Names ending in a

Game of Thrones fans may recognize this as the name of the wily Wildling who helped protect Bran Stark for several seasons of the HBO show. George R.R. Martin has cited Harry Potter vet Natalia Tena's performance in the part as the one that most changed his understanding of a character he created.

Eliana is a multicultural name, popular in the US, the UK, The Netherlands, France and Brazil. With the popular nickname Ellie and the classic sounds of Anna and Eleanor, it is no wonder this name has caught on.

A minor goddess in Celtic mythology, associated with the river Aisne.

Louisiana is a geographic spin on the Louise theme. Pretty, if a bit of a syllable overload. Short form Lou or Lulu lightens it.

Along with Mika, a nickname for Mikael.

Romantic name, feminine form of the ancient name Romanus or the modern Roman, that may rise again with the league of Rom-beginning names that also include Romy and Romilly. Romana's downside: Easy to confuse with the more familiar Ramona.

Dahlia is getting more visible, and so Dahliana feels more plausible.

Also a masculine name in Ireland, this name denotes someone with good looks. Sounds like Kyla.

The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.

Eula is a slightly sweeter and more compact version of Eulalia. Currently, neither name is given to more than a handful of girls each year. Eula was fairly popular in the US during the early twentieth century, and she last ranked in the Top 1000 in 1960.

Derived from Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

A wonderful meaning for a bright and musical West African name.

Mishka is traditionally a masculine nickname in Russia but has become unisex along with Mischa, another common short form of Mikhail.

An unusual, haunting name, a distant cousin to the more popular Amber and Ember.

Unknown but eminently usable choice, especially for Jewish parents, with lovely meaning.

Diandra is one of many variations on Diana, but lacks its classic class. Associated with Michael Douglas's first wife, who is of Austrian heritage.