Place Names for Babies

Most Africas today would be named for the continent, but the name actually existed in Scotland in medieval times, where there was a Celtic queen named Affrica. Africa has also been a Spanish name for girls since 1421. The church of the Virgin "Nuestra Senora de Africa" is in Ceuta, the Spanish city she is Patron of, in North Africa.

This name of one of the most romantic cities in the world could easily find its way onto an American baby girl's birth certificate.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have done it again for their third child: Chosen a name that feels iconic yet strangely inevitable. They named North and Saint's younger sister Chicago, after Kanye's hometown. The name Chicago derives from a Native American word for "wild garlic," which once grew plentifully in the Illinois city, the third most populous in the US.

An ancient city in Assyria, where Jonah was sent to spread the word of God.

This name, from the picturesque town on the Italian Riviera, borrows a bit from Amelia and a bit from Emily.

Traditional Jewish name and the implement said to have been used by Solomon to cut the huge stones for the building of the Temple.

This French place name, which may derive from a word meaning "plowed land", is occasionally used for girls. It is best-known for two things: the grand Palace of Versailles, the historic seat of the French royal family; and the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the First World War.

Why has it taken so long for us to discover Italy? The name, that is.

A posh area of London, as well as being a section of Brooklyn, Kensington would make an overly formal, butlerish boy's name. There are several preferable paths to the nickname Ken, including KENYON, KENDALL and KENNEDY.

An archipelago near the center of the Mediterranean, the name derives from the Greek word for honey. Malta has been heard as a girl’s name in the past and was used as a character name by both Dickens and Murakami.

Name of a town in Scotland that has a feminine strength.

Projects the calm and pristine image of the picturesque Swiss lake and mountain town.

A saucy Latin name that also defines a trendy New York area north of Little Italy.

In the Bible, Calvary is the hill outside of Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. This religious significance, along with a pleasant sound, have led some parents to begin using it as a name for their daughters.

A Hebrew name also used for girls, with many variations to choose from. Hadara is another version. The name is associated with the holiday of Sukkot.

This lovely Umbrian hill town became a striking first name for the young daughter of Jade Jagger.

Also spelled Fyfe, this zippy sounding name would make a great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots. The name has a double meaning: it is both a Scottish place name, likely derived from fiamh meaning "path", and also the name of an instrument, which takes its name from the German Pfeife and the French fifre meaning "pipe".

Consider ODESSA instead.

The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.

Vicus, an unusual ancient Roman place-name, is used for modern-day boys in Africa.