Latin Names

Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot.

A pleasantly unfamiliar addition to the ella family of names.

Appealingly peaceful and placid.

An uncommon Latin and Italian name which would make a fitting choice for a final baby – but be aware that many would associate it with the cosmetics brand or the Ultimo brand of lingerie.

Grandmas will remember the old TV detective show; playmates won't. This is a name that has many variations in different cultures, from Columbus to Columba to Colum to Colm.

Neo, indeed--though it was a male character in "The Matrix."

Variant of Hortensia, an unusual floral name and the name of a secondary character in Roald Dahl's Matilda.

Durant's meaning signifies staying power, a good quality to impart to your child. Notables with the surname Durant include Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Will and Ariel Durant, most famous for their eleven-volume The Story of Civilization, and William Crappo Durant, co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet.

Ovidia is the unusual feminine form of the ancient Roman Ovidius, most famous as the name of the exiled 1st century Roman poet Ovid. Modern male form Ovidio is known in Spain and Portugal. Ovida is another variation.

Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.

The original version of an Old World name more often found as the Spanish Salvador or the Italian Salvatore.

Carita may feel like an endearing nickname but it's a name in its own right, used throughout Scandinavia in this form and as Karita, Caritas, and Karitas as a variation on Charity.

Aromatic but also problematic.

One high-fashion brand that's actually a legitimate first name, though still linked to the tainted Adolph.

Seems to cry out for another syllable.

There are several better Cal- names that don't simply echo a male form.

Clorinda is a romantic name invented by a sixteenth-century poet, but has a synthetic sound today.

A place name relating to the tropical palm tree.

Tertia—which is occasionally used in the UK, but rarely in the US, would make an unconventional but interesting possibility for the third child in a family. Terza and Terzo are lively Italian female and male variations.

A feminine form of Rufus, which has potential in the current trend for ancient Roman names.