camellia

"camellia flower"

A floral name, used in Romania and popular in Moldova too. Camellia is the English form, while Camélia is used in France. The flower itself is named after botanist George Josef Kamel.

Cantarah

Cantarah is an uncommon feminine name with possible Arabic or Hebraic origins, though its exact etymology remains somewhat obscure. It may be related to words meaning 'to sing' or 'to chant,'…

Carabelle

Carabelle is a charming feminine name that combines elements of 'Cara' (meaning 'beloved' in Italian or 'friend' in Irish) with the popular '-belle' suffix meaning 'beautiful' in French. This…

Casiphia

Hebrew

"place of the treasury"

A Biblical place name referred to by the Old Testament prophet Ezra. It may be a corruption of Caspian, or may derive from Hebrew keceph "silver, money".

Cassia

Feminine form of Cassius or Greek

"cinnamon"

Cassia is related to the cassia tree, which has yellow flowers and produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon. Keziah, the name of Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, derives from the…

Cassiopeia

Greek mythology name

"cassia juice"

Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related…

Catrelle

Catrelle is a feminine name with uncertain origins, likely created as a modern combination of the prefix 'Cat-' (from names like Catherine or Catrina) and the French-inspired suffix '-elle,' meaning…

Catriona

Scottish form of Katherine, Greek

"pure"

This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr,…

Cecette

Diminutive of Cecilla

"blind"

A pretty, Frenchified nickname of Cecilia that would work well on its own, perhaps as a reference to an aunt Cece.

Celestia

Variation of Celeste, Latin

"heavenly"

Celestia is a heavenly name that sounds more ethereal than Celeste, Celestia might make a distinctive, feminine choice if your taste runs toward names like Angelina and Seraphina. Celestia was more…