Family Names

  1. Benedict
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "blessed"
    • Description:

      Parents who like Ben and Benjamin but find those forms too popular sometimes consider Benedict as a more distinctive choice. Unlike the Old Testament Benjamin, Benedict is the name of the saint who formed the Benedictine Order and of fifteen popes,including a recent one.
  2. Caridad
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "Charity"
    • Description:

      Caridad is a theological Virgin name, representing Our Lady of Charity, and a popular saint's name in Cuba. Would make an interesting choice, in the manner of the more familiar Soledad, Our Lady of Solitude.
  3. Carmina
    • Celeste
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "heavenly"
      • Description:

        Celeste is a softly pretty and somewhat quaint name with heavenly overtones, which kids might associate with Queen Celeste of Babar's elephant kingdom. She's a light and lovely choice that's finally getting noticed.
    • Celestine
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "heavenly"
      • Description:

        Celestine is a pretty, crystalline extension (actually a diminutive) of Celeste that would make a choice that is both delicate and strong. It is also a popular name in France.
    • Celine
      • Origin:

        French variation of Celeste
      • Meaning:

        "heavenly"
      • Description:

        French-Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation. Although many parents would prefer the homonym Selene, which has a different derivation and means "moon," Celine has been a Top 1000 name every year since 2012, and was also on the list each year from 1994 to 2005. Celine is also a newly-chic French fashion label.
    • Editha
      • Fe
        • Origin:

          Spanish
        • Meaning:

          "faith"
        • Description:

          Relatively popular in Spain until the middle of the 20th century, this sweet and lively Spanish virtue name is also a Marian name, short for María de Fe. In Galician, it is sometimes also short for Fernanda, meaning "brave voyager".
      • Gressa
        • Hannah
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "grace"
          • Description:

            Hannah is one of the nation's top biblical girls' names—it surpassed Sarah in 1998, and ranks in the Top 50 along with Elizabeth, Abigail, Chloe, and Naomi. Hannah is a name with many sources of appeal: Old Testament roots, soft and gentle sound, and a homey yet aristocratic image.
        • Jericho
          • Origin:

            Biblical place-name
          • Description:

            A biblical place name with trumpeting verve and strength.
        • Kenalyn
          • Legaya
            • Rachelle
              • Origin:

                French variation of Rachel
              • Description:

                Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here.
            • Raquel
              • Origin:

                Spanish variation of Rachel
              • Meaning:

                "ewe"
              • Description:

                Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch. Similarly to the Hebrew form Rachel, Raquel is past its peak. Nonetheless, it retains a certain sparkle and would feel newly refreshing for a baby today.
            • Reine
              • Origin:

                French
              • Meaning:

                "queen"
              • Description:

                This regal French name is a descendant of the Latin Regina, as is the Spanish Reina. Reine is also a male name in Scandinavia.
            • Reinier
              • Renee
                • Origin:

                  French from Latin
                • Meaning:

                  "reborn"
                • Description:

                  Chic in the fifties, now kept in the public eye mainly by actress Zellweger. Variations include Rene, Renae, and Renny.
              • Robin
                • Origin:

                  Bird name, or English, diminutive of Robert
                • Meaning:

                  "bright fame"
                • Description:

                  After a 60 year slide down the popularity ladder, Robin made a turnaround in 2020 and began climbing back into favor for baby girls. One reason may be its new status as one of the most evenly-divided gender neutral names.
              • Ronald
                • Origin:

                  Norse
                • Meaning:

                  "ruler's counselor"
                • Description:

                  To many people, Ronald is off playing shuffleboard with Donald, though others aren't swayed by its old man image. In the Top 10 in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s, the name later came to be strongly associated with President Reagan, along with his nicknames, Ron and Ronnie—as well as with the McDonald franchise mascot. A more youthful bearer is the likable character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series. In the early days of Hollywood, Ronald Colman was a dashing matinee idol.