Royal-ish Names
- Estella
Origin:
Latinate form of EstelleMeaning:
"star"Description:
Estella is a pretty Latin name that's sounding more and more stylish, remembered as the ward of Miss Haversham in Dickens's Great Expectations. Though Estella ranked as high as Number 110 in the 1880s, it now sits near the bottom of the US Top 1000 along with near-twin Estelle. Either would be well worth considering as an alternative to the popular Stella.
- Etienette
Description:
Etienette is a delicate feminine French name, functioning as the female form of Etienne (the French equivalent of Stephen). It ultimately derives from the Greek 'Stephanos,' meaning 'crown' or 'garland,' symbolizing honor and victory. This elegant, uncommon name carries a distinctly French sophistication with its soft ending and refined sound. Though rare even in French-speaking regions, Etienette offers a charming alternative to more common feminine forms like Stephanie. The name combines classic origins with a melodic quality that feels both traditional and distinctive. Its elaborate construction gives it an aristocratic flair while maintaining a gentle, feminine character suitable for contemporary use.
- Eerie
- Fabrizio
Origin:
Italian form of the Latin family name FabriciusMeaning:
"craftsman"Description:
Romantic Italian choice.
- Felepita
Description:
Felepita is an unusual feminine name with likely Polynesian or Hispanic influences. It may be a feminine variation of Felipe (the Spanish form of Philip), which derives from Greek elements meaning 'lover of horses.' In Polynesian contexts, particularly Tongan or Samoan cultures, it could be an adapted form of a traditional name. The name carries a rhythmic, melodious quality with its alternating consonants and vowels. Felepita remains quite rare in global naming statistics, making it an extremely distinctive choice. Parents might be drawn to this name for its exotic sound, cultural connections, or simply because they seek something truly unique. Its rarity means a child named Felepita would likely have a one-of-a-kind identity.
- Fioralba
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"flower of the dawn"Description:
A lush, romantic flower name for people who think Rose, Violet and Lily are 1000 times too popular.
- Fuentes
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"springs"Description:
Common Spanish surname with a lively sound and meaning and literary connection to prominent Latin American writer Carlos Fuentes.
- Genese
Description:
Genese is a feminine name with French origins, likely derived from 'genesis' meaning 'birth' or 'beginning.' It represents creativity and new starts. While uncommon in the United States, this elegant name carries a sophisticated European flair. The name may also be connected to the Italian region of Genoa (Genése in some dialects). Its rarity adds to its distinctive charm, making it a unique choice for parents seeking something melodic yet meaningful. Genese is typically pronounced juh-NEEZ or juh-NEES, and offers the friendly nickname options of Gen or Nese.
- Giraud
Description:
Giraud is a masculine name of French origin, representing an old French form of Gerald, which derives from Germanic elements meaning "spear ruler" or "rule of the spear." This name carries an aristocratic, medieval quality, having been used among French nobility during the Middle Ages. While uncommon in modern usage, Giraud (pronounced approximately zhee-ROH) maintains a distinguished presence in French naming history and genealogical records. The name has a sophisticated, somewhat austere quality that connects to its historical roots. Giraud offers parents a rare name choice with authentic French heritage and historical significance. It could be seen as a more distinctive alternative to the more familiar Gerard or Gerald while maintaining similar etymological roots.
- Glynesha
Description:
Glynesha appears to be a modern created name combining elements that became popular in American naming practices during the late 20th century. The prefix 'Glyn-' may relate to the Welsh name 'Glyn' (meaning 'valley') or could be chosen primarily for its distinctive sound. The suffix '-esha' became a popular name ending in the United States from the 1970s onward, appearing in various created names. This combined structure exemplifies the trend toward unique, multisyllabic names with melodious qualities that emerged across different communities. While usage data shows Glynesha has remained relatively uncommon, it represents the creative approach to naming that values uniqueness and phonetic appeal. The name demonstrates how syllabic elements can be combined to create distinctive identities.
- Griselda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"grey battle"Description:
Griselda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet.
- Julien
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"Description:
Julien is the handsome French form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
- Kailani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea and sky"Description:
This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
- Kamilah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"perfect"Description:
An easily adaptable Middle Eastern names, partly because of its similarity to the western Camila, Kamilah has gentle sounds and a bright meaning. It is a feminine form of Kamil, meaning "perfect, complete", though it could simply be used as an alternative spelling to US Top 50 Camila.
- Keela
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"slender"Description:
Is Keela distinct enough from Kayla to sound fresh and new? Maybe, though its similarity to the trendy cluster of names that also includes Kaylie and Kylie and Kelly may be enough to turn you off. Keela, a relative of the less serious Keely and the male Keelan, is used in modern Ireland.
- Khalia
Description:
Khalia is a feminine name with Arabic and African origins. It's a variant of the name Khalila, which means 'beloved' in Arabic. In some African contexts, particularly in East Africa, it may be related to words meaning 'gentle' or 'kind.' The name has gained modest popularity in the United States since the 1990s, appealing to parents seeking a name with cultural depth and a melodic quality. Khalia combines elegance with uniqueness, featuring the appealing 'lia' ending that appears in many popular girls' names. While not among the top-ranked names, it continues to be chosen by parents looking for a distinctive yet accessible name with multicultural resonance.
- Lotus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lotus flower"Description:
Lotus is one of the most languorous of the flower names, with intriguing significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism, symbolizing purity, grace and spiritual growth — not to mention a familiar yoga position.
- Ludovica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of LudovicMeaning:
"famous in war"Description:
This Olde World name with a large measure of European style makes an offbeat possibility for the bold baby namer in search of interesting Italian names for girls. Currently very popular in its native Italy, Ludovica is an unusual path to all the great Lu nicknames, like Lulu and Lula.
- Lunetta
Description:
Lunetta is a charming feminine name with Italian origins, serving as a diminutive form of 'Luna,' meaning 'moon.' The suffix '-etta' adds a sense of delicacy and endearment, essentially translating to 'little moon.' This celestial name evokes images of gentle moonlight and carries a romantic, dreamy quality. Lunetta blends vintage appeal with whimsical energy, making it appealing to parents drawn to Italian nomenclature or astronomical themes. While not among the most common names, Lunetta has seen modest usage among those seeking something melodic and feminine with a touch of European flair. Its connection to the night sky gives it a naturally poetic quality.
- Madrigal
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"song for unaccompanied voices"Description:
Madrigal might be a pretty and highly distinctive choice for a child of a musical family--or for the parent looking for a less conventional path to the nickname Maddie than Madeline or Madison . Definitely more striking than Cadence or even the increasingly popular Aria.