ABIGAILGender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: אֲבִיגַיִל (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: AB-i-gayl (English), AH-bee-giel (German)
Personal note: Not my absolute favorite, but I have a character named Abigail
Rating: 55% based on 2 votes
From the Hebrew name אֲבִיגָיִל ('Avigayil) meaning "my father is joy". In the Old Testament this is the name of Nabal's wife. After Nabal's death she became the third wife of King David.As an English name, Abigail first became common after the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans. Some time after the release of the play 'The Scornful Lady' (1616), which featured a character named Abigail, the name became a slang term for a servant, and it grew less common. It was revived in the 20th century.
ADAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Polish, Hungarian, Italian
Pronounced: AY-də (English), AH-dah (Polish)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Short form of ADELAIDE and other names beginning with the same sound. This name was borne by Augusta Ada King (1815-1852), the Countess of Lovelace (known as Ada Lovelace), a daughter of Lord Byron. She was an assistant to Charles Babbage, the inventor of an early mechanical computer.ADÉLAÏDEFrench form of ADELAIDEADELAIDEGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Portuguese
Pronounced: AD-ə-layd (English), ah-de-LIE-de (Italian), ə-də-LIED (Portuguese)
Rating: 75% based on 2 votes
From the French form of the Germanic name Adalheidis, which was composed of the elements adal "noble" and heid "kind, sort, type". It was borne in the 10th century by Saint Adelaide, the wife of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto the Great. The name became common in Britain in the 19th century due to the popularity of the German-born wife of King William IV, for whom the city of Adelaide in Australia was named in 1836.ADRIANGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Romanian, Polish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Russian
Other Scripts: Адриан (Russian)
Pronounced: AY-dree-ən (English), AHD-ryahn (Polish), AH-dree-ahn (German), ah-dree-AHN (Russian)
Rating: 50% based on 2 votes
Form of Hadrianus (see HADRIAN). Several saints and six popes have borne this name, including the only English pope, Adrian IV, and the only Dutch pope, Adrian VI. As an English name, it has been in use since the Middle Ages, though it was not popular until modern times.AELLAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Αελλα (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "whirlwind" in Greek. In Greek myth this was the name of an Amazon warrior killed by Herakles during his quest for Hippolyta's girdle.ALAIAMeans "joyful, happy" in Basque.ALCYONEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Αλκυονη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: al-SIE-ə-nee (English)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of Greek Αλκυονη (Alkyone), derived from the word αλκυων (alkyon) or ‘αλκυων (halkyon) meaning "kingfisher". In Greek myth this name belonged to a daughter of Aeolus and the wife of Ceyx. After her husband was killed in a shipwreck she threw herself into the water, but the gods saved her and turned them both into kingfishers. This is also the name of the brightest of the Pleiades, the seven stars in the constellation Taurus.ALETHEADerived from Greek αληθεια (aletheia) meaning "truth". This name was coined in the 17th century.ALEXAShort form of ALEXANDRAALEXANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Hungarian, Slovak, Biblical, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Αλεξανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: al-əg-ZAN-dər (English), ah-lek-SAHN-der (German), ah-lək-SAHN-dər (Dutch)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of the Greek name Αλεξανδρος (Alexandros), which meant "defending men" from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, help" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Greek mythology this was another name of the hero Paris, and it also belongs to several characters in the New Testament. However, the most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, King of Macedon. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Due to his fame, and later medieval tales involving him, use of his name spread throughout Europe.The name has been used by kings of Scotland, Poland and Yugoslavia, emperors of Russia, and eight popes. Other notable bearers include English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744), American statesman Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), Scottish-Canadian explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie (1764-1820), Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837), and Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), the Scottish-Canadian-American inventor of the telephone.
ALEXANDRAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, French, English, Greek, Portuguese, Romanian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Spanish, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Αλεξανδρα (Greek)
Pronounced: ah-lek-SAHN-drah (German), ah-lək-SAHN-drah (Dutch), al-əg-ZAN-drə (English)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of ALEXANDER. In Greek mythology this was a Mycenaean epithet of the goddess Hera, and an alternate name of Cassandra. It was borne by several early Christian saints, and also by the wife of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia. She was from Germany and had the birth name Alix, but was renamed Alexandra upon joining the Russian Church.ALEXANDRIAFeminine form of ALEXANDER. Alexander the Great founded several cities by this name (or renamed them) as he extended his empire eastward. The most notable of these is Alexandria in Egypt, founded by Alexander in 331 BC.ALEXANDRIEFrench variant of ALEXANDRAALEXEIGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Алексей (Russian)
Pronounced: ah-lyek-SYAY, ah-leek-SYAY
Rating: 80% based on 2 votes
Variant transcription of ALEKSEYALGERNONGender: Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: AL-jər-nahn
Personal note: It's an interesting name, to say the least
Rating: 50% based on 3 votes
Originally a Norman French nickname, derived from aux gernons "having a moustache", which was applied to William de Percy, a companion of William the Conqueror. It was first used a given name in the 15th century (for a descendent of William de Percy).ALIXMedieval French variant of ALICEALLEGRAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare), Italian (Rare)
Pronounced: ə-LEG-rə (English), ahl-LE-grah (Italian)
Rating: 35% based on 2 votes
Means "cheerful, lively" in Italian. It is not a traditional Italian name. It was borne by a short-lived illegitimate daughter of Lord Byron.AMAIAMeans "the end" in Basque. This is also the name of a mountain and a village in the Basque region of Spain.AMIRA (1)Variant transcription of AMIRAHANASTASIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek, Russian, English, Spanish, Ancient Greek
Other Scripts: Αναστασια (Greek), Анастасия (Russian)
Pronounced: ah-nah-stah-SEE-yah (Russian), a-nə-STAY-zhə (English), a-nə-STAS-yə (English), ah-nahs-TAH-syah (Spanish)
Rating: 40% based on 2 votes
Feminine form of ANASTASIUS. This was the name of a 4th-century Dalmatian saint who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Due to her, the name has been common in Eastern Orthodox Christianity (in various spellings). As an English name it has been in use since the Middle Ages. A famous bearer was the youngest daughter of the last Russian tsar Nicholas II, who was rumoured to have escaped the execution of her family in 1918.ANASTASIEFrench form of ANASTASIAANASTASIYAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian
Other Scripts: Анастасия (Russian, Bulgarian), Анастасія (Ukrainian)
Pronounced: ah-nah-stah-SEE-yah (Russian, Bulgarian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian form of ANASTASIA. This name was borne by the wife of the Russian czar Ivan the Terrible.ANTHONYEnglish form of the Roman family name Antonius, which is of unknown Etruscan origin. The most notable member of the Roman family was the general Marcus Antonius (called Mark Antony in English), who for a period in the 1st century BC ruled the Roman Empire jointly with Augustus. When their relationship turned sour, he and his mistress Cleopatra were attacked and forced to commit suicide, as related in Shakespeare's tragedy 'Antony and Cleopatra' (1606).The name became regularly used in the Christian world due to the fame of Saint Anthony the Great, a 3rd-century Egyptian hermit who founded Christian monasticism. Its popularity was reinforced in the Middle Ages by the 13th-century Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of Portugal. In English it has been commonly (but incorrectly) associated with Greek ανθος (anthos) "flower", which resulted in the addition of the h in the 17th century.
