Oregon Trail era names but for girls
- Minna
Origin:
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection; love"Description:
One of those pan-European nickname names much more familiar in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe than in the US, though related name Mina is making a comeback here. Light and bright, it could be an alternative to Mila, Minnie, or Millie.
- Eveline
Origin:
English or FrenchMeaning:
"desired; or water, island"Description:
Variant of Evelyn or Aveline
- Vesta
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"pure"Description:
The name of the Roman goddess of the household is not recommended for your little goddess.
- Carolina
Origin:
Variation of Caroline; also place-nameMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Romantic, and classy, this variation heats up Caroline and modernizes Carol, adding a southern accent. A popular choice in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Italy, it recently entered the US Top 500.
- Carrie
Origin:
Diminutive of Carol, English, or Caroline, French"free man"Meaning:
"free man"Description:
Carrie lives on mainly on the screen, as the new/old antiheroine of Stephen King's classic Carrie, as turn-of-the-21st-century diva Carrie Bradshaw of Sex & The City, and as Claire Danes' Emmy-winning character Carrie Mathison of Homeland.
- Celestine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
Celestine is a pretty, crystalline extension (actually a diminutive) of Celeste that would make a choice that is both delicate and strong. It is also a popular name in France.
- Avis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.
- Pheobe
Origin:
Spelling variation of Phoebe, GreekMeaning:
"bright, pure"Description:
Like Gwenyth and Issac, Pheobe is one of those names that many a delivery-dazed parent has accidentally spelled "wrong". It just doesn't make sense that the o comes before the e! If you really mean Pheobe, great, but if you mean Phoebe, the classic name pronounced fee-bee, it's spelled Phoebe.
- Josette
Origin:
French,pet form of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little six-year flurry here between 1967 and 1973. Josette may be feminine and flirty, but, given the choice, most parents today would prefer Josephine.
- Jeanne
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
- Eugenia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival.
- Angelique
Origin:
French diminutive of AngelaMeaning:
"angelic"Description:
Angelique was the fastest-rising girl name of 2021, influenced by French-Mexican actress Angelique Boyer, who starred in the telenovela Imperio de mentiras (Empire of Lies).
- Sylvania
Description:
Sylvania is a feminine name derived from Latin elements 'silva' or 'sylva' meaning 'forest' or 'woods', combined with the suffix '-ia' denoting 'land of'. The name literally translates to 'woodland' or 'forest dweller'. With its classical roots, Sylvania evokes images of lush forests and natural beauty. Though uncommon as a first name, it has historical usage and shares roots with place names and the word 'sylvan' (relating to woods). The name carries an elegant, slightly vintage quality with its flowing four-syllable structure. Sylvania appeals particularly to nature-loving parents seeking a name with classical origins but distinctive usage. The name suggests qualities of natural grace, tranquility, and connection to the earth, while its relative rarity makes it a standout choice.
- Euphemia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fair speech"Description:
Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.
- Paulina
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
More stylish than either Paula or Pauline, it was given a glamour gloss by model Paulina Porizkova in the nineties.
- Lilian
Origin:
Alternate spelling of Lillian, EnglishMeaning:
"lily; pledged to God"Description:
Lilian is the far less popular than the 'Lillian' spelling. To avoid a lifetime of mistakes and misspellings, we suggest you go with the Lillian spelling, which also looks more polished on paper. Whichever spelling you prefer, these names are benefitting from the fashion for girls' names starting with L.
- Keturah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"incense"Description:
Keturah, the Old Testament name of Abraham's second wife, is a possibility for anyone seeking a truly unusual and interesting biblical name; certainly a lot more distinctive than that of Abraham's first wife, Sarah.
- Marilla
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"shining sea"Description:
Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.
- Sophronia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sensible, prudent"Description:
Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron, it means "sensible, self-restrained".
- Bertha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright, glorious"Description:
Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
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