Ultimate Compendium of My Favorite Names!

  1. Shoshana
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lily"
    • Description:

      This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give the name an upward thrust.
  2. Shoshanna
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Shoshana, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lily"
    • Description:

      Shoshanna is a variation of one of the best-known original Hebrew baby names for girls , the original of Susanna. This is the spelling used by Shoshanna Lonstein, a designer who creates the Shoshanna clothing line and also the name of one of the four leading characters on the TV show Girls, Shoshanna Shapiro.
  3. Sybil
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "prophetess"
    • Description:

      The image of the lovely Lady Sybil, tragic youngest daughter of the Crawley family on Downton Abbey is likely to go a long way towards reviving this almost forgotten name, off the list since 1966 and most popular in the 1920s and '30s. Sybil is currently Number 253 on Nameberry;
  4. Thalia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "to flourish"
    • Description:

      Thalia was one of the Three Graces in Greek mythology, and also the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry, making this a Hellenic choice worthy of consideration.
  5. Theodora
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Theodore
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea.
  6. Theophania
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "of divine manifestation"
    • Description:

      This ancient name, belonging to a Byzantine empress, may be difficult to wear. The English variation Tiffany may be more wearable.
  7. Violet
    • Origin:

      English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "purple"
    • Description:

      Violet is soft and sweet, yet with a vivacious edge.

  8. Zaza
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "movement"
    • Description:

      Funky choice with za-za-zoom. Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.