Family Tree Names - Female

Jennet

Old English short form of Jean or Janet

"God is gracious"

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

Finetta

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…

Capitola

Literary invention

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…

Rena

Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, Punjabi

"joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"

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".

Aphia

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…

Martelle

European surname

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 ,…

Senobia

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…

Kiva

Hebrew, variant of Akiva

"protect"

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…