Names ending in a

This Latin name, also spelled Alida, has come into focus via the interesting character of Aleida Diaz on Orange is the New Black, the mother of Dayanara. In real life, Che Gueverra named a daughter Aleida.

A name invented for a fairy in the Disney Tinker Bell series, played by Raven-Symoné.

Since this is strictly a male name in Slavic cultures, better to stick with the "Bella" spelling here.

Whether spelled Raffaela, Rafaela, Raffaella, or Raphaela, a euphonius name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image. Like Gabriella and Isabella, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.

Well used in Israel, likely to be confused with Ramona here.

A Polish form of the Lithuanian Danutė, the name Danuta is possibly a feminine form of the Hebrew Daniel, meaning "God is my judge", or an elaboration of Dana, a multicultural name meaning "gift" from the Slavic root danŭ, "wise" in Persian and Arabic, and "to judge" from Hebrew.

The Hebrew, Biblical form of Eve. While English speakers will likely find the forms Ava or Eve easier in everyday life, Chava is a lovely variation for a family that speaks Hebrew or Yiddish - plus, English speakers could always learn.

Asya has dual origins: it is both the Turkish word for Asia (the continent), and a short form of Anastasia in Russian and Bulgarian. Beyond that, it is a beautiful example of a "travelling light" name, in the style of Aria: short, elegant, and usable across different cultures.

Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.

This name of the goddess of peace creates a lovely ideal.

This fanciful Irish extension of Bridget is known here through the wacky Amelia Bedelia books for kids -- an association your child may or may not like.

A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties. Amapola, with the emphasis on the third syllable, is one flower name that has not been widely discovered.

Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.

One of the romantic names favored by British pastoral poets, more appealing in its longer form, Araminta.

Dreamy name occasionally used in the Philippines. The fashionable "raya" sound may garner some more attention for Hiraya.

Jagoda is a Top 50 choice in Poland and Croatia, where it is also the word for "berry" (in Croatian and other South Slavic languages, "strawberry"). Jagoda is also seen as a surname around the world.

Irish goddess and saint name that's strong, to say the least.

Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.

Chosen primarily by coveters of the sleek and spiffy German sports car, which is actually spelled Porsche. The Shakespearean version of the name is Portia. The one advantage of the Porsha spelling, popularized by Real Housewife Porsha Williams, is that is clarifies pronunciation.