ARIANNAItalian form of ARIADNEARIANNEVariant of ARIANEASTORFrom a surname derived from Occitan astur meaning "hawk".ASTRAMeans "star", ultimately from Greek αστηρ (aster). This name has only been (rarely) used since the 20th century.ASTRAEAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Αστραια (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of the Greek Αστραια (Astraia), derived from Greek αστηρ (aster) meaning "star". Astraea was a Greek goddess of justice and innocence. After wickedness took root in the world she left the earth and became the constellation Virgo.ATALANTAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Αταλαντη (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the Greek Αταλαντη (Atalante) meaning "equal in weight", derived from αταλαντος (atalantos), a word related to ταλαντον (talanton) meaning "a scale, a balance". In Greek legend she was a fast-footed maiden who refused to marry anyone who could not beat her in a race. She was eventually defeated by Hippomenes, who dropped three golden apples during the race causing her to stop to pick them up.ATHENAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Αθηνα (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown, perhaps derived from Greek αθηρ (ather) "sharp" and αινη (aine) "praise". Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, the daughter of Zeus and the patron goddess of the city of Athens in Greece. She is associated with the olive tree and the owl.ATHÉNAÏSFrench form of ATHENAISAURELIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Ancient Roman, Italian, Romanian, Polish
Pronounced: ow-RE-lyah (Italian), ow-REL-yah (Polish)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of AURELIUSAURÉLIEGender: Feminine
Usage: French
Pronounced: o-ray-LEE
Personal note: When I had to use a French name in class, I used Aurélie
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
French feminine form of AURELIUSAURORAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, German, Romanian, Finnish, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: ow-RO-rah (Spanish), ə-RAWR-ə (English)
Rating: 50% based on 2 votes
Means "dawn" in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the morning. It has occasionally been used as a given name since the Renaissance.AUROREFrench form of AURORAAZALEAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
Pronounced: ə-ZAY-lee-ə, ə-ZAYL-yə
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the name of the flower, ultimately derived from Greek αζαλεος (azaleos) "dry".AZZURRAMeans "azure, sky blue" in Italian.BEATAGender: Feminine
Usage: Polish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Late Roman
Pronounced: be-AH-tah (Polish, German)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Derived from Latin beatus meaning "blessed". This was the name of a few minor saints.BEATRICEGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, English, Swedish
Pronounced: be-ah-TREE-che (Italian), BEE-ə-tris (English), BEE-tris (English)
Personal note: Because of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Italian form of BEATRIX. Beatrice Portinari was the woman who was loved by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. She served as Dante's guide through paradise in his epic poem 'The Divine Comedy' (1321). This was also the name of a character in Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1599).BIANCAGender: Feminine
Pronounced: BYAHN-kah (Romanian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Italian cognate of BLANCHE. Shakespeare used characters named Bianca in 'Taming of the Shrew' (1593) and 'Othello' (1603).BLAISEFrom the Roman name Blasius which meant "lisping" from Latin blaesus. A famous bearer was Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and philosopher from France.BRAVAMeans "valiant, brave" in Esperanto.BRYONYFrom the name of a type of Eurasian vine, formerly used as medicine. It ultimately derives from Greek βρυω (bryo) "to swell".CALEBGender: Masculine
Other Scripts: כָּלֵב (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: KAY-ləb (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Means "dog" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Israel. Of the Israelites who left Egypt with Moses, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who lived to see the Promised Land. As an English name, Caleb came into use after the Protestant Reformation. It was common among the Puritans, who introduced it to America in the 17th century.CALISTAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Pronounced: kə-LIS-tə (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
CALLISTO (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Καλλιστω (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: kə-LIS-to (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of KALLISTO. A moon of Jupiter bears this name.CAMILLAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Ancient Roman, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: kə-MIL-ə (English), kah-MEEL-lah (Italian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of CAMILLUS. This was the name of a legendary warrior maiden of the Volsci, as told by Virgil in the 'Aeneid'. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by Fanny Burney's novel 'Camilla' (1796).CAMILLEGender: Feminine & Masculine
Pronounced: ka-MEE (French), kə-MEEL (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
French feminine and masculine form of CAMILLA. It is also used in the English-speaking world, where it is generally only feminine.CAMMIEGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KAM-ee
Personal note: Nickname for Camilla/phonetic nickname for Camille
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
CARAGender: Feminine
Pronounced: KAHR-ə (English), KER-ə (English), KAH-rah (German)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From an Italian word meaning "beloved". It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, though it did not become popular until after the 1950s.CASSANDRAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Κασσανδρα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: kə-SAN-drə (English), kə-SAHN-drə (English)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
From the Greek Κασσανδρα (Kassandra), which possibly meant "shining upon man", derived from κεκασμαι (kekasmai) "to shine" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Greek myth Cassandra was a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but when she spurned his advances he cursed her so nobody would believe her prophecies.In the Middle Ages this name was common in England due to the popularity of medieval tales about the Trojan War. It subsequently became rare, but was revived in the 20th century.
CASSIOPEIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Κασσιοπεια, Κασσιεπεια (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ka-see-ə-PEE-ə (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of Greek Κασσιοπεια (Kassiopeia) or Κασσιεπεια (Kassiepeia), possibly meaning "cassia juice". In Greek myth Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda. She was changed into a constellation and placed in the northern sky after she died.CATALINASpanish form of KATHERINECECILYEnglish form of CECILIA. This was the usual English form during the Middle Ages.CÉLESTEFrench feminine and masculine form of CAELESTISCELESTINAGender: Feminine
Pronounced: the-le-STEE-nah (Spanish), se-le-STEE-nah (Latin American Spanish), che-le-STEE-nah (Italian)
Rating: 50% based on 1 vote
Latinate feminine form of CAELESTINUSCÉLESTINEFrench feminine form of CAELESTINUSCLIOGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized), Italian
Other Scripts: Κλειω (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: KLEE-o (Italian)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of KLEIOCLYTEMNESTRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Κλυταιμνηστρα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: klie-təm-NES-trə (English)
Personal note: This would make an amazing name for a villain
Rating: 45% based on 2 votes
Latinized form of Greek Κλυταιμνηστρα (Klytaimnestra), from κλυτος (klytos) "famous, noble" and μνηστρια (mnestria) "courter, wooer". In Greek legend Clytemnestra was the wife of Agamemnon and the mother of Orestes and Electra. While her husband was away during the Trojan War she took a lover, and upon his return she had him murdered. She was subsequently killed by Orestes.COLETTEShort form of NICOLETTE. Saint Colette was a 15th-century French nun who gave her money to the poor. This was also the pen name of the French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954).CONRADGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Ancient Germanic
Pronounced: KAHN-rad (English), KAWN-raht (German)
Personal note: I love this for some reason; I've used it for a character
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Derived from the Germanic elements kuoni "brave" and rad "counsel". This was the name of a 10th-century saint and bishop of Konstanz, in southern Germany. It was also borne by several medieval German kings and dukes. In England it was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, but has only been common since the 19th century when it was reintroduced from Germany.CONSTANCEGender: Feminine
Pronounced: KAHN-stənts (English), kawn-STAWNS (French)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Medieval form of CONSTANTIA. The Normans introduced this name to England (it was the name of a daughter of William the Conqueror).CONSTANTINGender: Masculine
Pronounced: kon-stahn-TEEN (Romanian), kawn-stawn-TEN (French)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Romanian and French form of Constantinus (see CONSTANTINE).CORALIECORDELIAFrom Cordeilla, possibly a Celtic name of unknown meaning. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Cordeilla was the youngest of the three daughters of King Lear and the only one to remain loyal to her father. When adapting the character for his play 'King Lear' (1606), Shakespeare altered the spelling to Cordelia.COSIMAItalian feminine form of COSIMOCOSIMOItalian variant of COSMAS. A famous bearer was Cosimo de' Medici, the 15th-century founder of Medici rule in Florence, who was a patron of the Renaissance and a successful merchant. Other members of the Medici family have also borne this name.DAMIANGender: Masculine
Pronounced: DAY-mee-ən (English), DAHM-yahn (Polish)
Rating: 65% based on 2 votes
From the Greek name Δαμιανος (Damianos) which was derived from Greek δαμαω (damao) "to tame". Saint Damian was martyred with his twin brother Cosmo in Syria early in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians. Due his renown, the name came into general use in Christian Europe. Another saint by this name was Peter Damian, an 11th-century cardinal and theologian from Italy.DAMIENFrench form of DAMIANDAVIDGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Hebrew, French, Scottish, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: דָּוִד (Hebrew), Давид (Russian, Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: DAY-vid (English), dah-VEED (Jewish), da-VEED (French), DAH-vit (German, Dutch), dah-VEET (Russian)
Rating: 60% based on 2 votes
From the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Dawid), which was probably derived from Hebrew דוד (dwd) meaning "beloved". David was the second and greatest of the kings of Israel, ruling in the 10th century BC. Several stories about him are told in the Old Testament, including his defeat of Goliath, a giant Philistine. According to the New Testament, Jesus was descended from him.This name has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages. It has been especially popular in Wales, where it is used in honour of the 5th-century patron saint of Wales (also called Dewi), as well as in Scotland, where it was borne by two kings. Famous bearers include empiricist philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) and explorer David Livingstone (1813-1873). This is also the name of the hero of Charles Dickens' semi-autobiographical novel 'David Copperfield' (1850).
DMITRIGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Дмитрий (Russian)
Pronounced: DMEE-tree
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Variant transcription of DMITRIYELECTRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Ηλεκτρα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ə-LEKT-rə (English)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of Greek Ηλεκτρα (Elektra), derived from ηλεκτρον (elektron) meaning "amber". In Greek myth she was the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and the sister of Orestes. She helped her brother kill their mother and her lover Aegisthus in vengeance for Agamemnon's murder.ELÉONOREFrench form of ELEANORELISAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, English
Pronounced: e-LEE-zah (German)
Rating: 10% based on 1 vote
Short form of ELISABETHÉLISEFrench short form of ÉLISABETHÉLODIEFrench form of ALODIAESPERANZAGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish
Pronounced: es-pe-RAHN-thah (Spanish), es-pe-RAHN-sah (Latin American Spanish)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Spanish form of the Late Latin name Sperantia which was derived from sperare "to hope".EVANDER (1)Gender: Masculine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized), Roman Mythology
Other Scripts: Ευανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ee-VAN-dər (English), ə-VAN-dər (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Variant of Evandrus, Latin form of the Greek name Ευανδρος (Euandros) which meant "good man", derived from Greek ευ "good" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Roman mythology Evander was an Arcadian hero of the Trojan War who founded the city of Pallantium near the spot where Rome was later built.FABIANGender: Masculine
Usage: German, Dutch, Polish, History
Pronounced: FAH-bee-ahn (German, Dutch), FAH-byahn (Polish), FAY-bee-ən (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Roman cognomen Fabianus, which was derived from FABIUS. Saint Fabian was a 3rd-century pope.FAINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Фаина (Russian)
Pronounced: fah-EE-nah
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown, possibly derived from PHAENNA.FAROUKVariant transcription of FARUQFAYEVariant of FAYFÉLIXGender: Masculine
Usage: French, Spanish, Portuguese
Pronounced: FE-leeks (Portuguese)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
French, Spanish and Portuguese form of FELIXFIAMMETTADerived from Italian fiamma "fire" combined with a diminutive suffix.FIERAMeans "proud" in Esperanto.FIORELLAFrom Italian fiore "flower" combined with a diminutive suffix.FLAVIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: FLAH-vyah (Italian, Spanish)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of FLAVIUSFLORIANGender: Masculine
Pronounced: FLO-ree-ahn (German), FLAWR-yahn (Polish)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
From the Roman name Florianus, a derivative of FLORUS. Saint Florian, a martyr of the 3rd century, is the patron saint of Poland and Upper Austria.FYODORGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Фёдор (Russian)
Pronounced: FYO-dahr
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
Russian form of THEODORE. It was borne by three tsars of Russia. Another notable bearer was Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881), the Russian author of such works as 'Crime and Punishment' and 'The Brothers Karamazov'.GABRIELGender: Masculine
Usage: French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, English, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: גַּבְרִיאֵל (Ancient Hebrew), Γαβριηλ (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ga-bree-EL (French), GAHP-ree-el (German), GAH-bryel (Spanish), GAY-bree-əl (English), GAHP-ryel (Polish)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Hebrew name גַבְרִיאֵל (Gavri'el) meaning "strong man of God". Gabriel was one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition. He appears in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, where he serves as the announcer of the births of John to Zechariah and Jesus to Mary. According to Islamic tradition he was the angel who dictated the Qur'an to Muhammad.This name has been used occasionally in England since the 12th century. It was not common in the English-speaking world until the end of the 20th century.
GALAHADGender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: GAL-ə-had (English)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown. In Arthurian legend Sir Galahad was the son of Lancelot and Elaine. He was the most pure of the Knights of the Round Table, and he was the only one to succeed in finding the Holy Grail.GENEVIÈVEFrom Genovefa, a Gaulish name possibly meaning "tribe woman". Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, inspired the city to resist the Huns in the 5th century.GIADAItalian form of JADEGILBERTGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, Dutch, German, Ancient Germanic
Pronounced: GIL-bərt (English), zheel-BER (French), KHIL-bərt (Dutch), GIL-bert (German)
Personal note: French pronunciation
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Means "bright pledge", derived from the Germanic elements gisil "pledge, hostage" and beraht "bright". The Normans introduced this name to England, where it was common during the Middle Ages. It was borne by a 12th-century British saint, the founder of the religious order known as the Gilbertines.GINEVRAItalian form of GUINEVERE. This is also the Italian name for the city of Geneva, Switzerland. It is also sometimes associated with the Italian word ginepro meaning "juniper".GLORIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish
Pronounced: GLAWR-ee-ə (English), glo-REE-ah (Italian), GLAW-ryah (Polish)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "glory" in Latin. The name (first?) appeared in E. D. E. N. Southworth's novel 'Gloria' (1891) and subsequently in George Bernard Shaw's play 'You Never Can Tell' (1898). It was popularized in the early 20th century by American actress Gloria Swanson (1899-1983). Another famous bearer is feminist Gloria Steinem (1934-).GRAHAMFrom a Scottish surname, originally derived from the English place name Grantham, which probably meant "gravelly homestead" in Old English. The surname was first taken to Scotland in the 12th century by the Norman baron William de Graham. A famous bearer was Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), the Scottish-Canadian-American inventor who devised the telephone.GUILLAUMEFrench form of WILLIAMGUINEVEREGender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: GWIN-ə-vir (English)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
From the Norman French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, composed of the elements gwen meaning "fair, white" and hwyfar meaning "smooth". In Arthurian legend she was the beautiful wife of King Arthur who engaged in an adulterous affair with Sir Lancelot. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, she was seduced by Mordred before the battle of Camlann, which led to the deaths of both Mordred and Arthur.The Cornish form of this name, Jennifer, has become popular in the English-speaking world.
GWENAËLLEFeminine form of GWENAËLHALGender: Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: HAL
Personal note: I love this as a nickname but can't think of a full name
Rating: 60% based on 2 votes
Medieval diminutive of HARRYHALAMeans "halo around the moon" in Arabic. This was the name of a sister-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.HAMLETAnglicized form of the Danish name Amleth. Shakespeare used this name for the Prince of Denmark in his play 'Hamlet' (1600), which he based upon earlier Danish tales.HARRIETEnglish form of HENRIETTE, and thus a feminine form of HARRY. It was first used in the 17th century, becoming very common in the English-speaking world by the 18th century. A famous bearer was Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), the American author who wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.HAZELFrom the English word hazel for the tree or the light brown colour, derived ultimately from Old English hæsel. It was coined as a given name in the 19th century.HELENAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, English, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: ‘Ελενη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: he-LE-nah (German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish), hay-LAY-nah (Dutch)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Latinate form of HELENHERMIAFeminine form of HERMES. Shakespeare used this name in his comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595).HERMIONEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: ‘Ερμιονη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: hər-MIE-ə-nee (English)
Rating: 90% based on 1 vote
Derived from the name of the Greek messenger god HERMES. In Greek myth Hermione was the daughter of Menelaus and Helen. This is also the name of the wife of Leontes in Shakespeare's play 'The Winter's Tale' (1610).HERO (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: ‘Ηρω (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: HEER-o (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Derived from Greek ‘ηρως (heros) meaning "hero". In Greek legend she was the lover of Leander, who would swim across the Hellespont each night to meet her. He was killed on one such occasion when he got caught in a storm while in the water, and when Hero saw his dead body she drowned herself. This is also the name of a character in Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1599).HONORATAGender: Feminine
Usage: Late Roman, Polish
Pronounced: haw-naw-RAH-tah (Polish)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of HONORATUSHONORÉHORATIOVariant of HORATIUS. It was borne by the British admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), famous for his defeat of Napoleon's forces in the Battle of Trafalgar, in which he was himself killed. Since his time the name has been occasionally used in his honour.ILEANAPossibly a Romanian variant of HELEN. In Romanian folklore this is the name of a princess kidnapped by monsters and rescued by a heroic knight.IMOGENThe name of a princess in the play 'Cymbeline' (1609) by Shakespeare. He based her on a legendary character named Innogen, but the name was printed incorrectly and never corrected. The name Innogen is probably derived from Gaelic inghean meaning "maiden".INANNAPossibly derived from Sumerian (n)in-an-na "lady of the sky". Inanna was the Sumerian goddess of the earth, love, fertility and war. She descended into the underworld where the ruler of that place, her sister Ereshkigal, had her killed. The god Enki interceded, and Inanna was allowed to leave the underworld as long as her husband Dumuzi took her place.INDIGOFrom the English word indigo for the purplish-blue dye or the colour. It is ultimately derived from Greek Ινδικον (Indikon) "Indic, from India".INDIRAMeans "beauty" in Sanskrit. This is another name of Lakshmi, the wife of the Hindu god Vishnu. A notable bearer was India's first female prime minister, Indira Gandhi (1917-1984).IOGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Ιω (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: IE-o (English), EE-o (English)
Rating: 50% based on 2 votes
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology Io was a princess loved by Zeus, who changed her into a heifer in order to hide her from Hera. A moon of Jupiter bears this name in her honour.IOLANAMeans "to soar" in Hawaiian.IONEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, English
Other Scripts: Ιονη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ie-O-nee (English), IE-o-nee (English), ie-ON (English)
Rating: 100% based on 1 vote
From Greek ιον (ion) meaning "violet flower". This was the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology. It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, though perhaps based on the Greek place name Ionia, a region on the west coast of Asia Minor.IPHIGENEIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Ιφιγενεια (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 40% based on 2 votes
Derived from Greek ιφιος (iphios) "strong, stout" and γενης (genes) "born". In Greek myth Iphigenia was the daughter of king Agamemnon. When her father offended Artemis it was divined that the only way to appease the goddess was to sacrifice Iphigenia. Just as Agamemnon was about to sacrifice his daughter she was magically transported to the city of Taurus.In Christian tradition this was also the name of a legendary early saint, the daughter of an Ethiopian King Egippus.
