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Family Tree Names - Female

queenalynna
By queenalynna
Updated Sat May 20 2023
My Dear Mum does much genealogy. Here are some VERY interesting names from our history.
  1. Freya

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "a noble woman"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Aveline

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"

    • Description:

      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.
  3. Zella

    • Origin:

      African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella

    • Meaning:

      "lacking nothing, one who knows the way"

    • Description:

      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.
  4. Rena

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, Punjabi

    • Meaning:

      "joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"

    • Description:

      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".
  5. Fiorella

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "little flower"

    • Description:

      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.
  6. Persis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "Persian woman"

    • Description:

      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.
  7. Verona

    • Origin:

      Italian place-name

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English variation of Letitia

    • Meaning:

      "joy, gladness"

    • Description:

      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.
  9. Arlette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "noble, honor"

    • Description:

      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.
  10. Alabama

    • Origin:

      Place-name; Choctaw

    • Meaning:

      "vegetation gatherers"

    • Description:

      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.
  11. Emina

    • Origin:

      Arabic and Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "truth"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English, derived from Zulu, South African tribal name

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, variant of Akiva

    • Meaning:

      "protect"

    • Description:

      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.
  14. Almeda

    • Description:

      Almeda is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'almus' meaning 'nourishing' or 'kind.' It may also be connected to the Spanish term 'alameda,' referring to a tree-lined avenue or a poplar grove. The name was moderately popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since become quite rare. Almeda carries connotations of nurturing and natural beauty, evoking images of serene pathways bordered by stately trees. While uncommon today, it represents a classic naming style with a melodic quality that could appeal to parents seeking a vintage name with subtle elegance.

  15. Capitola

    • Origin:

      Literary invention

    • Description:

      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.
  16. Jennet

    • Origin:

      Old English short form of Jean or Janet

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      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.
  18. Aphia

    • Description:

      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.
  19. Ammy

    • Description:

      Ammy is a sweet, diminutive feminine name that can function as a nickname or stand-alone name. It likely evolved as a variant spelling of Amy, which derives from the Old French 'Amée' meaning 'beloved.' The doubled 'mm' gives the name a slightly different visual appeal while maintaining the familiar pronunciation. Ammy may also serve as a nickname for names such as Amanda, Amaryllis, or Amelia. Not particularly common in official records, Ammy has a youthful, endearing quality that retains its charm into adulthood. The name's simplicity and warmth make it appealing across cultures, though it remains less common than the traditional Amy spelling.

  20. Martelle

    • Origin:

      European surname

    • Description:

      This surname, found rarely in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, has several origins. It either comes from a diminutive of Martin or Marta; or from Old French and Old Spanish martel, meaning "hammer" — thus a nickname for a smith or a forceful person.