classic and unusual character names for Women

Derived from Persian zarin "golden", Zarina is a strong and sparkling name used in multiple languages, including Kazakh, Urdu and Malay. It was the name of an ancient Scythian queen, and also sounds very close to the Russian tsarina or czarina – the pre-revolutionary term for an empress of Russia.

An entrancing, beguiling name that goes far to freshen up Sarah.

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.

The Selma-Thelma-Velma connection dates it.

This name of a daughter of Zeus has an intriguing air of antiquity.

Zenevieva is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a creative variation of Genevieve, which has French origins meaning 'tribe woman' or 'woman of the race.' The replacement of the initial 'G' with 'Z' gives the name a more exotic and distinctive quality while maintaining the melodious sound of the original. This unique spelling creates a fresh identity for a classic name, appealing to parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon. Though rare in official name registries and statistics, Zenevieva carries the same elegant, timeless qualities as Genevieve but with an added contemporary twist. The name has four melodic syllables that flow well together, creating a name that is both sophisticated and memorable.

With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.

Zenovia makes Zenobia even more unusual. This mythology-adjacent name is worth a look.

Zephyrus was the Greek god of the west wind, and all names associated with him have a pleasantly gentle, breezy feel. With its cool Z initial and similarity in sound to Stephie and Serafina, Zephyr has been rising up the US charts in recent years as a unisex name.

Zephyr may not be a name often heard in the U.S., but its variations are used throughout Europe. Zephyrine, a cousin in sound and feel if not in fact to such lovely names as Severine and Seraphina, has distinctive possibilities.

Zerynthia is one of the alternate names of Hecate, deriving from one of the caves in which she appeared. Zerynthia is also the name of a set of strikingly-coloured Spanish butterflies. This is one name that deserves more attention.

The sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, popularized by Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones -- Zeta was her grandmother's first name. Zeta can also refer to the letter Z, the last in the Roman alphabet, or be a spelling variation of Zita, a name with several possible origins and meanings.

This intriguing name from Armenia has a lovely meaning "rainbow" and was used for the adorable protagonist of the film by the same name who hides in a suitcase and ends up going on an adventure to Turkey.

This unusual name belonged to a character played by Kirsten Dunst in an early film.

A short and punchy Arabic name referring to the time between sunrise and noon. Also spelled Zuha.

A unique relative of Zoe via the Ancient Greek name Zoilos, borne by a 4th century BC cynic philosopher.

Zosha is a feminine name with Slavic origins, most commonly found in Polish culture. It functions as a diminutive form of Zofia, which is the Polish version of Sophia, meaning "wisdom." With its distinctive 'zh' sound (often written as 'ż' in Polish), Zosha carries an exotic yet accessible quality for English speakers. While relatively uncommon outside of Poland and Polish communities, the name has a warm, affectionate tone typical of Slavic diminutives. Zosha combines the increasingly popular 'Z' initial with a friendly, approachable ending. The name's brevity and interesting sound make it an intriguing option for parents seeking something unique yet pronounceable with cultural significance.

Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.

Zuly is the spunky short form of Zulma, and is commonly used on its own, often in the Latino community.

Zylvia is a feminine name that represents a creative, modern spelling variation of Sylvia. The traditional Sylvia derives from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woods,' carrying associations with nature and tranquility. The replacement of 'S' with 'Z' gives this classic name a contemporary edge and unique visual appeal while maintaining its graceful sound. This spelling variation is extremely rare, making it an exclusive choice for parents seeking a distinctive name that still has recognizable roots. Zylvia combines the elegance of a traditional name with a modern twist, potentially appealing to those who appreciate names with both history and individuality. The initial 'Z' adds an element of strength and uniqueness.