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$Title{Names for Girls:  A}
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Editors of Consumer Guide
Harder, Kelsey}
$Subject{Names Girls A}
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The Ultimate Baby Name Book


Names for Girls:  A


Abageal (see Abigail)

Abbey, Abbi, Abbie, Abby (see Abigail)

Abigail            Hebrew Avigayil, "father of joy."  In the Old Testament,
                   Abigail was the wife of King David.  This name was always
                   more popular than the name of David's better-known wife,
                   Bathsheba, until the seventeenth century when Abigail
                   became associated with a lady's maid.
    Famous names:  Abigail Adams (first lady)
                   Abby Dalton (actress)
                   Abigail Van Buren (advice columnist)
                   Gail Sheehy (author)
                   Gale Storm (actress)
       Nicknames:  Abbey, Abbi, Abbie, Abby, Gael, Gail, Gale, Gayle
       Variation:  Abaigeal (Irish)

Abra               Feminine form of Abraham, Hebrew "exalted father."  The
                   meaning of this name is so masculine that Abra is a very
                   unusual name for a girl.

Ada                Possibly a form of Adelaide; Old English, "prosperous,
                   happy"; or Old German adal, "noble"; or Hebrew adah,
                   "ornament."  In the Bible, Adah was one of the daughters
                   of Adam and Eve, and the wife of Cain.  George Gordon,
                   Lord Byron, used the name in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.
                   Charles Dickens used the name in Bleak House, and Vladimir
                   Nabakov, in Ada.  This name was more popular in the
                   nineteenth century than it is today, but its simple rhythm
                   makes Ada an attractive alternative to Ann as a middle
                   name.
     Famous name:  Adah Menken (actress)
  Other spelling:  Adda
       Nicknames:  Adey, Addie, Adi, Adie
      Variations:  Adah (Hebrew), Aida (Italian), Eada (Old English), Eda
                   (German), Etta (German)

Adah (see Ada)

Adal (see Ethel)

Adale (see Ethel)

Adalia             Old German athala, "noble."  This name is gaining
                   popularity and may soon become as popular as the variation
                   Ethel was forty years ago.
       Nicknames:  Addy, Addie, Del, Dela
      Variations:  Adel, Adela, Adelia, Athala, Edel, Ethel

Addala (see Adelaide)

Addie, Addy (see Ada, Adalia, Adela, Adelaide, Adeline, Adrienne)

Adel (see Adalia)

Adela              Old German athal, "noble."  At the time of the Norman
                   Conquest, Adela was a nickname.  William the Conqueror
                   called one of his daughters Adela.  The name has always
                   been more popular in continental Europe, particularly in
                   France, than in England and the United States.  The French
                   spelling with an accent over the e was often used by the
                   Victorians.
     Famous name:  Adela Rogers St. Johns (writer)
  Other spelling:  Adella
       Nicknames:  Addie, Del, Dela, Deli
      Variations:  Adalia, Addala, Adele (French), Adelina (Spanish), Adeline,
                   Adelle, Alita (Spanish)

Adelaida (see Adelaide)

Adelaide           Old German adelhaid, "a noble rank," from athal [noble] and
                   haidu [rank].  The names of British monarchs have always
                   been popular with their subjects.  Adelaide, the wife of
                   William IV, made this name popular in England and the
                   Commonwealth in the nineteenth century.  The capital of
                   South Australia was named for her in 1836.
     Famous name:  Adelaide Ann Procter (poet)
       Nicknames:  Ada, Addie, Addy, Del, Della, Heidi (German)
      Variations:  Addala, Adelaida (Italian), Adele (French), Adelheid
                   (German), Adelina (Spanish), Azalais, Edeline, Odiline

Adele (see Adelaide)

Adelheid (see Adelaide)

Adelia (see Adalia)

Adelicia (see Alice)

Adelina (see Adelaide, Adeline)

Adelinda (see Adeline)

Adeline            Old German from athal, "noble."  Adeline is a Norman name.
                   Until the fifteenth century, it was more popular in Great
                   Britain than Adelaide.  Although it isn't used very often
                   in the United States, barbershop quartets have been singing
                   about Adeline for many year, paving the way for the "Sweet
                   Adelines," today's feminine versions of these singing
                   groups.
     Famous name:  Adelina Patti (soprano)
  Other spelling:  Adaline
       Nicknames:  Addle, Addy, Lena, Linda
      Variations:  Adelina (French), Adelinda, Alina, Aline, Alyna, Arelene

Adey, Adi, Adie (see Ada and Adelaide)

Adonica            Possibly Latin "sweet."  This is a relatively new name
                   with little history.

