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Unusual Names Used by European Aristocrats

  1. Fleur

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "flower"

    • Description:

      Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur Delacour, a French witch and the Beauxbatons champion for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter.
  2. Fenella

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "white-shouldered one"

    • Description:

      More unusual than Fiona and more user-friendly than Fionnuala, the engaging Scottish Fenella, has been scarcely heard in this country.
  3. Dulcie

    • Origin:

      Latin, diminutive of Dulcibella

    • Meaning:

      "sweet"

    • Description:

      A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia.
  4. Anthea

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flowery"

    • Description:

      This unjustly neglected floral name has a BBC accent and a Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the Greek queen of the gods, and her name has been used as poetic symbol of spring.
  5. Eloisa

    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Eloise

    • Meaning:

      "healthy; wide"

    • Description:

      Eloisa captures a lovely name back from the spoiled little girl at the Plaza. Historical romance writer Eloisa James has helped make this antique name sound fresh and sassy again.
  6. Ferdinand

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"

    • Description:

      Ferdinand is a traditional name among Spanish royal families and also appears in Shakespeare's The Tempest, borne by the handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prospero's island. Bold, daring, and poetic, it was a popular choice in the US in the 19th and early 20th century, but the 1938 movie Ferdinand the Bull has left it with a lingering clunkiness and it has been out of style since the 80s.
  7. Myfanwy

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "my fine one, my woman"

    • Description:

      Intriguing Old Welsh name being revived there, but would have major pronunciation problems here.
  8. Inga

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "guarded by Ing"

    • Description:

      Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice.
  9. Clodagh

    • Origin:

      Irish river name

    • Description:

      A popular choice in Ireland, Clodagh was the name of a river and later a saint. The "cloddy" aspect of the name has prevented it from spreading beyond Ireland, but that could change with the rise of other Irish choices like Maeve and Orla.
  10. Delyth

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "pretty and blessed"

    • Description:

      If you like soft, lispy Welsh names like Gwyneth, or want an alternative to Delilah, Adele, or Edith, consider this out-of-the-ordinary option.
  11. Cicely

    • Origin:

      English variation of Cecilia

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      This frilly Victorian name is a variant of Cecilia and Cecily, with which it might well be confused. Cicely was a surprise choice for comedienne Sandra Bernhard.
  12. Georgette

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of George

    • Description:

      Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.
  13. Amyas

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "loved"

    • Description:

      Alternate spelling Amias is one of the biggest hit names of the past ten years, going from very uncommon -- it had never been in the Top 1000 -- to a firm spot in the Top 1000. The Amyas version is much rarer, used for only five baby boys last year. Down side: The spelling of the name starting with the familiar Amy might make some pronounce is Amy-us, but it's more correctly ah-MYE-as.
  14. Azura

    • Origin:

      English, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "sky blue, lapis lazuli"

    • Description:

      A sparkly elaboration of the color name Azure, Azura is a vivid choice that may appeal to those who enjoy Azaria, Aurora, Astrid, and Alara. Used in English to mean "sky blue", azure ultimately comes from the Persian lājvard meaning "lapis lazuli", making this a color and a gemstone name.
  15. Karissa

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Carissa

    • Description:

      Both Karissa and Carissa are trending downward, along with the other issa names that first rose to popularity in the 1970s. Karissa fell out of the Top 1000 in 2014, two years after Carissa.
  16. Petrina

    • Description:

      Petrina is a feminine name with classical roots, derived from the Latin name Petrus, meaning "rock" or "stone." It's essentially the feminine form of Peter, carrying connotations of strength and steadfastness. The name appears across several European cultures, including Italian, Croatian, and Greek traditions, with slight pronunciation variations. While never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Petrina has maintained steady usage, particularly in Southern and Eastern European communities. The name has an elegant, somewhat Old World charm with its melodic three syllables and classical origins. Petrina offers parents a distinctive choice that still feels accessible and pronounceable. It provides a more uncommon alternative to the popular Patricia while sharing similar classical roots and a sophisticated sound that works well across different ages.

  17. Meribah

    • Origin:

      Biblical place name, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "quarreling"

    • Description:

      Though this Biblical place name is found among early American settlers, usually as a male name, today it sounds completely feminine. As a place name, its gender is mutable in any case. An unusual and intriguing Biblical option, albeit one with an unhappy meaning.
  18. Iain

    • Origin:

      Gaelic variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Iain, this authentic Gaelic form of John, has been well used in Scotland since the early twentieth century, used concurrently with the shortened Ian spelling, but is rarely seen in the US.
  19. Narelle

    • Origin:

      Australian Aboriginal

    • Meaning:

      "little river"

    • Description:

      The Narellan is the name of a river in New South Wales. From this name comes this quasi-French girls' name, which is quite common in Australia.
  20. Oonagh

    • Origin:

      Variation of Una, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "lamb"

    • Description:

      This ultra-rare spelling of Oona was chosen by actress Amber Heard for her daughter, born in 2021.