feminine names beginning with o
- Ophelia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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?
- Olivia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"olive tree"Description:
Olivia, a lovely Shakespearean name with an admirable balance of strength and femininity, is the Number 1 name for baby girls in the US and one of the top girls' names around the world.
- Olive
Origin:
English, from Latin, nature nameMeaning:
"olive tree"Description:
Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.
- Odette
Origin:
French, from GermanMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.
- Octavia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Oona
Origin:
Irish, variation of UnaMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.
- Odessa
Origin:
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-nameMeaning:
"voyage"Description:
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey. It would make an original and intriguing choice.
- Oriana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dawn; gold"Description:
Oriana is a dashing medieval name, with a meaning similar to Aurora. At this point, though, Oriana is much more unusual than Aurora and makes a unique choice if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings or dawn.
- Olga
Origin:
Slavic variation of Helga, NorseMeaning:
"holy"Description:
This Slavic form of the Norse name Helga is a classic in many Slavic countries, including Russia and Poland, where it currently ranks within the Top 100 girl names. It has historically ranked among the most popular names in countries including Ukraine, Latvia, Spain, France, Serbia, Greece, the US, and many more. Olga is a common name even in Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, despite Helga being a more traditional choice. Olha is the uniquely Ukrainian variation.
- Odelia
Origin:
Hebrew, GermanMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"Description:
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.
- Ocean
Origin:
English, nature nameDescription:
Ocean is a nature name that comes right out and states its meaning and association. Full of power and depth, Ocean is one of the fastest-rising baby names for both girls and boys, making the US Top 1000 for both genders in 2021. Oceane, the version that's trendy in France, was used for only 11 baby girls in the US in the same year. Ocean-lovers who want to be less obvious can choose such subtler names that mean ocean as Jennifer or Marissa, but coming right out and using Ocean is a perfectly valid way to go.
- Oceana
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"ocean"Description:
If you're a lover of the beach and sea, and want a name that relates to the largest body of water, there are several variations you could consider.
- Oksana
Origin:
Russian from HebrewMeaning:
"praise to God"Description:
Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
- Olena
Origin:
Ukrainian, HawaiianMeaning:
"torch, shining light; turmeric, yellow, ginger"Description:
This chic Ukrainian form of Helen is relatively unknown outside of its native country, but it definitely has international appeal. Olia or Olenka are the usual Ukrainian diminutives, but tomboyish Oli or Leni could work too.
- Ona
Origin:
Lithuanian variation of Anna, Catalan diminutive of MarionaMeaning:
"grace; wave; bitter; wished-for child"Description:
One of those names with a wide array of meanings across different cultures; it's the Lithuanian form of Anna, for instance, and William Blake used it as the name of one of his mysterious, godlike characters. But it's found major popularity in Spain, where it's just outside the Top 50. It makes the Top 10 in Catalonia, being both a diminutive of Mariona and the word for "wave".
- Oda
Origin:
Scandinavian, short form of OdeliaDescription:
Ada, yes. Ida, maybe. But Oda, a Scandinavian version of Odelia, not really. To English speakers, it sounds too much like "odor".
- Oceane
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"ocean"Description:
Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.
- Osanna
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"praise the Lord; deliver us"Description:
An Italian form of expressive Hosanna, this spiritual name might appeal to those who enjoy nicknames Ozzy or Anna. Borne by a number of saints, including a 15th century Italian mystic, Osanna also appears as Ozana and Osanne in Romania and France respectively. The traditional Hosanna may work better however in English speaking countries if you want the religious expression to be obvious.
- Oma
Description:
Oma is a feminine name with Germanic origins, literally meaning 'grandmother' in German and Dutch. The name carries warm associations of maternal wisdom and familial nurturing. While primarily known as a term of endearment for grandmothers in German-speaking countries, Oma has occasionally been used as a given name in the United States, particularly in communities with German heritage. The name peaked in limited popularity in the early 1900s but has since become quite rare as a first name. Oma also appears in Japanese, meaning 'horse,' and in some African languages with various meanings. The name's brevity and soft sounds give it a gentle quality, though its strong association with grandmotherhood in German culture may influence how the name is perceived.
- Oria
Origin:
Hebrew, Italian variation of Aurea, LatinMeaning:
"my God is light; golden"Description:
From Hebrew, Oria is a variation of Oriya, created by combining Ori meaning "light" with yah indicating God. From Italian, it is a variation of the Latin Aurea, a golden Saint name, once popular in Spain.