Adrana (see Adrienne)

Adrea (see Adrienne)

Adreana (see Adrienne)

Adria (see Adrienne)

Adriana, Adrianna (see Adrienne)

Adriane (see Adrienne)

Adrienne           French feminine form of Adrian, Latin "from the Adriatic."
                   Like other French girls' names, Adrienne became popular in
                   the United States in the 1980s.
     Famous name:  Adrienne Rich (author)
 Other spellings:  Adrian, Adrianne
       Nicknames:  Addie, Addy, Reenie
      Variations:  Adrana, Adrea, Adreana, Adria, Adriana (Italian and
                   Spanish), Adriane (German), Adrianna

Aegidia (see Agatha)

Afra               Hebrew "peaceful ruler."  Aphra Behn was the first woman
                   writer to make a living with her writing using her own
                   name.  She lived in the seventeenth century.
  Other spelling:  Aphra

Ag (see Agatha, Agnes)

Agace (see Agatha)

Agacia (see Agatha)

Agade (see Agatha)

Agafia (see Agatha)

Agafrita (see Agapy)

Agapitta (see Agapy)

Agapy              Greek agape, "spiritual love."  Parents in English-speaking
                   countries don't often pick this name.
      Variations:  Agafrita, Agapitta, Ajapita, Areopaquita, Arropajita,
                   Arupaguita, Ogahita, Ogapita

Agaritam (see Agatha)

Agase (see Agatha)

Agata (see Agatha)

Agatha             Greek agathos, "good."  This name was very popular during
                   the Middle Ages because of the third-century St. Agatha of
                   Sicily.  This Christian martyr suffered horrid tortures
                   for rebuffing the advances of the consul Quintian and for
                   refusing to repudiate her Christian faith.  The veil of St.
                   Agatha is believed to have saved the city of Catania,
                   Sicily, from the nearby volcano, Mt. Etna.  This explains
                   why St. Agatha is the patron saint of fire protection.  The
                   name is best known today because of Agatha Christie, the
                   creator of the famous fictional sleuths Jane Marple and
                   Hercule Poirot.
       Nicknames:  Ag, Aggi, Aggie, Agy
      Variations:  Aegidia, Agace (French), Agacia (Latin), Agade, Agafia
                   (Russian), Agaritam, Agase, Agata (Irish, Italian, Polish,
                   and Spanish), Agathe (French), Agathy, Agueadita, Agueda
                   (Spanish), Augatia, Ayguda, Gatha, Gytha (German), Oguda

Agathe, Agathy (see Agatha)

Agelita (see Angela)

Aggi, Aggie, Aggy (see Agatha, Agnes)

Agnatia (see Agnes)

Agneda (see Agnes)

Agnella (see Agnes)

Agnes              Greek hagnos, "chaste, pure."  At the age of thirteen, St.
                   Agnes was beheaded in Rome because she would not worship
                   the goddess Minerva.  She is the guardian of teenagers, and
                   her symbol is the lamb.  The saint's association with
                   purity and innocence made Agnes a very popular name until
                   the end of the seventeenth century.  Poets John Keats and
                   Alfred, Lord Tennyson, wrote poems celebrating St. Agnes's
                   Eve (January 20).  The variations Ines and Inez continue to
                   be popular in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries,
                   because of the romantic story of Inez de Castro, who was
                   ordered slain by her father-in-law, King Alfonso of
                   Portugal, after he discovered her secret marriage to his
                   son, Don Pedro.  When Don Pedro took the throne, he crowned
                   his dead bride.  The Welsh variation Nancy is a popular
                   name in English-speaking countries today.
    Famous names:  Agnes De Mille (choreographer)
                   Agnes Moorehead (actress)
       Nicknames:  Ag, Aggie, Aggy, Nessa, Nessi, Nessie, Nesta, Neysa, Nessy
      Variations:  Agnatia, Agneda, Agnella (Italian), Agnese (Italian),
                   Agnesita, Agneta (Swedish), Aigneis (Irish), Anis, Annais,
                   Annes, Annis (English), Annise (English), Annot, Eines,
                   Enass, Enes, Ines (Portuguese), Inez (Spanish), Nancy
                   (Welsh), Nevsa, Nezika, Taggy, Una, Uness, Ynes, Ynez
                   (Spanish)

Agnese (see Agnes)

Agnesita (see Agnes)

Agneta (see Agnes)

Agnola (see Angela)

Agueadita (see Agatha)

Agueda (see Agatha)

Agy (see Agatha)

Aida               French aidier, "to help"; also, a variation of Ada.
                   Verdi's opera Aida is about a slave girl in Egypt, who is
                   really the daughter of Amonasro, the king of Ethiopia.

