This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is feminine; and the usage is Literature.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Orimonde f Arthurian CycleDaughter of the Emir of Persia, she was the wife of Marc, son of Ysaie the Sad and grandson of Tristan.
Orofrisa f Spanish (European, Rare), LiteraturePossibly elaboration of
Orosia. The famous bearer of this name was Doña Orofrisa (Orofrisia) de Mendoza y Castilla, married to Don Francisco de Cepeda y Guzmán, who was a nephew of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515 - 1582)... [
more]
Oryx f LiteratureThe name of a character in Canadian author Margaret Atwood's 'Oryx and Crake' (2003).... [
more]
Osra f LiteratureFeminine form of
Osric. Used in Anthony Hope's novels The Prisoner of Zenda and The Heart of Princess Osra.
Otacília f Portuguese (Brazilian), LiteraturePortuguese form of
Otacilia. Otacília is the love interest of the main character in João Guimarães Rosa's 1956 novel
Grande Sertão: Veredas (
The Devil to Pay in the Backlands in English), an adaptation of the faustian motif to the sertão.
Ozma f LiteraturePrincess Ozma of Oz is a fictional character created by L. Frank Baum.
Pamphille f Arthurian CycleA woman in the ancestry of the famous Brown lineage. She was the wife of Brun and the mother of Yrlande and Gialle.
Pampinea f LiteratureDerived from Latin
pampineus meaning "garlanded with vine-leaves, flourishing". The Italian novelist Boccaccio used this name in his work
The Decameron (1350), where it belongs to one of the seven young women at the heart of the story (alongside Fiammetta, Filomena, Emilia, Lauretta, Neifile, and Elissa).... [
more]
Pastorella f LiteratureFrom Italian
pastorella meaning "little shepherdess" or "young shepherdess". Alternatively it could be a feminine diminutive of
Pastor. Edmund Spenser used this name for a minor character in his epic poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590-1596); Pastorella is raised by shepherds, but in the last Canto of Book 6 she is revealed to be the daughter of Sir Bellamoure and Lady Claribell.
Patman f Literature, Georgian (Rare)Georgian sources claim that this name is of Arabic origin and means "breastfeeding"—this can't be correct, however, as the actual Arabic term for "breastfeeding" is
رَضَاعَة طَبِيعِيَّة (
raḍāʿa ṭabīʿiyya)... [
more]
Penryn f LiteratureUsed as the name of he main character in the 'Penryn and the End of Days' series by Susan Ee.
Penta f LiteraturePossibly derived from the Greek prefix
penta meaning "five". This is the name of the protagonist of the Italian fairy tale Penta of the Chopped-Off Hands (1634) by Giambattista Basile. In the story, Penta is a princess who has her hands cut off so she can escape the advances of her brother, who wants to marry her.
Pepeline f Literature (Modern)The name of a female kitten in the 1989 novel
Felidae, which was made into a 1994 German animated, film noir, mystery, featuring cats as the central characters.
Perenelle f French, English, Literature, Medieval FrenchOld French form of
Petronilla borne by Perenelle Flamel (1320-1402), wife and fellow alchemist of Nicolas Flamel. They are known for their quest to discover the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance said to turn any metal into gold and to make its owner immortal.... [
more]
Perissa f Arthurian CycleA character in "The Faerie Queene" by Edmund Spenser who lived with her two sisters, Elissa and Medina. Her hedonism stood in contrast to the asceticism of Elissa and the temperance of Medina.
Persinna f History, LiteraturePossibly derived from Greek Περσίς
(Persis) meaning "Persian woman" or περσέα
(persea), the Greek name for a type of tree (species Mimusops kummel)... [
more]
Petrosinella f LiteratureSouth Italian dialect word meaning "little parsley" derived from Latin
petrosilium, from Greek
πετροσέλινον (petroselinon) "rock-selery". ... [
more]
Petrova f English, LiteratureRussian patronymic last name. Petrova is the name of one of the Fossil sisters in the book (and movie) 'Ballet Shoes' by Noel Streatfeild.
Pfiffi f LiteraturePfiffi Buddenbrook is a figure in the novel "Buddenbrooks" by Thomas Mann.
Pfiffigunde f LiteratureCreated by the translator Ute Eichler as the name for Princess
Smartypants (by Babette Cole). The name contains the German word
pfiffig "smart" and the German name element
GUND "war" (see, e.g.,
Hildegund).
Phaedria f LiteratureVariant of
Phaedra used by Edmund Spenser in his epic poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590), where it belongs to a water fairy who lures knights to her enchanted island.
