Names ending in a

Rarely used aristocratic name with ancient roots and less than appealing sound.

Alternate spelling of Kira

Cross between Petula and Petunia that surfaced briefly as a sixties British movie title.

Leeza may feel like the flagging Lisa or Liza, but its pronunciation is a hybrid of the two and it's a name that's distinct on its own.

A possible alternative to the better-known Shoshona.

Pema is rare enough in the US that it qualifies as gender-neutral, and indeed it is a gender-neutral name in Tibet, its country of origin. However, its relationship to Padma, a mostly feminine name, and similarity in sound to Emma make us think that Pema will be more likely to be borne by baby girls.

A pretty and unusual spin on Maria.

A pretty and simple Slavic name that is pronounced "YAS-na".

A rising name in Slovenia, where it was originally a nickname for names such as Karolina and Katarina.