Aigneis (see Agnes)

Aileen             Irish form of Helen; or a variation of Eileen.
     Famous name:  Aileen Quinn (actress)
 Other spellings:  Ailene, Ailleen

Ailene (see Aileen, Helen)

Ailis (see Alice)

Ailleen (see Aileen, Helen)

Ailsa (see Elizabeth)

Aime, Aimee        From Latin amia, "beloved," from Latin amor, "to love."
                   This very popular French name is becoming a popular choice
                   for parents in United States, although the English name Amy
                   is still more popular.
    Famous names:  Aimee Duvivier (artist)
                   Aimee Semple MacPherson (evangelist)
 Other spellings:  Ame, Ami, Amy
      Variations:  Amada, Amadia, Amadida, Amadore, Amadre, Amata (Italian),
                   Amelita, Amicia, Amity, Amoret, Amoretta, Amorette,
                   Amorita, Dore, Omada

Ain                Arabic "eye."  The metaphoric meaning of this name is
                   "precious."

Aindrea (see Andrea)

Aine (see Anne)

Aingeal (see Angela)

Aisha              Arabic from Ayesha, a wife of the prophet Mohammed.  This
                   name is becoming very popular in the United States,
                   especially with Black-Americans.
      Variations:  Asha, Ashia, Asia, Ayesha

Ajapita (see Agapy)

Alaina             Feminine form of Alan, Celtic "peaceful."

Alaine (see Alana, Alanna)

Alamea             Hawaiian "precious."

Alana, Alanna      Irish "dear child" or "my child"; also feminine forms of
                   Alan, Gaelic "peaceful."
      Variations:  Alaine, Alayne, Alina, Allene, Allyn, Lana, Lanna

Alayne (see Alana, Alanna)

Alba (see Alberta)

Alberta            Old German athal [noble] and berhta [bright].  This
                   feminine form of Albert is not a favorite with American
                   parents, although the nickname Tina is very popular.
       Nicknames:  Allie, Berta, Berte, Berti, Bertie, Berty, Tina
      Variations:  Alba, Albertina (Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish),
                   Albertine (French), Aubine, Elberta (Spanish), Elbertina

Albertina (see Alberta)

Albertine (see Alberta)

Albina             Latin albus, "white" or "blonde."
       Variation:  Albinia

Albinia (see Albina)

Albira (see Elvira)

Alda               Feminine form of Aldous, German "old" or "wise."

Aleen (see Eileen)

Alejandra (see Alexandra)

Aleka (see Alexandra)

Alena (see Eileen)

Alene (see Eileen)

Alessandra (see Alexandra)

Alethea            Greek "truth"; or a variation of Alice.

Alex (see Alexandra)

Alexa (see Alexandra)

Alexandra          Form of Greek Alexandros, "protector of mankind."  In
                   Russia, many princesses were named Alexandra.  The name's
                   association with royalty goes back to Roman times with
                   Queen Alexandra of Judae, who died in 69 B.C.  In England,
                   Alexandra Rose Day (June 26) was designated in honor of
                   Alexandra, the daughter of King Christian IV of Denmark,
                   who married Prince Albert (later King Edward VII).  In the
                   United States from the 1940s through the 1960s, the
                   shortened form Sandra ranked among the top-50 first names.
                   In the mid-1980s, the older forms of Alexandra and
                   Alexandria made a comeback.
    Famous names:  Sandra Dee (actress)
                   Sandra Day O'Connor (U.S. Supreme Court justice)
       Nicknames:  Aleka (Greek), Alex, Alexa, Alla, Lexi, Lexie, Sandi,
                   Sandie, Sandy, Sasha
      Variations:  Alejandra (Spanish), Alessandra (Spanish), Alexandria,
                   Alexandrina (Portuguese), Alexandrine (French), Alexine,
                   Alexis, Lexine, Sandra, Sondra, Zandra

Alexandria (see Alexandra)

Alexandrina (see Alexandra)

Alexandrine (see Alexandra)

Alexine (see Alexandra)

Alexis             Form of Alexandra.  On the television series Dynasty, Joan
                   Collins plays Alexis.
     Famous name:  Alexis Smith (actress)

Ali (see Alicia, Alice, Alison)