Phileine f Dutch, Literature, Popular CultureThe use of Phileine as a feminine first name in The Netherlands is due to the 2003 film "Phileine Zegt Sorry" (English: "Phileine Says Sorry"). The film is based on a book written by Dutch author Ronald Giphart (b... [
more]
Philidel f & m Literature, TheatrePerhaps based on
Philadelphia or
Fidelis. It was used by John Dryden in his opera 'King Arthur; or, the British Worthy' (1691), where it belongs to an air spirit in the service of Merlin who saves Arthur from the evil schemes of Osmond, a Saxon sorcerer, and Grimbald, an enemy earth spirit.
Phryne f History, LiteratureAncient Greek nickname meaning "toad", literally "the brown animal". Phryne was a 4th-century BC hetaira or courtesan, famed for her beauty, whose stage name - like those of many hetairai - was based on a physical feature; she was called that either because of a dark complexion (*
phrynos being cognate with
brown) or because of a "snub nose" (
phrynē "a kind of toad")... [
more]
Pietje m & f Dutch, LiteratureWhen borne by a female person, this name is a good example of how one can turn a very masculine name (
Piet) into a feminine name by simply adding the diminutive suffix
-je to the original name... [
more]
Pimpernel f Literature, English (Rare), Dutch (Rare)From the flower Scarlet Pimpernel, a low growing annual plant. It is well known for being the emblem of the fictional hero of the same name. Tolkien used the name for one of the Took sisters.
Piney f LiteratureMeaning unknown. Bret Harte, author of the short story
The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1869) used this name for the fifteen-year old runaway lover Piney Woods. However, presumably it is applied for the fact that Piney had been left alone, pining and yearning for her lover.
Pinkelotje f LiteratureDerived from Dutch
pink meaning "pinkie" (as in, the little finger) combined with
Lotje. Also compare the Dutch verb
pinkelen meaning "to shine" as well as "to twinkle, to sparkle, to flicker".... [
more]
Pippilotta f LiteratureInvented by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren for the heroine of her children's novel '
Pippi Långstrump' (1945). It is composed of Swedish
pippi, a childish word for "bird", combined with the name
Lotta.
Pirimtvarisa f Literature, Georgian (Rare)Means "face of the moon" in Georgian. It is derived from the Georgian noun პირი
(piri) meaning "face" as well as "mouth" (see
Okropir) combined with Georgian მთვარის
(mtvaris), which is the genitive of the noun მთვარე
(mtvare) meaning "moon".... [
more]
Pirimzisa f Literature, Georgian (Rare)Means "face of the sun" in Georgian. It is derived from the Georgian noun პირი
(piri) meaning "face" as well as "mouth" (see
Okropir) combined with Georgian მზის
(mzis), which is the genitive of the noun მზე
(mze) meaning "sun".... [
more]
Planetty f LiteratureElaboration of the word planet. This is the name of an alien princess in Ruth Plumly Thompson's novel ''The Silver Princess in Oz'' (1938).
Plenira f Russian, LiteratureName invented by Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin (1743 - 1816), one of the most highly esteemed Russian poet. It is derived from Russian verb
пленить (
plenit') meaning "to captivate", "to charm"... [
more]
Polgara f LiteratureThe name of a sorceress in the Belgeriad series of books by David and Leigh Eddings.... [
more]
Porpentina f LiteratureThe name of a main character in J. K. Rowling's series 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.'... [
more]
Porphyria f LiteratureFeminine form of
Porphyrios (see
Porfirio). The name was given to the female character in Robert Browning's dramatic monologue "Porphyria's lover", where she is strangled over her 'lover's' obsession with her.
Proselenos f LiteratureFrom Greek
proselênos meaning "older than the moon" or "before the moon", which was "an epithet used of the people of Arcadia, who prided themselves on their antiquity" (Sheard, 2011). This was the name of an elderly witch in Petronius' 1st-century novel 'The Satyricon'.
Prunaprismia f LiteratureUsed by C.S. Lewis in 'Prince Caspian' as the name of Caspian's aunt and Miraz's wife. He apparently based it on the phrase "prunes and prisms".
Pryntyl f LiteratureProbably onomatopoeic form. Pryntyl is a mermaid, the main character of Louis-Ferdinand Céline's Scandale aux abysses (1950), the name is also the title of a famous Italian song by Vinicio Capossela.
Pünktchen f Literature, German (Modern, Rare)Pünktchen ("little dot") is the main protagonist in
Pünktchen und Anton by Erich Kästner. Pünktchen is the nickname the girl goes with, her real name is Luise Pogge.
Pyewacket m & f Literature, Popular Culture, PetAn imp in form of a dog reported by Mathew Hopkins in his 1647 pamphlet "The Discovery of Witches". Also the cat familiar of the witch in the 1958 movie Bell, Book and Candle.
Qrainglaie f Arthurian CycleMeaning unknown. She is an Irish queen that is featured in Chretien de Troyes'
Les Merveilles de Rigomer.
Radigund f LiteratureVariant of
Radegund used by Edmund Spenser for a queen of the Amazons in his poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590).
