strong names for kids i'm never going to have

  1. Elvie
    • Origin:

      Short form of Elva, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "leader of the elves"
    • Description:

      If Ellie and Evie are fashionable, why not Elvie? This is a diminutive of the Anglicized version of the Irish name spelled Ailbhe.
  2. Elvira
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "white, fair"
    • Description:

      Before there was the campy TV Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Elvira was the long-suffering wife of Don Juan, and remnants of those negative, gothic images still cling to it, though they are fading.

      Other references include the romantic film Elvira Madigan, based on a real person, and the main ghostly character in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, as well as appearances in several operas.

  3. Euphemia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Eurydice
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wide justice"
    • Description:

      Despite (or because of) her tragic story in Greek myth--Eurydice was poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, where her husband, musician Orpheus, tried and failed to bring her back--she has provided creative inspiration in the arts, namely as the subject of operas by Monteverdi, Haydn and Gluck, in an eponymous play by Jean Anouilh, and the myth was the inspiration for Tennessee William's drama Orpheus Descending. Paintings by Titian, Rubens and Poussin also focus on Eurydice.
  5. Euphrates
    • Horatia
      • Origin:

        Latin feminine variation of Horatio
      • Description:

        Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
    • Junia
      • Origin:

        Latin, Feminine variation of Junius
      • Meaning:

        "born in June"
      • Description:

        Juno is hot, June is showing signs of a comeback along with other month and day names, whereas Junia, the name of the the first century Christian referred to by the apostle Paul as an apostle (and who may have been male), is yet to be discovered.
    • Laelius
      • Marcellus
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "young warrior"
        • Description:

          This ancient Roman family name, first borne by the distinguished Marcus Claudius Marcellus and later by two popes, is a possibilty in the hot new category of names from antiquity.
      • Nerva
        • 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?
        • Orion
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "boundary, limit"
          • Description:

            Orion is a rising star, with both mythical and celestial overtones.
        • Othello
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "he has the sound of God"
          • Description:

            Shakespeare's moor has exclusive ownership of this name.
        • Prometheus
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "foresight"
          • Description:

            Prometheus of Greek Mythology was a Titan known for creating humankind out of clay. He stole fire from the gods and gifted it to humanity, which triggered the rise of civilizations.

            Prometheus might be better known as Ridley Scott's 2012 film of the same name.

        • Raphael
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "God has healed"
          • Description:

            Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
        • Regulus
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "prince"
          • Description:

            The traditional name of the brightest star in the constellation Leo and a minor character in the "Harry Potter" series might be a good pick for parents interested in a regal name but turned off by the blatancy of Royalty and King. The nickname Reggie is all but inevitable, for better or worse.
        • Romulus
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "citizen of Rome"
          • Description:

            He was the original Roman, Remus's twin and a founder of Rome. But parents attracted to this name are advised to read the legend first. Romulus does have some less than savory characteristics, including killing his twin brother and making Rome in his own image, and is later deified as Quinnius. Romy and Quinn might make good twin names.
        • Tatius
          • Vita
            • Origin:

              Latin
            • Meaning:

              "life"
            • Description:

              Vital and vivacious, Vita is stirring back to life along with many of her V-themed sisters -- Vivian, Vivica -- and is becoming a new celebrity baby favorite.
          • Wisteria
            • Origin:

              Flower name, from English surname
            • Meaning:

              "Wister's flower"
            • Description:

              A frilly southern-accented flower name yet to be planted on many birth certificates. In the language of flowers, the wisteria is a symbol of devotion. It is named for American horticulturalist John Caspar Wister.