User-created list
By AlexandriaCeleste · Updated May 2023
Across 44 pages
of 44
Irish
"little old one"
St. Senán was a famed 6th-century monk, who founded a monastery on Inis Cathaigh whose ruins can still be seen today. Legend has it that before he could found the monastery, he had to banish a great…
Italian or Persian; Greek
"little girl; seeker"
A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era.
Latin
"woman of honor"
Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue…
Scandinavian and German variation of Josephine, French
"Jehovah increases"
German
"to turn"
Drexel is an occupational surname but the original meaning of what a person who "turned" for a living actually did is unclear: It may mean turning the soil or making hay or spinning cloth or creating…
Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt
"strength or exalted one"
If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.
Scottish variation of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Elspeth is one of those names that never quite made it out of the British Isles--particularly Scotland, but possesses a winningly childlike charm. Elspeth was used by Sir Walter Scott for several of…
"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…
"thin or long"
An ancient alternative to the modern Mac- names, this name was borne by two early saints.
Marilena is a feminine name with Latin and Greek origins. It's a combination of 'Maria', derived from the Hebrew name Miriam meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'beloved', and 'Elena' or 'Lena', which…
Spanish
"blackberry"
Intriguing derivation, though people will assume it's a simplified form of Maura.
"ancient"
The rarer long form of Priscilla, which comes from the Roman name Priscus, meaning "ancient".
English
"wetland, marsh"
A fen is an English marshland, and Fenn came into use as a habitational surname for a person who dwelt near one. Now, it's a rarely used first name too, a handsome alternative to Finn.
Spanish from Latin
"she who brings consolation"
Consuelo is a chic, highly sophisticated Spanish name that works well with Anglo surnames. It was regularly on the U.S. popularity list through 1983, reaching as high as Number 339 in 1930. The name…
"blooming"
The Latin names for girls Florentina may be the most feminissima and flowery of the 'Flor" names. Another option would be Fiorentina, though you can also downshift to Flora or Florence.
"pious"
Pius is the very definition of a religious name, used appropriately enough for several popes. Only a handful of baby boys receive this name every year. Despite the rise of similar ancient Roman names…
Hebrew
"fiery"
This ephemeral name of the loving angels surrounding the throne of God is all but unheard of in the US, although its feminine forms Seraphine and Seraphina are catching on. In Russia, it's long been…
German and Swedish
"prosperous"
Form of Ottilie or Odilia
Scottish form of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And…
Josefa is a feminine name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the masculine name José (Joseph). The name ultimately traces back to Hebrew roots, from 'Yosef' meaning 'God will add' or 'God…
