Heroine Baby Names

Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough.

First century queen who led her Brittonic Iceni tribe in revolution against the Romans occupying England. Also found as Boudica, Boadicea (as in bodacious) and in Welsh as Buddug, the historic namesake was defeated and committed suicide, but is still celebrated in England as intelligent and brave. One ancient name that, while unheard these days, could be revived along with such choices as Atticus and Cassius.

While Austin is a popular boys' name, this spelling, honoring novelist Jane, nudges the name toward gender-neutral, chosen last year for 67 baby boys and 57 girls.

This name has a hauntingly appropriate meaning for its most famous bearer, Pakistani women and children's right activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousefzai. The name itself is derived from the more traditional Malalai, which was the name of a 19th century female Afghan freedom fighter. If you're looking for a soft sounding female name that packs a punch in history and in meaning, Malala is definitely a strong contender.

Used as a first name for a handful of girls every year, Joplin could be seen as a distant cousin of other -lin names, like Caitlin, Brooklyn and Braelynn. We think it works even better as a musical middle name possibility for fans of Janis... or Scott. Both great connections — albeit very different from one another.

African-American and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth was born as Isabelle into enslavement. She adopted her new name when she began traveling and preaching abolition in 1843. Sojourner is a heroine name that may, with the rise of spiritual word names such as Journey and Genesis, finally be ready for prime time.

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

Remedios is an unusual and evocative Marian name, from Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, which means "Our Lady of the Remedies".

If you want to move beyond Maya.

This name is a great option for people looking for a name that is unique (literally), imbued with history and international. Closely connected to Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, Benazir is used in Pakistan, Bangladesh and some parts of India, as well as by migrant communities in America and Europe. Miss Netherlands, Benazir Charles, is another notable bearer of this lovely name.

Alternative (rarer) spelling of Roxanne.

The misspelling that created an indelibly one-person name.

Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.

Famous as the name of the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Onnolee is a name immortalized in American legend. She was the last surviving member of the Munsee tribe of Native Americans, native to the Finger Lakes region of New York. In the 14th century, Onnolee was captured by Mickinac, the leader of the Mengnee tribe who slaughtered the Munsees. She stole an unsuspecting Mickinac's knife from his sheath and stabbed him in the heart before fleeing and jumping to her death. Onnolee's ghost is said to haunt the region.

Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.

Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.

With word names increasingly acceptable or even desirable, this Spanish word for heart, brought to the fore by Philippine president Corazon Aquino, may find more takers.

This lovely Indian name could spruce up Sarah. It has at least two distinguished bearers — Sarojini Naidu (freedom fighter and poet) and Sarojini Sahoo, a modern Indian feminist writer and journalist.