Ducaliter's list "Uncommon names of all origins" of 20 great name ideas: Hildegard - Lucretia!

Uncommon names of all origins

Hildegard is an ancient name that sounds it, but it does have sweet short forms Hildie and Hilda to recommend it, as well as several illustrious historical bearers. Strong and striking, it would make a big and memorable name for a baby today, last having appeared in the US charts in the 1910s.

 The second wife of Charlemagne was named Hildegard, as was the 12th century saint Hildegard of Bingen: a writer, composer, philosopher and polymath considered the founder of scientific natural history in Germany, and also known as the "Sibyl of the Rhine" for her visionary works.

 In pop culture, Hildegard "Hildy" is a character in the 1940 film His Girl Friday, and the Hildegarde spelling belongs to a Valkyrie in the Marvel series of comics, as well as one of the magical aunts from the TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch (nicknamed Hilda).

Hildegard

The name of an ancient country located in South Asia Minor, perfect for someone looking for a rare and feminine name with history.

Isaura

You might think Artemisia is the feminine form of the name, but in fact the original Artemis is feminine too, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon.  Artemisia Gentileschi was an esteemed Italian Baroque painter, unusual in an era when not many women were acknowledged.  Artemisia is also a genus of plants which include sagebrush and tarragon.

Artemisia

Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder. 
 
Nevertheless, if you can put the mythology and theory aside, Electra makes a bright, spikey, electric feeling choice, with a shiny, gemstone meaning. If you can't, you could follow actress Isabella Rossellini who chose the gentler Italian version, Elettra, for her now grown daughter.

Electra

An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could change. Seen more in literature than real life, Flavia was used as far back as an1580 romance, then in a William Dean Howells novel and as a Princess in The Prisoner of Zenda. Although the original pronunciation is FLAH-via, Flavie (as in flavor) could make a cute nickname.

Flavia

A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.


Anselm

Arty seventies name usually pronounced AHN-dra. 

Andra

Hilde is a feminine name of Germanic origin, functioning as both a standalone name and a diminutive of names containing the element "hild" meaning "battle" or "strife." Popular in Scandinavian countries, Germany, and the Netherlands, Hilde carries associations of strength and warrior spirit despite its soft sound. The name has historical significance through figures like the Valkyrie Brynhildr from Norse mythology and various medieval noblewomen. While considered somewhat traditional in Northern Europe, Hilde has a timeless quality that has prevented it from feeling dated. The name's combination of historical depth and brevity appeals to parents seeking names that are substantive yet straightforward. Hilde balances feminine gentleness with underlying strength and resilience.

Hilde

Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence O'Toole, is the patron saint of Dublin, so it's not too surprising that Irish-born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.
 In the Harry Potter epic, Lorcan is the twin son of Luna Lovegood Scamander.
 Strong, easy to pronounce and spell, Lorcan is an Irish name that would stand out from the more common crop of Connors and Liams.

Lorcan

Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related trending, Cassiopeia may be an unusual route to a stylish name.

With the rise of other otherworldly and mythical choices, from Apollo to Jupiter to Juno, Cassiopeia may just feel more possible for mortals now than ever before in its long history.

Some sources say the meaning relates to the cassia berry or tree, and may be "cassia juice," making this a botanical as well as a mythological name.

Cassiopeia

Fauna is the Roman goddess of the earth as well as one of the fairies who protected Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". It can also be considered a word name with a scientific, nature focused feel. Used to as a way to refer to all the animals in a particular area, habitat, or time period, many might think of the phrase "Flora and Fauna" on seeing the name. 



Fauna

Jorel is a masculine name that gained recognition primarily through its fictional association as the birth name of Superman's father in DC Comics. With Kryptonian origins in that context, the real-world name may have emerged as a modern combination of traditional elements, possibly blending 'Jo' (from Joseph or Jonathan) with the '-el' suffix common in Hebrew names meaning 'of God.' While never widely used, Jorel has attracted some interest from parents seeking distinctive names with a contemporary sound but subtle connections to tradition. The name has a strong, compact quality with just two syllables, projecting clarity and strength. Its rarity ensures individuality while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce and spell.

Jorel

Yue is a feminine name of Chinese origin that means 'moon.' This elegant, single-syllable name carries deep significance in Chinese culture, where the moon represents beauty, elegance, and the feminine principle. The name appears in Chinese mythology and literature, often associated with the Moon Goddess Chang'e. Yue is appreciated for its simplicity, melodic sound, and profound symbolic meaning. While traditionally used in Chinese-speaking regions, it has gained some international recognition for its appealing brevity and exotic quality. The name's connection to the celestial body gives it a touch of mystique and timelessness. Yue offers parents a name that combines cultural richness with a gentle, poetic quality.

Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris -- it's a Top 100 name for baby girls in France -- and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world.  Derived from the mythological name Apollo, the name may mean strength; Apollo was the god of sun and light.  Apolline is a perfect choice for those attracted to the name Apple who don't want to go quite that far.

Apolline

Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.

Clemence

This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.

Edda

Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a strong woman, the power behind the throne. Previously avoided as a baby name, Jezebel is now, along with the also previously avoided Delilah and Desiree, coming into use, helped by its relation to other 'bel' name such as Isabel and Bella.
 
The popular feminist celebrity blog Jezebel upped the name's cool factor. Jezebel is the title of one of Bette Davis's best known early films.

Jezebel

An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain.  Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S. Vice-President, serving under Harry Truman.  And Albin is popular in modern Sweden. But only the form Alban has the alternate meaning "from Alba".

Alban

Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.

Victoire

A pretty and plausible Latin name that's gotten a bad rap through the years via a link to Lucrezia Borgia, who, though long considered a demon poisoner, was actually a patron of learning and the arts.
 Lucretia is a U.S. First Lady name, borne by the wife of President James A. Garfield; a worthy namesake is Lucretia Mott, a Quaker abolitionist, and peace and women's rights advocate.
 In the Harry Potter saga, Lucretia Black Prewett is a pure-blood witch.