Rarahu f Literature, TahitianFrench variant of
Rarau used by Pierre Loti in his popular autobiographical novel 'Le mariage de Loti' (1880), where it belongs to a native Tahitian woman who is the lover of the narrator - a French naval officer stationed on the island.
Rathina f LiteratureThe name of a faerie princess in Allan Frewin Jones's
The Faerie Path.
Rathlean f Arthurian CycleOf uncertain derivation. This name belonged to a character in the Irish Arthurian romance
Céilidhe Iosgaide Léithe (
The Visit of Iosgaid Liath or
Visit of the Grey-Hammed Lady)... [
more]
Repanse f Arthurian CycleAs a maiden, Repanse had charge of the Grail and carried it in the Grail Procession. After Perceval became the Grail King, Repanse fell in love with Feirefiz, Perceval’s pie-bald half brother, at Arthur’s court... [
more]
Rhaella f LiteratureCreated by author George R.R. Martin for use in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire." Queen Rhaella Targaryen is the mother of the character Daenerys.
Rhaenyra f LiteratureCreated by author George R. R. Martin for a character his series of fantasy novels
A Song of Ice and Fire and the television adaptation
House of the Dragon (2022-). In the series, Rhaenyra Targaryen is a claimant to the throne of
Westeros.
Rheusa f Arthurian CycleSpenser famously includes Irish waterways in his list of guests at the fantastic marriage of the rivers Thames and Medway, in Book IV of The Faerie Queene, including the river nymph Rheusa.
Rhine f LiteratureApparently from the name of the River Rhine in western Germany, which is ultimately from Gaulish
Renos meaning "that which flows". It was used by American author Lauren DeStefano in her 'Chemical Garden Trilogy'.
Rhodamne f LiteraturePossibly derived from Greek ῥόδον
(rhodon) meaning "rose". This was used in
Libistros and Rhodamne, a 13th-century Byzantine romance written at the imperial court of Nicaea.
Rohr f & m LiteratureTransferred use of the surname
Rohr. This is used as a feminine name in Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen.
Ronia f Literature, English, SwedishVariant of
Ronja used in the English translation of Swedish children's book 'Ronja Rövardotter' ('Ronia the Robber's Daughter') by Astrid Lindgren.
Rosalynde f LiteratureThe eponymous character of "Rosalynde; or, Euphues' Golden Legacy" by Thomas Lodge, a pastoral romance written in the late 16th century. The narrative centers around the character of Rosalynde, the daughter of an exiled king, who finds herself entangled in themes of love, honor, and familial discord... [
more]
Rosarian f LiteratureName of several Queens of Inys in Samantha Shannon's epic fantasy novel, Priory of the Orange Tree. Possibly an elaboration of Rose or Rosary.
Roxil f LiteratureFrom both Bryan Davis's book series,
The Oracles of Fire and
Dragons in our Midst.
Rullgardina f LiteratureFrom Swedish
rullgardin meaning "roller blind, roll-down curtain". This is one of the middle names of Pippi Långstrump (English: Pippi Longstocking), full name
Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina
Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump, a character invented by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
Rurigimi f LiteratureThe childhood name of the character Tamakazura in 'The Tale of Genji' by Lady Murasaki.
Saaski f LiteratureUsed by Eloise Jarvis McGraw for her main character in her 1997 Newberry Honor book "The Moorchild"
Sabbatha f English (Rare), LiteratureDerived from English
sabbath, the name of the holy day of the week in Judeo-Christian tradition, which derives from Hebrew
shabbath, properly "day of rest", from
shabath "he rested"... [
more]
Sabran f LiteratureThis name is the named of several Berethnet queens in Samantha Shannon's book ''The Priory of the Orange Tree'', most notably Sabran IX, one of the main characters of the book.... [
more]
Sabriel f & m Literature, Judeo-Christian-Islamic LegendThere are multiple explanations for the etymology of this name. One is that it is a variant form of
Sabrael. An other is that it is derived from Hebrew
sabi "stop, rest" combined with
el "God", thus meaning "(the) rest of God"... [
more]
Sacharissa f LiteratureBased on Latin
sacharum "sugar". This name was invented by poet Edmund Waller (1606-1687), who used it as a nickname for Lady Dorothy Sidney, countess of Sunderland.
Saelind f LiteratureMeans "having a wise heart" from Sindarin
sael "wise" and
ind "inner thought, mind, meaning, heart". This was an
epessë or epithet of
Andreth in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.
Saffy f English (British), LiteratureDiminutive of names beginning with a similar sound, such as
Saffron (as used in the children's novel
Saffy's Angel (2001) by Hilary McKay). It was also used as an Anglicized form of
Sadbh in Ella Griffin's novel
Postcards from the Heart (2011).
Salamanca f LiteratureSalamanca Tree Hiddle is the main character of the novel "Walk Two Moons". It was made up by her parents, who based it upon the word
Seneca, as a refrence to the Native American tribe which her great-great grandmother belonged to.
Salmakia f LiteratureSalmakia is a character in Philip Pullman's
His Dark Materials book series, first released in 1995.
Samarinde f Dutch, Literature, Popular CultureThe use of this extremely rare name was inspired by a character from the 1992 book "Ik ook van jou" (English: "I love you too" - the literal translation is "I also of you"), who is featured much more prominently in the 2000 sequel "Ik omhels je met duizend armen" (English: "I embrace you with a thousand arms")... [
more]
Samela f Literature, EnglishLikely coined by the English poet Robert Greene in the late sixteenth century for his poem "Samela", Samela is most likely a reworking of
Semele.
Saraide f Arthurian CycleOne of the maidens of Viviane, the French Damsel of the Lake, Saraide seems to have held a high place in the Damsel’s service. her grasp of magic, while doubtless far short of Viviane’s, Nimue’s, or Morgan’s, was practical and useful.
Saraiyu f LiteratureName of one of the main characters in Tamora Pierce's books
Trickter's Choice and
Trickster's Queen. Possibly coined from the Hebrew name
Sarai combined with the Chinese suffix
yu meaning "jade", "happy, pleased" or "rain".
Saraneth f LiteratureSaraneth is the sixth of the seven bells used by necromancers and the Abhorsen in Garth Nix's Old Kingdom trilogy. Saraneth is the Binder, the bell that forces complience from the listener.
Sarralyn f Literature, EnglishName used in Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. Made from a combination of the names
Sarra meaning "princess" or "lady" and
Lyn meaning "lake".
Satin f LiteratureFrom the French word
satin, referring to the fabric satin. This was used by the French author Émile Zola as a name for a prostitute in his novel "Nana" (1880). It is not used as a name in France.
Schoysiane f Arthurian CycleShe married Kyot of Katelangen and died giving birth to her daughter Sigune. Prior to this, she raised Condwiramurs (Kondviramur), the hereditary Queen of Brabant, who became Perceval’s wife.
Schulda f Arthurian CycleOne of the three Fatal Sisters – the others were Urd and Verandi – who presided over the past, present, and future.... [
more]
Sebille f Arthurian CycleA mythical medieval queen or princess who is frequently portrayed as a fairy or an enchantress in the Arthurian legend and Italian folklore. She appears in a variety of roles, from the most faithful and noble lady to a wicked seductress, often in relation with or substituting for the character of Morgan le Fay... [
more]
Seife f Arthurian CycleArthur’s sister in Der Pleier’s Meleranz. She was the wife of King Lot and the mother of Gawain. Her sisters included Anthonje and Olimpia.... [
more]
Selestra f LiteratureInvented by Alexandra Christo for a witch in her book Princess of Souls, released in 2022.
Selyse f LiteratureUsed in GRR. Martin's "A song of ice and fire". Selyse Baratheon, born Selyse Florent, is Stannis Baratheon's wife and she is the mother of Shireen. ... [
more]
Sentaniz f LiteratureVariant of
Saintanise.
Ti Sentaniz ("Little Sentaniz") is a fictional character created by Maurice Sixto for his 1977
Volume III, a collection of
lodyans (a Haitian literary genre akin to fairytales)... [
more]
Seraide f Arthurian CycleOne of the maidens of Viviane, the French Damsel of the Lake, Seraide seems to have held a high place in the Damsel’s service. her grasp of magic, while doubtless far short of Viviane’s, Nimue’s, or Morgan’s, was practical and useful.
Séraphîta f LiteratureSéraphîta is possibly a variant of
Seraphina. Séraphîta is the heroine of Honoré de Balzac's 1837 novel called 'Séraphîta', which explores themes of androgyny... [
more]
Serenola f LiteratureThis was used as a Welsh translation of
Stellaluna (for a 2000 Welsh adaptation of the children's book 'Stellaluna'). It is derived in part from Welsh
seren "star" (cf... [
more]
Sesemi f LiteratureSesemi (real name Therese) Weichbrodt is a figure from the
Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann.
Sethe f LiteratureCreated by Toni Morrison for her Pulitzer prize-winning novel "Beloved." Sethe is the mother of the title character, whom she murders out of an extreme act of love: she would rather kill her child than give it up to the hands of slavery.... [
more]
Shailiha f LiteraturePossibly derived from the word
shilhi which means "weapon, armor." This is the name of the female Chosen One in Robert Newcomb's Chronicles of Blood and Stone.
Shamhat f Literature, BabylonianMeans "the luscious one". Name borne by a prominent character in the Epic of Gilgamesh, responsible for bringing the wild man Enkidu to the city of Uruk.
