Latin Names
- Nicasius
- Nolita
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"unwilling"Description:
A saucy Latin name that also defines a trendy New York area north of Little Italy.
- Verbena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"sacred foliage"Description:
This name of a showy, lemony plant makes an unusual entry into the name garden.
- Spartacus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from the city of Sparta"Description:
Spartacus is the famous name of an ancient Roman slave -- and star of his own eponymous TV series! -- who led a slave revolt and became a renowned gladiator, only to die in the ring. Not considered baby-appropriate for centuries, Spartacus just might rise again along with the names of his fellow gladiators.
- Adolphus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"noble wolf"Description:
This softer version of Adolf is sadly still off-limits due to the connotations with Hitler.
- Elián
Origin:
Latin, based on Roman clan nameDescription:
Had a burst of popularity in 2000 when the controversial case of the Cuban boy Elián González was in the news; his name combined his parents': Elizabeth and Juan.
- Taura
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"like a bull"Description:
Taura is a possibility for a girl born between mid-April and mid-May, but, if a name is destiny, its meaning does suggest stubbornness. Consider Laura, Flora, or Honora instead.
- Perpetua
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"perpetual"Description:
A 3rd century saint's name sometimes used in Catholic communities, and in Western European countries like Portugal and Italy.
- Merc
Origin:
Diminutive of Mercury, Roman mythological nameDescription:
Merc has been introduced to the American public by the network executive character on Showtime's Episodes, and is a contemporary-sounding short form of the Roman god and planet name Mercury. Mercury, from the Latin for trade or wages, was the god of tradesmen and travelers and is the fast-moving first planet in our solar system.
- Orabella
Origin:
Latin variation of ArabellaMeaning:
"beautiful altar"Description:
Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.
- Pastor
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"spiritual leader"Description:
Pastor might be a brother for Parson and Deacon.
- Concordia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peace, harmony"Description:
This name of the goddess of peace creates a lovely ideal.
- Dayana
Origin:
Spanish, KazakhMeaning:
"heavenly, faith"Description:
Dayana is an Hispanic variant of Diana, notably belonging to Venezuelan actress, model and producer Dayana Mendoza. It also belongs to a South American orchid whose name derives from the surname of English botanist John Day. Its use can be partly attributed to the popularity of Diana, the Princess of Wales.
- Tulio
Origin:
Modern version of Roman family name Tullius, meaning unknownDescription:
Heard in both Italy and Spain, Tulio could make a more unusual alternative to Julio. Or with the rediscovery of many Roman names, you might want to go to the original Tullius, the middle name of the philosopher and statesman Cicero.
- Cella
Origin:
Spelling variation of SelaMeaning:
"rock"Description:
This spelling variation of the Biblical place-name Sela is found on early American census roles, but Sela is more usual today. Cela is another early variation. Cella may also be a variation of Cilla, short for Priscilla, or Celia.
- Roanna
Origin:
Variation of Rosanna or LatinMeaning:
"sweet"Description:
Most modern parents would probably prefer the cooler Rowan.
- Millard
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"caretaker of the mill"Description:
If you're looking for a presidential first name, keep looking.
- Leone
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lioness"Description:
With male version Leon taking off all over Europe, the female variations, from Leona to Leonie to Leone, are coming back into style too.
- Clarinda
Origin:
Literary elaboration of ClaraMeaning:
"bright, clear"Description:
A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.
- Maxima
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of MaximusDescription:
Max names were one of the hottest trends for boys in the mid-2010s, and are still very popular. The girl versions haven't seen so much love, unfortunately. (Or fortunately, if you love them and want them to stay rare!) Maxima got some attention in 2015 when Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan used it for their daughter, but few parents have copied them.