Fanciful Names for Girls
- Arabella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"yielding to prayer"Description:
Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. Its meaning may also be interpreted as "beautiful," thanks to -bella.
- Arabelle
- Araceli
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"altar of the sky"Description:
Once-obscure Spanish name inching back up into the US Top 1000 girl names after a short break. Araceli Segarra is a noted mountain climber.
- Araluen
Origin:
Aboriginal AustralianMeaning:
"water lilies; place of the water lilies"Description:
Araluen is a beautiful Aboriginal Australian place name, used in several sites, always connected to the dainty water lily.
- Araminta
Origin:
Invented hybrid name from Arabella and AmintaDescription:
Araminta is an enchanting eighteenth-century invention familiar in Britain and just beginning to be discovered here. It was used in 1693 by William Congreve in his comedy The Old Bachelor, and in 1705 by the versatile Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace as well as a playwright, for his comedy The Confederacy.
- Arcelia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"treasure chest"Description:
Arcelia is an undiscovered Spanish treasure worth considering.
- Ardesia
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"slate, slate gray"Description:
An attractive Italian color and rock word name that doesn't sound anything like its meaning.
- Ariadne
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"most holy"Description:
This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest in the name falls in line with the revival of other mythological names like Apollo and Athena. The trendy nickname Ari doesn't hurt either.
- Ariane
- Arianell
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"silver"Description:
This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.
- Arielle
Origin:
French variation of ArielMeaning:
"lion of God"Description:
While not as popular as the Ariel spelling of Little Mermaid fame, this rendition has achieved popularity in its own right.
- Arietta
Origin:
Compound name, variation of HarrietMeaning:
"little song; little lion; home ruler"Description:
A name that is either inspired by the classic Harriet - and by the character Arrietty in The Borrowers - or, a compound name, merging Aria or Ari with Etta.
- Aristeia
Origin:
Literary term from GreekMeaning:
"the best"Description:
In epic poetry, the term aristeia is used to denote the climactic point where the hero/heroine has their finest hour. Aristeia feels at home with other big Greek names like Atalanta, Cassiopeia and Galatea. We think this name has potential for parents who think Poem, Saga and Rhapsody are too obvious.
- Aristella
- Armande
Origin:
French, feminine variation of ArmandDescription:
Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm.
- Arminda
- Ashira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"I will sing"Description:
Unusual name with stylish, silky feel.
- Athena
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"from Athens"Description:
The given name Athena was derived from the city name Athens, which is of uncertain origins. In Greek mythology, Athena is the name of the daughter of Zeus who was the goddess of wisdom, warfare, handicrafts, mathematics, and courage, among others. She was the great patroness-goddess of the city of Athens. In the Odyssey, Homer describes her as 'sparkling-eyed Athena.'
- Aubrette
- Audria