Shasta f English (Modern, Rare), Literature20th-century adoption of the name of Mount Shasta in Northern California (or the Shasta daisy, named after the mountain), which comes from the name of a Native American tribe that lived in the area; its origin and meaning is lost to time.... [
more]
Shelob f LiteratureAn evil spider in
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. The name was created by Tolkien from the English words "she" and "lob", an archaic word from the Old English "loppe" meaning
spider Shorena f Georgian, LiteratureVariant of
Borena. It came about due to people confusing or misreading the letters
bani (b) and
shini (sh) of the medieval Georgian scripts Asomtavruli and Nuskhuri, which are very similar to each other... [
more]
Sianna f Literature, EnglishIn
Lady of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Sianna was the daughter of the Faerie Queen.
Silmariën f LiteratureFrom
silma meaning "silver, shining white, crystal white" and
rien, a variant of
ien, meaning "maiden". This name was used by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Sindra f LiteratureA minor character from the 2014 young-adult book "Dorothy Must Die" by Danielle Paige bears this name.
Singoalla f LiteratureThe heroine of Swedish writer Viktor Rydberg's popular novel
Singoalla (1858) (published in English as
The Wind Is My Lover), about a gypsy girl who falls in love with a knight (set in the Middle Ages).
Siuan f LiteratureSiuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan
Smartypants f LiteraturePrincess Smartypants is the title of a children's book by Babette Cole. The book won the British Library Association award.
Sourmelina f LiteratureSourmelina Zizmo is a character in Middlesex, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Jeffrey Eugenides published in 2002. The name was apparently created by the author of the novel.... [
more]
Staurofila f Spanish (Rare), LiteratureSpanish form of
Staurophila. The use of this name was probably inspired by
Camino real de la cruz (1721), which is one of the earliest Spanish translations of
Regia Via Crucis (1635), an important counter-reformation devotional emblem book written by the Dutch-born Flemish Benedictine monk Benedictus van Haeften (1588-1648)... [
more]
Staurophila f Late Greek, LiteratureFeminine form of
Staurophilos. In literature, this is the name of the main character of
Regia Via Crucis (1635), an important counter-reformation devotional emblem book written by the Dutch-born Flemish Benedictine monk Benedictus van Haeften (1588-1648)... [
more]
Stellaluna f LiteratureFrom Latin
stella "star" and
luna "moon" (compare
Stella 1,
Luna), used for the title character - a fruit bat - in the popular children's picture book 'Stellaluna' (1993)... [
more]
Stelmaria f LiteratureThe daemon of Lord Asriel in Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials series. She takes the form of a snow leopard.
Stroma f English (British), Scottish, LiteratureFrom the name of a Scottish island off Caithness, uninhabited since 1961, which derives from the Norse
Straumey meaning "island in the stream" or "current". This was the name of a character in the British children's novel
Broken Soup (2008) by Jenny Valentine.
Suarra f LiteratureIn "The Face In The Abyss" by A. Merritt,
Suarra is a handmaiden to the Snake Mother of Yu-Atlanchi. She leads the main character to an abyss where Nimir, the Lord of Evil is imprisoned in a face of gold.
Subine f Arthurian CycleThe wife of King Flualis the Saracen. She received the name of Remissiane in baptism.
Suliko m & f Georgian, LiteratureMeans "little soul" in Georgian. It is derived from the Georgian noun სული
(suli) meaning "soul" combined with the Georgian diminutive suffix -კო
(-ko).... [
more]
Sulpicia f Ancient Roman, LiteratureFeminine form of
Sulpicius. This name has been borne by two Roman female poets. Also, in the "Twilight" novels written by Stephenie Meyer, Sulpicia is the name of the wife of Aro, the leader of a vampire coven named The Volturi.
Suniane f Arthurian CycleA variation of
Viviane, the proper name of the Lady of the Lake in the Vulgate Merlin. She bears many names in the Vulgate romances.
Swede f LiteratureUsed by author Leif Enger in the 2001 novel Peace Like A River. Swede is the protagonist's younger sister, who is fascinated with the American Old West and composes poems about a heroic cowboy known as Sunny Sundown.
Sylviianel f LiteratureThe name of the main character in Robin McKinley's 1975 middle fiction/fantasy novel Pegasus.
Symforosa f Dutch (Rare), LiteratureDutch form of
Symphorosa. In Dutch literature, Symforosa is the name of the main character of the 1918 novel
De zeer schone uren van Juffrouw Symforosa, begijntjen written by the Flemish author Felix Timmermans (1886-1947).
Száva f Hungarian, LiteratureProbably derived from the Hungarian name for a river in central Europe, known as the Sava in English. This was used as a feminine name by French author Jules Verne in his novel
Mathias Sandorf (1885).
Tabliope f Literature, Greek MythologyA made-up name of a 'Muse' that is a comic invention of Palladas, a late Greek poet and epigrammatist, appearing in his epigram found in book 11 (Humorous and convivial - Scoptic - Σκωπτικά) of
Anthologia Palatina... [
more]
Tanaquill f LiteratureVariant of
Tanaquil used in Edmund Spenser's poem
The Faerie Queene (1590), where it belongs to a daughter of Oberon who becomes the fairy queen
Gloriana.
