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Fanciful Names for Girls

  1. Leandra

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Leander, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lion-man"

    • Description:

      With the rise of many once-dated leonine names, from Leona to Lionel to Leonora, Leandra is an unusual choice that might be looking at a comeback..
  2. Roxana

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "dawn; or, little star"

    • Description:

      The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.
  3. Ulyana

    • Description:

      Ulyana is a feminine name of Slavic origin, primarily used in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. It derives from the Latin name Juliana, which comes from Julius, meaning 'youthful' or 'downy-bearded'. Ulyana represents the Eastern Slavic adaptation of this classical name. The name has a flowing, melodious quality with its balanced vowels and consonants. In Slavic countries, it has maintained steady popularity throughout history, associated with several saints and notable figures. While less common in Western countries, Ulyana has begun to gain recognition internationally. The name carries connotations of Slavic heritage and cultural richness while offering an exotic yet accessible option for parents seeking names with historical depth and a distinctive sound.

  4. Dulcinea

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "sweetness"

    • Description:

      Miguel de Cervantes invented this elaborate-sounding name -- which roughly translates as "sweetness" -- for the beautiful maiden Don Quixote is obsessed with in his great novel. Even in the fictional world of the book, though, Dulcinea is not the woman's real name; Aldonza is. And because she never appears in person in the text, it's unclear whether she is as beautiful and saintly as the protagonist believes her to be. Probably not, given Don Quixote's track record.
  5. Triana

    • Origin:

      Spanish place name

    • Description:

      Triana is a Top 50 girls' name in Spain largely unknown and unused in the US: Only 10 baby girls in the US were given the name in 2017. Also a surname, Triana is the name of a distinctive neighborhood of Seville that's known for being home to artists, flamenco dancers, and bullfighters. Its name comes from the Roman emperor Trajan, which means "three rivers". Some sources list Triana as a short form of Katherine, a variation of Trina, and you can use it that way to honor an ancestral Katherine.
  6. Melusine

    • Origin:

      French, folkloric name

    • Description:

      Melusine was a figure from early European folklore, associated with the water. Her legends are especially connected with the northern and western areas of France, as well as the Low Countries. She is also connected with the French Lusignan royal house which claimed to be descended from Melusine. This name makes a good choice for people looking for a feminine mythological name but want to steer clear of Greek and Arthurian mythology.
  7. Amandine

    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Amanda

    • Meaning:

      "much-loved"

    • Description:

      This fragrant, almond-scented name has hardly been heard in this country, which is a pity--we've loved it since John Malkovich used it for his now grown daughter.
  8. Citrine

    • Origin:

      Gemstone name

    • Description:

      Citrine is a type of quartz named after its citrus-colored hues. if Amethyst, Jasper, and Onyx (all other types of quartz) can be used, why not Citrine, which has a lovely French-sounding suffix. Citrine is one of the many rare and attractive girl names starting with C.
  9. Corvina

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "like a raven"

    • Description:

      Corvina sounds quite similar to a car model, although it has a gorgeous meaning and could be an interesting dramatic full name for the nickname Cora.
  10. Araluen

    • Origin:

      Aboriginal Australian

    • Meaning:

      "water lilies; place of the water lilies"

    • Description:

      Araluen is a beautiful Aboriginal Australian place name, used in several sites, always connected to the dainty water lily.
  11. Calandra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lark"

    • Description:

      Calista Flockhart opened the door to a whole flock of graceful and unusual Greek names like this, including Calantha, Calla, Carissa, and Cassia. Calandra itself is the name of a species of lark, and has the versatile nickname options of Callie, Candy, Andra, Andie and Birdie.
  12. Decima

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "tenth"

    • Description:

      In the days of huge families, this name of the Roman goddess of prophecy and childbirth, and one of the Fates, would be saved for bambina number ten. Now it might be used for a girl born in October, the tenth month.
  13. Mariela

    • Origin:

      Spanish diminutive of Maria

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Variant of Mariella
  14. Mireya

    • Origin:

      Spanish from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "admired"

    • Description:

      A pretty and unusual path to the nickname Mira. Mira is the main character in Nobel Prize-winner Federico Mistral's poem of the same name. Mireya Moscoso was Panama's first female president.
  15. Faraday

    • Origin:

      Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "wood man"

    • Description:

      This unusual Scottish surname was made immortal by Michael Faraday, a British scientist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His name is now a unit of scientific measurement for electricity - a 'power'ful name for any little boy.
  16. Raphaela

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, feminine variation of Raphael

    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"

    • Description:

      A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
  17. Aristeia

    • Origin:

      Literary term from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "the best"

    • Description:

      In epic poetry, the term aristeia is used to denote the climactic point where the hero/heroine has their finest hour. Aristeia feels at home with other big Greek names like Atalanta, Cassiopeia and Galatea. We think this name has potential for parents who think Poem, Saga and Rhapsody are too obvious.
  18. Elysande

    • Origin:

      English, Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "temple path"

    • Description:

      An intriguing medieval name found in various forms across Europe. Variants include Elisende, Elisenda, Elysant, Elysande, Elisent and Helisent. It likely derives from a Visigothic name meaning "temple path".
  19. Caterina

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Katherine

    • Description:

      If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
  20. Odilia

    • Origin:

      Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "fatherland; wealth, fortune"

    • Description:

      Though it has never charted in the United States, this frilly name has the elements some brave, modern namers might find attractive—namely, the initial O and the -ia suffix.