feminine names beginning with e

Enya

Irish

"fire"

This phonetic Anglicization of the Irish name Eithne was made familiar by the single-named Irish singer and composer. St. Eithne was the daughter of a king and an early Irish convert to Christianity.

Electra

Greek

"amber, shining, bright"

Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder.…

Elektra

Greek

"shining, bright"

This spelling of Electra makes this vibrant name less electric and more kinetic.

Elsbeth

German variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Although they could be easily confused, Elsbeth is a fairly unusual contracted German version of Elizabeth, while cousin Elspeth hails from Scotland. With its 'beth' ending, Elsbeth feels closer to…

Elspeth

Scottish variation of Elizabeth

"pledged to God"

Elspeth is one of those names that never quite made it out of the British Isles--particularly Scotland, but possesses a winningly childlike charm. Elspeth was used by Sir Walter Scott for several of…

Emmanuella

English variation of Emmanuela

"God is with us"

Long and lilting but with the familiar sounds of Emma and Ella, Emmanuella is an alternative spelling to the Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian Emanuela. Familiar in the UK and is also popular in…

Emmanuelle

French, feminine variation of Emanuel

"God is with us"

The female version of Emanuel could become more prominent, though for some it still carries a steamy image dating back to a then sensationally erotic French film. Singer and Shameless star Emmy…

Enna

Enna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, including as a variation of Anna (Hebrew for 'grace'), a shortened form of names like Ennaline or Marienna, or derived from the ancient city of…

Esmee

Spelling variation of Esme

Esme and by extension Esmee have gotten more popular in the US in recent years, but that extra e can confuse an already-confusing pronunciation, especially if you start adding accents.

Eugina

Eugina is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Eugenia, which derives from the Greek word 'eugenes' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' This alternative spelling gives the classic…

Evanna

Feminine variation of Evan, Welsh

"God is gracious"

Evanna is the name of a Harry Potter actress who pronounces it ee-vah-na. This might be considered another international feminine form of the many variations of John; Ivana, Giovanna, and even Joan…

Edie

English, diminutive of Edith

"prosperous in war"

Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a…