Roman Catholic Inspired Names

Kathleen

Anglicized form of Irish Caitlin

"pure"

Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of…

Katia

Russian diminutive of Ekaterina

"pure"

One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington is the father of a Katia.

Kinga

Hungarian, Polish

"brave"

Though the name Kinga has penetrated the international consciousness via the Slovakian model Kinga Rajzak, it's a rare choice for American baby girls: Only six were named Kinga last year. Is that…

Kinnia

Irish, meaning unknown

Kinnia is an ancient Irish saint's name — legend has it she was a maiden baptized by St. Patrick.

Kyrie

Short form of Kyra or Greek

"Lord"

Kyrie elieson is one of the oldest religious refrains, meaning Lord, have mercy. As a first name, though, Kyrie is less a name of God and more a nickname-name that might be short for Kyra or a…

Lelia

Italian form of Laelia, meaning unknown

A rare and delicate choice, Lelia is a modern variation of an ancient Roman family name. It came to Britain in the mid-nineteenth century, following the publication of George Sand's popular romantic…

Liliosa

Spanish

"lily"

Liliosa, one of the most extravagant forms of the ever-more-popular and varied Lily family, is an ancient saint's name that's a perfect candidate for revival by parents who love the double-L flower…

Loraine

Loraine is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the Lorraine region in northeastern France. The name gained notable popularity in English-speaking countries during the early to mid-20th…

Lourdes

Spanish, Portuguese, from French, meaning unknown

This name of the French town where a young peasant girl had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1858 vaulted into the spotlight when Madonna chose it for her daughter, but few other families except for…

Ludmila

Slavic

"beloved of the people"

This Slavic classic name might begin to make its mark with American parents, what with the growing popularity of the short form Mila. Borne by a tenth century saint who had been a princess from…

Lupita

Spanish, “little wolf”

This lively pet name has recently been associated with Mexican-born Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, acclaimed for her role in the 2013 film Twelve Years a Slave . The mother name Guadalupe, literally…