Catholic Baby Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot.

Attractive attenuated form of the popular Christopher, well used throughout Europe, appearing as Christophe in France and Christoph in Germany.

This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.

St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry. Her name may derive from Kythere ("the red one"), a title of the Phonecian mother-goddess Astarte, perhaps via Greek Kythereia, an epithet of Aphrodite. The French version is Quitterie.

Although the saintly Gratia was male -- Blessed Gratia of Kotor -- this name feels quite female today.

Auria is a highly unusual choice with a pleasant aura. As cousin names Aurelia and Aurora become more prominent, as we predict they will in coming years, Auria will get some attention too.

Saint Roderic was a priest in Spain who was persecuted by the Moors. Another form of this name is Ruderic.

Zosimus is a quirky Z starting name with a long history. It has been the name of several early saints and a pope, as well as the Byzantine author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the sixth century CE.

St. Arsenius (or Arsenios) the Great was a 5th-century Roman saint remembered for his influence on asceticism.

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.

This rare sixth-century saint's name has a modern, merry feel.

Rarely heard in modern times, it was used by Norman Mailer for the hero of his book The Deer Park.

Ephrem is a spelling variation of the Biblical Ephraim, most often used for an early saint, Ephrem the Syrian, who was a 4th century theologian. This makes a cool, religiously appropriate choice.

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

A weighty Greek name borne by several early saints and patriarchs of Alexandria.

Honorata is the feminine form of Honoratus, the name of several saints including the patron saint of bakers.

Justa is an ancient saints' name. Saints Justa and Rufina were martyred sisters who are today the patron saints of Seville in Spain.