Ancient Girl Names

One of the Sirens in Greek mythology, Ligeia was also the title character in an Edgar Allan Poe story. The mythological Ligeia was half-bird, half-woman. Spelling may also be Lygeia or Ligia.

Constantina is a pretty, feminissima, if lengthy, variation on the Constance theme. The fourth century Constantina, also known as Constantia and Constantiana, was the eldest daughter of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his second wife Fausta, daughter of Emperor Maximian. Constantina received the title of Augusta by her father, and is venerated as a saint; in English she is also known as Saint Constance.

The name of an area of Peru, this could be a possibilty for a springtime baby born under the sign of Taurus.

Will assure your daughter she's numero uno.

There are several better Cal- names that don't simply echo a male form.

Tertia—which is occasionally used in the UK, but rarely in the US, would make an unconventional but interesting possibility for the third child in a family. Terza and Terzo are lively Italian female and male variations.

A name found in 16th century marriage records, but still manages to sound like a modern, made-up elaboration of MERRY.

Anyone who remembers the classic novel or film "The Prisoner of Zenda" would find this an odd choice.

A feminine form of Rufus, which has potential in the current trend for ancient Roman names.

An ancient Roman name, lost to time.

The name of a woman who played a dramatic role in ancient Roman legend, it seems quite slight for modern use. Variation: ARIA

Not as common as brother Sergio, but still quite frequently heard in the Hispanic community, as in Bolivian singer Sergia Llanos.

This ancient feminine form is the kind of name your child will grow into...at least by her fiftieth birthday.

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.

Gaynor is an early androgynous name with a positive association, related to the Cornish megahit name Jennifer.

Gala makes the name more festive.

An Indonesian name that is virtually unknown in the Western World but that is eminently portable, sister of India and Indre or Indra.

It feels like a slenderized modern version, but Jennet actually has deep roots. Could this plucky name rescue Janet and Jenny from their datedness?

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.