Alice              Old German adalhaidis, "of nobility."  This name developed
                   in the twelfth century as an abbreviated form of Alicia.
                   Chaucer used the name Alison in "The Miller's Tale," but
                   the best-known fictional Alice is the central character of
                   Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and
                   through the Looking Glass.  These books may have been
                   responsible for the popularity of the name in the
                   late-nineteenth century.  In keeping with Carroll's spunky
                   Alice, the outspoken daughter of President Theodore
                   Roosevelt also provoked imitation; even her preference for
                   pastels was widely imitated and a new color, Alice-blue,
                   was named in her honor.  The name is again becoming popular
                   in the form of Alison.
    Famous names:  Ali MacGraw (actress)
                   Alice B. Toklas (writer)
                   Alice Walker (author)
                   Ally Sheedy (actress)
                   Allyce Beasley (actress)
 Other spellings:  Alis, Allyce, Alyce, Alys
       Nicknames:  Ali, Allie, Ally
      Variations:  Adelicia (German), Ailis (Irish), Alethea, Alicia
                   (Italian, Spanish, and Swedish), Alisa, Alisha, Alison,
                   Allison, Alissa, Alix (French), Aliza, Allyce, Alycia,
                   Alyssa, Chichi, Chita, Ellicia, Elsa (Swedish), Else
                   (Danish), Elsie, Letty, Lissa, Lissy, Olicia

Alicia             Italian, Spanish, or Swedish variation of Alice.
     Famous name:  Alicia Markova (ballerina)
 Other spellings:  Allycia, Alycia
       Nicknames:  Ali, Allie, Ally, Licia, Lisha, Lissa, Lissy

Alie (see Alison)

Alina (see Adeline, Alana, Alanna)

Aline (see Adeline)

Alis (see Alice)

Alisa (see Alice, Elizabeth)

Alisha (see Alice, Alison)

Alison             Form of Alice and Louise.
    Famous names:  Alison Fraser (actress)
                   Alison Lurie (novelist)
 Other spellings:  Allison, Allyson, Alyson
       Nicknames:  Ali, Alie, Ally
      Variations:  Alice, Alisha, Alissa, Allsun (Irish), Lissie

Alissa (see Alice, Alison)

Alix (see Alice)

Aliza (see Alice)

Alla (see Alexandra)

Allegra            Italian "lively, cheerful, gay, sprightly."
     Famous name:  Allegra Kent (ballerina)

Allene (see Alana, Alanna)

Allie, Ally (see Alberta, Alice, Alicia, Louise)

Allison (see Alison)

Allsun (see Alison)

Allyce (see Alice)

Allycia (see Alicia)

Allyn (see Alana, Alanna)

Allyson (see Alison)

Alma               Italian "the soul" or "loving, cherishing, kind"; or
                   Hebrew almah, "maiden."  The Roman term Alma Mater,
                   "bounteous mother," was used for several goddesses.  In
                   1854 during the Crimean War, the British and French
                   defeated the Russians in the Battle of Alma.  The name was
                   popular in England and the United States until shortly
                   after the turn of the century.
     Famous name:  Alma Gluck (soprano)

Almira             Spanish "the woman from the city of Almira."

Aloisa (see Louise)

Aloyse (see Louise)

Aloysia (see Louise)

Alva               Latin "white."

Alvina             Feminine form of Alvin, Old English "noble friend."
      Variations:  Elvena, Elvina, Elvine

Alvirra (see Elvira)

Alvirum (see Elvira)

Alyce (see Alice)

Alycia (see Alice, Alicia)

Alyna (see Adeline)

Alyne (see Eileen)

Alys (see Alice)

Alyson (see Alison)

Alyssa (see Alice)

Ama Ewe (Ghana) "born on Saturday."

Amabel             Latin amabilis, "lovable" or "loving."  This name is much
                   older than the more-popular name Annabell, but few parents
                   choose it today.
       Variation:  Mabel

Amada (see Aime)

Amadia (see Aime)

Amadida (see Aime)

Amadore (see Aime)

Amadre (see Aime)

Amalea (see Amelia, Emily)

Amalia (see Amelia, Emily)

Amalie (see Amelia, Emily)

Amalija (see Amelia)

Amanda             Latin "worthy of love."  In the seventeenth century, the
                   writers of Restoration plays liked to give their female
                   characters pleasant names, and Amanda is one of these
                   names.  Over the last 300 years, the name hasn't been used
                   very much, but in England in the 1960s, it suddenly became
                   popular again.  In the United States, Amanda was the fifth
                   most-popular name in 1984.
     Famous name:  Amanda Plummer (actress)
       Nicknames:  Manda, Mandie, Mandy
      Variations:  Amandine (French), Amata (Spanish), Amenda, Ammendiana,
                   Ananda, Mandaline, Mandita, Nanda

Amandine (see Amanda)

Amaryllis          Greek "lily."  This "flower" name traditionally has the
                   connotation of renewal.

