Fanciful Names for Girls
- Rialta
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"deep brook"Description:
Unique choice, with a pleasant antique feel.
- Arabelle
Origin:
Variation of Arabella, Latin, ScottishMeaning:
"yielding to prayer; lovable"Description:
This more succinct form of the elegant Arabella might appeal to those who are looking for a less popular spin on Annabel or those who like the sounds of Arabella but want something with fewer frills. Given to around 90 girls in 2024, it is around ten times less popular than its longer counterpart.
- Adelie
Description:
Adelie comes from French origins and is often associated with nobility, deriving from the Germanic name Adelaide, meaning 'noble' or 'nobility.' The name gained recognition from the Adelie penguin, discovered in 1840 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, who named the species after his wife, Adèle. As a girl's name, Adelie offers a delicate, elegant sound with a connection to both nature and aristocratic heritage. While not among the most common names, Adelie has been steadily increasing in popularity, particularly among parents seeking a name that is distinctive yet easy to pronounce. Its French flair and penguin association give it both sophistication and a whimsical quality that appeals to modern naming sensibilities.
- Arianell
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"silver + yellow; silver + shining"Description:
This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.
- Raphaela
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine variation of RaphaelMeaning:
"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.
- Freesia
Origin:
Flower name, from German surnameMeaning:
"Freese's flower"Description:
A rare, free-feeling flower name for the parent who wants to move far, far beyond Rose and Daisy. Named for German physician Friedrich Freese.
- Cambria
Origin:
Place name, Latin from WelshMeaning:
"Wales"Description:
Most names that start with Cam- are on the upswing, so why not this obscure term for Wales as well as for a prehistoric time period.
- Odilia
Origin:
GermanicMeaning:
"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.
- Calandra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Flannery
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Flannghal"Description:
Long before the vogue of using Irish surnames for girls, writer Flannery O'Connor gave this one some visibility. It has a warm (flannelly) feel and the currently popular three-syllable ee-ending sound.
- Callaia
Origin:
English, GreekMeaning:
"beauty"Description:
A spin on Calia or Calla, with a lot of fashionable sounds.
- Caterina
Origin:
Italian variation of KatherineDescription:
If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
- Merewen
Origin:
Old EnglishMeaning:
"sublime delight"Description:
This Anglo-Saxon gem was borne by a few medieval women including Saint Merewen, Abbess of Romsey Abbey. It has also been used in literature, for example in Kit Berry's Stonewylde series. Merewen has the mellifluous vowels and Celtic charm of other current favorites like Elowen and Meredith.
- Conwenna
Origin:
Cornish, Welsh or BretonDescription:
Made familiar by poet William Blake. According to Blake, after her death, Conwenna "shines ... over the north with pearly beams gorgeous and terrible". Make of that what you will.
- Calluna
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
From the botanical name for common heather, Calluna vulgaris, which ultimately derives from the Greek kallos "beauty". A unique, nature-inspired route to the fashionable nicknames Callie and Luna.
- Aristeia
Origin:
Literary term from GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Griselda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"grey battle"Description:
Griselda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet.
- Citrine
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
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.
- Corsica
Origin:
Place name, English from Latin, or Italian, Corsican surnameMeaning:
"from Corsica"Description:
Corsica, the picturesque Mediterrean island birthplace of Napoleon, makes an easy switch from atlas to baby name book, with its delicate, feminine ending. Just don't consider neighboring island Sardinia.
- Mariela
Origin:
Spanish diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Variant of Mariella
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