my favorite names

Delphine

French from Greek

"of Delphi; womb"

Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed…

Leonora

Italian diminutive of Eleonora or Eleanor, meaning unknown

Its mellifluous sound makes Leonora--which has a rich history and a tie to the popular Leo names-- a keen possibility for revival. Though it's been hiding below the Top 1000 since the 1940s, Leonora…

Ione

Greek

"violet flower"

This unusual Greek flower and color name has gained considerable recent attention via actress Ione Skye, who is the daughter of sixties folksinger Donovan. Ione was one of the fifty sea nymphs —…

Solene

French

"with solemnity"

Solene is a variation of Solange fashionable in recent years in France and a new hit name on Nameberry. Also spelled as Solène, it ranks in the Top 500 in France, while in the US, it was a fast…

Cerise

French

"cherry"

Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.

Edwina

Feminine variation of Edwin, English

"wealthy friend"

Edwina may still be taking tea in the parlor, but we can see her joining friends like Matilda and Josephine for a comeback, especially if pronounced like Edwin rather than Edween. She had a very…

Idalie

French and Swedish variation of Idalia, Greek

"behold the sun"

A warm, sunny, and extremely rare name, even within its native France. Idalie would be especially perfect to honor an Ida.

Romola

Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of Rome

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…

Sanneen

Sanneen is an uncommon feminine name with possible roots in multiple cultural traditions. It may be a variant spelling of Saneen or Zaneen, potentially derived from Arabic origins meaning 'beautiful'…

Romary

French variation of Romaric, German, and Scottish surname

"famously strong"

Romy lovers, here's a new one for you! Romary is a surname with French and Scottish roots and has historically been a masculine given name in France. It would be a great choice on either sex, but…