Nom nom!

Zelenia

Greek variation of Selena

See SELENA.

Thalassa

Greek

"the sea"

A pretty, rarely used Greek name, Thalassa is the ancient personification of the sea, particularly the Mediterranean, who is sometimes considered the mother of Aphrodite. In 1991, a newly discovered…

Theodosia

Greek

"gift of God"

This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter…

Tasia

Tasia is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Anastasia, which comes from Greek meaning 'resurrection.' This shortened form maintains the melodic quality of its longer counterpart while…

Parmenia

Greek

"studious"

The unusual Parmenia is very occasionally chosen by Latino parents.

Nyssa

Greek

"goal"

A fairly common Greek name that would fit in well here.

Medea

Greek

"middle"

Mythological princess who killed her kids. Eternal no-no.

Iola

Greek or Welsh

"violet; beautiful lady"

Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that…

Hero

Greek

"demi-god"

Despite the possibility of gender confusion, the Hero in Greek myth was a woman. Myleene Klass got that when she chose Hero for her daughter, and Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson used it as their…

Euphemia

Greek

"fair speech"

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.

Sosie

Variation of Sosi, Armenian, or diminutive of Susan or Sophie, Hebrew, Greek

"palm tree; lily; wisdom"

Sweet and cosy but with substance too, Sosie is a rare, multicultural name. Used as a short form of Susan, Sosan, Sophie and Sophia, it could make a fresh alternative to Suzy, Izzy, or Josie;…

Ottavia

Italian, variation of Latin Octavia

"eight"

Softer and more romantic than Octavia, this is a name once used when it wasn't uncommon for families to have eight children. A possible substitute for the epidemically popular Olivia.

Isotta

Isotta is a feminine Italian name, essentially the Italian form of Isolde or Iseult from Arthurian legend. The name derives from a Celtic origin, though its exact meaning remains disputed, with some…

Idalia

Greek, Germanic

"behold the sun; work, labor"

A pretty, if unusual choice for a summer baby, particularly a girl with an ancestor named Ida. An epithet of the goddess Aphrodite, Idalia is derived from the Greek place name Idalion. It may also be…

Fiammetta

Italian

"little fiery one"

Fiammetta, from the Italian word for flame, has both femininity and fire. Fiammetta could make a good alternative to more conventional Italian girls' names like Giovanna. Fiammetta has some romantic,…

Elettra

Italian variation of Electra, from Greek

"amber, shining, bright"

Less electric and more serene than Electra which comes with a lot of tragic and psychoanalytical baggage, Elettra is the Italian form that ranks in the Top 200 in the Italian charts. Nicknames Etta,…

Claretta

Diminutive of Clara, Latin

"bright, clear"

An elaborate diminutive of Clara with a slightly retro feel, Claretta was at its peak in the 1940s though it's never been particularly popular. Nevertheless, it may make an unexpected route to…

Chiarina

Chiarina is a delicate feminine name with Italian origins, functioning as a diminutive form of 'Chiara,' the Italian variant of 'Clara.' Derived from the Latin 'clarus,' meaning 'bright, clear, or…

Amadea

Latin

"God's beloved"

Amadea is a strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart.