Dusty Ancient Gems

Narcissa

Greek

"daffodil"

This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa…

Nefertiti

Egyptian

"the beautiful one has arrived"

This ancient Egyptian queen's name would be best saved for a cat.

Nemea

Greek place-name

The name of a famous valley in ancient Greece, with ties to the historic Nemean Games.

Nepenthe

Greek

"a poetic drug said to banish sorrow from a person's mind"

Nike

Greek

"victory"

The goddess and personification of victory in Greek mythology – sister to strength, force, and zeal – could make a powerful namesake for a daughter. The goddess would fly a chariot across…

Nineveh

Biblical place name from Akkadian or Babylonian

"house of fish"

An ancient city in Assyria, where Jonah was sent to spread the word of God.

Nubia

Nubia is a feminine name derived from the ancient northeast African region of the same name, which was home to one of civilization's earliest advanced societies along the Nile River. The name carries…