Names ending in a

The exact meaning of Castania is unknown, but it is likely related to the Italian word castana, meaning "brown". Some sources connect this name to the Spanish castaña, "chestnut", but there is no evidence behind that meaning.

Quiana might be thought of as the first synthetic name. Quiana was popular in the 1970s and 80s, along with the same-named form of polyester.

Marchesa, pronounced with a K sound rather than a CH, fits right in with all those boys named Messiah and King. In Italy, a marchesa is the wife of a marchese. In France, the equivalent titles are marquis and marquise, and in England, marquess and marchioness. The title is most familiar today thanks to Georgina Chapman and Karen Craig's fashion house, Marchesa.

Short form of Aganetha used in the Amish community.

Lowena is the Cornish word for "joy". As a given name, it is most commonly spelt Lowenna. Another variation is the more unisex Lowen.

A Top 10 name in Iceland, where it is also the name of an active volcano.

This delicate Umbrian place name would make a unique path to Ellie.

Hindu goddess name whose meaning makes it one of the prime names for Virgo babies.

When President LBJ's daughter Linda Bird changed the spelling of her name to Lynda, she set a trend for spelling adventurism that's still rippling through the name world today.

This alluring Spanish word name has the quirky meaning "hazelnut". Avellana has a beautiful sound, although it may be misheard as the trending Avianna.

Nature girl played by Audrey Hepburn in "Green Mansions," it now has an old-style bohemian feel.

A name that sounded unthinkably priggish until it became attached to Domestic Goddess British TV chef Nigella Lawson (named for her father), who gave it a big dollop of glamour.

Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.

This name of Polish supermodel Malgosia Bela doesn't sound so bella here--has a bit of an evil witch quality.

Messalina was the third wife of Roman emperor Claudius, and a great-grandniece of Augustus. She was executed for allegedly conspiring against her husband.