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Narcissa

Greek

"daffodil"

This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa…

Nerilla

Invented literary name or Latin

"strong, vigorous"

A character name that makes an appearance in Shakespeare's King Lear , Nerilla has hardly been heard in modern times. Fewer than five baby girls received the name in the US last year, which places it…

Severine

French, feminine variation of Severus; Latin

"stern"

This long-popular name in France sounds fresh, elegant and unusual here. Severine is the name of the most recent gorgeous James Bond Girl in the film Skyfall . Students of film history will associate…

Xanthippe

Greek

"yellow horse"

Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.

Eudoxia

Greek

"good deeds"

Think the letter X is always cool in names? Meet Eudoxia. An ancient name with a great meaning, associated with a number of saints and Byzantine royals. You might also like the similar Eudocia or…

Lavinia

Latin, from ancient place name Lavinium

Lavinia is a charmingly prim and proper Victorian-sounding name which actually dates back to classical mythology, where it was the name of the wife of the Trojan hero Aeneas, who was considered the…

Hecuba

Greek literary name

Queen Hecuba was the legendary queen of King Priam of Troy, mother of Hector, Paris, Cassandra and others. Euripedes' tragedy Hecuba depicts Hecuba's grief over the death of her daughter Polyxena,…

Brunhilda

Norse

"armed for battle"

Variant of Brunhild, still clad in heavy armor. Though the heroine Brunhilda of Quentin Tarantino's recent film Django Unchained may have given this version of the name new appeal.

Batsheva

Batsheva is a feminine Hebrew name meaning 'daughter of oath' or 'daughter of seven,' with the number seven holding special significance in Jewish tradition as representing completeness and blessing.…