User-created list
By bohomamma · Updated February 2023
Across 4 pages
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English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
"God is gracious"
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of…
Mable is a vintage feminine name, primarily a spelling variant of Mabel, which derives from the Latin 'amabilis' meaning 'lovable.' This particular spelling was quite popular in the late 19th and…
Feminine variation of Henry, German
"estate ruler"
Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that…
Hebrew
"dove; daytime"
Jemima, the name of a strong and beautiful Biblical daughter of Job, has long been among the chicest choices of aristocratic Brits, and has since shifted to be used more generally too, replacing…
Teutonic
"staff of the Goths"
Gray-bearded name heard primarily in Sweden and Germany.
German variation of Frederick
"peaceful ruler"
One of the most familiar German names , with an upright Prussian image. Friedrich might just have been out for long enough to start coming back in.
Danish, Norwegian, and German form of Amalia or Amelia
"work"
Popular in Norway and Denmark, but familiar across Europe, Amalie can be pronounced as a-MAHL-yah, much like sister Amalia. A variation of Amelia, it shares the same Germanic element, amal meaning…
Dutch variation of Ilsa
"pledged to God"
Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
English or French
"desired; or water, island"
Variant of Evelyn or Aveline
German variation of William
"resolute protection"
This dignified German form of William belonged to two German Emperors and Kings of Prussia, as well as a host of other important historical figures. These include composer (Wilhelm) Richard Wagner,…
"Established by God"
Joachim is an undiscovered biblical name with potential, although most modern parents would probably prefer the more lively Spanish version, Joaquin. Like many Old Testament names, it was primarily…
German
"bold voyager"
Ferdinand is a traditional name among Spanish royal families and also appears in Shakespeare's The Tempest , borne by the handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prospero's island. Bold, daring, and…
"bright, glorious"
Ever since Allied soldiers in World War I dubbed the enormous German cannon "Big Bertha", this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to…
Traditional German names of this ilk have had a difficult time emigrating into the American name pool, mostly because anti-German sentiment during the two world wars of the 20th century drove German…
Christoph is the German and Dutch form of Christopher, derived from the Greek 'Christophoros' meaning 'bearing Christ.' This masculine name carries significant historical and religious weight across…
"famous warrior"
As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
Lorenz is a masculine name of Germanic and Latin origin, derived from the Roman name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel,' symbolizing victory and honor in ancient Rome. This…
Mattheus is a masculine name representing the Latin form of Matthew, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God.' This spelling variation is…
Latin
"woman of honor"
This is an eighteenth century elaboration of Honor found in Charles Dickens ( Bleak House ) but rarely heard here and now.
