Girls Names P Through T
- Selphie
Origin:
Video game nameDescription:
Selphie Tilmitt is a character in the popular video game Final Fantasy VIII. An orphan like the other main characters, she's described as upbeat, friendly, and energetic....though she wields a mean nunchuk. Given the name's resemblance to the photo term "selfie," this one is off the table, even for enthusiastic gamers.
- Theophania
Origin:
GreekDescription:
This ancient name, belonging to a Byzantine empress, may be difficult for a modern child to carry, though it can be an original way to get to cute nickname Thea or even Theo or Teddie. The English variation Tiffany may be more wearable, but with a much less elegant image.
- Raddix
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"root"Description:
This eye-catchingly unique name was coined by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, who gave it to their daughter, born in 2020. It may derive from the Latin radix, meaning "root", or perhaps from the Slavic name element rad, meaning "happy; willing".
Raddix is among the most unique celebrity baby names of recent years.
- Perpetua
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"perpetual"Description:
A 3rd century saint's name sometimes used in Catholic communities, and in Western European countries like Portugal and Italy.
- Syntyche
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"common fate"Description:
Unique baby name featured in the New Testament.
- Phyllida
Origin:
Greek variation of PhyllisMeaning:
"green bough"Description:
Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings.
- Tatjana
Origin:
German, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, SerbianMeaning:
"from Latin family name"Description:
Tatjana is an interesting twist on an already uncommon name, borne by German-born supermodel Tatjana Patitz. Note that as j is pronounced as y in German, the name is spoken just like sisters Tatiana and Tatyana.
- Rianne
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea + grace"Description:
Popular Dutch name derived from a combination of Maria (Ria) + Anne, or as a short form of Marianne.
- Roxanna
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"little star"Description:
Spelled with one 'n', this was the name of the wife of Alexander the Great, and is more attractive than the better-known Roxanne.
- Phila
Origin:
Greek, Zulu, XhosaMeaning:
"lover, friend; to live of life"Description:
In the Zulu and Xhosa languages of Southern Africa, Phila is a unisex name pronounced "PEE-la" and means "to live of life" It's also the feminine version of the ancient Greek name Philo, pronounced "FEE-la", meaning friend or lover and present in several contemporary names and words used throughout the Western World. The name Philip, for instance, means lover of horses, while the city name Philadelphia means "brotherly love" and philosophy means "love of wisdom".
- Pippin
Origin:
GermanicMeaning:
"awe-inspiring"Description:
Super-sweet name that was the title of a Broadway play -- but best known as a type of apple. Could also make a cute short form for names like Philippa or Penelope.
- Tiger
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"animal name"Description:
Made familiar as a baby name via Tiger Woods, whose birth name is Eldrick. The golf star has made it a viable option for baby boys, and a handful of girls are also given the name each year in the US.
- Thandi
Origin:
Variation of Thandie, XhosaMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Thandi can be used independently or as a nickname for one of the Thand- starting names such as Thandeka or Thandiwe.
- Prima
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"first"Description:
Will assure your daughter she's numero uno.
- Rabia
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"spring"Description:
Thought to be one of the ten angels who accompanies the sun on its daily course: a lovely image redolent of mythology. If you're looking for names that mean new beginnings, this makes an unusual and evocative choice.
- Rahab
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"spacious"Description:
Biblical woman from the Old Testament whose unique name is largely unknown in the modern world.
- Sommer
Origin:
German and Danish variant of SummerDescription:
You occasionally see the German and Danish word for "summer" pop up as a first name -- 16 girls were given it in 2016 -- and that trend may continue, now that the original has risen to Number 202 on the American popularity list.
- Shara
Description:
Shara is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it's related to Sarah, meaning "princess" or "noblewoman," while in Sanskrit, Shara can mean "arrow" or "reed." The name also has connections to Arabic origins, where it can be associated with the word for "poetry" or "song." This multicultural background gives Shara a rich tapestry of meanings. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Shara saw modest usage in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. The name has a simple, melodic sound with its two syllables and soft consonants. Shara offers a slightly distinctive alternative to the more common Sarah while maintaining a familiar and approachable quality. Its cross-cultural nature makes it accessible across various communities.
- Poe
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"peacock"Description:
Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe. As a first name, it's radically underused, given last year in the US to only five baby boys and no baby girls.
- Romola
Origin:
Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of RomeDescription:
Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.