Names For Characters (Girls)

Vesper

Latin

"evening star"

This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming…

Vespera

Latin

"evening star"

Said to refer to either Jupiter or Venus, either of which would be preferable as a name.

Xanthe

Greek

"golden, yellow"

X marks the spot in names these days, usually at the middles or ends of names, but here is one that puts it squarely up front. This extravagant name, which, like many Greek names beginning with X, is…

Xaverie

Feminine variation of Xavier, Basque

"new house"

Xaverie is a feminine name derived from Xavier, which itself comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning 'the new house.' Most famously associated with St. Francis Xavier, the 16th-century…

Zella

African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella

"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of…

Briony

Spelling variation of Bryony, Greek

"to sprout, to swell"

Briony may be the variation and Bryony the original, but many parents will see this as the more authentic-feeling version of this attractive botanical name. Melodic and bright, it was once a Top 400…

Bryony

Greek

"to sprout, to swell"

Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan…

Ceri

Welsh

"to love"

In Welsh, Ceri is traditionally a male name but can also be used for girls. It's a short form of Ceridwen too, the name of the Welsh goddess of poetry.

Eos

Greek; Welsh

"dawn; nightingale"

Eos -- that's pronounced with a short e like eros without the r -- is the Greek Titan of the dawn. Any ancient name with a sleek modern feel has definite revival possibilities. Eos could be an…

Leora

Diminutive of Eleanor, or Hebrew and Greek

"light"

Somewhat dated Hebrew name that appears more modern when spelled Liora.

Morwenna

Welsh

"maiden"

Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard…

Ourania

Ourania is a feminine name with ancient Greek origins. It directly derives from the Greek word 'οὐράνιος' (ouranios) meaning 'heavenly' or 'of the sky.' In Greek mythology, Ourania was one of the…

Perrine

Feminine variation of Perry or Peter, English or Greek

"dweller near a pear tree or rock, stone"

Five girls were given the name Perrine last year. Other feminine Perry or Peter alternatives are Perrin, Perry, or even Petra.