So picking a girls name has been ridiculously frustrating for me. And I have found that some names, which I love the look and sound of, lose their appeal due to their meaning. Such was the case with [name_f]Livia[/name_f], which is so beautiful and I just love how musical it feels when it rolls of my tongue. But the meaning (envious/blue) is unattractive and makes me like it a lot less.
I thought perhaps it could work the other way. Tell me your favorite girls/unisex names with beautiful meanings and perhaps one will jump out at me. Maybe a beautiful meaning will make the name itself more beautiful and I’ll find something I like!
Note: I don’t really like names with religious meanings. I’ve had people tell me “such and such name means ‘god is love’ (or similar) and that is just so beautiful!” And I appreciate that those are meaningful and beautiful to some people but I am Buddhist and pagan and names intimating the religious patriarchy are not really my cup of tea. Thanks in advance everyone!
I tried to include names in a variety of styles, so hopefully some of them appeal.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - bright
[name_f]Stella[/name_f] - star
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - noble
[name_f]Arabella[/name_f] - beautiful
[name_f]Esme[/name_f] - loved
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - happiness
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] - wisdom
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] - gentle horse/beautiful rose
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] - resolute protector
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] - joy
[name_f]Emily[/name_f] - hard working
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - strength in battle
[name_u]Emerson[/name_u] - brave
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] - beautiful
[name_f]Malinda[/name_f] - gentle
[name_f]Orazia[/name_f] - keeper of time
[name_u]Bellamy[/name_u] - beautiful friend
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] - defender
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - noble strength
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Greer[/name_f] - watchful
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f] - victory
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]/[name_f]Aurelie[/name_f] - golden
[name_f]Honora[/name_f] - woman of honor
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f] - beautiful voice, also the muse of epics/poetry in Greek mythology
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - pure, innocent
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - lioness
[name_u]Akira[/name_u] - bright
[name_f]Morgana[/name_f] - dweller of the sea
[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] - freedom
[name_f]Nadia[/name_f] - hope
[name_f]Eleanor/name_f - light
[name_f]Nora/name_f - light
[name_f]Leonora[/name_f] - light
[name_f]Valerie[/name_f] - brave
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] - noble
[name_f]Paloma[/name_f] - dove, symbol of peace
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f]/[name_f]Olive[/name_f] - olive/olive branch, another symbol of peace
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]/[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] - crowned with laurels/laurel plant respectively; a laurel crown is a symbol of victory
[name_f]Mairead[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Sylvia[/name_f]/[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] - from the forest
[name_u]Schuyler[/name_u]/[name_u]Skylar[/name_u] - scholar
[name_f]Fiorella[/name_f] - flower
[name_f]Ottilia[/name_f]/[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] - prosperity in battle
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]/[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] - light
[name_f]Ilaria[/name_f] - happy
[name_f]Mira[/name_f] - wonderful peace
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] - pleasant
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] - dawn
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] - happiness
Adilet - justice
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]/[name_f]Helena[/name_f] - bright one
[name_u]Shea[/name_u] - admirable
[name_u]Arden[/name_u] - great forest
[name_f]Amabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]- beautiful, beloved
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] - song of happiness
[name_f]Blythe[/name_f] - happy, cheerful
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] - universal
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - true
If you want to go a different route, [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is a name similar to [name_f]Livia[/name_f] that means lime tree; not exactly a “beautiful meaning”, but at least it’s not negative.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - bright
[name_f]Stella[/name_f] - star
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - noble
[name_f]Arabella[/name_f] - beautiful
[name_f]Esme[/name_f] - loved
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] - happiness
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] - wisdom
[name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] - gentle horse/beautiful rose
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] - resolute protector
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] - joy
[name_f]Emily[/name_f] - hard working
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] - strength in battle
[name_u]Emerson[/name_u] - brave
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] - beautiful
[name_f]Malinda[/name_f] - gentle
[name_f]Orazia[/name_f] - keeper of time
[name_u]Bellamy[/name_u] - beautiful friend
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f] - defender
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - noble strength
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Greer[/name_f] - watchful
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f] - victory
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]/[name_f]Aurelie[/name_f] - golden
[name_f]Honora[/name_f] - woman of honor
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f] - beautiful voice, also the muse of epics/poetry in Greek mythology
[name_f]Catherine[/name_f] - pure, innocent
[name_f]Leona[/name_f]/[name_f]Leonie[/name_f] - lioness
[name_u]Akira[/name_u] - bright
[name_f]Morgana[/name_f] - dweller of the sea
[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] - freedom
[name_f]Nadia[/name_f] - hope
[name_f]Eleanor/name_f - light
[name_f]Nora/name_f - light
[name_f]Leonora[/name_f] - light
[name_f]Valerie[/name_f] - brave
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] - noble
[name_f]Paloma[/name_f] - dove, symbol of peace
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f]/[name_f]Olive[/name_f] - olive/olive branch, another symbol of peace
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]/[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] - crowned with laurels/laurel plant respectively; a laurel crown is a symbol of victory
[name_f]Mairead[/name_f] - pearl
[name_f]Sylvia[/name_f]/[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f] - from the forest
[name_u]Schuyler[/name_u]/[name_u]Skylar[/name_u] - scholar
[name_f]Fiorella[/name_f] - flower
[name_f]Ottilia[/name_f]/[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f] - prosperity in battle
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]/[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] - light
[name_f]Ilaria[/name_f] - happy
[name_f]Mira[/name_f] - wonderful peace
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] - pleasant
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f] - dawn
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] - happiness
Adilet - justice
[name_f]Helen[/name_f]/[name_f]Helena[/name_f] - bright one
[name_u]Shea[/name_u] - admirable
[name_u]Arden[/name_u] - great forest
[name_f]Amabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]- beautiful, beloved
[name_f]Caroline[/name_f] - song of happiness
[name_f]Blythe[/name_f] - happy, cheerful
[name_f]Emma[/name_f] - universal
[name_f]Vera[/name_f] - true
If you want to go a different route, [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is a name similar to [name_f]Livia[/name_f] that means lime tree; not exactly a “beautiful meaning”, but at least it’s not negative.