Tané f LiteratureTané is the name of one of the point of view characters in Samantha Shannon's novel 'The Priory of the Orange Tree'.... [
more]
Tannakin f Folklore, LiteratureTannakin Skinker is a pig-faced woman in A Certaine Relation of the Hog-faced Gentlewoman called Mistris Tannakin Skinker, a 1640 chapbook.
Tanta f Literatureused by J.R.R. Tolkien for the Hobbit Tanta Hornblower, the great-grandmother of Frodo Baggins.
Tantalis f Arthurian Cycle, LiteratureEmpress of Greece and Constantinople, wife of Alexander, emperor of Constantinople. She was the mother of Alexander and Alis, and grandmother of Cligés.... [
more]
Tattypoo f LiteratureIt is said to be the name of
Good Witch of the North which was featured in the book of
The Giant Horse of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1928).
Tehani f Tahitian, Hawaiian, LiteratureDerived from Tahitian
te meaning "the" and
hani meaning "darling". This was used for a character in the novel
Mutiny on the Bounty (1932) by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall... [
more]
Teleri f Welsh, Arthurian CycleContraction of Welsh
ty meaning "thy, your" and
Eleri. This name is mentioned in
Culhwch and Olwen as one of the maidens of King Arthur's court.
Tessibel f Literature, English (American, Rare, Archaic)From the fictional character Tessibel Skinner, occurring in the books 'Tess of the Storm Country' (1909) and 'Tess, The Secret of the Storm Country' (1917) by Grace Miller White. There were also four films where Tessibel appears.
Thel f LiteratureMeans "will, desire, wish" in Greek. This name was invented by the poet William Blake, who used it for the heroine of his 'Book of Thel' (1789).
Thuvia f LiteratureThuvia is the name of a princess from the fictional universe of Barsoom created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Thymian f LiteratureDerived from German
Thymian "thyme". It was used by German author Margarete Böhme (1867-1939) in her novel
Tagebuch einer Verlorenen (1905; "The Diary of a Lost Girl"). The book purportedly tells the true story of Thymian, a young woman forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution... [
more]
Thymiane f French (Rare), LiteratureGallicized form of
Thymian. This name was coined for the protagonist in the French translation -
Journal d'une fille perdue - of Margarete Böhme's 1905 novel
Tagebuch einer Verlorenen.
Tigraine f LiteratureA character from Robert Jordan's
Wheel of Time fantasy fiction series.
Tindómiel f LiteratureA character mentioned in JRR Tolkien's works. The name is derived the fictional Quenya language, likely meaning either "daughter of twilight" (from
tindómë meaning "twilight" and "-iel", a feminine suffix sometimes meaning "daughter of") or "morning star" (from
tindómë and
el meaning "star").
Tituba f History, LiteratureThe origins of this name are uncertain. This was the name of a Barbadian slave who was one of the first people accused of witchcraft in the Salem witch trials. In the literary world, said Tituba is featured in Maryse Condé's novel
I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem (1986) as well as in the 1952 play
The Crucible by Arthur Miller.... [
more]
Tocelyn f LiteratureUsed by Connie Willis for a character in her novel "To Say Nothing of the Dog."
Tourmentine f LiteratureFrom the name of a mythical herb that is supposed to cause people to repeatedly run around in circles if stepped on (the name of the herb is derived from the French
tourment meaning "torture")... [
more]
Toutebelle f LiteratureMeans "all-fair" in French. This is the name of the princess in Madame d'Aulnoy's fairy tale ''The Yellow Dwarf'' (1697). Toutebelle is a beautiful but vain princess who is promised to an ugly dwarf, but decides to marry a king instead... [
more]
Trilby f English (Rare), LiteratureThe name of the titular character in George Du Maurier's 1894 novel 'Trilby', about an tone-deaf model who is hypnotized to become a talented singer. The name became a (now obsolete) colloquial term for a foot, as the character's feet were objects of admiration... [
more]
Trillian f LiteratureUsed in Douglas Adams's 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' In the story, Trillian is an elided form of her full name, Tricia McMillan.
Trisana f LiteratureName of one of the main characters in Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series.
Tristessa f Literature, Popular CultureUsed by the 20th-century writer Jack Kerouac for the title character in his short novel 'Tristessa' (1960), in which case it was intended to be an Anglicization of the Spanish word
tristeza meaning "sadness" (from Latin
tristis; compare
Tristan)... [
more]
Trot f & m LiteratureFrom the English word ''trot'', given as a nickname to someone who walks with a diagonal gait. This is used as a nickname of two literary characters: the titular character from Charles Dickens' novel ''David Copperfield'' (1849) and Mayre "Trot" Griffiths from L. Frank Baum's books.
