Cities in "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino

If the book wasn't good enough, the names there simply fueled my already there adoration for quirky, peculiar names. It didn't hurt that I share a name with one of the cities in the book ;) For those of you who aren't familiar with the book http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_Cities is the place to go. The cities are listed in order of appearance, since it's pretty significant. In brackets I put the original Italian name, because the Italian alternative sometimes is equally pretty or interesting.
  1. Olivia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"
    • Description:

      Olivia, a lovely Shakespearean name with an admirable balance of strength and femininity, is the Number 1 name for baby girls in the US and one of the top girls' names around the world.
  2. Cecilia
    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Cecil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      Cecilia is a lovely classic name deservedly enjoying a new turn in the sun. Always among the Top 500 girls' names in the US, Cecilia is now at its highest point ever.
  3. Chloe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "young green shoot"
    • Description:

      Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.
  4. Anastasia
    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios
    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"
    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  5. Irene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      Serene Irene, the name of the Greek goddess of peace and one of the most familiar Greek goddess names, was hugely popular in ancient Rome and again in the United States a hundred years ago.
  6. Zoe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100.
  7. Octavia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "eighth"
    • Description:

      Octavia began as the Latin, then Victorian name for an eighth child. While there aren't many eighth children anymore, this ancient Roman name has real possibilities as a substitute for the overused Olivia; recommended for its combination of classical and musical overtones. It was chosen for his daughter by Kevin Sorbo.
  8. Theodora
    • Origin:

      Femeninization of Theodore, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea.
  9. Dorothea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since 1970, however it's definitely on the brink of a revival! In fact, it has already been making its way back into the UK Top 1000, and a recent year saw it given to 90 girls in the US — three times the number it was given to a decade prior.
  10. Zora
    • Origin:

      Serbo-Croatian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn"
    • Description:

      Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
  11. Esmeralda
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "emerald"
    • Description:

      Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.
  12. Tamara
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "date palm tree"
    • Description:

      Adding a final a to Tamar lends it a more sensual Slavic tone, making it a more popular choice than the original.
  13. Phyllis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "green bough"
    • Description:

      Phyllis has been used by classical poets for the idealized pastoral maiden. A Greek mythological name of a woman who was turned into an almond tree, Phyllis was in the Top 100 from 1916 to 1958, reaching #24 in 1929, and has the (remote) possibility of joining other revived s-ending names like Iris. In the 'St Clare' book series by Enid Blyton Phyllis is nicknamed Fizz. Just a thought. Phyllida is a variation that sounds at once more old-fashioned and more stylish.
  14. Leandra
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Leander, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lion-man"
    • Description:

      With the rise of many once-dated leonine names, from Leona to Lionel to Leonora, Leandra is an unusual choice that might be looking at a comeback..
  15. Euphemia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "fair speech"
    • Description:

      Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.
  16. Sophronia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sensible, prudent"
    • Description:

      Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron, it means "sensible, self-restrained".
  17. Isidora
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian variation of Isadora, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of Isis"
    • Description:

      The Isidora spelling, though equally legitimate, is about 90 percent less common than Isadora.
  18. Melania
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Greek variation of Melanie
    • Meaning:

      "black"
    • Description:

      The current wife of Donald Trump, Slovenian model Melania Knauss, brought this pretty version to the fore. Saint Melania was an heiress who freed thousands of enslaved people.
  19. Raissa
    • Description:

      Raissa is a feminine name with roots in several cultures. In Russian, it derives from the Greek name 'Raisa' meaning 'relaxed' or 'easygoing.' It also has Arabic origins where it means 'leader' or 'chief.' In French usage, the name gained some recognition through Raïssa Maritain, a Russian-born French philosopher. The name offers a blend of exotic elegance and strength. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, Raissa has maintained steady popularity in Russia, France, and parts of Eastern Europe. The double 's' spelling adds a distinctive touch to this melodic name that combines sophistication with a gentle sound.
  20. Hypatia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "highest, supreme"
    • Description:

      Hypatia, an ancient Greek name, has a distinguished namesake: Hypatia of Alexandria was an early philosopher and scholar of mathematics and astronomy. Fittingly, the name derives from the Greek hypatos meaning "highest, supreme", giving it a lofty and powerful feel.

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