Names ending in a
- Atlanta
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"Atlantic Ocean"Description:
The capital of Georgia is far from the ocean, but got its name from the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran through the city. Best known as a hub of industry and transport, and for its roles in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, it has never been popular as a baby name despite sounding like one. Its peak popularity was in 1995, the year before Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.
- Makana
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"gift"Description:
A nice meaning -- congruent with the recent vogue for names like Blessing -- helps offset this Hawaiian name's proximity to overused Makayla and McKenzie.
- Macaria
Origin:
Spanish from GreekMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
Unusual and rhythmic, the feminine form of the ancient Greek Makarios or the Latinized Macarius, the name of several saints. The modern Spanish male version of the name, Macario, is used in the US.
- Nedra
Origin:
Variation of Nedda, SlavicMeaning:
"born on Sunday"Description:
Nedra was one of a phalanx of names -- Delma, Verda, Vernice -- popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that dropped out of fashion after World War II and now have disappeared completely. Like the others, Nedra is now extinct.
- Euphelia
Origin:
Invented name, combination of Euphemia and OpheliaMeaning:
"fair speech + help"Description:
With Ophelia getting so much love these days, could some parents be convinced to go for the much rarer, still elegant Euphelia?
- Marija
Origin:
Croatian, Slovene, Serbian, Macedonian, Lithuanian, Latvian variation of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Common transcription of Maria throughout Europe.
- Haniya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"pleasant"Description:
A popular Muslim girl name in the UK, possibly boosted by its similarity to familiar classic Hannah.
- Faina
Origin:
Russian from GreekMeaning:
"shining"Description:
This appealing Russian/Nordic name has been used a handful of times since Eowyn Ivey's novel The Snow Child was published in 2012. There, Faina is a mysterious girl who loves the cold Alaskan woods.
- Evelia
- Aviella
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my father"Description:
Variation of Aviela/Abiela, feminine forms of the Biblical Aviel/Abiel "God is my father", and related to Avielle.
- Rixa
Origin:
Diminutive of Richiza, Richenza, or Rikissa, GermanMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
A nickname for medieval names such as Richenza and Rikissa, which were derived from the Germanic name Richiza. RIxa could easily be adapted for modern use, particularly if you're looking to honor a Richard.
- Dovizia
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"wealth"Description:
A medieval Italian name that could work in modern times.
- Chiquita
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"little one"Description:
As a term of endearment, maybe, but not as a proper name, where it would practically demand the refrain "Banana."
- Nazira
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"equal"Description:
Striking, azure-tinted choice.
- Maurya
Origin:
Irish variation of Maura or MaryMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Unusual Mary variety with literary underpinnings, most famously as a character in J.M. Synge's Riders to the Sea. You may have to do constant explaining of the spelling and pronunciation, but if you're looking for a distinctive and attractive form of Mary, you've found it.
- Iluminada
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"illuminated"Description:
A distinctive, rhythmic, and lovely Spanish name that suggests enlightenment.
- Jutta
- Narra
- Atka
- Kaela
Origin:
Variant of Kayla or diminutive of MikaelaDescription:
The letters "ae" are always a little tricky, and the more familiar Kayla has started to fall out of fashion, but there's nothing glaringly wrong with this version.