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

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

St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry. Her name may derive from Kythere ("the red one"), a title of the Phonecian mother-goddess Astarte, perhaps via Greek Kythereia, an epithet of Aphrodite. The French version is Quitterie.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.