Family Tree Names - Female

Freya has long been popular in the U.K. but has only taken off in the US in the last decade, along with the entire category of mythological names. Derived from the Old Norse name Freyja, meaning "Lady, noble woman", Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.

Aveline is a name that's long been an obscure cousin of more widely-used choices, but may come into its own riding the tail of the megapopular Ava, which may derive from the same root.

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.

Arlette is a French form of the Germanic name Herleva, which was the name of the mother of William the Conqueror. It peaked in France in the mid-1930s, but you might be surprised to learn that in the US, it's only just beginning to catch on now. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2018, and has dipped in and out in the years since then.

Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".

Verona is a scenic place-name with the added attraction of a Shakespearean connection, as in Two Gentlemen of....

Lettice is still occasionally heard in upper-class British families, but we fear it would cause too much salad-green teasing to be considered in the U.S. Calling your little Lettice Lettie could help make the name more user-friendly, or go all the way to the original Letitia.

Not only are individual flower names more popular (and out-there) than ever, but so too are the more generic names like Florence and Flora. While brother name Fiorello became known via long-term New York Mayor LaGuardia, the lovely Fiorella has never crossed cultures. She could join Arabella as a post-Isabella ella choice.

Parents seeking a distinctive New Testament name might consider this one. Adopted by some Puritans in the seventeenth century, Persis was used in the William Dean Howells novel The Rise of Silas Lapham for the wife of the protagonist.

The spiritual sounding Kiva has a number of other-worldly associations. Kiva is a "Stargate" character who becomes a commander in the Lucian Alliance, as well as a planet in "Star Wars." Kiva is also the name of a room used by the Hopi for spiritual ceremonies.

This name of an Albanian supermodel is a short form of many Slavic choices but is an intriguing alternative to Emma on its own.

It feels like a slenderized modern version, but Jennet actually has deep roots. Could this plucky name rescue Janet and Jenny from their datedness?

Permelia is a feminine name with historical roots dating back to the 19th century in America. It's a variant of Pamela or Permilia, derived from Greek elements meaning 'all honey' or 'sweetness.' The name enjoyed modest popularity during the 1800s, particularly in rural communities across the United States. Permelia fell out of common usage by the early 20th century, making it a rare vintage choice in modern times. Women named Permelia were often nicknamed 'Melia' or 'Perm.' The name carries a quaint, old-fashioned charm that connects to America's pioneer heritage and represents the ornate naming style popular in Victorian-era America.

Capitola owes its position on the US Top 1000 to the 1859 novel The Hidden Hand, also known as Capitola the Madcap. It was written by E. D. E. N. Southworth — the initials stand for Eliza Dorothy Emma Nevitte — and serialized first in the 1860s, then in 1883, and was published as a book in 1888.

Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.

Related to the powerful South African warrior people, sometimes chosen by African-Americans to celebrate their heritage.

Aphia is a feminine name with ancient origins, appearing in the New Testament as the name of a woman mentioned in Paul's letter to Philemon. The name derives from Greek roots, though it may have originally come from Phrygian or other Near Eastern languages. Its meaning is somewhat obscure but has been associated with concepts of sisterly affection or fruitfulness. Extremely rare in modern usage, Aphia represents a distinctive biblical choice that hasn't followed the popularity pattern of other biblical names. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. Aphia might appeal to parents seeking a name with spiritual significance, historical depth, and uncommon status.

Senobia is a feminine name of Greek derivation, representing a variant spelling of Zenobia. The name carries regal associations from its most famous bearer, Queen Zenobia, who ruled the Palmyrene Empire in the 3rd century CE and daringly challenged Roman authority. Meaning 'life of Zeus' or 'life from Zeus,' Senobia combines ancient heritage with a melodious sound. The alternative 'S' spelling gives the name a softer initial sound compared to the traditional 'Z' version. While relatively uncommon in contemporary usage, Senobia appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth and feminine strength. It offers an exotic yet accessible option with built-in nickname possibilities like Sena or Nobi.

Finetta is a feminine name with Italian and French influences, functioning as a diminutive form of names like Serafina or Josephine. The suffix '-etta' adds a meaning of 'little' or 'small,' giving the name a delicate, endearing quality. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Finetta has occasional usage in parts of Southern Europe. The name carries a vintage charm and melodic quality that makes it appealing for parents looking for something distinctive yet feminine. Historically, diminutive forms like Finetta were sometimes used as affectionate nicknames before becoming standalone names. Its rarity gives a child named Finetta a unique identity, while still maintaining connections to more traditional naming conventions.