Latin Names

Columbia is a rarely used name with many associations. From the eighteenth century it has been used as a female personification of the United States, often appearing as a flag-draped patriotic figure. And as such it's inspired a plethora of place and company names, from the District of Columbia to Columbia University to Columbia Records, and songs like "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean." A character called Columbia appears in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Sargent, as in Kennedy brother-in-law Shriver, is the more familiar and usable form of this name.

Evokes a sympathetic feeling of generosity and charity.

From the root that gives us "benign," Benigno is not as accessible in English-speaking cultures as such names as Bruno and Benicio. Filipino Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., went by his nickname Ninoy. 

Real name that sounds like a made-up combination of Dillon and Lillian.

Ancient Italian martyr's name that's a rarity here and now.

All but unheard of today, Floy was a popular Florence nickname used on its own in a century ago: it was Number 448 in 1914.

This name of eight popes might appeal to confirmed city-dwellers, but Urbana would be more feminine.

Variation on the Delight-Delicia theme.

Projects a feeling of openness and candor.

Lacks the cachet of some newer place-names.

Occasionally heard in England, rarely here.

Delicate and obscure version of this many-faceted name.

One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John Singer Sargent.

With the new fashion for occupational names, we may hear more of this one.

The original male name Alban is a lot sleeker and more usable.

Semiramis/Semiramide was the most important Queen of Assyria, who conquered much of Asia. Semiramis restored ancient Babylon and protected it with a high brick wall that completely surrounded the city. Then she built several palaces in Persia, reigned much of Asia Minor effectively and conquered Libya and Ethiopia. The version Semiramide was used by Giacomo Rossini in his opera of the same name.

One of the most pleasant and evocative of the hot new occupational names. Related name: Gardner, as in Ava.