Names with Lovely Meanings

Nova

Latin

"new"

Nova has the feel of both newness, from its meaning, and great energy as an astronomical term for a star that increases suddenly in brightness before fading. Nova had some reasonable degree of…

Arya

Sanskrit; Modern variation of Aria

"noble; air/song"

Arya was derived from an Indo-Iranian word meaning "Aryan" or "noble." It is a masculine given name in Iran, Indonesia, Bali, and Sanskrit-speaking regions of India. In Hindu- and English-speaking…

Dahlia

Flower name, from Swedish surname

"Dahl's flower"

One of the flower names, used occasionally in Britain (where it's pronounced DAY-lee-a). It seems to have recovered from what was perceived as a slightly affected la-di-dah air. The flower was named…

Leona

Latin

"lioness"

A strong, grounded choice that still has plenty of energy and charm, Leona is the feminine form of Leon, itself derived from the Greek word for "lion". Associated with courage, leadership, and…

Raina

Slavic and German variation of Regina

"queen"

Strong and solid, with a touch of foreign intrigue, it's the most popular of the rain-related names, with a variety of pronunciations—RAY-na, rah-EE-na, or RY-na. Alternate spellings Reyna and Rayna…

Tallulah

Choctaw, Irish

"leaping water, lady of abundance"

This hauntingly euphonious Choctaw name has re-entered the public domain, as memories of the outrageous actress Tallulah Bankhead have faded. For years, Tallulah was a name associated only with…

Jada

Spanish

"jade"

Long used in Spanish-speaking countries, this strong but feminine name was jump-started here by the rise of actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The Italian Giada is a popular variation. In the Bible, the…

Orla

Irish

"golden princess"

Orla is an Irish name closely associated with the high king Brian Boru, as it was the name of his sister, daughter and niece. It was very popular in the Middle Ages – the fourth most popular name in…

Risa

Latin

"laughing"

Mariska

Hungarian and Dutch diminutive of Maria

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Robust and energetic with an even blend of spikiness and elegance, Mariska is a diminutive of Maria, notably used in Hungary and The Netherlands. Internationally, it was brought into the spotlight by…

Aleta

Aleta is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it's a variation of Alethea, meaning "truth," while some sources connect it to Spanish origins as a diminutive of Alicia. The name…

Ula

Celtic

"gem of the sea"

Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name…

Charisse

Charisse is a feminine name of French origin, considered a variation of Charissa or Charis, derived from the Greek word 'charis' meaning 'grace' or 'kindness.' The name gained recognition in America…