Amata (see Aime, Amanda, Amy)

Amber              Arabic anbar, "amber," a pale yellow or green fossil resin
                   used to make jewelry.  This relatively new name has
                   recently become more popular than it has ever been.  In the
                   late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, "jewel"
                   names were at the height of their popularity.  But unlike
                   Pearl and Ruby, which are almost never used today, Amber
                   was one of the top-20 girls' names in 1984.

Ame (see Aime, Amy)

Amelia             German Amalie probably from Old German amal, "work."  This
                   name may also be a variation of Emily, or it may be a
                   feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius.  It was a
                   popular name in post-Roman Europe.  In England, Amelia
                   became popular in the eighteenth century, when Henry
                   Fielding used it for the title character of his popular
                   novel.
    Famous names:  Amelia Curran (artist)
                   Amelia Earhart (aviatrix)
       Nicknames:  Amy, Em, Emmi, Emmie, Emmy, Mellie, Melly, Millie, Milly
      Variations:  Amalea, Amalia (Spanish), Amalie (German), Amalija
                   (Russian), Amelie (French), Amelina, Ameline, Amelita,
                   Emelie, Emelina, Emeline, Emelita, Emilia, Emily, Emmeline

Amelie (see Amelia, Emily)

Amelina (see Amelia)

Ameline (see Amelia)

Amelita (see Aime, Amelia)

Amenda (see Amanda)

Ami (see Aime, Amy)

Amicia (see Aime)

Amilia (see Emily)

Amity              Latin "friendly"; also, a form of Aime.

Ammendiana (see Amanda)

Amoret (see Aime)

Amoretta (see Aime, Amorette, Amy)

Amorette           French "darling, dearest, little loved one."
       Nicknames:  Amy, Etta
      Variations:  Amoretta, Moretta

Amorita (see Aime, Amy)

Amy                Form of Aime or Amelia; or English variation of French
                   Aimee.  This name may stem from the Latin amare, "beloved."
                   This name has long been popular in England, and it has
                   become a favorite in the United States, partly because of
                   the childhood classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and
                   the 1933 movie based on the novel.  The names of all four
                   sisters--Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy--enjoyed tremendous
                   popularity during the first half of the twentieth century.
                   Both Amy and Beth continue to be popular today.
    Famous names:  Amy Alcott (golfer)
                   Amy Grant (singer)
                   Amy Irving (actress)
                   Amy Lowell (poet)
                   Amy Madigan (actress)
 Other spellings:  Aime, Ame, Ami, Amye
      Variations:  Aimee (French), Amata (Italian), Amelia, Amoretta
                   (Italian), Amorita (Spanish), Amye, Esma, Esme

Ana (see Anne)

Anabel (see Annabel, Annabelle)

Anais (see Anne)

Ananda (see Amanda)

Anastasia          Russian from Greek "resurrection."  Books and movies have
                   been made about the legendary Anastasia Romanov, the
                   daughter of Nicholas II.  At least two women have claimed
                   to be Anastasia.  Each says that she escaped the massacre
                   of the royal family by Bolsheviks during the Russian
                   Revolution, but neither woman's claim was ever proved.  The
                   name has become associated with royalty and romance.
       Nicknames:  Anty, Natya, Stacey, Stacie, Stacy, Tracie, Tracy, Tracey
      Variations:  Anstice, Nastasia, Nasteka

Andi, Andie (see Andrea)

Andona (see Antonia)

Andonia (see Antonia)

Andre (see Audrey)

Andrea             Feminine form of Andrew, Greek "strong" or "manly."  This
                   name has such masculine connotations that it's no surprise
                   that Andrea did not become popular in the United States
                   and England until the second half of the twentieth century.
                   Since 1960, it has been one of the top-50 girls' names.
    Famous names:  Andrea Jaeger (tennis player)
                   Andrea Martin (comedienne)
                   Andrea McArdle (actress)
       Nicknames:  Andi, Andie, Andy
      Variations:  Aindrea (Irish), Andreana (Italian), Andree (French),
                   Andri, Andria, Andriana, Andrina (Greek)

Andreana (see Andrea)

Andree, Andri (see Andrea)

Andria (see Andrea)

Andriana (see Andrea)

Andrie (see Audrey)

Andrina (see Andrea)

Andy (see Andrea)

Ane (see Anne)

Aneta (see Anne)

Anette (see Anne)

Angel (see Angela)

