Names ending in ia

Whether you take this as a female form of the mythical wanderer's name Odysseus or a spin on the place name Odessa makes a huge difference. But both names have that potential playground problem of the initial Od- syllable, as in odor.

In the Bible, this name belongs to a son of Jehaleleel, of the tribe of Judah.

The Finnish cognate of Thea, from Dorothea.

Tassia is an obscure short form used mostly in Russia and Eastern Europe, where the name Anastasia as in the executed Russian princess is common. Rarely found in the English-speaking world, Tassia could make a distinctive and attractive nickname for this elegant royal name and can easily stand on its own.

The unusual Parmenia is very occasionally chosen by Latino parents.

Many parents these days are responding to names meaning peace, and this is one of the more unusual ones (more often heard as a surname). Pronounced PACH-ee-a, it relates to such other peaceful names as PAZ, PAX, and PAXICO

Ligia, also spelled Ligeia, is the name of one of the Greek Sirens, who was half-bird, half-woman. It's also the title of an Edgar Allen Poe poem.

Slightly weightier alternative to Maxine

Although it's best known as the name of the fictional kingdom in The Princess Diaries, Genovia has a history of use as a first name dating back before author Meg Cabot was born.

The forerunner of Cynthia is all but unknown these days, but deserving of import and revival.

Bulgarian diminutive of Anna, a pretty alternative to Amelia which may often be confused with the latter.