The Names on This Site I Like

Miren

Miren is a feminine Basque name meaning 'beloved' or 'wished-for child.' It is the Basque form of Mary/Maria, connecting it to a rich religious tradition while maintaining a distinct cultural…

Mairead

Irish, shortened fom of Mairghread, variation of Margaret

"pearl"

Pronounced MAW-rayt or ma-RAYD, Mairead is close enough to Maureen to be accepted here. The name became popular in Ireland due to admiration for the saint of that name. Peig and Peigi are its…

Mitzi

German, diminutive of Maria

"beloved; drop of the sea, bitter"

Mitzi is a sparky German nickname name that might appeal to parents drawn to the genre of lively vintage girl names that proliferated in 1930's musicals. Actress and entertainer Mitzi Gaynor (born…

Myfanwy

Welsh

"my fine one; my woman; my beloved"

A lyrical Welsh name with both poetry and ruggedness, Myfanwy can mean "my fine, delicate one", "my woman", or "my beloved", depending on whether you consider the second element as derived from manwy…

Moira

Irish, variation of Mary

"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"

Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes , Moira…

Magdalen

English

"woman from Magdala or high tower"

Biblical name long associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen, now rising improbably into the ranks of the fashionable among parents hungry for classic yet distinctive girls' names. The…

Monique

French variation of Monica

"advisor"

The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.

Magali

Magali is a feminine name with rich cultural connections, primarily of Provençal French and Occitan origin. The name evolved as a regional variation of Margaret, which derives from the Greek…

Morgane

Morgane is a feminine name of Welsh and Breton origin, a variant of Morgan that's particularly popular in France. It derives from the Welsh elements 'mor' meaning 'sea' and 'gan' meaning 'born,'…

Muirgen

Irish

"born of the sea"

Muirgen in Irish mythology was turned into a mermaid and then brought back to land after 300 years and transformed back into a woman -- which must have been quite a shock. Muirgen's original name was…

Novella

Novella is a feminine name with Latin and Italian roots, derived from 'novus' meaning 'new' or 'young.' Beyond its literal meaning, Novella carries literary associations as it refers to a short prose…

Neith

Egyptian

"divine mother"

One of the more unusual mythology names for girls , Neith is the name of the Egyptian goddess of home and femininity.

Nerida

Greek; Aboriginial

"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"

This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea…

Nayara

Spelling variation of Naiara, Basque place-name

Nayara or Naiara is a Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.

Nicasia

Latin, female variation of Nicasio

"victorious"

An interesting and unusual member of the "Nic" family--far more distinctive than NICOLE or NICOLA.

Nissa

Hebrew

"to test"

Feels truncated, as though a first syllable was snapped off.

Nolwenn

Welsh

"shining, holy"

Nolwenn is popular in Wales but would be a very adventurous choice in the US. Though with the increased visibility of names like Arwen, thanks to Lord of the Rings , it may not feel as odd going…

Nyree

English from Maori

"flaxen"

Anglicized form of Ngaire, this name is sometimes heard in New Zealand and very occasionally in England.

Nidia

Greek

"she possesses sweetness and grace"

Ear-catching alternative to Lydia.

Nuray

Turkish

"bright moon"

Nuray is one of the most popular girls' names in the Middle East though it's largely unknown and unused in the Western World. The meaning, related to the more familiar Noor, adds appeal.