Angela             Latin angelus, "angel," and Greek angelos, "messenger."
                   This was a favorite name throughout Christian times until
                   the Puritans rejected its use.  They regarded it as too
                   sacred for use by mortals.  Angela Merici founded the first
                   order of women teachers, the Ursuline order, but it wasn't
                   until 1807, 300 years after her death, that she was
                   canonized.  In literature, the name has often been used.
                   In the form of Angelica it was used by Congreve in Love for
                   Love and by Thackeray in The Rose and the Ring.  Today, the
                   name is enjoying renewed popularity.
    Famous names:  Angie Dickinson (actress)
                   Angela Lansbury (actress)
       Nicknames:  Angel, Angie
      Variations:  Agelita, Agnola, Aingeal (Irish), Angelana, Angele
                   (French), Angelica, Angelina (Italian and Portuguese),
                   Angeline, Angelique (Dutch and French), Angelot, Angilino,
                   Angiola (Italian), Angioletta (Italian), Anjelo, Anjileta,
                   Engel

Angelana (see Angela)

Angele (see Angela)

Angelica           Middle Latin "sweet smelling."
     Famous name:  Anjelica Huston (actress)
      Variations:  Angela, Angelika (German), Angelique (French), Anjelica

Angelika (see Angelica)

Angelina (see Angela)

Angeline (see Angela)

Angelique (see Angela, Angelica)

Angelot (see Angela)

Angie (see Angela)

Angilino (see Angela)

Angiola (see Angela)

Angioletta (see Angela)

Ani (see Annie)

Ania (see Anne)

Anica (see Anne)

Anika (see Anne)

Anilla (see Anne)

Anis (see Agnes)

Anissa (see Anne)

Anita              Spanish form of Anne.
     Famous name:  Anita O'Day (singer)

Anitra (see Anne)

Anjelica (see Angelica)

Anjelo (see Angela)

Anjileta (see Angela)

Ann                Variation of Anne and Hannah.  In its many forms, this name
                   has been a favorite throughout history, and its popularity
                   continues today.  The three-letter version may have
                   developed in England in the thirteenth century as an
                   abbreviation of the French name Anne.
    Famous names:  Ann Beattie (author)
                   Ann-Margret (actress)
  Other spelling:  Anne
       Nicknames:  Annie, Anny, Nan, Nancy, Nita

Ann-Marie (see Annemarie)

Anna               Variation of Anne and Hannah; also, Russian "graceful."  In
                   England, this form of the name was used until the French
                   version Anne took precedence.  In Russia, Anna has
                   maintained its popularity.  The tragic heroine of Count Leo
                   Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina may be the best-known Anna in
                   literature.
    Famous names:  Anna Magnani (actress)
                   Anna Pavlova (ballerina)

Annabel,           Variations of Anna or Amabel.  Names formed with -bel have
Annabelle          not been popular in the twentieth century.  But thanks to
                   Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Annabel Lee," this name will never
                   be entirely forgotten.
     Famous name:  Annabel Schofield (actress)
 Other spellings:  Anabel, Annabella

Annabella (see Annabel, Annabelle)

Annah (see Anne)

Annais (see Agnes)

Annchen (see Anne)

Anne               Hebrew Hannah, "grace," "gracious," or "God has favored
                   me."  Anne with an e developed in France and was adopted in
                   England in the twelfth or thirteenth century.  The name
                   has been extremely popular throughout history and continues
                   to be a favorite name today, particularly in combination
                   with other names.  Tradition has it that St. Anne was the
                   mother of the Virgin Mary, although she is not mentioned in
                   the Bible.  The name has long been used by royalty,
                   including Anne of Bohemia, the wife of Richard II; Anne
                   Neville, the wife of Richard III; two wives of Henry VIII,
                   Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves; Anne of Denmark, wife of
                   James I of Scotland; and Queen Anne, the last reigning
                   Stuart.  Princess Anne is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth
                   II of England.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery was
                   published in 1908.  Today, many celebrated American women
                   share the name, including three prominent authors who have
                   garnered both critical acclaim and best-selling status,
                   Anne Lindbergh, Anne Rice, and Anne Tyler.
    Famous names:  Anne Archer (actress)
                   Anne Bancroft (actress)
 Other spellings:  Ann, Ayn
       Nicknames:  Ani, Annie, Anny, Nan, Nancy, Nita
      Variations:  Aine (Irish), Ana (Israeli and Portuguese), Anais (French),
                   Ane, Aneta, Anette, Ania, Anica (Spanish), Anika (Swedish),
                   Anilla, Anissa, Anita (Spanish), Anitra, Ann, Anna
                   (German), Annah, Annchen (German), Annette (French), Annica
                   (Italian), Annice, Annie, Annika (Danish), Annina, Anninka
                   (Russian), Annora (Scottish), Annuschka (Russian), Annuska
                   (Hungarian), Annusia, Annze, Anouska (Russian), Antje
                   (Dutch), Ayna (Russian), Fanny, Hannah (Greek and
                   Hungarian), Nana, Nanita, Nanna (Swedish), Nanette
                   (French), Nanni, Nannie, Nanny, Nanon (French), Nanty
                   (Scottish), Nettie, Nina, Ninnette, Ninon (French), Oni