I’m forever looking for names with good meanings, particularly as I want my first girl to have a meaning running through her name (like me). I agree with a lot of what you said.
[name_f]Pandora[/name_f]- All gifted
[name_f]Valencia[/name_f]/[name_u]Valentine[/name_u]/[name_f]Valentina[/name_f]- Strong/healthy
[name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]/[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]- She who brings happiness or voyager through time
[name_f]Sarah[/name_f]/[name_f]Sally[/name_f]- [name_f]Princess[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]- [name_f]Happy[/name_f], blessed
[name_f]Adira[/name_f]- Strong
[name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]- [name_u]Bright[/name_u]
[name_f]Clara[/name_f]- [name_u]Bright[/name_u]
[name_f]Lucia[/name_f]- [name_m]Light[/name_m]
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f]- Beautiful voice
[name_f]Evanthe[/name_f]- Good flower
Adelise/[name_f]Alice[/name_f]- [name_m]Noble[/name_m]
[name_f]Carys[/name_f]/[name_f]Cerys[/name_f]- [name_u]Love[/name_u]
[name_f]Ziva[/name_f]- [name_u]Bright[/name_u], radiant
Lowenna- [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
Sowenna- Success
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f]- [name_f]Dawn[/name_f]
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f]- Beautiful goddess
[name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]- [name_u]Bright[/name_u], dawn
[name_f]Allegra[/name_f]- Joyous
[name_f]Calista[/name_f]/[name_f]Calixta[/name_f]- Most beautiful
[name_f]Medora[/name_f]- Mother’s gift
[name_f]Astra[/name_f]- Of the stars
[name_f]Alcina[/name_f]- Strong willed
[name_f]Astraea[/name_f]- [name_f]Star[/name_f]
[name_f]Ilaria[/name_f]- [name_f]Cheerful[/name_f]/happy
[name_f]Antoinette[/name_f]- Priceless one
Aristeia- Best
[name_f]Roberta[/name_f]- [name_u]Bright[/name_u]
[name_f]Alberta[/name_f]- [name_m]Noble[/name_m]/bright
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]- Soul
[name_f]Enid[/name_f]- Life, spirit, soul
I love [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] but it is the name of one of the main characters in a novel I’m writing so I’m wondering if it would be weird to also use for my daughter.
Most of my favorite names got their places thanks to meaning.
[name_f]Katherine[/name_f] (as well as its variations including [name_f]Kaitlyn[/name_f]'s variations): Pure
[name_f]Alena[/name_f], [name_f]Ellen[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and every other variation of it: [name_m]Light[/name_m]
[name_f]Davina[/name_f], [name_f]Thais[/name_f], Amora: [name_u]Love[/name_u]
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]: [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
[name_f]Estel[/name_f]/[name_f]Estelle[/name_f]/[name_f]Estella[/name_f]/[name_f]Stella[/name_f]/[name_f]Estrela[/name_f]: [name_f]Star[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]: Beautiful
[name_f]Mattea[/name_f]: Gift Of God
[name_f]Mia[/name_f]: Wished for child
[name_f]Kara[/name_f]: Dear/[name_m]Friend[/name_m]
[name_f]Amaya[/name_f]: night rain
[name_f]Claire[/name_f]: [name_u]Bright[/name_u]
I also love [name_f]Emily[/name_f] which is said to mean “rival” and [name_f]Amelie[/name_f] which apparently means “work” and it gets me very very upset.
Meanings are important to me too, many beautiful names have been discarded because of their ‘ugly’ meanings! My favourite names with lovely meanings are [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Carys[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and Esmée
Others I love:
[name_f]Annabella[/name_f]~ Beautiful/ Graceful
[name_f]Amara[/name_f]~ [name_f]Eternal[/name_f]/ Peaceful
[name_f]Elysia[/name_f]~ [name_f]Heaven[/name_f] (I’m not religious, however I believe heaven (as a term) can mean something to everyone and is not limited to those that are religious)
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]~ [name_f]Emerald[/name_f]
[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]~ good news
[name_f]Evelina[/name_f]~ Life
[name_f]Florence[/name_f]~ Blossoming
[name_f]Iris[/name_f]~ [name_f]Rainbow[/name_f]
[name_f]Liv[/name_f]~ Life
[name_f]Nell[/name_f]~ [name_u]Bright[/name_u] shining one
[name_f]Noemi[/name_f]~ my delight
[name_f]Orla[/name_f]~ [name_u]Golden[/name_u] princess
[name_f]Thalia[/name_f]~ to flourish
[name_f]Valentina[/name_f]~ Strong/healthy
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]~ Life
As for [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] I would say that it depends on what your character is like, I.e a strong loyal character is a lovely namesake for at your daughter, a selfish narcissist not so much!
