A play on the popular last name trend (think gorgeous blond star Jean Harlow of the 1930s), this name means 'protector of the people.' The 1920s stunner Greta Garbo probably comes to mind this name is actually short for Gretchen - a German form of Margaret. It's short for Evangelina (Greek), 'bearer of good news,' or a variation on Eve (Hebrew), meaning 'life.'

This Greek name means something we all hope for in our kids: 'well spoken of.' It can also be short for Alfreda or Euphemia.Įva. This sweet fruit also means 'merciful' in Latin.Įffie. For your feisty girl, this Greek name is a cinnamon-like spice.Ĭlementine. Or go a little Greek with the unusual name Calliope, the muse of epic poetry also meaning 'beautiful voice.'Ĭassia. You'll be reminded of the pretty lily so often seen at weddings. It's the French version of Betty, meaning 'consecrated to God.'Ĭalla. Calling to mind the actresses Bette Midler and Bette Davis, this is one of a number of unique midcentury names that's sure to come back in vogue. A strong name for a strong little girl, this is the Italian form of Ariel, meaning 'lioness of God.'īette. Though the name is more common in French-speaking cultures, Francois is an unusual choice in the United States.Aria. Francoisįrancois is the French version of the English name Francis, and means 'free.' Notable people include two French presidents: Francois Mitterrand and Francois Hollande, who's known for legalizing same-sex marriage. You're unlikely to meet anyone named Dex, though you may come across a Dax or a Knox.

Dexĭex is a simple yet strong name reminiscent of Dexter, a Latin name meaning 'of the right hand.' As an English name, however, Dexter is an occupational surname for a person who dyed clothes for a living. If you like the sound of Darwin but want something less scientific, Edwin, Erwin, and Darin all have a similar vibe.

Darwinĭarwin is of Old English origin and means 'dear friend.' Most famously, it's the last name of Charles Darwin, who contributed the theory of natural selection to evolutionary sciences. Cornelius 'Neeley' Nolan is the protagonist's younger brother in the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Cornelius Agrippa is a celebrated German wizard in the Harry Potter series and Shakespeare used the name for characters in his plays Hamlet and Cymbeline. In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt was an American business magnate who expanded and improved upon the country's transportation infrastructure.

In the Bible, Cornelius is said to be a Roman centurion who was the first non-Jewish person to convert to Christianity. Cornelius is thought to derive from the Latin word for horn, but this name has a far broader meaning in history.

Most unique girl names