IRENAGender: Feminine
Usage: Polish, Czech, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Dutch, Lithuanian
Other Scripts: Ирена (Serbian)
Pronounced: ee-RE-nah (Polish), ee-RAY-nah (Dutch)
Rating: 100% based on 1 vote
Latinate form of IRENEIRIAPossibly a Portuguese and Galician form of IRENE. This was the name of a 7th-century saint (also known as Irene) from Tomar in Portugal.IRINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Finnish
Other Scripts: Ирина (Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: ee-REE-nah (Russian)
ISAACGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: יִצְחָק (Hebrew)
Pronounced: IE-zək (English)
Rating: 50% based on 1 vote
From the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq) which meant "he laughs". Isaac in the Old Testament is the son of Abraham and the father of Esau and Jacob. As recounted in Genesis, God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son, though an angel prevented the act at the last moment.As an English Christian name, Isaac was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, though it was more common among Jews. It became more widespread after the Protestant Reformation. Famous bearers include the physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and the science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov (1920-1992).
ISADORAVariant of ISIDORA. A famous bearer was the American dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927).ISOTTAItalian form of ISOLDEIVANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Czech, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Bulgarian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Ивана (Serbian, Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of IVANIVONACzech, Slovak, Croatian and Macedonian form of YVONNEIVYFrom the English word for the climbing plant that has small yellow flowers. It is ultimately derived from Old English ifig.JANEMedieval English form of Jehanne, an Old French feminine form of Iohannes (see JOHN). This became the most common feminine form of John in the 17th century, surpassing Joan. Famous bearers include the uncrowned English queen Lady Jane Grey (1536-1554), who ruled for only 9 days, the British novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817), who wrote 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and Prejudice', and the British primatologist Jane Goodall (1934-). This was also the name of the central character in Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Jane Eyre' (1847).JUDEVariant of JUDAS. It is used in many English versions of the New Testament to denote the second apostle named Judas, in order to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. He was supposedly the author of the Epistle of Jude. In the English-speaking world, Jude has occasionally been used as a given name since the time of the Protestant Reformation.JULES (1)French form of JULIUS. A notable bearer of this name was the French novelist Jules Verne (1828-1905), author of 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and other works of science fiction.JULIANGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Polish, German
Pronounced: JOO-lee-ən (English), JOOL-yən (English), YUWL-yahn (Polish), YOO-lee-ahn (German)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Roman name Iulianus, which was derived from JULIUS. This was the name of the last pagan Roman emperor, Julian the Apostate (4th century). It was also borne by several early saints, including the legendary Saint Julian the Hospitaller. This name has been used in England since the Middle Ages, at which time it was also a feminine name (from Juliana, eventually becoming Gillian).JULIETAnglicized form of JULIETTE or GIULIETTA. This spelling was first used by Shakespeare for the lover of Romeo in his play 'Romeo and Juliet' (1596).JUSTINGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, Slovene
Pronounced: JUS-tin (English), zhoo-STEN (French)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Latin name Iustinus, which was derived from JUSTUS. This was the name of several early saints including Justin Martyr, a Christian philosopher of the 2nd century who was beheaded in Rome. It was also borne by two Byzantine emperors. As an English name, it has occasionally been used since the late Middle Ages, though it did not become common until the 20th century.KALLIOPEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Καλλιοπη (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "beautiful voice" from Greek καλλος (kallos) "beauty" and οψ (ops) "voice". In Greek mythology she was a goddess of epic poetry and eloquence, one of the nine Muses.KARI (1)Norwegian short form of KATARINAKLEIOGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Κλειω (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Derived from Greek κλεος (kleos) meaning "glory". In Greek mythology she was the goddess of history and heroic poetry, one of the nine Muses. She was said to have introduced the alphabet to Greece.LAELIAFeminine form of Laelius, a Roman family name of unknown meaning. This is also the name of a type of flower, an orchid found in Mexico and Central America.LAETITIAOriginal form of LETITIA, as well as the French form.LAYLAGender: Feminine
Other Scripts: ليلى (Arabic)
Pronounced: LAY-lə (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Means "night" in Arabic. This was the name of the object of romantic poems written by the 7th-century poet known as Qays. The story of Qays and Layla became a popular romance in medieval Arabia and Persia. The name became used in the English-speaking world after the 1970 release of the song 'Layla' by Derek and the Dominos, the title of which was inspired by the medieval story.LÉAFrench form of LEAHLEANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Λεανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: lee-AN-dər (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
From the Greek Λεανδρος (Leandros) which means "lion of a man" from Greek λεων (leon) "lion" and ανδρος (andros) "of a man". In Greek legend Leander was the lover of Hero. Every night he swam across the Hellespont to meet her, but on one occasion he was drowned when a storm arose. When Hero saw his dead body she threw herself into the waters and perished.LEIA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Popular Culture
Pronounced: LAY-a
Personal note: Because 1) I'm a geek, and 2) I just like how it sounds
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown. This is the name of a princess in the 'Star Wars' movies by George Lucas. Lucas possibly based it on the name LEAH.LENORAShort form of ELENORALENOREShort form of ELEANOR. This was the name of the departed love of the narrator in Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven' (1845).LEOGender: Masculine
Usage: German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, English, Croatian, Late Roman
Pronounced: LE-o (German), LAY-o (Dutch), LEE-o (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Derived from Latin leo "lion", a cognate of LEON. It was popular among early Christians and was the name of 13 popes, including Saint Leo the Great who asserted the dominance of the Roman bishops (the popes) over all others in the 5th century. It was also borne by six Byzantine emperors and five Armenian kings. Another famous bearer was Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), a Russian novelist whose works include 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'. Leo is also the name of a constellation and the fifth sign of the zodiac.LINNÉAFrom the name of a flower, also known as the twinflower. The Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus named it after himself, it being his favourite flower.LUCFrench form of LUKELUCASGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Biblical Latin
Pronounced: LOO-kəs (English), LUY-kahs (Dutch), luy-KAH (French), LOO-kəsh (Portuguese)
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
Latin form of Loukas (see LUKE).LUKEEnglish form of the Greek name Λουκας (Loukas) which meant "from Lucania", Lucania being a region in Italy. Saint Luke, the author of the third Gospel and Acts in the New Testament, was a doctor who travelled in the company of Saint Paul. Due to his renown, the name became common in the Christian world (in various spellings). As an English name, Luke has been in use since the 12th century. A famous fictional bearer was the hero Luke Skywalker from the 'Star Wars' movies.LUMINIȚAGender: Feminine
Usage: Romanian
Personal note: ...or the more Anglophone-friendly "Luminitsa"
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "little light", derived from Romanian lumina "light" combined with a diminutive suffix.LUNAMeans "the moon" in Latin. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, frequently depicted driving a white chariot through the sky.LYRAThe name of the constellation in the northern sky containing the star Vega. It is said to be shaped after the lyre of Orpheus.LYSANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Λυσανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the Greek name Λυσανδρος (Lysandros) which meant "a release of a man" from Greek λυσις (lysis) "a release" and ανδρος (andros) "of a man". This was the name of a Spartan general and naval commander.MAIARAMeans "wise" in Tupí.MANONFrench diminutive of MARIEMARA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: מָרָא (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: MAHR-ə (English), MAR-ə (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "bitter" in Hebrew. This is a name taken by Naomi in the Old Testament (see Ruth 1:20).MARCELGender: Masculine
Usage: French, Catalan, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, German
