User-created list
By Myn · Updated May 2023
Across 14 pages
of 14
French variant of Zerlin and Zerlina
"beautiful dawn"
Although a variant of the operatic Zerlina, Zerline has her own theatrical tale. She is the star character of the opera Fra Diavolo by Daniel Auber. Zerline, daughter of the innkeeper of Terracina,…
Irish
"beautiful sheen"
An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.
Hebrew, variation of Gavriela
"God ismy strength"
Gabrina is a name sometimes heard in the Latino community, could make a distinctive alternative to Gabriela.
Ysidoro is a masculine name representing an alternative spelling of Isidoro, the Spanish and Italian form of Isidore. It derives from the Greek name Isidoros, meaning 'gift of Isis,' referring to the…
English, from German
"son of intelligence"
All the Fitz names are hard to carry, but this one has a wonderful meaning and might be a good middle name choice to honor a brilliant lineage.
Hebrew
"God rejoices"
Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.
Jennipher is a creative spelling variant of Jennifer, which originated as a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (the original form of Guinevere). The name means "white fairy," "white wave," or…
Latin, German
"to grow"
Derived from the Latin Crescentius and Crescens, Crescentia is a bold, strong but elaborate name borne by a 4th century saint and also the heroine of a 12th century German romance. Also spelled…
Pasquelina is a feminine Italian name derived from Pasqua, meaning 'Easter' or 'Passover.' It's essentially the female diminutive form of Pascal or Pasquale, names traditionally given to children…
Greek
"fruitful"
Eustacia, the ancestor of mid-century fave Stacy, is just the kind of fusty old relic that might be polished up for modern use. Eustacia Vye is the central character of Thomas Hardy's The Return of…
Russian form of Eugenia
"well born"
In an English-speaking country, stick with Eugenia.
German
"strong protection"
An ancient saint's name belonging to an 8th century English missionary. Variants include Walpurga and Walpurgis.
"yellow horse"
Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.
Latin
"born feet first"
A Roman forename, and later family name, used for both sexes in ancient times (but more commonly men).
"of the garden"
Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth…
Quechua
"flower"
Kantuta is the Quechua name for the national flower of both Bolivia and Peru, which is known for flowering around Christmas time. With its vivid green foliage and extremely bright red bell-shaped…
Spanish, Portuguese
"orchid"
A rare Spanish and Portuguese flower name that is rarely heard elsewhere.
English flower name from French
"thought"
Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.
Yiddish, variation of Selig
"blessed, happy"
Woody Allen introduced us to the name Zelig as the ever-morphing title character of his 1983 film. Zelig does have an upbeat meaning, and nickname Zelie makes it accessible for a girl, though it's an…
Anselma is the feminine form of Anselm, a name of Germanic origin derived from the elements "ans" (god) and "helm" (helmet, protection), meaning "protected by God" or "divine helmet." The name gained…
