Beautiful Names to Consider

Charlotte

French, feminine diminutive of Charles

"free man"

Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl…

Liliana

Italian and Spanish variations of Lilian

"lily, a flower"

Frilly and fit for a princess, but with plenty of spark and flair, Liliana holds international appeal and a modern glamor. Joining Lily and Lillian in the US Top 100 for the first time in 2022,…

Catalina

Spanish variation of Catherine

"pure"

This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin. Santa Catalina of Siena was, along with Saint…

Elodie

French, variation of Alodia, German

"foreign riches"

The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. This once uncommon member of the El- family is a Top…

Nalani

Variation of Nālani, Hawaiian

"the heavens, the skies, the chiefs; calm skies"

Traditionally spelled as Nālani, this name is evocative of tranquil island escapes. Combining the popular Hawaiian element lani ("sky, heaven, chief") with nā ("the (plural)" or "quiet, calm"), it…

Annika

Swedish diminutive of Anna

"grace"

Annika is a surprise hit of recent years, inspired by golfer Sorenstam; for Trekkies, it was also the name of a 'Star Trek:Voyager' character. Some people's first memory of it might be as Pippi…

Serafina

Italian and Spanish variation of Seraphina

"ardent"

Serafina is a name so lovely it's worthy of an angel. But the more stylish spelling today is Seraphina.

Saoirse

Irish

"liberty"

Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones , few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way…

Esperanza

Spanish

"hope, expectation"

Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New…

Cecily

Feminine variation of Cecil

"blind"

Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily…

India

Place name, from the River Indus

Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000. Gorgeous as it may be, the usage of India as a name…

Catarina

Portuguese variation of Katherine

One of the most popular names of all time in Portugal and Brazil, with a romantic, lively sound. The main risk is confusion with other names that sound similar: Catalina, Katrina, and so forth.…

Katia

Russian diminutive of Ekaterina

"pure"

One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington is the father of a Katia.

Lourdes

Spanish, Portuguese, from French, meaning unknown

This name of the French town where a young peasant girl had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1858 vaulted into the spotlight when Madonna chose it for her daughter, but few other families except for…

Alethea

Greek

"truth"

Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now, thanks to its similarity to Athena,…

Giulietta

Italian variation of Juliet, English from Latin

"youthful or sky father"

Giulietta is the Italian diminutive form of Giulia, which derives from the Latin name Julia. This feminine name carries a distinctly romantic and melodious quality, perhaps best known internationally…

Caoimhe

Irish, Scottish

"beautiful"

Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native…

Araminta

Literature, compound of Arabella and Aminta, Greek

"loveable; unyielding + defender; unfading"

Araminta is a poetic and enchanting eighteenth-century invention with plenty of elegance and a touch of old-fashioned clunkiness. It first appeared in William Congreve's 17th century comedy The Old…

Anina

German, Aramaic

"grace; let my prayer be answered"

This pretty palindrome name is rarely heard in the US, but could make an interesting namesake for an aunt or grandma Ann. It's also a German diminutive form of Anna.

Elizabella

English combination of Eliza + Bella

"pledged to God + beautiful"

Elizabella is a much more obscure smoosh than sisters Isabella and Annabelle, but the megapopularity of Isabella may give this unusual combo name a boost.