Pronounced: mar-SEL (French), MAHR-tsel (Polish)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Form of MARCELLUSMARGOTFrench short form of MARGARETMARIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Czech, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: mah-RYAH-nah (Spanish)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Roman feminine form of MARIANUS. After the classical era it was frequently interpreted as a combination of MARIA and ANA. In Portuguese it is further used as a form of MARIAMNE.MARIELLEFrench diminutive of MARIEMARINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Russian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Georgian, Ancient Roman
Other Scripts: Μαρινα (Greek), Марина (Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian), მარინა (Georgian)
Pronounced: mah-REE-nah (Italian, Spanish, German, Russian)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of MARINUSMARKGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Biblical
Other Scripts: Марк (Russian)
Pronounced: MAHRK (English, Russian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Form of MARCUS. Saint Mark was the author of the second Gospel in the New Testament. He is the patron saint of Venice, where he is supposedly buried. Though in use during the Middle Ages, Mark was not common in the English-speaking world until the 19th century, when it began to be used alongside the classical form Marcus.In the Celtic legend of Tristan and Isolde this was the name of a king of Cornwall. It was also borne by the American author Mark Twain (1835-1910), real name Samuel Clemens, the author of 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huckleberry Finn'. He actually took his pen name from a call used by riverboat workers on the Mississippi River to indicate a depth of two fathoms. This is also the usual English spelling of the name of the 1st-century BC Roman triumvir Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony).
MARLOWEFrom a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "drained lake" in Old English.MARTINGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, Romanian, Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Finnish
Other Scripts: Мартин (Russian, Bulgarian)
Pronounced: MAHR-tən (English), mar-TEN (French), MAHR-tin (German), MAWR-teen (Hungarian), mahr-TIN (Bulgarian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Roman name Martinus, which was derived from Martis, the genitive case of the name of the Roman god MARS. Saint Martin of Tours was a 4th-century bishop who is the patron saint of France. According to legend, he came across a cold beggar in the middle of winter so he ripped his cloak in two and gave half of it to the beggar. He was a favourite saint during the Middle Ages, and his name has become common throughout the Christian world.An influential bearer of the name was Martin Luther (1483-1546), the theologian who began the Protestant Reformation. The name was also borne by five popes (two of them more commonly known as Marinus). Other more recent bearers include the German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King (1929-1968), and the American filmmaker Martin Scorsese (1942-).
MARTINAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Czech, Croatian, Slovak, Slovene, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: mahr-TEE-nah (Dutch, Italian, Spanish), mahr-TEEN-ə (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of Martinus (see MARTIN). Saint Martina was a 3rd-century martyr who is one of the patron saints of Rome.MARTINEGender: Feminine
Pronounced: mar-TEEN (French), mahr-TEE-nə (Dutch)
Rating: 10% based on 1 vote
French feminine form of Martinus (see MARTIN).MAXIMILIANGender: Masculine
Usage: German, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: mahk-see-MEE-lee-ahn (German), mak-si-MIL-ee-ən (English), mak-si-MIL-yən (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
From the Roman name Maximilianus, which was derived from MAXIMUS. It was borne by a 3rd-century saint and martyr. In the 15th century the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III gave this name to his son and eventual heir. In this case it was a blend of the names of the Roman generals Fabius Maximus and Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus, who Frederick admired. It was subsequently borne by a second Holy Roman Emperor, two kings of Bavaria, and a short-lived Habsburg emperor of Mexico.MAXIMILIENFrench form of Maximilianus (see MAXIMILIAN).MIREIACatalan form of Mirèio (see MIREILLE).MIREILLEFrom the Occitan name Mirèio, which was first used by the poet Frédéric Mistral for the main character in his poem 'Mirèio' (1859). He probably derived it from the Occitan word mirar meaning "to admire".MIRÈIOOriginal Occitan form of MIREILLEMORGAN (1)Gender: Masculine
Pronounced: MAWR-gən (English)
Personal note: I prefer this as a masculine name only
Rating: 80% based on 2 votes
From the Old Welsh masculine name Morcant, which was possibly derived from Welsh mor "sea" and cant "circle". Since the 1980s in America Morgan has been more common for girls than boys, perhaps due to stories of Morgan le Fay or the fame of actress Morgan Fairchild (1950-).MORGANAFeminine form of MORGAN (1)MORRIGANDerived from Irish Mór Ríoghain meaning "great queen". In Irish myth she was a goddess of war and death who often took the form of a crow.MUNAMeans "wishes, desires", from the plural of Arabic منية (munyah).NADEZHDAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Надежда (Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: nah-DYEZH-dah (Russian)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Means "hope" in Russian, Bulgarian and Macedonian.NADIA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, Italian
Pronounced: NAD-yə (English), NAHD-yə (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Variant of NADYA (1) used in the Western world. It began to be used in France in the 19th century. The name received a boost in popularity due to the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci (1961-).NAIARAFrom the Basque name of the Spanish city of Nájera, which is Arabic in origin. In the 12th century there was a reported apparition of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave.NANAEALatinized form of NANAYANATALYAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Наталья (Russian)
Pronounced: nah-TAH-lyah
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Russian form of NATALIENATASHAGender: Feminine
Other Scripts: Наташа (Russian)
Pronounced: nə-TASH-ə (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Russian diminutive of NATALYA. This is the name of a character in Leo Tolstoy's novel 'War and Peace' (1865). It has been used in the English-speaking world only since the 20th century.NELLMedieval diminutive of ELEANOR, ELLEN (1) or HELEN. It may have arisen from the medieval affectionate phrase mine El, which was later reinterpreted as my Nel.NELLAElaborated form of NELLNEREIDADerived from Greek Νηρειδες (Nereides) meaning "nymphs, sea sprites", ultimately derived from the name of the Greek sea god NEREUS, who supposedly fathered them.NERISSACreated by Shakespeare for a character in his play 'The Merchant of Venice' (1596). He possibly took it from Greek Νηρεις (Nereis) meaning "nymph, sea sprite", ultimately derived from the name of the Greek sea god NEREUS, who supposedly fathered them.NIKITAGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Никита (Russian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: nee-KEE-tah (Russian)
Personal note: ONLY as a male name, as it's supposed to be
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Russian and Macedonian form of NIKETASNIMUEMeaning unknown. In Arthurian legends this is the name of a sorceress, also known as the Lady of the Lake, Vivien, or Niniane. Various versions of the tale have Merlin falling in love with her and becoming imprisoned by her magic.NINIANMeaning unknown. It appears in a Latinized form Niniavus, which could be from the Welsh name NYNNIAW. This was the name of a 5th-century British saint who was apparently responsible for many miracles and cures. He is known as the Apostle to the Picts.NIOBEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Νιοβη (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology Niobe was the daughter of Tantalos, a king of Asia Minor. Because she boasted that she was superior to Leto, Leto's children Apollo and Artemis killed her 14 children with poison arrows. In grief, Niobe was turned to stone by Zeus.NOÉMIEFrench form of NAOMI (1)OCTAVIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Spanish, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: ahk-TAYV-ee-ə (English)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of OCTAVIUS. Octavia was the wife of Mark Antony and the sister of Roman emperor Augustus. In 19th-century England it was sometimes given to the eighth-born child.OCTAVIANGender: Masculine
Pronounced: ahk-TAYV-ee-ən (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the Roman name Octavianus, which was derived from the name OCTAVIUS. After Gaius Octavius (later Roman emperor Augustus) was adopted by Julius Caesar he took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus.ODILEFrench form of ODILIAOIHANAMeans "forest" in Basque.OLIVERGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Estonian, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Czech, Slovak
Other Scripts: Оливер (Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: AHL-ə-vər (English), AW-lee-ver (German)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From Olivier, a Norman French form of a Germanic name such as ALFHER or an Old Norse name such as Áleifr (see OLAF). The spelling was altered by association with Latin oliva "olive tree". In the Middle Ages the name became well-known in Western Europe because of the French epic 'La Chanson de Roland', in which Olivier was a friend and advisor of the hero Roland.In England Oliver was a common medieval name, however it became rare after the 17th century because of the military commander Oliver Cromwell, who ruled the country following the civil war. The name was revived in the 19th century, perhaps in part due to the title character in Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist' (1838), which was about a poor orphan living on the streets of London.
OLIVIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, German, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: ə-LIV-ee-ə (English), o-LEE-vee-ah (German)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
This name was first used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy 'Twelfth Night' (1602). Shakespeare may have based it on OLIVER or OLIVA, or perhaps directly on the Latin word oliva meaning "olive". In the play Olivia is a noblewoman who is wooed by Duke Orsino but instead falls in love with his messenger Cesario.The name has been used in the English-speaking world since the 18th century, though it did not become overly popular until the last half of the 20th century. Its rise in popularity in America was precipitated by a character on the 1970s television series 'The Waltons'.
OLIVIERGender: Masculine
Pronounced: o-lee-VYAY (French), O-lee-veer (Dutch)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
French and Dutch form of OLIVEROONAIrish variant and Finnish form of ÚNAOPHELIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Literature
Pronounced: o-FEEL-yə (English)
Rating: 100% based on 1 vote
Derived from Greek οφελος (ophelos) meaning "help". This name was probably created by the 15th-century poet Jacopo Sannazaro for a character in his poem 'Arcadia'. It was borrowed by Shakespeare for his play 'Hamlet' (1600), in which it belongs to Hamlet's lover who eventually goes insane and drowns herself. In spite of this, the name has been used since the 19th century.OPHÉLIEFrench form of OPHELIAORIANAPossibly derived from Latin aurum "gold" or from its derivatives, Spanish oro or French or. In medieval legend Oriana was the daughter of a king of England who married the knight Amadis.ORIANNEFrench form of ORIANAPANDORAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Πανδωρα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: pan-DAWR-ə (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "all gifts", derived from a combination of Greek παν (pan) "all" and δωρον (doron) "gift". In Greek mythology Pandora was the first mortal woman. Zeus gave her a jar containing all of the troubles and ills that mankind now knows, and told her not to open it. Unfortunately her curiosity got the best of her and she opened it, unleashing the evil spirits into the world.PARIS (1)Gender: Masculine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Παρις (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: PER-is (English), PAR-is (English)
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology he was the Trojan prince who kidnapped Helen and began the Trojan War. Though presented as a somewhat of a coward in the 'Iliad', he did manage to slay the great hero Achilles. He was himself eventually slain in battle by Philoctetes.PARVANEHMeans "butterfly" in Persian.PAULGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Romanian, Biblical
Pronounced: PAWL (English), POL (French), POWL (German)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Roman family name Paulus, which meant "small" or "humble" in Latin. Saint Paul was an important leader of the early Christian church, his story told in Acts in the New Testament. His original Hebrew name was Saul. Most of the epistles in the New Testament were authored by him.Due to the renown of Saint Paul the name became common among early Christians. It was borne by a number of other early saints and six popes. In England it was relatively rare during the Middle Ages, but became more frequent beginning in the 17th century. A notable bearer was the American Revolutionary War figure Paul Revere (1735-1818), who warned of the advance of the British army. Famous bearers in the art world include the French impressionists Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) and Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), and the Swiss expressionist Paul Klee (1879-1940). This is also the name of the legendary American lumberjack Paul Bunyan.
PENELOPEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, English
Other Scripts: Πηνελοπη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: pə-NEL-ə-pee (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Possibly derived from Greek πηνελοψ (penelops), a type of duck. Alternatively it could be from πηνη (pene) "threads, weft" and ωψ (ops) "face, eye". In Homer's epic the 'Odyssey' this is the name of the wife of Odysseus, forced to fend off suitors while her husband is away fighting at Troy. It has occasionally been used as an English given name since the 16th century.PENINNAHGender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: פְּנִנָּה (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: pi-NIN-ə (English), pee-NIN-ə (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Means "precious stone" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the wives of Elkanah.PENNYPERCIVALGender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh Mythology, English
Pronounced: PUR-si-vəl (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Created by the 12th-century French poet Chrétien de Troyes for his poem 'Perceval, the Story of the Grail'. In the poem Perceval was one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table who was given a glimpse of the Holy Grail. The character (and probably the name) of Perceval was based on that of the Welsh hero PEREDUR. The spelling was perhaps altered under the influence of Old French percer val "to pierce the valley".PERDITADerived from Latin perditus meaning "lost". Shakespeare created this name for the daughter of Hermione in his play 'The Winter's Tale' (1610).PERSEPHONEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Περσεφονη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: pər-SEF-ə-nee (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Meaning unknown, perhaps related to Greek περθω (pertho) "to destroy" and φονη (phone) "murder". In Greek myth she was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. She was abducted to the underworld by Hades, but was eventually allowed to return to the surface for part of the year. The result of her comings and goings is the changing of the seasons.PETRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, Hungarian, English
Other Scripts: Πετρα (Greek), Петра (Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: PET-rə (English)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of PETER. This was also the name of an ancient city in the region that is now Jordan.PHAEDRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Φαιδρα (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the Greek Φαιδρα (Phaidra), derived from φαιδρος (phaidros) meaning "bright". Phaedra was the daughter of Minos and the wife of Theseus in Greek mythology. Aphrodite caused her to fall in love with her stepson Hippolytos, and after she was rejected by him she killed herself.PHILOMELFrom an English word meaning "nightingale". It has been used frequently in poetry to denote the bird.PHILOMELAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Φιλομηλα (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From Greek Φιλομηλα (Philomela) which meant "friend of song" from φιλος (philos) "friend" and μελος (melos) "song". In Greek myth this was the name of the sister-in-law of Tereus, who raped her and cut out her tongue. Prokne avenged her sister by killing her son by Tereus, after which Tereus attempted to kill Philomela, however the gods intervened and transformed her into a nightingale.PHOEBEGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Greek Mythology (Latinized), Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: Φοιβη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: FEE-bee (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of the Greek name Φοιβη (Phoibe), which meant "bright, pure" from Greek φοιβος (phoibos). In Greek mythology Phoibe was a Titan associated with the moon. This was also an epithet of her granddaughter, the moon goddess Artemis. The name appears in Paul's epistle to the Romans in the New Testament, where it belongs to a female minister in the church at Cenchreae. In England, it began to be used as a given name after the Protestant Reformation. A moon of Saturn bears this name (in honour of the Titan).PORTIAVariant of Porcia, the feminine form of the Roman family name PORCIUS, used by William Shakespeare for the heroine of his play 'The Merchant of Venice' (1596). In the play Portia is a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to defend Antonio in court. It is also the name of a moon of Uranus, after the Shakespearian character.PROSERPINAMeans "to emerge" in Latin. She was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Persephone.PROSERPINEVariant of PROSERPINAPROSPERGender: Masculine
Pronounced: pro-SPER (French), PRAHS-pər (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the Latin name Prosperus, which meant "fortunate, successful". This was the name of a 5th-century saint, a supporter of Saint Augustine. It has never been common as an English name, though the Puritans used it, partly because it is identical to the English word prosper.PROSPEROItalian and Spanish form of PROSPER. This was the name of the shipwrecked magician in 'The Tempest' (1611) by Shakespeare.PSYCHEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Ψυχη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: SIE-kee (English)
Personal note: Why do I love this so much?
