Ancient Girl Names

Pronounced mah-zah, Maaza means a pleasant scent, usually from a yellow daisy popular in Ethiopia. Hot young Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste introduced the name to our shores.

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

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.

Brimming over with a sense of good fortune. Could make a little girl feel very lucky.

This popular Muslim name would more easily translate to English-speaking cultures in its Bahar form.

Similar to the Turkish name Bilge (Bil-jeh), which has the same meaning.

A shimmery ancient Roman name that could still shine today. VARIATION: ARGENTA

A Frenchy name that doesn't exist in France, probably an attempt to create a classy feminine version of John or Johnny by rhyming it with Monet.

Many parents these days are responding to names meaning peace, and this is one of the more unusual ones (more often heard as a surname). Pronounced PACH-ee-a, it relates to such other peaceful names as PAZ, PAX, and PAXICO

Like Quentin, Quintin and Quintana, Quintia was once reserved for the fifth child in a family, but now would make an interesting choice for a child coming anywhere in the birth order.

This intriguing name of an ancient Etruscan queen renowned for her prophetic powers was long associated with the prima ballerina Tanaquil LeClerq.

Derived from an ancient Roman name, this is best known in its male form Placido, thanks to the tenor.

If you live in the city, you might call your urban baby Urbana; if you live in the suburbs--don't even think of Surbana.

The name of one of the 35 tribes of ancient Rome, virtually unknown in the modern world

Most often heard as an Italian surname, this might be an unusual yet musical option. While it's not among the traditional Italian names for girls, it can fill that role.

A name with an ancient pedigree which might prove confusing to the modern ear.

The name of a high-born ancient Roman matrona who led a dramatic life--she was said to have had an affair with Julius Caesar--is similar to LUCIA, but not as attractive.

Phillida is a "Masterpiece Theatre" appellation, proper to an almost comical degree yet might make an original way to honor an ancestral Phyliis. Actress Phyllida Law is the mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson.