User-created list
By Mhill46 · Updated March 2023
Across 11 pages
of 11
French literary name
Eponine is attracting new notice via the movie of Les Miserables, based on the book by Victor Hugo. Eponine is the spoiled daughter of Cosette's foster parents whose name, according to the story, was…
Aragonese
"from the lower golden land"
Aurembiaix was an impressive medieval countess, whose father Ermengol fought for her to inherit his lands, title and estate. Aurembiaix later fought for her right to succeed her father, and being a…
Occitan
"Light of the World"
Esclarmonde de Foix was an Occitan countess and an important figure in Catharism, a medieval Christian movement, which allowed women and men to both hold church offices. Her tale inspired an opera by…
Breton form of Elinor or Helen
"light"
One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.
German, Spanish compound name, Ethel + Linda
"noble + pretty"
Ethelinda is a feminine name that combines the elements "ethel" meaning "noble" or "of noble birth" and "linda" meaning "pretty." The name was used in medieval England but became less common after…
Portuguese
"bay"
This possible word name, which rhymes with Maia, makes an even more distinctive alternative.
Greek, feminine variation of Basil
Rare but attractive female form of Basil.
Irish
"life, livelihood"
Another candidate for mispronunciation.
Italian
"works with the hands"
Fabrizia is an Italian name sizzling with electricity.
Spanish
"happy, lucky"
The futuristic consonant x sets this apart -- for better and worse -- from all the other Felices, Felicias, and Felicitys.
French
"goddess"
This French name meaning goddess is a possible Gallic import in the Celine mode.
Scottish
"true sovereignty"
Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the…
French and English
"beautiful rose"
A felicitous combo of two sweet names; also a Queens, New York neighborhood.
"beauty"
Beauty con brio italiano.
Scottish occupational name
"piper"
Fifer is a musical name that fits in seamlessly with the likes of Harper and Piper, but is much more unusual. It's also a Scottish demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the historic Scottish county…
Invented literary name
"beautiful shining one"
The name of the character in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" whom the poet intended as a representation of Queen Elizabeth I. While it will no doubt thrill your daughter's English professor, the…
Latin
"blessed"
Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot.
Hebrew
"daughter of the right hand"
The kind of feminized male name that never caught on.
Greek
"she who is milk-white"
This name's meaning derives from the material from which the mythical sculptor Pygmalion chiselled his ideal woman - she was carved from ivory. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation and Aphrodite,…
Benna is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In some contexts, it's considered a variation of Bena, which has African roots meaning "truthful." In others, it may be a diminutive of names…
