Caia Caecilia was the Roman Goddess of fire and women. The name Caia would make a truly fresh alternative to the flagging Maya, with which it rhymes.

A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the 'r' and the 'c' that's difficult for non-Gaelic speakers to reproduce. Spelled (and pronounced) Sorsha, she is a major character in the movie Willow.

With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.

Evy is a charming feminine name that serves as a diminutive form of names like Eva, Eve, or Evelyn. With Scandinavian and English roots, this sweet, concise name embodies a delicate balance between classic and contemporary styles. Its pronunciation (EH-vee) flows easily, giving it a light, melodic quality. Though relatively uncommon as a standalone name, Evy has gained modest popularity as parents increasingly seek short, distinctive names with traditional connections. The name conveys a sense of brightness and liveliness, with the 'Ev' element in many languages relating to concepts of life and vivacity. In recent years, Evy has enjoyed increased usage alongside similar streamlined feminine names.

Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon. It was briefly in the US charts in the late 19th century.

Countless notable figures from Polish history, and one America's Next Top Model contestant, have used this version of Catherine, made extra spicy by that "zy." Those interested in honoring a relative with the name might want to consider Kasia, Katarzyna's lovely (and much more English-friendly) nickname.