Names ending in a
- Mafalda
Origin:
Italian and Portuguese variation of MatildaDescription:
Mafalda is nearly unknown in the English-speaking world, despite an appearance in Harry Potter. Indeed, it does have a witchy feel. Matilda itself is preferable, or her French form Mathilde, Spanish Matilde, or abbreviation Maud.
- Liva
Origin:
DanishMeaning:
"variant of Lifa"Description:
In old Norse mythology Lifa/Liva is one of only two people that are destined to survive Ragnarok (Nordic armageddon) and will therefore be the parents of a new race of man.
- Kenna
Origin:
OromoMeaning:
"to offer"Description:
As a masculine name, Kenna originates in the Oromo language of Ethiopia, in which it means "to offer" or "to present." It is unrelated to the feminine name Kenna, which is a variation of Kenneth.
- Melantha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"dark flower"Description:
The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative.
- Ola
Origin:
Norwegian and Swedish form of OlafMeaning:
"ancestor's relic"Description:
Simple, friendly, distinctive name heard in several cultures. The a ending may feel more feminine in the US than Ole, though both variations are acceptable in Scandinavia.
- Nayara
Origin:
Spelling variation of Naiara, Basque place-nameDescription:
Nayara or Naiara is a Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
- Kenza
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"treasure"Description:
Kenza may feel perfectly in step with modern names like McKenzie and Kinsey and Kendra, but there was an 8th century Moroccan queen named Kenza so the name has deep roots. Kenza is that rare name that's equally attractive, simple, and unusual
- Finola
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"white shoulders"Description:
Finola, the readily accessible version of some of the more problematic Gaelic versions of the name, would make a welcome addition to the stockpot of Irish girls' names.
- Brea
Origin:
Spelling variation of Bria or short form of BreanaDescription:
Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe because the spelling makes the pronunciation less clear. Is it bree-a or bray (answer: bree-a).
- Medora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"mother's gift"Description:
Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.
- Moa
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"mother"Description:
Moa is among the Top 100 Swedish baby names but virtually unknown in the US. Might Moa be a substitute for Mia or Maya? An intriguing idea. There is a Swedish author named Moa Martinson.
- Ekaterina
Origin:
Slavic variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.
- Nirvana
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"place of great bliss"Description:
Well, parents are naming their children Eden and Heaven...so why not?
- Elettra
Origin:
Italian variation of Latin ElectraMeaning:
"shining, bright"Description:
Less electric and melodramatic, more serene, than Electra. Isabella Rossellini's daughter (and Ingrid Bernman's granddaughter) is named Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.
- Elphaba
Origin:
Literary invented nameDescription:
Elphaba was invented by Gregory Maguire for the protagonist of his novel Wicked, which became the long-running Broadway play. Elphaba is the name of the Wicked Witch of the West, unnamed in the Oz books, and is drawn from the initials of Oz creator L. Frank Baum.
- Alcina
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"strong-willed"Description:
Alcina is an operatic name, best-known as the name of the beautiful sorceress of the eponymous Handel opera drawn from the Orlando poems. Alcina and her sister Morgana live on an island where Alcina seduces every passing sailor but once their novelty wears off, changes them into plants, rocks, or animals. Alcina comes with modern-sounding short forms Alcie or Alsie, which feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again.
- Agata
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian variation of AgathaDescription:
Agata is an Agatha form widely used throughout Europe. And the hard t may be more appealing to your ear than the th sound.
- Dua
Origin:
Albanian, ArabicMeaning:
"love, prayer"Description:
Dua is one of those names that has been popularized in English speaking countries by a single celebrity: British-Albanian model-singer Dua Lipa. It's simple, modern, appealing, and may find a wider audience thanks to its attractive namesake.
- Kiaria
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"fortunate"Description:
Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there.
- Jimena
Origin:
Variation of Ximena, SpanishMeaning:
"son"Description:
Widespread popularity in the Latino community has propelled this name up the charts in the US. Ximena is the more popular version, given to about three times as many baby girls as Jimena, maybe because of that edgy initial X.