Girl Names Inspired by Sci-Fi and Fantasy
- Theda
Origin:
Short form of Theodora or Theodosia, GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.
- Leta
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"glad, joyful"Description:
Leta has hipster cred as the daughter of cool mommy blogger Dooce. Related to the Greek mythological Leda, a great beauty who mothered another great beauty, Helen of Troy, Leta is a name that's as unique as it is historic: Only 14 baby girls were named Leta in the US last year, and 18 were named Leda. Pronunciation is lee-tah.
- Odessa
Origin:
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-nameMeaning:
"voyage"Description:
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey. It would make an original and intriguing choice.
- Verena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"integrity"Description:
Verena is pleasant but old-fashioned. Whether that's the outdated kind of old-fashioned or the so-out-it's-in-again kind is your call.
- Rowena
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white spear; famous friend; fame and joy"Description:
A fabled storybook name via the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), which featured a heroine called Rowena of Hargottstanstede, and also a Harry Potter name, as Rowena Ravenclaw, founder of one of the Hogwarts houses, Rowena is a retro feeling choice with literary charm.
- Demetria
Origin:
Greek, alternate form of DemeterDescription:
Demetria is a dramatic ancient Greek earth goddess possibility with the star-studded nickname Demi. Young actor/singer/songwriter Demi Lovato was born Demetria, but contrary to common hearsay, Demi Moore was born Demi.An even more unusual cousin name is the Cornish Demelza, made somewhat familiar via the TV series Poldark.
- Dorothea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since 1970, however it's definitely on the brink of a revival! In fact, it has already been making its way back into the UK Top 1000, and a recent year saw it given to 90 girls in the US — three times the number it was given to a decade prior.
- Rosella
Description:
Rosella can be seen as a nature name (a rosella is the name of a variety of beautiful Australian cockatoos and an Australian flower) or a diminutive version of Rose.
- Meta
Origin:
German, Slovene, and Scandinavian diminutive of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A unique international short form of Margaret, now associated with Facebook and Instagram and with "meta" fiction, books, TV shows, and similar that are self-referential.
- Ursula
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"little female bear"Description:
A saint's name with a noteworthy literary background, including uses by Shakespeare in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing, by Ben Johnson, Walter Scott, Longfellow, D. H. Lawrence and Neil Gaiman. In real life, her two most well known representatives are writer Ursula Le Guin and actress Ursula Andress. In literature, there is also Ursula Iguaran, a key, long-lived character in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's major work, One Hundred Years of Solitude.
- Delta
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fourth letter; island formed at the mouth of a river"Description:
Delta is an unusual vintage option, blending the sounds of Della and Etta. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a geographical term, used to describe an island formed at the mouth of a river, some may be put off by Delta's links the airline company of COVID variant on the same name.
- Adelphia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"dearest sister"Description:
Has a bit of a trade name feel, as in failed cable service.
- Adora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"adored"Description:
A name that would lavish your child with adoration, a princess name--as in Princess Adora of She-Ra: Princess of Power.
- Adrastea
Origin:
Ancient GreekMeaning:
"inescapable"Description:
In Greek mythology, Adrastea (or Adrasteia) was a nymph who helped raise the infant Zeus. It was also sometimes used as an alternate name for several other goddesses, and is the name of one of the moons of Jupiter.
- Aenea
Origin:
Greek, female variation of AeneasMeaning:
"the praised one"Description:
This name found in the fantasy series Endymion/Rise of Endymion has a slightly physiological feel to it.
- Aldea
Description:
Aldea is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Romanian, 'aldea' relates to ancient words meaning 'settlement' or 'village,' while in Spanish, 'aldea' directly translates to 'small village' or 'hamlet.' This gives the name rustic, community-oriented connotations. The name may also connect to the Germanic element 'ald' meaning 'old' or 'wise.' Aldea remains uncommon in most countries but has seen modest usage in Romania, Spain, and Portuguese-speaking regions. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its three syllables and open vowel sounds. Aldea offers an attractive balance of being recognizable in structure while remaining distinctive and uncommon. The name's connection to community and settlement gives it a grounded, meaningful quality that appeals to parents seeking names with subtle cultural significance and melodious sounds.
- Aletheia
Description:
Aletheia is a feminine name of Greek origin meaning 'truth' or 'disclosure.' In Greek philosophy and mythology, Aletheia was personified as the spirit of truth, sincerity, and frankness. The name carries significant philosophical weight, as it was an important concept for ancient Greek philosophers like Parmenides and later Heidegger, who explored the nature of truth and unconcealment. While uncommon in everyday usage, Aletheia appeals to parents drawn to names with profound meanings and classical roots. Its distinctive sound pattern sets it apart from more popular Greek-derived names, making it a thoughtful choice for those seeking a name that embodies intellectual values and ancient wisdom.
- Alura
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"godlike adviser"Description:
Alura has an entirely different root from the similar Allura and shares the fairy tale tinge. It could be a great choice for a wise baby girl.
- Amadea
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"God's beloved"Description:
Amadea is a strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart.
- Amaranta
Origin:
Spanish and Italian form of AmaranthaMeaning:
"unfading"Description:
Amaranta is the unusual and intriguing Latinate form of the Greek botanical name Amarantha, which connects to an eternal mythical figure. An excellent choice for the parent who wants an A name but wishes to move beyond the usual complement of names from Amelia to Annabel.
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