Female names - L-Z
- Psyche
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"breath"Description:
This name of the mortal girl loved by Eros is too loaded with psyche/psycho/psychic associations. The mythological Psyche became goddess of the soul.
- Radhiya
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"agreeable"Description:
See RADEYAH.
- Ramona
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of RamonMeaning:
"wise protector"Description:
Ramona is a sweet spot name – neither too trendy nor too eccentric. Kids will associate it with the clever Ramona Quimby character in the series of books by Beverly Cleary, also seen on TV. It was chosen by starcouple Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard for their little girl, who would be joined by sister Gloria.
- Raphaela
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine variation of RaphaelMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
- Ravenna
Origin:
Italian place-nameDescription:
Ravenna is a lovely, untouristed Italian place-name just waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its fantastic Byzantine mosaics, it's a city that has a rich historic and artistic heritage.
- River
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Most of the notable Rivers have been male, but this nature name certainly flows as well for a girl. The name River is still rising for both genders, with about 3500 baby boys receiving the name last year vs. 1900 baby girls.
- Rocio
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"dewdrops"Description:
This name, which refers to Mary as the Virgin of the Dew, is all but unknown in the Anglo community, but popular enough in Hispanic families to put it in the U. S. Top 1000, at least until 2006.
- Romaine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"a Roman"Description:
In this country, likely to conjure up visions of leafy lettuce.
- Romina
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"from the land of the Christians"Description:
This pretty name found in Spanish-speaking countries shares the diminutive of Romy—also spelled Romi—with Rosemary. It joined the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
- Rosalie
Origin:
French variation of Latin RosaliaMeaning:
"rose"Description:
Rosalie hit its apex in 1938 and then slid straight downhill until it fell off the U.S. Top 1000 completely in the 1980s, only to spring back to life in 2009 as the name of a character in the Twilight series. The beautiful vampire Rosalie Hale has breathed fresh life back into this mid-century name, and the fact that the character is both sympathetic and relatively minor means Rosalie has the chance to thrive again as a baby name without feeling unduly tied to Twilight.
- Rosalind
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"supple horse or pretty rose"Description:
Rosalind has a distinguished literary history – used and popularized by Edmund Spenser and Shakespeare via one of his most charming heroines, in As You Like It. Along with a bouquet of other Rose names, Rosalind might be ready for a comeback.
- Rosalinda
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"pretty rose"Description:
Rosalind feels fresher now.
- Rosamund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"horse protection"Description:
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation.
- Rosario
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"rosary"Description:
Anglo parents are taking note of this Latina classic, thanks to actress Rosario Dawson and a character on Will & Grace.
- Rowena
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white spear or famous friend"Description:
A fabled storybook name via the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), which featured a heroine called Rowena of Hargottstanstede, and also a Harry Potter name, as Rowena Ravenclaw, founder of one of the Hogwarts houses.. Rowena has some old-fashioned charm, though most modern parents seem to prefer Rowen. Pronunciation, however, is NOT like Rowen with an a at the end, but with a long e and an emphasis on the middle syllable. She was on the popularity list until 1963, several years in the Top 500.
- Rue
Origin:
Botanical names or word nameMeaning:
"herb; regret"Description:
Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in English and "street in" French. Despite these unfortunate secondary meanings, Rue has real potential to be one of the most popular new middle names for girls.
- Ruri
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"lapis lazuli"Description:
Naming babies after precious gems as a protection against evil spirits is an ancient Japanese tradition.
- Russet
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"reddish"Description:
Russell has gone away, but the more feminine Russet may move in to take his place.
- Sable
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"animal name"Description:
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both associations carry hints of luxury.
- Safiyya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"confidante, best friend"Description:
The fact that this is pronounced sah-FEE-yah would cause Western ears to hear it as Sophia.