Truella f LiteratureCombination of the word "true" and the popular suffix -ella. This is the name of a character in L. Frank Baum's novel ''The Magical Monarch of Mo'' (1900).
Truitonne f LiteratureDerived from the French word for trout,
truite. This is the name of the ugly stepsister in the French fairy tale The Blue Bird. She is named so because her face has many spots like a trout. She is turned into a pig at the end - which is a pun due to the similarity of her name to the French word for sow,
truie.
Turandokht f Iranian (Rare), LiteratureMeans "daughter of Turan", composed of Persian توران
(Tūrān), a region of Central Asia that was part of the Persian Empire, allegedly meaning "land of Tur" (said to have been named for the legendary Persian prince
Tur, a son of King
Fereydoun who reigned around 750 BC), and دخت
(dokht) "daughter".... [
more]
Tydomie f Arthurian Cycle, LiteratureThe Queen of Karmerie (Kamerie) who married Meleranz, Arthur’s nephew. The two met and fell in love when Meleranz was on his way to Arthur’s court. When he had been knighted, she sent him tokens of a belt, a wreath and a clasp.... [
more]
Tyene f LiteratureTyene Sand is a fictional character in the book series 'A song of Ice and Fire' by George R R Martin. Tyene is a 'sand snake', one of the eight bastard daughters of Prince Oberyn Martell. Tyene comes across as very sweet and innocent, but however she is very deadly, taking poisons as her weapon of choice.
Uiko f LiteratureUiko is a character in The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, a novel by the Japanese author Yukio Mishima.
Uinen f LiteratureA character in JRR Tolkien's works. A Quenya form of a name originally from the fictional Valarin language; possibly related to
nen meaning "water" or
uilë meaning "seaweed, long trailing plant".
Ulalume f LiteraturePossibly from Latin
ululare "to wail" or
lumen "light". This was the title character of Edgar Allen Poe's poem 'Ulalume' (1847).
Undómiel f LiteratureUndómiel means 'Evenstar, Evening Star' in Quenya Elvish. Undómiel is the sobriquet of Arwen the beautiful half-elf in Tolkien's books.
Ungoliant f LiteratureSindarin translation of the Quenya name Ungweliantë, meaning "dark spider". Ungoliant was a character in Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion'. She was an evil spirit in spider form who helped Morgoth destroy the Two Trees of Valinor.
Urwen f LiteratureThe name means "Fire Maiden", it comes from the Sindarin words
ur "fire" and
-wen "maiden". ... [
more]
Vairë f LiteratureMeans "weaver" in Quenya. This was the name of one of the Valar in Tolkien's 'The Simarillion'. Vairë was the wife of Mandos and the weaver of all the stories of the world.
Valmai f Literature, Welsh, English (Australian), English (New Zealand)Derived from Welsh
fel Mai meaning "like May". It was invented by best-selling Welsh author Allen Raine for her popular romance novel
By Berwen Banks (1899). The first Valmais in the UK birth records appear in the year of the book's publication, and alternate Welsh spellings Falmai and Felmai arose some years later.... [
more]
Varda f LiteratureA character in JRR Tolkien's works, a quasi-divine figure who created the stars. The name is derived from an honorific title in the fictional Quenya language, and means "sublime, exalted, lofty".
Vardilmë f LiteratureA character mentioned in the works of JRR Tolkien. The name is derived from the fictional Quenya language. Although it is of uncertain etymology, it is possibly a contraction of Vardandilme, a compound of the name
Varda and a feminine form of the name element
ndil meaning "friend of, lover, devoted to".
Vëannë f LiteratureVëannë (named Melinir by Eriol) was a child who resided at the Cottage of Lost Play in Tol Eressëa.... [
more]
Veralidaine f LiteratureThe first name of the protagnist in The Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce. A diminutive of the name is
Daine.
Verandi f Arthurian CycleIn Norse mythology, one of the three Fatal Sisters – the others were Urd and Schulda – who presided over the past, present, and future.... [
more]
Verdoana f Arthurian CycleThe lady of the castle Aspetta Ventura in La Tavola Ritonda. She suffered from leprosy and could only be cured by the blood of a royal virgin. In the quest to heal her, her knights bled hundreds of virgins, most of whom perished... [
more]
Verrine f Arthurian CycleA high-born damsel, of Guenevere’s court was mute until the arrival of Sir Percival, when at last she spoke. Greeting him, she led him to his seat at the left of the Siege Perilous and predicted his future greatness... [
more]
Veruca f Literature, Popular CultureCreated by Roald Dahl for a character in his book
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, published in 1964. He based the name on the Italian and Latin word
verruca, meaning "wart", used in English to refer to the plantar wart.
