Latin Names for Girls
- Dayana
Origin:
Spanish, KazakhMeaning:
"heavenly, faith"Description:
Dayana is an Hispanic variant of Diana, notably belonging to Venezuelan actress, model and producer Dayana Mendoza. It also belongs to a South American orchid whose name derives from the surname of English botanist John Day. Its use can be partly attributed to the popularity of Diana, the Princess of Wales.
- Nolita
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"unwilling"Description:
A saucy Latin name that also defines a trendy New York area north of Little Italy.
- Cella
Origin:
Spelling variation of SelaMeaning:
"rock"Description:
This spelling variation of the Biblical place-name Sela is found on early American census roles, but Sela is more usual today. Cela is another early variation. Cella may also be a variation of Cilla, short for Priscilla, or Celia.
- Roanna
Origin:
Variation of Rosanna or LatinMeaning:
"sweet"Description:
Most modern parents would probably prefer the cooler Rowan.
- Aquilina
Origin:
Feminine variation of Aquilo, LatinMeaning:
"eagle"Description:
A lot of parents claim to want a name that's different, but if you really do, Aquilina, modern-feeling but based on an ancient favorite, would be one good choice.
- Decima
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"tenth"Description:
In the days of huge families, this name of the Roman goddess of prophecy and childbirth, and one of the Fates, would be saved for bambina number ten. Now it might be used for a girl born in October, the tenth month.
- Maxima
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of MaximusDescription:
Max names were one of the hottest trends for boys in the mid-2010s, and are still very popular. The girl versions haven't seen so much love, unfortunately. (Or fortunately, if you love them and want them to stay rare!) Maxima got some attention in 2015 when Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan used it for their daughter, but few parents have copied them.
- Martia
Origin:
Variation of Marcia, LatinMeaning:
"warlike"Description:
Martia, more distinctive than cousins Marta, Marcia and Marsha, also has a strong image and slightly unexpected feel.
- Oriole
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"golden"Description:
A bird name from the same Latin root as Aurelia, Oriole is extremely rare as a name: No babies were given the name in the US in 2022. But most people are aware of the Oriole bird, which makes this name uncommon yet possible.
- Clarinda
Origin:
Literary elaboration of ClaraMeaning:
"bright, clear"Description:
A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.
- Leone
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lioness"Description:
With male version Leon taking off all over Europe, the female variations, from Leona to Leonie to Leone, are coming back into style too.
- February
Origin:
Word name or LatinMeaning:
"purification feast"Description:
If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa, which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter, to prepare for the coming spring.
- Justina
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of JustinDescription:
Justina was the pre-Justine feminization of Justin, now a possible alternative to Christina. Oddly, while Justine feels like a name unto itself, Justina feels like a pinned-together feminization in the mold of Richarda or Benjamina. Still, it may appeal as one of the unusual-yet-familiar girl names starting with J.
- Salvia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"whole, healthy"Description:
Another name for the herb sage -- which sounds younger and more modern than this version.
- Risa
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"laughing"
- Capella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"little she goat"Description:
Capella, the eleventh brightest star in the sky, carries much mythological and astrological significance. In Roman mythology, Capella represented the goat that suckled Jupiter, whose horn became the Cornucopia or horn of plenty. In Hindu mythology, Capella is called the heart of Brahma, while English legend calls it the shepherd's star.
- Clelia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"famous"Description:
The obscure yet not unappealing name of a legendary heroine of Rome. The ancient Clelia escaped an Etruscan invader by swimming across the Tiber River.
- Kamila
Origin:
Latin, ArabicMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant; perfect"Description:
Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".
- Gregoria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"alert, watchful"Description:
Sounds like a child in a Gothic novel.
- Musetta
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"little muse"Description:
A musette is both a dance and an antique instrument, but the name is most associated with the classic opera La Bohème.