Latin Names for Girls

Columba is an early saint's name that rhumbas to a modern beat. While the original St. Columba is male, the name sounds more appropriate for a girl in the modern world. Leave variations Colm and Callum for the boys.

Rather imperious as a baby name, but has an interesting history. Imperia is the name of an obscure French saint, also known as Impère and Impérie, also borne by the famous Italian courtesan Imperia Cognati. Honoré de Balzac later used it in his short story La belle Impéria (1832), where it belongs to a fictional courtesan. A similar name, Bel-imperia, was used by Elizabethan dramatist Thomas Kyd for a character in his play The Spanish Tragedy.

A rarely heard ancient Latin names for girls that has a not-so-appealing brand name feel. Try Alba instead.

Gala makes the name more festive.

Has a sweetness via its relation to such words as dulcet; other similar possibilities are DULCE, DULCINA, and the down-home DULCIE. Though this Latin names for girls is rarely heard in contemporary times in this form, Dulcie is found.

Related to the Roman name Titius and the more modern Titus, the "tit" syllable would be problematic for any modern girl. Try the similar Russian name Tatiana.

Cordis is an unusual and substantial unisex choice.

Fabia is one of several pleasant international-accented female versions of Fabian.

Fantine is a rarely heard French name except as a character in the Victor Hugo novel Les Misérables.

This name of the major Maltese city takes on an air of attractiveness via model Amber Valletta, making it an appealing alternative to the overexposed Valerie and Vanessa.

Dacia is an ancient place-name -- it was in Eastern Europe -- as lacy as Dacey, but more substantial.

The perfect name-accessory for a little princess, though its popularity is waning.

In fashion limbo with Anita and Juanita.

This Spanish form of the yet-to-be-revived Ignatius was borne by an early and influential Philipina nun known as Mother Ignacia.

Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.

A character name that makes an appearance in Shakespeare's King Lear, Nerilla has hardly been heard in modern times. But with the resurrection of many names from ancient Greece and Roman, Nerilla is one of the Latin names for girls we may be hearing again.

This elaboration of Vera makes an attractive and uncommon choice.

Completely undiscovered double-l name with an abundance of rhythmic charm.

This name of a constellation in Orion's belt has an astral feel; it also belonged to the first woman to win a Pulitzer prize in drama, Zona Gale.