Saint Names for Girls

The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.

Though often heard in the Hispanic and Italian communities, it hasn't made an impact here, perhaps because of the connection to the character of Faust and his pact with the devil. Variations: FAUSTINA, FAUSTIA, FAUSTIANA

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

St Quiteria was a second-century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry.

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

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

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

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

As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.

Domitilla is the name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasianus and the mother of the emperors Titus and Domitianus. There is a Santa Domitilla with catacombs in Rome named after her.

Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name.

Nympha sounds like it might be a modern invented name in the trendy mythological group, but it is actually an Ancient Greek name mentioned in the Bible. And there is an obscure St. Nympha, one of the patrons of Palermo.

A rare saint name, more commonly transcribed in its French form, Maxellende, Maxellendis is associated with a 7th-century French martyr, who is invoked to cure eye diseases and is considered the patron saint of the visually impaired.

A rare saint's name, Maxellende was a 7th-century martyr, associated with the French Catholic church. She is invoked to cure eye diseases and is more generally the patron saint of the visually impaired. Her name itself is a French form of Maxellendis, possibly linked to Maxence and Maximus meaning "greatest". Other forms of the name are Maxelende (borne by Filipino composer Maxelende Ganade) and Maxeline.

A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and invoked to cure eye diseases.