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Catholic Girl Names

fairchildren
By fairchildren
Updated Mon May 22 2023
  1. Ada

    • Origin:

      German or Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility, or island"

    • Description:

      Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
  2. Adela

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  3. Adele

    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Adelaide

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"

    • Description:

      Credit the award-winning single-named British singer for taking the girls’ name Adele from a quiet semi-retirement back into currency. Adele reentered the US Top 1000 popular baby names in 2011 and has remained there ever since.
  4. Ado

    • Description:

      Ado is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It may originate from Nigerian naming traditions, particularly in the Yoruba language where names often carry significant meanings related to birth circumstances or family hopes. In this context, Ado might relate to concepts of royalty or nobility in some regional usages. The name also appears in Japanese contexts with different meanings and in European languages as a shortened form of names like Adolf or Adolphe. As a feminine name in Western usage, Ado remains quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's brevity and open-ended vowel sound create a gentle yet distinctive impression. Its multicultural connections make it adaptable across different naming traditions despite its uncommon status.

  5. Agnes

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure, virginal"

    • Description:

      Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos, meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as a girl's name. Agnes Grey is the title of one of the two novels written by Anne Brontë.
  6. 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.
  7. Anne

    • Origin:

      French variation of English Ann and Hebrew Hannah

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      The name of the sainted mother of the Virgin Mary was among the top girls’ names for centuries, in both the original English Ann spelling and the French Anne. Both left the Top 100 around 1970 but Anne is still among the most classic names for girls, although others are more likely to choose the original Hannah, the Anna variation, or even Annabel or Annabella.
  8. Anya

    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Anna

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Anya is a Russian variation of Anna, which came from the Hebrew name Hannah. Anya is the form found most frequently in Russia, Poland, and other East European countries, while Anja is the spelling usually preferred in Germany Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. In the Hungarian language, Anya also means mother.
  9. Catherine

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      Catherine is one of the oldest and most consistently well-used girls’ names, with endless variations and nicknames. The Catherine form feels more gently old-fashioned and feminine than the more popular K versions. Most stylish nickname for Catherine right now: Kate...or Cate, a la Blanchett.
  10. Claire

    • Origin:

      French form of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"

    • Description:

      Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice.
  11. Dorothy

    • Origin:

      English variation of Greek Dorothea

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      In the 1930s, Dorothy left Kansas and landed in the Land of Oz; by the '80s she had become a Golden Girl, living in Miami with roommates Blanche and Rose, giving her a decidedly older image. But parents today seeking a quiet classic are bringing Dorothy back—she reentered the Top 1000 in 2011 after almost completely disappearing.
  12. Dot

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Dorothy

    • Description:

      Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.
  13. Felicity

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "good fortune, happy"

    • Description:

      Felicity is as accessible a virtue name as Hope and Faith, but much more feminine -- and dare we say, happier. The hit TV show did a lot to soften and modernize the once buttoned-up image of Felicity, and it got further notice as the red-haired Colonial doll, Felicity Merriman, in the American Girl series. A current bearer is actress Felicity Huffman.
  14. Francesca

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Frances

    • Meaning:

      "from France or free man"

    • Description:

      Francesca is a lighter and much more feminine choice than the classic Frances, and one that is increasingly popular with upscale parents.
  15. Gabrielle

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Gabriel, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my Strength"

    • Description:

      The quintessentially elegant and worldly Gabrielle -- designer Coco Chanel's real name -- is on its descent after years on the rise.
  16. Genevieve

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "tribe woman"

    • Description:

      Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
  17. Greta

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Margarethe

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism.
  18. Guinevere

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "white shadow, white wave"

    • Description:

      Guinevere was the name of the beautiful but ill-fated queen of Camelot, for so many years eclipsed by its modern Cornish form Jennifer. Today, Guinevere could be a cool possibility for adventurous parents intrigued by this richly evocative and romantic choice.
  19. Imelda

    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish from German

    • Meaning:

      "all-consuming fight"

    • Description:

      Saint's name made infamous by Philippine dictator's wife Imelda Marcos. A more positive famous bearer is the British actress Imelda Staunton, best known for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movies.
  20. Penelope

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "weaver"

    • Description:

      Penelope is an unlikely 21st century baby name success story. Off the Top 1000 for 25 years, Penelope jumped back on in 2001 and has been heading uphill ever since, propelled by the trend for mythological names, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, and some high-profile celebrity babies.