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Fanciful Names for Girls

  1. Brigitta

    • Description:

      Brigitta is a feminine name with rich historical roots, derived from the ancient Celtic name Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'high goddess.' It's the Central European form of Bridget, particularly popular in Hungarian, German, and Scandinavian cultures. The name is associated with Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints known for her generosity and compassion. Brigitta gained international recognition through characters in literature and film, including Maria's friend in 'The Sound of Music.' While maintaining its classic origins, Brigitta offers a more distinctive alternative to the more common Bridget or Brigitte, combining ancient Celtic heritage with continental European elegance.

  2. Valeska

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "strong"

    • Description:

      This diminutive of Valeria has a strong and striking sound to match its meaning. It has also been used in Brazil in recent decades.
  3. Arianell

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Mariposa

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
  5. Alchemy

    • Origin:

      Latin word name

    • Meaning:

      "a medieval chemical science"

    • Description:

      One of the most extreme of the new word names, recommended only to the most mystical-minded parents. Actor Lance Henriksen spelled his daughter's name Alchamy.
  6. Calixta

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calista Flockhart may have made her variation of this beautiful Greek name familiar to modern Americans, but the even-edgier x version was the name of an earlier feminist heroine: a character in Kate Chopin's The Storm.
  7. 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.
  8. Crisanta

    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "golden flower, chrysanthemum"

    • Description:

      Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of November, it's one of the recommended names for Scorpio babies as well as names for November babies. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.
  9. Arabelle

    • Origin:

      Variation of Arabella, Latin, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  10. Avielle

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my father"

    • Description:

      Variation of Aviela/Abiela, feminine forms of the Biblical Aviel/Abiel "God is my father". The modernized/anglicized double-l spellings are popular now in English-speaking countries.
  11. 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.
  12. Christabel

    • Origin:

      Latin and French

    • Meaning:

      "fair Christian"

    • Description:

      Though Isabel is a smash hit, Christabel still hasn't been fully embraced. It was originally popularized in England via the Coleridge poem Christabel ("whom her father loves so well") and was given to the poet's granddaughter. Christabel Pankhurst was a famous U.K. suffragist.
  13. Mariela

    • Origin:

      Spanish diminutive of Maria

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Variant of Mariella
  14. Livana

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the moon, white"

    • Description:

      Pretty and unusual, Livana may find a lot more fans as parents look for alternatives to Number 1 Olivia. Livana was used for only seven baby girls in the US last year.
  15. 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.
  16. Titania

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "giant, great one"

    • Description:

      This name of the queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream has a delicate, lacy charm similar to Tatiana's, but that first syllable could cause embarrassing problems.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Erendira

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "she who smiles"

    • Description:

      Erendira was the name of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez heroine and also a mythological princess. The name is best known in Mexico.
  20. Caterina

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Katherine

    • Description:

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