Down the Rabbit Hole Names

Karma

Hindi, Sanskrit "destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"

"destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"

Some parents are hoping to bestow good karma on their children with this name, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fate". Associated with the Hindu and Buddhist belief that someone's actions in this…

Dimity

Type of cotton cloth

Dimity is fairly common in Australia, but unheard of outside of it, which is surprising given its similarity to names like Amity, Verity, and Cassidy. The fabric probably became used as a name given…

Clotilda

German

"famous in battle"

Old and aristocratic European name that would be tough for an American kid to pull off.

Frostine

French

"freezing"

Frostine, best known in the U.S. as the name of the Candyland queen, is newly fashionable in France and is certainly a choice that any little girl the world over would love. Fanciful, if…

Decima

Latin

"tenth"

In the days of huge families, this name of the Roman goddess of prophecy and childbirth, and one of the Fates, would be saved for bambina number ten. Now it might be used for a girl born in October,…

Princess

Word name

"princess"

Part of the trend for formerly canine royal names; this is one a little girl might love—up till the age of eight.

Hecuba

Greek literary name

Queen Hecuba was the legendary queen of King Priam of Troy, mother of Hector, Paris, Cassandra and others. Euripedes' tragedy Hecuba depicts Hecuba's grief over the death of her daughter Polyxena,…

Marleen

Marleen is a feminine name of Dutch and German origin, derived as a variation of Marlene or a diminutive of Maria combined with the suffix '-leen.' It gained popularity in the mid-20th century,…

Immaculata

Immaculata is a feminine name with Latin origins, directly referring to the Catholic concept of the Immaculate Conception - the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. The…

Flordelis

Latin

"fleur de lys"

This name was occasionally used in the Middle Ages by members of the House of Sicily. A revival of this floral name would make an interesting addition to the increasingly broad selection of botanical…

Cendrillon

French

"little ashes"

The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for…

Loyce

Loyce is a feminine name that likely developed as a variant of Lois, which derives from Greek meaning 'better' or 'more desirable.' It may also be connected to the name Louise in some cases. The…

Boudicca

Celtic

"victory"

First century queen who led her Brittonic Iceni tribe in revolution against the Romans occupying England. Also found as Boudica, Boadicea (as in bodacious) and in Welsh as Buddug, the historic…

Bryana

Variation of Briana, English

"strong, virtuous and honorable"

More of the seemingly infinite variations of this name.

Agapi

Greek

"love, affection"

Agapi has a sweet meaning of love and affection, but though this name is used in modern Greece, it's one of the Greek names for girls that has not yet emigrated to the US along with so many of her…

Baya

Arabic, Spanish

"lady; berry"

Bright, friendly, and multicultural, Baya is both an Arabic title-name meaning "lady" and a Spanish word name, with the sweet meaning of "berry". Most of its real world usage is owing to its Arabic…

Junko

Japanese

"pure or obedient child"

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

Fana

African

"light or jungle"

Simple, delicate, and unusual.

Holiday

English word name

"holy day"

A fun and confident choice, Holiday is a celebratory name, particularly associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year, and with rest, leisure, and vacations more generally. Fitting…

Ozma

Literary invention

Princess Ozma was the leading character of L. Frank Baum's book Ozma of Oz and could provide a fun way to nickname Ozzie for a girl. Alternatively, it may occasionally be used as a variation of the…