Dusty Ancient Gems

Hermione

Feminine version of Hermes, Greek

"messenger, earthly"

Hermione's costarring role in Harry Potter has made this previously ignored, once stodgy name suddenly viable. Hermione could really take off once today's children start having kids of their own. In…

Herodias

Greek

"song of the hero"

Feminine form of Herod.

Hespera

Greek

"evening, evening star"

Hespera is a variation of Hesperia, the feminine form of Hesperus. In Greek mythology, Hesperus is the Evening Star or the planet Venus. Hesperus is the son of the dawn goddess Eos or her Roman…

Hilaria

Latin, Spanish

"cheerful"

Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert…

Hildegard

German

"comrade in arms; battle enclosure, battle ground"

Hildegard is an ancient name that sounds it, but it does have sweet short forms Hildie and Hilda to recommend it, as well as several illustrious historical bearers. Strong and striking, it would make…

Hippolyta

Greek

"releaser of horses"

Latinized form of Hippolyte, the name of the queen of the Amazons in Greek mythology, used by Shakespeare for a character in A Midsummer Night's Dream .

Honorata

Feminine form of Honoratus, Latin

"esteemed, distinguished"

Honorata is the feminine form of Honoratus, the name of several saints including the patron saint of bakers.

Hyacinthia

Hyacinthia is a feminine name with ancient Greek roots, derived from the flower name Hyacinth. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth beloved by Apollo, who was tragically transformed…

Hypatia

Greek

"highest, supreme"

Hypatia, an ancient Greek name, has a distinguished namesake: Hypatia of Alexandria was an early philosopher and scholar of mathematics and astronomy. Fittingly, the name derives from the Greek…