One For The Little Ladies

Graziana

Italian variation of Grazia

"grace"

An appealingly international spin on Grace.

Florina

Latin

"flower"

Viveka

Swedish, Nordic; Sanskrit

"alive, life; wisdom"

A truly multicultural choice, with separate origins from Scandinavia (also spelled Viveca and Vivica), as well as India (with spiritual meaning in Hinduism).

Bea

English diminutive of Beatrice, Latin

"she who brings happiness"

Bea is a former old lady name that's cute again as a short form — and is now beginning to stand on its own. Bee is a variation that, like Bea, can work as a diminutive for any name that starts with…

Islay

Scottish place-name

Islay is the name of a Hebridian island famous for its whisky. Don't be fooled by the "y" at the end - this name is pronounced exactly like the more well-known Isla.

Atia

Roman name, meaning unknown

Atia Balba Caesonia was a Roman noblewoman who was the mother of Emperor Augustus. As was the practice at the time, she had two sisters also named Atia, Atia Prima and Atia Tertia. The real-life Atia…

Pele

Hawaiian goddess of fire

Pele is a female name in Hawaiian culture that could make a provocative choice for a modern girls. Others might think you named your daughter after the all-time great soccer player, but the simple,…

Gwendolen

Welsh

"white ring, circle"

Gwendolen, an ancient Welsh favorite, retired decades ago in favor of the short form Gwen, but now, as in the case all across the naming board, the nickname has faded and the more distinguished…

Embry

English surname

"flat-topped hill"

Though Embry became famous as the name of a boy werewolf in Twilight , we think its Em- beginning and -y ending make it perfectly appropriate for a girl. You might consider it as an alternative to…

Omaira

Arabic

"long life; red"

Omaira is an intriguing Middle Eastern possibility.

Sylvana

Latin

"from the forest"

Sleek, woodsy European choice.

Philomena

Greek

"lover of strength"

Philomena is an earthy Greek name now used in various Latin countries. While it has felt simply clunky for many years, it's starting -- along with such sister names as Wilhelmina and Frederica -- to…

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 —…

Wynsome

Wynsome is a feminine name with Old English origins, derived from the word 'wynsum,' meaning 'pleasant' or 'agreeable.' It's a variant spelling of the more traditional 'Winsome,' which describes…

Rin

Japanese, Korean

"dignified, severe; jade, clear"

A very popular name for girls in Japan, though it is a unisex choice. It can mean "severe, cold", but also "dignified", "ethics" and "phosphorus", depending on the kanji used. It is notably used for…

Isis

Egyptian

"throne"

Isis has gone from magical, feminist name on the rise to the forbidden list because of the extremist terror group called ISIS, an acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Unsurprisingly, Isis was…

Cerelia

Latin

"relating to springtime"

Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.

Maelys

French or Breton

"chief or prince"

Another feminine form of the old saint's name Mael. Spelled Maëlys, it is a very popular name in France today.

Forsythia

Flower name, from English surname

"Forsyth's flower"

This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.

Yael

Hebrew

"ibex"

Yael is an Old Testament name often heard in Israel that could work well here: just remember that it's pronounced with two syllables...it is also spelled Ya'el. In the Bible she was a Kenite woman in…