Medieval Germanic Girls
- Emma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"universal"Description:
Emma has now been among the top girl names in the United States for several years, claiming the Number 1 crown in 2008 and again from 2015 to 2018 before dropping back to second place.
- Adelaide
Origin:
Variant of Adelheidis, GermanMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.
- Rosamund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"horse protection"Description:
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation.
- Gertrude
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"strength of a spear"Description:
Could cute nickname Gertie, remembered as cute five-year-old Drew Barrymore in E.T., revive the long shunned Gertrude?
- Adela
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble"Description:
A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
- Hildegard
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"comrade in arms"Description:
Hildegard is an ancient name that sounds it, but it does have sweet short forms Hildie and Hilda to recommend it, as well as several illustrious historical bearers.
- Asta
Origin:
NorwegianMeaning:
"divine strength"Description:
This Scandinavian name was made famous in English-speaking countries as the name of the dog in the "Thin Man" series. Danish actress Asta Nielsen was another famous bearer. Asta can be considered as a short form of Astrid or Augusta.
- Bertha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright, glorious"Description:
Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
- Clotilde
Origin:
Spanish, French, Italian, and PortugueseMeaning:
"famous in battle"Description:
A romantic rarity, derived from the Old German name Chlotichilda, meaning "famous in battle." Saint Clotilde was a Frankish queen, wife of Clovis I, who played a role in the spread of Christianity.
- Hedwig
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"war"Description:
An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
- Romilda
Description:
Romilda is a feminine name with Germanic origins, composed of the elements 'hrom' meaning 'fame' and 'hild' meaning 'battle' or 'warrior.' This powerful combination creates a name signifying 'famous battle maiden' or 'glorious fighter.' The name has medieval roots and appears in various European cultures, particularly in Italy where it maintained modest usage. In literature, Romilda appears as a character in various works, including Handel's opera 'Orlando.' While never widely popular in the English-speaking world, the name carries a romantic, somewhat mysterious quality with its rolling syllables and ancient heritage. Romilda offers a rare choice with substantial historical depth, appealing to parents seeking names with both strength and distinctive feminine character.
- Gisela
Origin:
German; Dutch; Spanish; PortugueseMeaning:
"pledge, hostage"Description:
A variation of Giselle.
- Itta
Origin:
Diminutive of Yehudit, Variation of Ita, Yiddish, IrishMeaning:
"He will be praised; woman from Judea; thrist"Description:
Itta is a cute old-fashioned name that arose parallelly as a nickname for Yehudit, used among Ashkenazi Jews, and a variation of Ita, an Irish name.
- Elgiva
Description:
Elgiva is a feminine name of Anglo-Saxon origin with rich historical connections. Derived from Old English elements meaning 'elf gift' or 'gift of the elves,' it carries mystical and ethereal connotations. The name was borne by several notable women in early English history, including queens and noblewomen during the Anglo-Saxon period. Despite its historical significance, Elgiva remains extremely rare in modern usage, making it a distinctive choice. The name has a melodic, almost regal quality with its flowing syllables. Elgiva offers an authentic connection to ancient English heritage while standing apart from more common medieval revival names. Those named Elgiva might appreciate its unique sound, historical depth, and connection to English cultural roots, though they would likely need to explain its pronunciation and origins frequently.
- Fara
Description:
Fara is a feminine name with multiple potential origins, giving it a rich cross-cultural significance. In Arabic, Fara can mean "joy" or "happiness," while in Persian it may relate to "glory" or "splendor." Some sources also connect it to the Latin word for "traveler." The name appears in various cultures including Middle Eastern, North African, and European traditions, though with different etymological roots. Fara offers a simple yet melodious sound with its two open syllables and flowing vowels. While never extremely common in the United States, the name has seen intermittent usage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Its brevity, pleasant sound, and positive meanings make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with international appeal.
- Irmina
Description:
Irmina is a feminine name with strong Germanic roots, derived from the element "irmin" meaning "great" or "universal." This ancient name was carried by an 8th-century saint, Saint Irmina of Oeren, who was a Frankish princess and abbess. Despite its historical significance, Irmina remains relatively uncommon in the English-speaking world but has maintained a presence in Germanic countries and Eastern Europe. The name has a dignified, classic quality with its balanced syllables and melodic sound. Irmina carries connotations of strength and nobility from its linguistic origins. In contemporary usage, the name offers parents a choice that is traditional and substantial without being commonplace, giving a distinctive identity that connects to European heritage.
- Richilde
Description:
Richilde is a feminine Germanic name combining the elements 'ric' meaning 'power' or 'ruler' and 'hild' meaning 'battle' or 'warfare,' thus signifying 'powerful battle maiden' or 'strong female warrior.' The name has medieval roots and was borne by several noblewomen in European history, including Richilde of Provence, a 9th-century Queen of Western Francia. Despite its historical usage among aristocracy, Richilde has remained exceedingly rare in modern times. It carries a strong, regal quality with echoes of medieval chivalry and Germanic folklore. For contemporary parents, Richilde might appeal for its unique sound, historical depth, and powerful meaning, offering distinctive nickname options like Ricki or Hilde.
- Gunhilda
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"battle maid"Description:
At the very least, shorten it to Hilda.
- Geila
Description:
Geila is a rare feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Gayla, which derives from a Hebrew word meaning 'joy' or 'rejoicing,' or it could be related to the Germanic name Gisela, meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' in its ancient context. Another possibility connects it to Gaelic origins, where similar names carry meanings related to brightness or radiance. The spelling with 'ei' creates a distinctive appearance while suggesting a pronunciation similar to 'gay-la' or 'guy-la.' Geila has never been widely used in English-speaking countries, making it an extremely uncommon choice. The name offers an intriguing blend of exotic sound and potential meaningful roots, appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet remains highly distinctive.
- Aboflede