harry-potter-esque names

Alexandrine

Variation of Alexandra, Greek

"defending men"

Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual, found mostly in France and Germany. Another, Alexandrina, was the…

Arsenia

Feminine variation of Arsenio, Greek

"virile, strong"

As current as Arsenio Hall — not very.

Astoria

Place name

Long more associated with the New York Waldorf- hotel and the neighborhood in Queens than as a baby name, Astoria is finally beginning to emerge from their shadow and find favor with parents looking…

Astraea

Greek

"of the stars"

Astraea —also found as Astraia — is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who left earth to become the constellation Virgo after she grew unhappy with the state of humanity. She was prophesised…

Austria

Place name, Latinization of German Osterreich

"eastern realm"

Austria is an nteresting, appealing, unexplored geographic destination, much fresher than American cousin Austin. A related and attractive possibility is Austria's capital city, Vienna, the name of…

Calendre

Calendre is an extremely rare feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly derived from calendar-related words or a variant of names like Calandra (from Greek, meaning 'lark'). With its melodic…

Calpurnia

Latin "chalice; cup"

"chalice; cup"

Calpurnia is a name with a massive history. As the third and final wife of Julius Caesar, Calpurnia has been forever depicted in literature (Shakespeare) and film ( Cleopatra ; Rome ) as a modest and…

Cerise

French

"cherry"

Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.

Cressida

Greek

"gold"

Cressida is a golden, mythological, and Shakespearean name, much better known in Britain than it is in the US. Given to just 11 American girls in a recent year — though still the highest number on…

Dione

Greek

"divine queen"

In Greek mythology the mother of Aphrodite by Zeus, and also one of Saturn's moons; this is an astral name quite distinct from the better known Dionne.

Edenia

Edenia is a feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly derived from Eden, the biblical paradise garden, combined with a feminine ending. It might also relate to the Latin 'edenia' referring to…

Elouera

Australian Aboriginal

"a pleasant place"

Elouera has potential for people looking for unusual versions of popular "Elle" names like Ellen, Eleanor and Ella. This Aboriginal Australian place name is filled with the mellifluous sounds that…

Eurydice

Greek

"wide justice"

Flowing and intriguing, Eurydice is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the wife of musician Orpheus. After she is poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, Orpheus attempts to rescue…

February

Word name or Latin

"purification feast"

If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa , which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter,…

Feliciana

Feliciana is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'felix' meaning 'happy,' 'fortunate,' or 'lucky.' This elegant name represents the feminine form of Feliciano and is related to Felicity.…

Fernande

French, feminine variation of Ferdinand

A dark-haired femme fatale choice.