Latin Names
- Crispus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"curly-haired"Description:
A potential hero name: Crispus Attucks, an African and Native American man, was the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.
- Tatjana
Origin:
German, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, SerbianMeaning:
"from Latin family name"Description:
Tatjana is an interesting twist on an already uncommon name, borne by German-born supermodel Tatjana Patitz. Note that as j is pronounced as y in German, the name is spoken just like sisters Tatiana and Tatyana.
- July
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
Most things Jul-related – from the month of July to popular modern names Julia and Julian – originate with Roman emperor Julius Caesar, and the month name July is no exception. Fifteen girls and seven boys were named July in 2013, putting this month name into the class of gender neutral names.
- Romana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"a Roman"Description:
Romantic name, feminine form of the ancient name Romanus or the modern Roman, that may rise again with the league of Rom-beginning names that also include Romy and Romilly. Romana's downside: Easy to confuse with the more familiar Ramona.
- Prima
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"first"Description:
Will assure your daughter she's numero uno.
- 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.
- Calpurnia
Origin:
Latin "chalice; cup"Meaning:
"chalice; cup"Description:
Calpurnia is a name with a massive history. As the third and final wife of Julius Caesar, Calpurnia has been forever depicted in literature (Shakespeare) and film (Cleopatra; Rome) as a modest and sweet woman, utterly devoted to Caesar. She is said to have foretold his death and to have tried (and failed) to have warned him of the treachery of his trusted allies. Following Caesar's assassination, Calpurnia never remarried.
- Amata
Origin:
Italian feminine variant of the Latin AmatusMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Name that's virtually unknown here but has a lovely meaning and a simple sound and spelling.
- Berin
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fair-haired"Description:
Fresh choice, but with feminine lilt.
- Fidel
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"faithful"Description:
The association with the Cuban leader Castro is still strong, but he's by no means the only Fidel. This name was in the Top 1000 for over 80 years, from 1919 to 2005. From the late Latin name Fidelis, meaning "faithful", at its heart it has an uplifting meaning.
- Prunella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"small plum"Description:
Most ella names are hot, but this is one that won't catch fire because of the disagreeable connotations of prunes.
- Precious
Origin:
Latin word nameMeaning:
"of great worth, expensive"Description:
Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
- November
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
November is one of a growing list of month names that can work for a baby boy, and is also one of the ideal names for November babies.
- Primus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"first"Description:
The revival of long-dormant Roman names would put this back in the lexicon if it wasn't so connected to a telecommunications network.
- Volante
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"to fly"Description:
Soaring, speedy choice.
- Osanna
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"praise the Lord"Description:
May rise along with other spiritually inclined names, but Americans might find it too close to Osama.
- Concordia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peace, harmony"Description:
This name of the goddess of peace creates a lovely ideal.
- Romola
Origin:
Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of RomeDescription:
Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.
- Laurence
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from Laurentum"Description:
A feminine form in France, this boyish choice could make a fresh alternative to Lauren or Laura -- or be an inventive way to honor Grandpa Larry.
- February
Origin:
Word name or LatinMeaning:
"purification feast"Description:
If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa, which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter, to prepare for the coming spring.