Names ending in a
- Dia
Origin:
Mbama, Sanskrit, Latin, and SpanishMeaning:
"love; lamp; heavenly; day"Description:
A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.
- Aina
Origin:
Scandinavian and Finnish variation of Aino, Catalan variation of Anna, Japanese, Latvian, Kazakh, YorubaMeaning:
"always; grace; lover of green; sight; mirror; delivery had complications [umbilical cord twisted around neck]"Description:
A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Oksana
Origin:
Russian from HebrewMeaning:
"praise to God"Description:
Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
- Fiachra
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"crow, raven"Description:
In Irish legend Fiachra was one of the four children of Lir who were turned into swans for 900 years. St Fiachra is the patron saint of gardeners.
- Amora
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"love"Description:
Is Amora a real name? It made a strong entrance to the US Top 1000 in 2017 so it's one of the Spanish names for girls that is obviously catching on, perhaps thanks to its similarity to Amara, a multicultural name that's achieving widespread popularity here and abroad. Amora sounds like the Latinate amore and is one of the romantic names that mean love, familiar via the classic Dean Martin song That's Amore ("When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...). Amora also borrows something from Amanda, something from Maura, and makes an attractive choice no matter what its pedigree.
- Ophira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gold"Description:
Feminine form of Ophir, a Biblical place name famed for its riches.
- 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.
- Mariella
Origin:
Italian and Dutch diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Lilting and nearly unknown here, with the currently popular ella ending, makes a good Marissa alternative.
- Adalia
Origin:
Hebrew, German, "God is my refuge; noble one"Meaning:
"God is my refuge; noble one"Description:
Distinctive, elegant, and luxurious, Adalia can be a variation of Adele, or a Hebrew name with a Biblical background. Although it is given exclusively to girls in the US, in the Bible it is masculine. The similar Adlai might be easier to wear for boys in English speaking countries, while Adalia fits in with Adeline, Amelia, and Dahlia.
- Indra
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"possessing drops of rain"Description:
In the ancient Hindu religion, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, though in modern America, this might make a better girls' than boys' name. You can spell it Indre, like the French river, if you prefer.
- Malina
Origin:
Feminine form of Malcolm or spelling variation of Melina or Polish, Bulgarian, SerbianMeaning:
"raspberry"Description:
Malina is a synthetic-feeling name that may be a feminization of the Scottish Malcolm or a spelling twist on the Greek Melina and that also has a fruit meaning in several Eastern European languages. For all that it's a little bit of lots of things, Malina doesn't feel very much like itself.
- Katrina
Origin:
German variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
The hurricane blew this one out of the realm of possibility.
- Atara
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"crown"Description:
Finally, an attractive, undiscovered Old Testament choice for girls.
- Daniela
Origin:
Feminine form of Daniel used in various languagesMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Used across Europe, South America, and the US, Daniela is a popular feminine form of the Hebrew name Daniel. It has ranked in the US Top 300 since the early 90s and it's currently on trend in Spain, Portugal, Chile, Mexico, and Lativia.
- Elisha
Origin:
Variant of Alicia or HebrewMeaning:
"God is my salvation"Description:
Elisha (ee-LYE-sha) is an Old Testament male name, sometimes borrowed for girls. Pronouced eh-LEE-sha, it is also used as a spelling variant of Alicia or Elysia.
- Catriona
Origin:
Scottish form of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr, Catherine of Alexandria. Its later popularity increased following the success of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1893 Catriona, the sequel to Kidnapped.
- Marilla
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"shining sea"Description:
Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.