Oregon Trail era names but for girls
- Veronica
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"she who brings victory; true image"Description:
The name Veronica projects a triple-threat image: at once saintly, sensuous, and strong. The name derives from Berenice, the Latin form of the Greek name Berenike "she who brings victory", with the spelling influenced by the Latin phrase vera icon "true image". Veronica was the name of the compassionate woman who wiped Jesus's face when he was on his way to Calvary and whose cloth was miraculously imprinted with his image: she is now the patron saint of photographers.
- Vesta
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"pure"Description:
The name of the Roman goddess of the household is not recommended for your little goddess.
- Victoria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"victory"Description:
Victoria is the Latin word for "victory" and a feminine form of Victor. It is the name of the ancient Roman goddess of victory, the equivalent of the Greek Nike, and also a popular third century saint.
- Vienna
Origin:
Place-name: the capital of AustriaDescription:
Vienna is one of the more popular of the European place-names, with a particularly pleasant sound, evoking elegant images of the Blue Danube, of castles and cafes, sweets and sausages and Strauss waltzes—and Sigmund Freud. It could be a possible substitute for the popular Sienna.
- Viola
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"violet"Description:
Viola has several positive elements going for it: the rhythm of the musical instrument, the association with the flower, the trending 'Vi' beginning and its leading role in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
- Violet
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"purple"Description:
Violet is soft and sweet, yet with a vivacious edge.
- Violetta
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"purple"Description:
Violetta is a more vibrantly colored, feminissima form of Violet. It is the name of the heroine of the Verdi opera La Traviata--in fact Violetta was the original title of the work.
- Virgilia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Virgil, LatinMeaning:
"staff bearer"Description:
This Shakespearean name is even more out of step than its male counterpart, but it may possibly be so far out it could make its way back in.
- Virginia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"virginal, pure"Description:
Virginia is a lovely place name starting with the fashionable V and having deep historical roots, yet, unlike some other other girls' classics, has been sorely neglected in recent years.
- Vibilia
- Whitney
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"white island"Description:
Yesterday's sensation that rose with the popularity of Whitney Houston. Whitney may have lost some of its style value, but it still sounds like one of the quintessential English names for girls. Today, you might want to shorten it to cool nickname Whit.
- Wilhelmina
Origin:
German, feminine variation of WilhelmMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
Wilhelmina was long burdened with the Old Dutch cleanser image of thick blond braids and clunky wooden clogs, but that started to be changed somewhat by the dynamic Vanessa Williams character on Ugly Betty, and even further by the choice of Wilhelmina by ace baby namers Natalie and Taylor Hanson. For the less adventurous, Willa is, for now, still a more user-friendly female equivalent of William.
- Willa
Origin:
Feminine variation of WilliamMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
Willa has become increasingly fashionable, with its combination of Willa (born Wilella) Cather-like pioneer strength and the graceful beauty of the willow tree.
- Winnie
Origin:
English diminutive of WinifredMeaning:
"holy peacemaking, gentle friend"Description:
This pet form of such names as Winifred and Edwina and Gwendolyn has loads of vintage charm, a la Millie and Maisie, with a decidedly winning vibe. And it just got celebrity cred as the baby daughter of Jimmy Fallon.
- Winnifred
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"blessed peacemaker"Description:
The double 'n's in this spelling variation of vintage Winifred aesthetically looks closer to the loveable nickname Winnie which is likely the appeal for many parents. Winnifred, along with several other Win names, from vintage revivals Winnie and Winona to modern Winter and Winslow, is on the rise.
- Winny
- Zarah
- Zephaniah
- Zerelda
Description:
Though the etymology of this name is unclear, it had modest usage in the United States during the nineteenth century. Zerelda has a double connection to outlaw Jesse James: Zerelda James was his mother, and Zerelda Mimms was his wife and first cousin. Zerelda G. Wallace was a temperance activist and a women's suffragist during the same era. All three of these Zereldas were born in Kentucky.
- Zillah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"shade"Description:
A light, bohemian-sounding biblical name, mentioned in the bible as a wife of Lamech, one of the first men.