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "the soul", derived from Greek ψυχω (psycho) "to breathe". The Greeks thought that the breath was the soul. In Greek mythology Psyche was a beautiful maiden who was beloved by Eros (or Cupid in Roman mythology). She is the subject of Keats's poem 'Ode to Psyche' (1819).QUINCYFrom a surname which was derived (via the place name CUINCHY) from the given name QUINTUS. A famous bearer was John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), sixth president of the United States, who was born in the town of Quincy, Massachusetts.RADAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Medieval Slavic
Other Scripts: Рада (Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Derived from the Slavic element rad meaning "care". This also coincides with a Russian word meaning "happy, glad".RADANARAINIERFrench form of RAYNERRAISA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Раиса (Russian)
Pronounced: rah-EE-sah
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Possibly from Greek ‘ραιον (rhaion) meaning "more relaxed".RANIYAMeans "looking at", derived from Arabic رنا (rana) "to gaze".RASAMeans "dew" in Lithuanian.RAVAMeans "ravishing" in Esperanto.RAYNA (2)Variant transcription of REINA (2)REGINAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Polish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Lithuanian, Late Roman
Pronounced: rə-JEEN-ə (English), rə-GEEN-ə (English), rə-JIEN-ə (English), re-GEE-nah (Polish, German)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Late Latin name meaning "queen". It was in use as a Christian name from early times, and was borne by a 2nd-century saint. In England it was used during the Middle Ages in honour of the Virgin Mary, and it was later revived in the 19th century. A city in Canada bears this name, in honour of Queen Victoria.RÉGINEFrench form of REGINAREINA (1)Means "queen" in Spanish.RÉMYGender: Masculine
Usage: French
Pronounced: ray-MEE
Personal note: Masculine only
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
French form of the Latin name Remigius, which was derived from Latin remigis "oarsman". Saint Rémy was a 5th-century bishop who converted and baptized Clovis, king of the Franks.RENATAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Slovene, Late Roman
Pronounced: re-NAH-tah (Italian, Spanish, German, Polish)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of RENATUSRENÉGender: Masculine
Usage: French, German, Spanish, Slovak, Czech
Pronounced: rə-NAY (French)
Rating: 10% based on 1 vote
French form of RENATUS. A famous bearer was the French mathematician and rationalist philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650).RENÉEFrench feminine form of RENÉRHIANNONGender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh, English, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: hri-AN-ahn (Welsh), ree-AN-ən (English), REE-ən-ən (English)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning "great queen". In Welsh mythology Rhiannon was the goddess of fertility and the moon. This name is also borne by a princess in Welsh legends, the wife of Pwyll. As an English name, it became popular due to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Rhiannon' (1976).RIVADiminutive of RIVKARIYAMeans "singer" in Sanskrit.ROMANGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian, Slovene, Croatian, German
Other Scripts: Роман (Russian, Ukrainian)
Pronounced: rah-MAHN (Russian), RAW-mahn (Polish)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
From the Late Latin name Romanus which meant "Roman".RORYAnglicized form of RUAIDHRÍROSALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Late Roman
Pronounced: ro-zah-LEE-ah (Italian)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Late Latin name derived from rosa "rose". This was the name of a 12th-century Sicilian saint.ROSALIEFrench and German form of ROSALIA. In the English-speaking this name received a boost after the release of the movie 'Rosalie' (1938), which was based on an earlier musical.ROSALINDDerived from the Germanic elements hros "horse" and linde "soft, tender". The Normans introduced this name to England, though it was not common. During the Middle Ages its spelling was influenced by the Latin phrase rosa linda "beautiful rose". The name was popularized by Edmund Spencer, who used it in his poetry, and by William Shakespeare, who used it for the heroine in his comedy 'As You Like It' (1599).ROSETTAItalian diminutive of ROSA (1)ROWENAMeaning uncertain, possibly a Latinized form of a Germanic name derived from the elements hrod "fame" and wynn "joy". According to the 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth, this was the name of a daughter of the Saxon chief Hengist. It was popularized by Sir Walter Scott, who used it for a character in his novel 'Ivanhoe' (1819).ROXANAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Spanish, Romanian, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Pronounced: rahk-SAN-ə (English), rok-SAHN-ah (Spanish)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Latin form of Ρωξανη (Roxane), the Greek form of the Persian or Bactrian name روشنک (Roshanak) which meant "bright" or "dawn". This was the name of Alexander the Great's first wife, a daughter of the Bactrian nobleman Oxyartes. In the modern era it came into use during the 17th century. In the English-speaking world it was popularized by Daniel Defoe, who used it in his novel 'Roxana' (1724).ROXANNEGender: Feminine
Pronounced: rahk-SAN (English), rok-SAHN (French)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Variant of ROXANERUNAFeminine form of RUNESAFIRAMeans "like a sapphire" in Esperanto.SAKURAFrom Japanese 桜 "cherry blossom", though it is often written さくら using the hiragana writing system. It can also come from 咲 (saku) "blossom" and 良 (ra) "good".SANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: SAHN-dər (Dutch)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Dutch and Scandinavian short form of ALEXANDERSASHAGender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Саша (Russian)
Personal note: Nickname for both genders, possibly masc. full name
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
SCHEHERAZADEGender: Feminine
Usage: Literature
Personal note: I wouldn't use it, but I like how it sounds
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Anglicized form of SHAHRAZADSELAHGender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: סֶלַה (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: SEE-lə (English)
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
From a Hebrew musical term which occurs many times in the Old Testament Psalms. It was probably meant to indicate a musical pause.SELENAGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish, Russian, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Селена (Russian), Σεληνη (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Latinized form of SELENE. This name was borne by popular Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995), who was known simply as Selena.SELENEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, Greek
Other Scripts: Σεληνη (Greek)
Pronounced: sə-LEE-nee (English)
Rating: 90% based on 1 vote
Means "moon" in Greek. This was the name of a Greek goddess of the moon, sometimes identified with the goddess Artemis.SERAPHINAFeminine form of the Late Latin name Seraphinus, derived from the biblical word seraphim which was Hebrew in origin and meant "fiery ones". The seraphim were an order of angels, described by Isaiah in the Bible as having six wings each. This was the name of a 13th-century Italian saint who made clothes for the poor. As an English name, it has never been common.SERENAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Late Roman
Pronounced: sə-REEN-ə (English), se-RE-nah (Italian)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
From a Late Latin name which was derived from Latin serenus meaning "clear, tranquil, serene". This name was borne by an obscure early saint. Edmund Spenser also used it in his poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590).SERGEIGender: Masculine
Other Scripts: Сергей (Russian, Bulgarian)
Pronounced: syer-GYAY (Russian), seer-GYAY (Russian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Variant transcription of SERGEYSETH (1)Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: שֵׁת (Ancient Hebrew), Σηθ (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: SETH (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Means "placed" or "appointed" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is the third named son of Adam and Eve. In England this name came into use after the Protestant Reformation.SHIRAMeans "poetry" or "singing" in Hebrew.SHOSHANNAHGender: Feminine
Usage: Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Other Scripts: שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Hebrew)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Hebrew form of SUSANNASIDNEYFrom the English surname SIDNEY. It was first used as a given name in honour of executed politician Algernon Sidney (1622-1683). Another notable bearer of the surname was the poet and statesman Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586).SIDONIEFrench feminine form of SIDONIUSSITARAMeans "star" in Hindi.STELARAMeans "like a constellation" in Esperanto.STELLAMeans "star" in Latin. This name was created by the 16th-century poet Sir Philip Sidney for the subject of his collection of sonnets 'Astrophel and Stella'. It was not commonly used as a given name until the 19th century. It appears in Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1947), belonging to the sister of Blanche DuBois and the wife of Stanley Kowalski.SURAYAVariant transcription of THURAYYASVETLANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Светлана (Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: svyet-LAH-nah (Russian), sveet-LAH-nah (Russian)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Derived from the Slavic element svet meaning "light, world". It was popularized by the poem 'Svetlana' (1813) by the Russian poet Vasily Zhukovsky. It is sometimes used as a translation of Photine.SYLVIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, German
Pronounced: SIL-vee-ə (English)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Variant of SILVIA. This has been the most common English spelling since the 19th century.TALIAVariant transcription of TALYATALYAMeans "dew from God" in Hebrew.TARA (1)Anglicized form of the Irish place name Teamhair, which possibly means "elevated place" in Gaelic. This was the name of the sacred hill near Dublin where the Irish high kings resided. It was popularized as a given name by the novel 'Gone with the Wind' (1936) and the subsequent movie adaptation (1939), in which it is the name of the O'Hara plantation.TASIAShort form of ANASTASIATHALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Θαλεια (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 70% based on 1 vote
From the Greek Θαλεια (Thaleia), derived from θαλλω (thallo) meaning "to blossom". In Greek mythology she was one of the nine Muses, the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. This was also the name of one of the three Graces or Χαριτες (Charites).THOMASGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: Θωμας (Greek)
Pronounced: TAHM-əs (English), TOM-əs (English), to-MAH (French), TO-mahs (German, Dutch), tho-MAHS (Greek)
Rating: 10% based on 1 vote
Greek form of the Aramaic name תָּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma') which meant "twin". In the New Testament this is the name of the apostle who initially doubted the resurrected Jesus. According to tradition he was martyred in India. Due to his renown, the name came into general use in the Christian world.In England the name was introduced by the Normans and became very popular due to Saint Thomas Becket, a 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. Another notable saint by this name was the 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, who is regarded as a Doctor of the Church. Other famous bearers include philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), American president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), and inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931).
TITANIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Literature
Pronounced: tə-TAYN-yə (English), tə-TAHN-yə (English), tie-TAYN-yə (English)
Rating: 50% based on 1 vote
Perhaps based on Latin Titanius meaning "of the Titans". This name was (first?) used by Shakespeare in his comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595) where it is the name of queen of the fairies. This is also a moon of Uranus, named after the Shakespearian character.TRISTANGender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh, English, French, Celtic Mythology
Pronounced: TRIS-tən (English), trees-TAWN (French)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Old French form of the Pictish name Drustan, a diminutive of DRUST. The spelling was altered by association with Latin tristis "sad". In Celtic legend Tristan was sent to Ireland in order to fetch Isolde, who was to be the bride of King Mark of Cornwall. Instead, Tristan and Isolde end up falling in love. Their tragic story was very popular in the Middle Ages, and the name has occasionally been used since that time.ÚNAPossibly derived from Irish uan meaning "lamb".VALENTINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Russian, Slovene, Croatian, Macedonian, Romanian, Spanish, Ancient Roman
Other Scripts: Валентина (Russian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: vah-len-TEE-nah (Italian), vah-lyen-TEE-nah (Russian), vah-leen-TEE-nah (Russian)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of Valentinus (see VALENTINE (1)). A famous bearer was the Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (1937-), who in 1963 became the first woman to visit space.VALENTINE (1)From the Roman cognomen Valentinus which was itself from the name Valens meaning "strong, vigourous, healthy" in Latin. Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century martyr. His feast day was the same as the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, which resulted in the association between Valentine's day and love. As an English name, it has been used occasionally since the 12th century.VALORAMeans "valuable" in Esperanto.VASILIYGender: Masculine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Василий (Russian)
Pronounced: vah-SEE-lee
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Russian form of BASIL (1)VEDAMeans "knowledge" in Sanskrit.VELIAFrom the Roman family name Velius which possibly means "concealed" in Latin.VERA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Slovene, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Portuguese
Other Scripts: Вера (Russian, Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: VYE-rah (Russian), VEER-ə (English), VER-ə (English)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "faith" in Russian, though it is sometimes associated with the Latin word verus "true". It has been in general use in the English-speaking world since the late 19th century.VERENAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Late Roman
Pronounced: ve-RE-nah (German)
Rating: 40% based on 1 vote
Possibly related to Latin verus "true". This might also be a Coptic form of the Ptolemaic name BERENICE. Saint Verena was a 3rd-century Egyptian-born nurse who went with the Theban Legion to Switzerland. After the legion was massacred she settled near Zurich.VERITYGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Archaic)
Pronounced: VER-i-tee
Personal note: Maybe as a middle name, but I really do love it
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
From the English word meaning "verity, truth". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.VICTORGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, Portuguese, Romanian, Late Roman
Pronounced: VIK-tər (English), veek-TOR (French)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Roman name meaning "victor" in Latin. It was common among early Christians, and was borne by several early saints and three popes. It was rare as an English name during the Middle Ages, but it was revived in the 19th century. A famous bearer was the French writer Victor Hugo (1802-1885), who wrote 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and 'Les Misérables'.VICTORIA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Roman Mythology
Pronounced: vik-TAWR-ee-ə (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Means "victory" in Latin. Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory.VIOLAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: vie-O-lə (English), vee-O-lə (English), VIE-ə-lə (English), VYO-lah (Italian)
Personal note: I pronounce it VIE-oh-lah
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Means "violet" in Latin. This was the name of the heroine in Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night' (1602).VIVIANGender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: VIV-ee-ən (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
From the Latin name Vivianus which was derived from Latin vivus "alive". Saint Vivian was a French bishop who provided protection during the Visigoth invasion of the 5th century. It has been occasionally used as an English (masculine) name since the Middle Ages. In modern times it is also used as a feminine name, in which case it is either an Anglicized form of BÉBINN or a variant of VIVIEN (2).VIVIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Late Roman
Pronounced: vee-vee-AH-nah (Italian)
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
Feminine form of Vivianus (see VIVIAN). Saint Viviana (also known as Bibiana) was a Roman saint and martyr of the 4th century.VIVIANNEVariant of VIVIANEVIVIEN (1)French form of Vivianus (see VIVIAN).VIVIENNEFrench form of VIVIANAWESLEYFrom a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "west meadow" in Old English. It has been sometimes given in honour of John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism.WESTLEYGender: Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: WEST-lee
Personal note: This spelling from The Princess Bride
Rating: 60% based on 1 vote
From a surname which was a variant of WESLEY.XANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: Dutch, English (Modern)
Pronounced: KSAHN-dur (Dutch), ZAN-dər (English)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
Short form of ALEXANDER. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by a character on the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997-2003).XENAProbably a variant of XENIA. This was the name of the main character in the 1990s television series 'Xena: Warrior Princess'.XIMENAFeminine form of XIMENO. This was the name of the wife of El Cid.YANABulgarian and Russian feminine form of Ioannes (see JOHN).YELENAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian
Other Scripts: Елена (Russian)
Pronounced: ye-LYE-nah, ee-LYE-nah
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
Russian form of HELENYEVARussian and Armenian form of EVEYURI (1)Gender: Masculine
Other Scripts: Юрий (Russian), Юрій (Ukrainian)
Pronounced: YOO-ree (Russian)
Rating: 30% based on 1 vote
Variant transcription of YURIYYVAINForm of OWAIN used by the 12th-century French poet Chrétien de Troyes for his Arthurian tales.YVONNEGender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: ee-VON (French), i-VAWN (English), ee-VAWN (German)
Rating: 20% based on 1 vote
French feminine form of YVON. It has been regularly used in the English-speaking world since the late 19th century.ZAHRAZENAIDAGender: Feminine
Usage: Late Greek
Other Scripts: Ζηναιδα (Ancient Greek)
Rating: 80% based on 1 vote
Apparently a Greek derivative of Ζηναις (Zenais), which was derived from the name of the Greek god ZEUS. This was the name of a 1st-century saint who was a doctor with her sister Philonella.ZÉNAÏDEFrench form of ZENAIDAZIBA (1)Means "beautiful" in Persian.ZINNIAFrom the name of the flower, which was itself named for the German botanist Johann Zinn.ZIVAFeminine form of ZIVZORAIDAPerhaps means "enchanting woman" in Arabic, but possibly a name invented by Cervantes for a character in his novel 'Don Quixote' (1606), in which Zoraida is a beautiful Moorish woman of Algiers who converts to Christianity and elopes with a Spanish officer.ZULEIKAPossibly means "brilliant beauty" in Persian. According to medieval legends this was the name of Potiphar's wife in the Bible. She has been the subject of many poems and tales.