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Feminine Rare Names

viviv
By viviv
Updated Thu May 25 2023
My favorite rare names that are feminine. I'm based in the USA, but I believe these are rare everywhere.
  1. Ophelia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Floral, elegant, and bold, Ophelia re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2015 after more than 50 years off the charts. It has risen more than 700 spots since then and shows no signs of slowing down. Now in the US Top 300, could Ophelia one day become the next Olivia or Amelia?
  2. Etta

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish, short form of any name ending with -etta: Henrietta, Loretta etc.

    • Description:

      Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. While it is currently in the latter end of the US charts, the smart, snappy name is a rising choice in the UK, where it features in the Top 150.
  3. Sybil

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "seer, prophetess"

    • Description:

      The image of the lovely Lady Sybil, tragic youngest daughter of the Crawley family on Downton Abbey is likely to go a long way towards reviving this almost forgotten name, off the list since 1966 and most popular in the 1920s and '30s.
  4. Faye

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fairy"

    • Description:

      Soft and simple, but no less magical, Faye is enjoying a quiet spell of popularity in the US. It broke the Top 1000 in 2014, and by 2023, was one of the fastest rising names on the charts. Faye is a perfect example of a name that fits in and stands out, recognizable and yet unexpected. It also makes a beautiful middle name option, if Mae and Rae are feeling too overdone.
  5. Lavinia

    • Origin:

      Latin, from ancient place name Lavinium

    • Description:

      Lavinia is a charmingly prim and proper Victorian-sounding name which actually dates back to classical mythology, where it was the name of the wife of the Trojan hero Aeneas, who was considered the mother of the Roman people.
  6. Calliope

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful voice"

    • Description:

      Melodic and beautiful but with a touch of sass, Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry — and perhaps less glamorously, the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016, and in more recent year, IT appeared in the Top 500.

      Also spelled as Kalliope — the more traditional Greek transliteration — Calliope means "beautiful voice", making this a musical and poetic choice. It was rarely heard in the US until the 2000s when Calliope "Callie" Torres from the show Grey's Anatomy helped introduce it to a wider audience.
  7. Octavia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "eighth"

    • Description:

      Octavia began as the Latin, then Victorian name for an eighth child. While there aren't many eighth children anymore, this ancient Roman name has real possibilities as a substitute for the overused Olivia; recommended for its combination of classical and musical overtones. It was chosen for his daughter by Kevin Sorbo.
  8. Andromeda

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "advising like a man"

    • Description:

      One of the stellar unique baby names from mythology, Andromeda was the beautiful daughter of Cassiopeia who, like her mother, literally became a star--the constellation that bears her name.The Bohemian Andromeda makes a dramatic and adventurous choice in a time when four-syllable mythological names are gradually making their way into the mainstream.
  9. August

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "majestic, venerable"

    • Description:

      Though associated traditionally (and fashionably) with boys, it has been used occasionally for girls as well – by Garth Brooks, Nicolas Cage, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, for example. But August is used significantly more often for girls these days than traditional feminine variations Augusta and Augustina, and makes for a fresh twist on traditional month names like April and May, as well as an updated spin on season name Autumn.
  10. Ambrosia

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Ambrose

    • Meaning:

      "Immortal"

    • Description:

      Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
  11. Katrina

    • Origin:

      German variation of Katherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      The hurricane blew this one out of the realm of possibility.
  12. Alpha

    • Origin:

      Greek, first letter of the alphabet

    • Description:

      The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
  13. October

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      What is so rare as a month named June? October – and November and December – are a lot rarer. Brisk and substantial, they're so much more memorable and modern than April or May. October got its name via being the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. Some related, more feminine variations are Octavia and Ottavia.
  14. Vena

    • Description:

      Vena is a concise feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Latin word 'vena' meaning 'vein,' symbolizing life's vital essence, or possibly from a shortened form of names like Lavena or Rovena. In some cultures, it relates to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Vena has remained consistently uncommon throughout history, appealing to parents who prefer rare, short names with a gentle sound. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots. With its soft consonants and open ending, Vena offers a delicate yet distinctive choice. Its rarity means a Vena will likely stand out while still carrying a name that's easy to pronounce and spell.
  15. Vianna

    • Description:

      Vianna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, primarily connected to Latin and Romance languages. It may derive from the ancient Roman name 'Viviana,' meaning 'alive' or 'full of life,' or relate to geographical locations like Vienna (Wien) in Austria or Viana in Spain and Portugal. The name combines melodic qualities of names like Vivian and Anna, creating a flowing, elegant sound. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Vianna has seen modest usage in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions. The name carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell. Vianna offers parents a distinctive alternative to more common names like Vivian, Brianna, or Gianna, sharing similar sounds while maintaining its own identity. Its cross-cultural nature makes it adaptable across linguistic boundaries.

  16. Saturnina