Anne-Marie (see Annemarie)

Annemarie          Combination of Anne and Marie.
      Variations:  Annmarie, Ann-Marie, Anne-Marie

Annes (see Agnes)

Annette            French variation of Anne.
    Famous names:  Annette Funicello (actress)
                   Annette O'Toole (actress)

Annica (see Anne)

Annice (see Anne)

Annie              Form of Anne; also, a variation of Hannah.  This name began
                   as a nickname for Anne, but it became a name in its own
                   right long before the 1970 Broadway musical Annie.  Diane
                   Keaton played the title character in Woody Allen's movie
                   Annie Hall.  "Fair Annie" is an ancient ballad, and Sir
                   Walter Scott used the name in The Bride of Lammermoor.
    Famous names:  Annie Dillard (writer)
                   Annie Leibovitz (photographer)
 Other spellings:  Ani, Anny

Annika (see Anne)

Annina (see Anne)

Anninka (see Anne)

Annis, Annise (see Agnes)

Annmarie (see Annemarie)

Annora (see Anne)

Annot (see Agnes)

Annunciacion (see Annunciate)

Annunciana (see Annunciate)

Annunciata         Latin "bearer of news."  This name honors the angel's
                   announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear a child
                   who would be the son of God.
      Variations:  Annunciacion, Anunziata, Annunciana (Spanish), Nunciata
                   (English), Nunziata (Italian)

Annuschka (see Anne)

Annusia (see Anne)

Annuska (see Anne)

Anny (see Ann, Anne, Annie)

Annze (see Anne)

Anouska (see Anne)

Anstice (see Anastasia)

Anthea             Greek "flower."  This name is the Greek equivalent of the
                   Latin name Flora and the French name Fleur.
  Other spelling:  Anthia

Anthia (see Anthea)

Antigone           Greek "not born."  In ancient Greek literature, Antigone
                   was the daughter of Oedipus, who followed her father into
                   exile.  She was killed because she disobeyed the orders of
                   the new king and buried the bodies of her brothers.

Antje (see Anne)

Antoinette (see Antonia)

Antolima (see Antonia)

Antoliona (see Antonia)

Antonetta (see Antonia)

Antonia            Feminine form of Anthony, Latin "priceless one."  Marie
                   Antoinette was the wife of Louis XVI.  She was beheaded
                   during the French Revolution.  While Antonia is a popular
                   name in England, the name is unusual in the United States
                   except in a shortened form, such as Tonie or Tonia.
     Famous name:  Antonia Fraser (historian and novelist)
       Nicknames:  Netta, Nettie, Netty, Nina, Tanya (Russian), Toni
                   (German), Tonia, Tonie, Tony
      Variations:  Andona, Andonia, Antoinette (French), Antolima, Antoliona,
                   Antonetta (Swedish), Antonie (German), Antonietta
                   (Italian), Antonina (Russian), Antora

Antonie (see Antonia)

Antonietta (see Antonia)

Antonina (see Antonia)

Antora (see Antonia)

Anty (see Anastasia)

Anunziata (see Annunciata)

Aphra (see Afra)

April              Latin aprilis, "open to the sun."  April is the
                   most-popular "month" name.  In the Roman calendar, it was
                   the second month of the year and marked the beginning of
                   spring.
      Variations:  Aprille, Aprillette, Averil, Averyl, Avril (French)

Aprille (see April)

Aprillette (see April)

Arabella           Possibly Latin orabilis, "able to be moved."  Richard
                   Strauss wrote the opera Arabella.

