Game of Names - Girls
By sarishah
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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Names found in, and fitting for, George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (aka 'Game of Thrones') series.
- Lyra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lyre"Description:
Lyra is a name with ancient and celestial roots that's found new popularity thanks to its starring role in Philip Pullman's book series, His Dark Materials and its subsequent movie and TV adaptions. Simple yet starry, Lyra is familiar but not overused in the US, where it ranks in the Top 500.
- Willow
Origin:
English nature nameMeaning:
"willow tree"Description:
An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
- Anya
Origin:
Russian diminutive of AnnaMeaning:
"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.
- Sansa
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"praise, charm"Description:
Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is a master namer, and this unusual choice from India is beginning to be heard in nurseries as well as on television. Sansa was perhaps slower to catch on than other names such as Arya and Khaleesi as Sansa Stark was in the first seasons of the show a weak and compromised character.
- Leona
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lioness"Description:
A strong, grounded choice that still has plenty of energy and charm, Leona is the feminine form of Leon, itself derived from the Greek word for "lion". Associated with courage, leadership, and royalty — and the star sign of July and August — Leona is popular in Croatia and Sweden, but familiar across the US, the UK, and continental Europe.
- Rowan
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"rowan tree; little redhead"Description:
Stylish, gentle, and rustic at the same time, Rowan is a name that falls into various categories. Unisex and cool, mystical and woodsy, with the feel of both Rose and Riley, Rowan is a fresh but familiar choice.
- Bella
Origin:
Diminutive of Isabella, ItalianMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Everything ella, from Ella to Bella to Arabella, is red hot right now. Bella is one of the most, well, beautiful girl names starting with B. It carried a hint of a nice Old World grandmotherly veneer, until it became attached to Twilight's Bella Swan.
- Holly
Origin:
English nature nameDescription:
Holly ranks just in British Top 50, but it's been out of favor here since the 1970s Era of Nickname Names. Still, the name may be on her way back as a rejuvenated nature pick.
- Joanna
Origin:
Variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Joanna derives from the Greek name Ioanna, which in turn came from the Hebrew name Yohannah. It is featured in the New Testament as a woman who accompanied Jesus on his travels and eventually reached saint status. Other names related to Joanna include Joan, Joanne, Johanna, and Jana.
- Asha
Origin:
Sanskrit; SwahiliMeaning:
"hope; life"Description:
Asha is an Indian name that comes from the Sanskrit word for hope or desire, but it is also a Swahili name derived from Aisha, meaning life. Since the ascendance of Ashley through the 1980s and 90s, all baby names Ash-related have been used in the U.S. for both girls and boys, from Ashlyn to Ashby, Ashton to Asher. Despite its separate roots, Asha is part of this group.
- Arya
Origin:
Sanskrit; Modern variation of AriaMeaning:
"noble; air/song"Description:
Arya was derived from an Indo-Iranian word meaning "Aryan" or "noble." It is a masculine given name in Iran, Indonesia, Bali, and Sanskrit-speaking regions of India. In Hindu- and English-speaking parts of the world, Arya is more often a feminine name, the latter influenced by the similar Italian name Aria, meaning "air" or "song."
- Elia
Origin:
Spanish feminization of Elio, Italian and SpanishMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Though the most famous Elia, screenwriter Kazan, was male, this name sounds like a spin on many popular girls' names, from Ella to Ellie to Isla and Leah. While the Italian pronunciation has the middle syllable as LEE, making it closer to the original Elijah would give the middle syllable a long I sound — eh-LYE-ah.
- Penny
Origin:
English, diminutive of Penelope, GreekMeaning:
"weaver"Description:
Like Peggy and Patsy, Penny is a peppy vintage nickname that fell out of favor (and the Top 1000) for a while, but has recently rebounded by reentering the charts in 2013. Expect it to continue gaining traction on the heels of Penelope.
- Mya
Origin:
Variation of Maia, Maya, or Mia, Greek, Scandinavian, Hebrew, BurmeseMeaning:
"mother; larger, greater; bitter, beloved; emerald"Description:
This distinctive spelling was popularized by the R&B singer Mya (Harrison) and entered the US Top 100 in 2009 after the singer appeared on Dancing with the Stars. While it has since declined in the US, it remains in the Top 100 in France, the Top 200 in Belgium, and the Top 300 in England and Wales.
- Elinor
Origin:
Spelling variation of Eleanor, English, FrenchDescription:
A sleek, literary alternative to Eleanor, this stripped back form of Eleanor is a well-established spelling. It notably appears in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, borne by Elinor Dashwood, along with George Eliot's Middlemarch and Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind , as a middle name.
- Beth
Origin:
English diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
The sweetest and most sensitive of the pet names for Elizabeth, now also one of the most dated.
- Arianell
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"silver + yellow; silver + shining"Description:
This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.
- Myrtle
Origin:
Greek botanical nameDescription:
Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a plant with pink or white aromatic berries. Ruled by Venus, myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace, fertility and youth.
- Talla
Description:
Talla is a delicate feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Scottish Gaelic tradition, it may derive from the word meaning 'by the river' or 'peaceful water.' In some African cultures, particularly in East Africa, Talla can be found as both a given name and surname. The name also appears in Sanskrit-derived languages where it can relate to rhythm or musical patterns. Talla has remained uncommon in English-speaking countries, maintaining an air of uniqueness and exotic charm. The name's brevity and melodic quality, with its repeated 'l' sound and open ending, give it a graceful, flowing character that feels both contemporary and timeless, making it appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet pronounceable.
- Melisandre
Origin:
French variation of Millicent, GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"Description:
The romantic fairy tale-like name has come to modern attention via the beautiful but terrifying sorceress in Game of Thrones. The character may look as lovely as her name sounds, but it's hard to imagine a parent familiar with the book wanting to use the name for their child. Two alternate directions: Millicent or Melisande.
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