Names after cities and geographical areas

Anaia

Basque or feminization of Anaiah, Hebrew

"brother; God has answered"

As a female name, Anaia is typically used in its Basque form, where it is derived from the word anai , meaning "brother." In the Bible, Anaiah is the name of two minor male characters.

Apollonia

Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

"destroyer, strength; father's light"

This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain . It could…

Cyrene

Greek

"supreme power"

Cyrene was a mythical nymph and huntress who was beloved by the god Apollo. He founded a city named after her in what is now Libya and made her the queen. Derived from Greek and pronounced with three…

Dacia

Latin place-name

Dacia is an ancient place-name -- it was in Eastern Europe -- as lacy as Dacey, but more substantial.

Doris

Greek

"gift of the ocean"

Doris had long been on our so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out-for-babies list, and seemed to be written there in indelible ink. But there are signs of a sea change, that Doris could profit from the…

Hermione

Feminine version of Hermes, Greek

"messenger, earthly"

Hermione's costarring role in Harry Potter has made this previously ignored, once stodgy name suddenly viable. Hermione could really take off once today's children start having kids of their own. In…

Illyria

Ancient place-name, feminine variation of Illyrius, Greek

Illyria can trace all its varied associations to the name of an ancient place in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, also called Illyricum. Its inhabitants, conquered by the Romans in 168 BC,…

Ionia

Greek place-name

Also relating to the sea and the islands, this name is a bit more melodic than its cousins.