Fancy Names

Mignonette is kind of a diminutive of a diminutive. Mignon is the French word for cute, so Mignonette is more or less cutie.

Parthenios, the name of a Greek river god, is draped in a toga.

Falconer is one choice that has morphed rapidly from outlandish to possible, even attractive, thanks to the fashion for occupational names. And really, if Archer is getting popular and Miller seems normal, why not Falconer?

Almost exclusively associated with opera diva Leontyne Price. If you want to use the suddenly-stylish Leontyne, we'd recommend the French Leontine spelling.

While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.

A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.

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

Fidelity is an admirable virtue, yes, but as a name it tends to sound like a financial institution. Faith, Honor, or Patience would be easier to live with than Fidelity.

Arcangela is a heavenly possibility if Angel or Angela isn't elevated enough for you.

Richenza is a medieval European name borne by a number of Polish and Swedish royals throughout history. The variation Richeza was used with similar frequency. Rixa was a common short form. Richenza is derived from the same Germanic root as Richard and could be used to honor one in your life.

If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre, and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma. It has a distinctly aristocratic feel, despite its straightforward meaning. Fairfax is also a city in Virginia.

Polyxena was a minor figure in Greek mythology - a daughter of King Priam and a love interest of the famed warrior Achilles. The name is a bit clunky but could be pulled off by the right woman.

See PRECIOUS.

An elaboration of the aristocratic Italian title, Contessa, Contessina might feel a little more name-y, while still maintaining the same grandeur and offering the nicknames Tess, Coco, and Connie.