Unique and Elegant Baby Names

  1. Tanaquil
    • Origin:

      Etruscan
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      This intriguing name of an ancient Etruscan queen renowned for her prophetic powers was long associated with the prima ballerina Tanaquil LeClerq.
  2. Belphoebe
    • Origin:

      Invented literary name
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful shining one"
    • Description:

      The name of the character in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" whom the poet intended as a representation of Queen Elizabeth I. While it will no doubt thrill your daughter's English professor, the addition of the "Bel" to already great Phoebe is on the fussy side.
  3. Xanthippe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "yellow horse"
    • Description:

      Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.
  4. Rhydian
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "unknown"
    • Description:

      Variation on Rhidian, a Welsh saint's name.
  5. Brunhilda
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "armed for battle"
    • Description:

      Variant of Brunhild, still clad in heavy armor. Though the heroine Brunhilda of Quentin Tarantino's recent film Django Unchained may have given this version of the name new appeal.
  6. Cymbeline
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "sun lord or sun hound"
    • Description:

      The title of a Shakespeare play based on legends featuring the early Celtic King Cunobelinus, whose name derives from the Gaulish sun god Belenus.
  7. Leopoldine
    • Origin:

      French feminine version of Leopold
    • Meaning:

      "brave people"
    • Description:

      A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.
  8. Mignonette
    • Origin:

      Form of Mignon, French
    • Meaning:

      "delicate, dainty"
    • Description:

      Mignonette is kind of a diminutive of a diminutive. Mignon is the French word for cute, so Mignonette is more or less cutie.
  9. Zephyrine
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Zephyr, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "west wind"
    • Description:

      Zephyr may not be a name often heard in the U.S., but its variations are used throughout Europe. Zephyrine, a cousin in sound and feel if not in fact to such lovely names as Severine and Seraphina, has distinctive possibilities.
  10. Helios
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      The name of the young Greek sun god, brother to the moon goddess Selene, who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.
  11. Elihu
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"
    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  12. Pendragon
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Meaning:

      "head dragon, chief warrior"
    • Description:

      The epithet of the legendary king's father Uther in Arthurian legend, later also applied to King Arthur himself. It literally means "head dragon" or "dragon's head", but the name appears in medieval Welsh mythology with the figurative meaning of "chief warrior". A truly daring name for a boy, in every sense!
  13. Jacaranda
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, Tupi-Guarani flower name
    • Meaning:

      "fragrant"
    • Description:

      Distinctive and charming nature name that blends elements of Jacqueline and Amanda.
  14. Kassiani
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cinnamon"
    • Description:

      Kassiani, also spelled Kasiani or Cassiane, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Kassiani, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Kassiani was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.
  15. Azaria
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Azariah
    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh has helped"
    • Description:

      A Biblical name with a modern feel, Azaria is a spelling variation of the Hebrew name, Azariah. Used as a masculine name in the Bible, this spelling is now more commonly used on girls.
  16. Ephigenia
    • Description:

      Ephigenia is a rare feminine name with Greek origins, derived from Iphigenia in Greek mythology—the daughter of Agamemnon who was nearly sacrificed to appease the goddess Artemis. The name combines elements meaning "strong" and "born," suggesting someone born with strength or might. This elaborate and classical name has never achieved widespread popularity in modern times, remaining an extraordinarily uncommon choice with strong literary and historical associations. Ephigenia offers a dignified, scholarly air with its classical roots and melodic sound pattern. For parents seeking a truly distinctive name with historical depth and feminine elegance, Ephigenia provides a rare option with built-in nickname possibilities like Effie, Genie, or Nia.

  17. Cadman
    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon
    • Meaning:

      "warrior"
    • Description:

      Caedmon is considered the first English poet -- a nice literary tie-in to the streamlined version.
  18. Abyssinia
    • Origin:

      African place-name
    • Description:

      Abyssinia is the ancient name of the Ethiopian Empire, no longer found on any map but with a possible future as a melodic girls' name in the ever-expanding place-name category. Among African names for girls, this one is undiscovered.
  19. Theophania
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Description:

      This ancient name, belonging to a Byzantine empress, may be difficult for a modern child to carry, though it can be an original way to get to cute nickname Thea or even Theo or Teddie. The English variation Tiffany may be more wearable, but with a much less elegant image.
  20. Ambrosius
    • Description:

      Ambrosius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine." It is the original Latin form of the more common Ambrose. The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by Saint Ambrosius of Milan, an important 4th-century theologian and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Throughout European history, the name appeared among clergy, nobility, and scholars, maintaining associations with learning and spiritual devotion. While Ambrosius has never been widely popular in modern English-speaking countries, it retains appeal for parents drawn to names with classical roots and substantial historical significance. The name projects dignity and intellectual seriousness, with potential nicknames including Ambrose, Brose, or even Sio.

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