1500+ Girl Names Ending in -ia
- Ilaria
Origin:
Italian variation of HilaryMeaning:
"cheerful, happy"Description:
Hilary may feel too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.
- Lucretia
Origin:
Latin, female form of LucretiusMeaning:
"profit, wealth"Description:
A pretty and plausible Latin name that's gotten a bad rap through the years via a link to Lucrezia Borgia, who, though long considered a demon poisoner, was actually a patron of learning and the arts.
- Flavia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"golden, blond"Description:
An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could change. Seen more in literature than real life, Flavia was used as far back as an1580 romance, then in a William Dean Howells novel and as a Princess in The Prisoner of Zenda. Although the original pronunciation is FLAH-via, Flavie (as in flavor) could make a cute nickname.
- Theodosia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter Theodosia ("Dear Theodosia" is a song in the smash musical Hamilton), and it was the birth name of silent screen vamp Theda Bara. Theodosia actually appeared on the US popularity lists in the 1880s and 90s.
- Amaia
Origin:
Spanish or BasqueMeaning:
"high place or end"Description:
This pretty and uncommon Basque name is all but unheard of in this country. Amaya is a spelling variation as well as a similar Japanese name meaning "night rain." With the newfound popularity of Amara and Amora, Amaia and Amaya are among the Spanish names for girls we'll be hearing a lot more of in the US.
- Aleia
Origin:
Variation of Aliya, Arabic "heavens, highborn, exalted"Meaning:
"heavens, highborn, exalted"Description:
One of the many, many ways to spell Aliya. The "leia" component gives Aleia an extra pronunciation option, like Leia with an extra syllable.
- Gloria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Gloria is beginning to move beyond its de-glamorized Grandma image, most recently thanks to glamorous young Hollywood parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who chose it for their second daughter. Gyllenhaal was quoted as saying they had been inspired by Patti Smith's rendition of the Van Morrison song "Gloria" at a concert and thought " 'We'll name our daughter that one day'."
- Laia
Origin:
Catalan diminutive of EulaliaMeaning:
"sweet-speaking"Description:
Saint Eulalia was born in Spain and is the patron saint of Barcelona, so her name and its derivatives are popular throughout the land — especially in her native Catalonia.
- Aelia
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"sun"Description:
This little-known Ancient Roman name might make a fresh spin on the popular Ella, Ayla, Isla contingent. The "ae" is pronounced "ee" (think Aesop's fables).The Annals of Aeliana is a children's fantasy series by Ryan Watters. The meaning is thought to derive from the Greek helios, or sun.
- Odelia
Origin:
Hebrew, GermanMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"Description:
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.
- Kia
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"season's beginning"Description:
Kia is a sweet, simple name that is now, unfortunately, associated with a Korean car label. Better today: Nia, Thea, or Keira.
- Elia
Origin:
Italian variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Though the most famous Elia, screenwriter Kazan, was male, this name sounds like a spin on many popular girls' names, from Ella to Ellie to Isla and Leah. While the Italian pronunciation has the middle syllable as LEE, making it closer to the original Elijah would give the middle syllable a long I sound -- eh-LYE-ah.
- Caia
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of CaiusMeaning:
"to rejoice"Description:
Caia Caecilia was the Roman Goddess of fire and women. The name Caia would make a truly fresh alternative to the flagging Maya, with which it rhymes.
- Lelia
Origin:
Italian form of Laelia, meaning unknownDescription:
A rare and delicate choice, Lelia is a modern variation of an ancient Roman family name. It came to Britain in the mid-nineteenth century, following the publication of George Sand's popular romantic novel titled Lelia in 1833.
- Sereia
Origin:
PortugueseMeaning:
"mermaid"Description:
The lovely Sereia is the Portuguese word for mermaid but can also be used as a name. English speakers may shy away from the name because of pronunciation questions and indeed, any little Sereia growing up in London or Chicago will encounter many questions and mispronunciations. But it's not difficult to say once you know it and Sereia pay countervailing dividends with its beauty.
- Alexia
Origin:
Diminutive of AlexandriaMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
This diminutive, similar to Alex or Alexis, has been yo-yoing in popularity since the turn of the 21st century.
- Jia
Origin:
Italian or ChineseMeaning:
"God is gracious or home, family"Description:
Jia might be considered a spelling variation of Gia, an Italian feminine form of John as a shortening of Gianna or Giovanna. Jia might also be the anglicized form of many Chinese names, which have different meanings including home or family. If you're looking for girl names starting with J that sound unusual yet familiar, this might be one possibility, though many Americans will think it's spelled Gia.
- Leocadia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"splendid brightness"Description:
Leocadia marries a mix of sounds: the strength of a lion, with a rhythmic Latin ending.
- Adelia
Origin:
Variation of Adela, GermanMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
The super-success of Adele, both the singer and the name, has brought attention to all her cousins — Adela, Adeline, Adelina — and the lovely Adelia. An undiscovered gem just waiting to be discovered.
- Eugenia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival.