Opera Names

Name of an Old Testament soldier that's been also used as a girls' name in modern Israel. An alternate spelling is Adinah. Some mistake Adina and Adinah to be the root of Dinah, but the Biblical name Dinah is borne by a different figure and has a different meaning. You can consider the modern short forms Dena and Dina as stemming from either Adina or Dinah.

Adriano is a dashing Italian name which gets around the possible gender confusion of Adrian.

Alisa is variation of Alice with a touch of international flair. Used in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia and Poland, it is also familiar in English speaking countries too. As a Hebrew name, Alisa has a bright, cheerful meaning, that adds another layer to the name.

Alzira found its highest degree of popularity in the mid-nineteenth century after Giuseppe Verdi created an opera of the name Alzira, after its romantic heroine. Despite Verdi using the name for a Peruvian princess, Alzira is an arabic name Verdi's opera, despite the name's arabic roots, the name was given to a Peruvian princess. Alzira is also the name of a Spanish city in Valencia.

Antonio is a Shakespearean favorite -- the Bard used it in no less than five of his plays, and has long been a ubiquitous classic in Spanish-speaking countries, where the nickname Tonio is also prevalent. Antonio is also among an elite group of perennially popular names in the US, where it has always been among the boys' Top 1000 since baby name record-keeping started in 1880.

Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroine of a Handel opera.

Arminda is a feminine name with Latin and Spanish origins, possibly derived from the Germanic name Ermenhild, composed of elements meaning "whole" or "universal" and "battle." In Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries, it has maintained modest popularity over centuries. The name appears in literature and opera, notably as a character in Handel's opera "Arminio." Arminda combines strength and femininity with its melodic sound and strong consonants. The name conveys a sense of determination and dignity, with the soft ending adding a gentle touch to its otherwise robust character. While never reaching mainstream popularity in English-speaking countries, Arminda offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with Latin flair and historical depth.

Armino is a masculine name with Italian and Spanish roots, derived from 'Arminio,' which is related to the Germanic name Hermann, meaning 'warrior' or 'soldier man.' The name carries a strong, noble quality and has historical connections to Arminius, a Germanic chieftain who defeated Roman legions. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Armino has maintained modest popularity in Italian-speaking regions and parts of Latin America. It offers parents seeking a distinctive yet traditional-sounding name an option with historical depth and a melodic quality. The name typically conveys strength, protection, and leadership qualities.

Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in Swinburne's Atalantis in Calydon.