Vespina f Theatre, LiteratureMeaning uncertain, it could be related to the Latin
vesperum meaning "evening" or the Latin and Italian
vespa meaning "wasp". Vespina is Queen
Veremonda's maid in an Italian opera called "
Veremonda, l'amazzone di Aragona" (with the English translation being "
Veremonda, the Amazon of Aragon" also known as "Il Delio")... [
more]
Vevina f LiteratureAnglicized form of
Bébinn used by James Macpherson in his Ossian poems, which he claimed to have based on early Irish legends.
Vidumavi f LiteratureLatinized form of Gothic *
Widumawi meaning "wood maiden", composed of the elements
witu "wood" and
mawi "girl". This name is mentioned in the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' as belonging to a princess of Rhovanion who marries King
Valacar of Gondor and becomes the mother of
Eldacar... [
more]
Viktualia f LiteratureDerived from Swedish
viktualier meaning "victuals". This is one of the middle names of Pippi Långstrump (English: Pippi Longstocking), full name
Pippilotta Viktualia
Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump, a character invented by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
Villemo f Swedish, Norwegian (Rare), LiteratureThis name was first used by the Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849-1912) for one of his poems. He may have based it on the names
Vellamo or
Wilhelma, or perhaps he combined the Old Norse name element
vil,
vili "will, desire" with Scandinavian
mor "mother" (compare
Lillemor,
Moa).
Wakanda f Literature, New World MythologyUsed by J.K. Rowling in her 'Harry Potter' series of books as a personal name for a minor female character, perhaps due to its similarity to
Wanda, taken from the form of
Wakan Tanka used by the Omaha people... [
more]
Wally f German, LiteratureDiminutive of
Walburga. Walburga Stromminger is the protagonist of the the novel
Die Geier-Wally (1873) by Wilhelmine von Hillern, an early example of feminist literature.
Wanona f LiteratureThe name of the sister of
Kullervo in Tolkien's retelling of the story of Kullervo. She's nameless in the original Kalevala.
Weena f LiteratureShort for
Josephina taken from George Orwell's "The Time Machine," where the Weena is the name of the main love interest.
Winlogee f Arthurian CycleOn the Modena Archivolt, the name of a lady apparently held in a tower by a lord named Mardoc and his knight, Caradoc. Arthur and his knights, including Yder and Gawain, are embroiled in an attempt to rescue her.... [
more]
Winnamine f LiteratureName of one of the characters in Tamora Pierce's books
Trickster's Choice and
Trickster's Queen.
Wirenth f LiteratureThis is the name of a female Queen Dragon in the series Dragonriders of Pern by McCaffrey. A beautiful name, and very feminine sounding.
Wiress f LiteratureInvented by author Suzanne Collins for her novel 'Catching Fire' and used as the name of District Three's female Quarter Quell tribute. As District Three produces electronics, her name is most likely an elaboration of the word
wire, influenced by the feminine suffix -ess.
Won-a-pa-lei f LiteratureMeans "the girl with the long black hair" in the fictional language of the Native American tribe in American author Scott O'Dell's children's novel 'Island of the Blue Dolphins'. It is the 'common' name, or the name shared with others, of
Karana (which is her 'secret' name) who is the young protagonist of the story.
Wonne f LiteratureIn the German translation of the 'A song of ice and fire' books, the translation of the original Joy. It is borne by several minor characters, most notably Wonne Hügel (original Joy Hill) appearing in several schemes of arranged marriage... [
more]
Wynema f Literature (Rare), Omaha, Caddo, ModocUsed by S. Alice Callahan for the heroine of 'Wynema: A Child of the Forest' (1891), the first novel written by a Native American woman. Callahan was one-sixteenth Muscogee (Creek), but it is unknown if this name was commonly used in the Creek tribe or if she invented it for use in her book.... [
more]
Xayide f LiteratureOne of the main antagonists in Michael Ende's fantasy novel
The Neverending Story (1979).
Xuela f LiteratureNamed after the fictional character Xuela Claudette Richardson in the novel, "The Autobiography of My Mother", by Jamaica Kincaid. ... [
more]
Yavanna f LiteratureQuenya (High-Elven) for "giver of fruits." Was the Valie (female "angelic spirit") of plants. ... [
more]
Yávien f LiteratureA fictional character created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yávien was the first child and only daughter of Nolondil, the youngest son of the short-reigning King Vardamir Nólimon. She was born somewhere in Númenor... [
more]
Yblis f Arthurian CycleIn an Arthurian legend in Ulrich von Zatzikhoven's late 12th-century German poem Lanzelet, the loving fairy mistress of Prince Lancelot is named Yblis an anagram for Sibil/Sybil.
Ydgrun f LiteratureThe incomprehensible goddess of the Erewhonians in Samuel Butler's "Erewhon". Her name is an anagram of Grundy (from Mrs. Grundy, a character in Thomas Morton's play Speed the Plough
Ygramul f LiteratureA character from 'The neverending story' by Michael Ende; Ygramul The Many (
Ygramul, die Viele in German), is a creature that lives in the land of Dead Mountains.