Classmates names
- Ada
Origin:
German or TurkishMeaning:
"noble, nobility, or island"Description:
Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
- Daniel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Daniel is one of only a handful of male names that sounds both classic and modern, strong yet approachable, and popular but not cliched. It also has a solid Old Testament pedigree. The only real downside: There are about 10,000 Daniels named each year, making it a less than distinctive choice.
- Emilia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Emil, LatinMeaning:
"rival"Description:
Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius, which derived from the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival." In Shakespeare’s Othello, Emilia is the wife of Iago and confidante of Desdemona. Amelia, although homonymous, has a different root and meaning.
- Adam
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"son of the red earth"Description:
Adam -- a primal Old Testament name -- was revived as a 1960s cowboy name. Adam is not as popular as it once was and feels ready for a respite, replaced by newer A names like Aidan/Aiden, Avery and Axel. Its most prominent current bearers include Adams Sandler, Levine, Brody and Driver -- who plays a character named Adam on Girls.
- Joanna
Origin:
Variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Joanna derives from the Greek name Ioanna, which in turn came from the Hebrew name Yohannah. It is featured in the New Testament as a woman who accompanied Jesus on his travels and eventually reached saint status. Other names related to Joanna include Joan, Joanne, Johanna, and Jana.
- Daria
Origin:
Feminine variation of Darius, Persian or Latin from GreekMeaning:
"kingly or possess well"Description:
An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish. Which may be a positive, in terms of Daria not being in danger of overpopularity.
- Paula
Origin:
Feminine variation of Paul, LatinMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."
- Sandra
Origin:
Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
2012's Hurricane Sandy blew away whatever style currency Sandra retained from its 1960s Sandra Dee heyday. While in recent years it's been associated with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as a baby name Sandra is sinking beneath the waves.
- Beata
Origin:
Swedish, German, Italian, from LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
Beata, a Latinate saint's name, has been widely used primarily by Roman Catholics in several European countries, but is rarely heard in English-speaking countries. Playground alert: could be mispronounced Beeta.
- Giuseppe
Origin:
Italian variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy where it remains in the Top 20. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, but its spirited, distinctive-yet-familiar sounds might help it catch on, as Giovanni has
- Marta
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, SlavicMeaning:
"lady"Description:
Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
- Paulina
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
More stylish than either Paula or Pauline, it was given a glamour gloss by model Paulina Porizkova in the nineties.
- Kamila
Origin:
Latin, ArabicMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant; perfect"Description:
Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".
- Konrad
Origin:
German, Scandinavian, PolishMeaning:
"brave counsel"Description:
German, Scandinavian and Polish spelling of Konrad, borne by several German and Polish rulers throughout history, as well as the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
- Wojciech
Origin:
Polish from SlavicMeaning:
"joyous warrior, he who enjoys war"Description:
A common choice in Poland, where it honors St. Adalbert of Prague — born Vojtěch, the Czech form of Wojciech — the patron saint of Poland.
- Monika
Description:
Monika is a feminine name primarily of Latin origin, being a variant spelling of Monica. The name derives from the Latin 'moneo' meaning 'to advise' or 'to remind.' Monika is particularly popular in Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Hungary, where this spelling is preferred over the more Anglicized 'Monica.' The name gained international recognition through Saint Monica, the persistent and prayerful mother of Saint Augustine. Monika has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and balanced syllables. While the 'Monica' spelling peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1970s, the 'Monika' variant maintains steady usage particularly in European countries and among families honoring their European heritage.
- Adrianna
Origin:
Feminine variation of AdrianMeaning:
"man of Adria"Description:
A popular spelling variation of Adriana.
- Kornelia
Description:
Kornelia is the Polish, German, Hungarian, and Scandinavian form of Cornelia, a feminine name with ancient Roman roots. Derived from the Latin 'cornu' meaning 'horn,' it was the name of a prestigious Roman family, most notably Cornelia Africana, mother of the reformers Gracchi brothers, who was considered the ideal Roman matron. Kornelia carries an air of classical elegance while maintaining a distinct Eastern European character through its spelling with 'K' rather than 'C.' The name has enjoyed consistent popularity particularly in Poland, Hungary and Germanic countries, though it never reached extreme heights of usage. Kornelia projects sophistication and cultural depth, appealing to parents drawn to names with historical significance and international flair. The name offers several nickname possibilities including Nelia, Kora, or Nella.
- Aleksandra
Origin:
Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian version of Alexandra, GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Aleksandra is the preferred spelling in many Eastern European languages and cultures, but for English-speakers it's ironically more confusing if also perfectly phonetically clear.
- Karol
Description:
Karol is traditionally a masculine name in many Slavic countries, though it can be used for both genders in different cultures. It's the Eastern European equivalent of Charles, derived from Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' In Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, Karol is a common male name, while English speakers might perceive it as a feminine variant of Carol. The name gained international recognition when Karol Józef Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II. Karol has a strong, straightforward quality with its two distinct syllables and firm ending. Its cross-cultural versatility makes it appealing to parents with Slavic heritage or those seeking a name that works in multiple languages.