Areopaquita (see Agapy)

Areta (see Aretha)

Aretha             Greek areta, "excellence."  This name may stem from
                   Arethusa, a nymph in Greek mythology who was transformed
                   into a stream by the goddess Artemis.
     Famous name:  Aretha Franklin (singer)
      Variations:  Areta, Aretta, Arette (French)

Aretta (see Aretha)

Arette (see Aretha)

Arlana (see Arlene)

Arleen (see Arlene)

Arlena (see Arlene)

Arlene             Possibly a variation of Adeline; also, possibly Celtic
                   airleas, "a pledge."  The history of this name is unclear.
                   Its Celtic or Gaelic roots are shown by the -ene, as well
                   as the Irish arlen, "a pledge."  It also may stem from the
                   German arline, "girl."  The name isn't chosen very often by
                   new parents.
     Famous name:  Arlene Blum (mountain climber)
       Nicknames:  Arlie, Lena, Lene, Lina
      Variations:  Arlana, Arleen, Arlena, Arleta, Arlette, Arleyne, Arlina,
                   Arline, Erlene, Erlina, Erline (German)

Arleta (see Arlene)

Arlette (see Arlene)

Arleyne (see Arlene)

Arlie (see Arlene)

Arlina (see Arlene)

Arline (see Arlene)

Armida (see Erma, Irma)

Arropajita (see Agapy)

Artensia (see Hortense)

Arupaguita (see Agapy)

Asha               Swahili "life"; also, a variation of Aisha.

Ashia (see Aisha)

Ashley             Old English "meadow with ash trees."  For no apparent
                   reason, this name became very popular in the mid-1980s.  It
                   has little history, and the best-known fictional Ashley is
                   the man who chose Melanie over Scarlett in Margaret
                   Mitchell's novel Gone With the Wind.
        Nickname:  Lee

Asia (see Aisha)

Astra              Greek "star."

Astrid             Norse "divine strength."  This name is very popular in
                   Scandinavian countries.
      Variations:  Astrud, Astryr

Athala (see Adalia)

Athena             Greek "wise."  In Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of
                   wisdom, was one of the most-powerful deities.  She was
                   said to have sprung from the head of her father, Zeus.
                   Many temples were founded in her honor, and Athens is named
                   for her.
    Famous names:  Athina Onassis (heiress)
                   Athene Seyler (actress)
       Nicknames:  Athie, Attie
      Variations:  Athene, Athina, Thena

Athene (see Athena)

Athie (see Athena)

Athina (see Athena)

Attie (see Athena)

Aubine (see Alberta)

Audie (see Audrey)

Audra (see Audrey)

Audrey             Old English etheldreda, "noble strength."  St. Audrey
                   (originally St. Ethelreda) was a seventh-century
                   Anglo-Saxon saint who founded a monastery at Ely.  Edda
                   Hepburn van Heelmstra became the well-known actress Audrey
                   Hepburn.
 Other spellings:  Andre, Audrie, Audry, Audrye
      Variations:  Andrie, Audie, Audra (Scottish)

Audrie, Audry, Audrye (see Audrey)

Augatia (see Agatha)

Augusta            Feminine form of Latin August, "majestic."  Roman emperors
                   took the title Augustus, and their female relatives were
                   honored with the title Augusta.  Both names were often used
                   by royalty in Germany during the sixteenth and seventeenth
                   centuries.  In England, Augusta was popular during the
                   eighteenth and nineteenth centuries because it was used by
                   the reigning Hanover family.  The wife of George IV was
                   named Caroline Amelia Augusta, and their daughter was
                   Charlotte Augusta.
       Nicknames:  Gus, Gussie, Gusta
      Variations:  Auguste (German), Augusteen (Irish), Augustine (French),
                   Augustina (Spanish)

Auguste (see Augusta)

Augusteen (see Augusta)

Augustina (see Augusta)

Augustine (see Augusta)

Aura (see Aurelia)

Aurea (see Aurelia)

Aurel (see Aurelia)

Aurelia            Feminine form of Latin aurelius, "gold."
       Nicknames:  Lee, Lia
      Variations:  Aura, Aurea, Aurel, Aurelie (French), Aurilla, Aurore
                   (French), Oralia, Orel, Orelia, Orelee, Oriana, Oriel,
                   Oriette, Orlena, Orlene

Aurelie (see Aurelia)

Aurilla (see Aurelia)

Aurora             Latin "dawn."
      Variations:  Aurore (French), Ora, Rora, Rory, Zora (Slavic)

Aurore (see Aurelia, Aurora)

Autumn             Latin autumnus, the season.  This name has little
                   history, but it is becoming popular in the United States.

Ava                Latin "bird."  This name is relatively new.  It may be a
                   form of Eva, from the Hebrew Eve, "life."
     Famous name:  Ava Gardner (actress)

Aveline (see Evelyn, Hazel)

Averil, Averyl (see April)

Avis               Latin "bird" or a form of Norman havoise from Old German
                   Haduwig, "refuge from war."
      Variations:  Aves, Avice, Avicia

Avril (see April)

Ayesha (see Aisha)

Ayguda (see Agatha)

Ayna (see Anne)

Azalais (see Adelaide)

Aziza              Swahili "precious."