25 Latin Baby Names for Girls That Prove the ‘Dead Language’ Is Alive And Well

Salve! Latin baby names might conjure images of Ancient Rome. They may even make you think of Roman Gods and Goddesses and their mystical shenanigans. But, most baby names used in the Western world have Latin origins. Popular monikers like Ava, Olivia, and Camila all have roots in Latin. This should come as no surprise as Latin is the basis for Romance languages which are some of the most spoken in the entire world.

Now, we venture to guess that you’re not looking for a Latin name like Manerva or Agrippina for your daughter. Those names seem over-the-top and dated. You’re probably more inclined to choose a Latin baby name with more of a contemporary or timeless feel. And, there are plenty of Latin names for girls that sound clean and cool without giving off antiquated vibes. Here are 25 Latin baby names for girls that prove that Latin names are evergreen.

25. Leta

Leta is related to the Greek mythological Leda, a great beauty who mothered another great beauty, Helen of Troy. Leta is the Latin form and it is pronounced lee-tah. The name means “joyful”

24. Avis

Avis is a vintage name that’s due for a comeback. The name Avis is Latin for “bird.” For fans of Harry Potter, Avis is the name of a spell that conjures a flock of birds.

23. Diva

Diva is a girl’s name with Latin origins which means “goddess.” While we think of it today as a term for a celebrated female singer, Diva actually referred to divinity in Ancient Rome. If this name carries too much baggage for you, consider the Hindi name Deva instead. Deva means “divine” so it’s actually very similar!

22. Maren

Country singer Maren Morris certainly has an interesting name. Maren comes from Latin and means “sea.” The classic spelling of the name is Marin, but we like the casualness of Maren a touch more.

21. Virtue

Virtue has Latin roots and means “moral excellence.” Khloé Kardashian has a baby named True and we think the time-tested Virtue is similar in feel.

20. Amabel

Amabel has origins in Latin and predates the more popular Annabel. The name means “loveable.” Aw. We think the name’s common nickname, Mabel kind of tanked its popularity. Unlike Amabel, Mabel does sound oldfashioned. We like the nickname Ama.

19. July

The Romans named the month of July in honor of Roman General Julius Caesar. July is a great alternative to Julie and for a Summer baby, you couldn’t find a hotter name.

18. Lupe

Lupe is a gorgeous name with Latin origins. It means “wolf.” For Spanish speakers, Lupe and Lupita are often used as shortened forms of Guadalupe.

17. Zia

Zia is a Latin name that means “aunt.” Its zippy sound and strange meaning make it a hard sell, but Zia is such a cheerful name. If the Italian and Latin meaning gets you down, consider the Arabic origin deyaa which means “light.”

RELATED: 25 Adorable Arabic Baby Names for Boys with Powerful Meanings

16. Adora

If you read the book or saw the television adaptation of Sharp Objects, you’ll probably remember the less than savory character, Adora Crellin. One positive thing we can say about the character is that she had a great name! Adora means “adored.”

15. Corin

Corin is a unisex name that we love for both boys and girls. Corin is a happy alternative to Corrine or Karen and it means “spear.” Corin comes from Quirinus, a Roman war god, an epithet of Janus Quirinus.

14. Leone

Leone, Leona, Leonie are all coming back as parents are finding these Leon-based names attractive again. Leone means “lioness.” In Italy, Leone is also a popular name for boys.

13. Lux

Lux is a name that’s a flex. Lux might make you think of luxury, but it actually means “light.” Lux was the name of one of the Lisbon sisters in The Virgin Suicides.

12. Risa

Risa is a Latin variation of the Greek, Larisa and it means “citadel.” Risa is the perfect name for parents who love the name Lisa but want something with a little more pizazz.

11. Verdi

Verdi is a name for girls with Latin origins. It means “green.” While this name is most commonly associated with the Italian opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi, we think this would make an excellent name for a girl.

10. Candace

Candace is the Latin form of Kandake, an ancient title of a dynasty of Ethiopian queens mentioned in the New Testament. Candace means “queen” or “pure.”

9. Stella

Stella is a name for girls and also the Latin word for “star.” The word was not traditionally used as a name and it wasn’t until the 1580s that it became popular as one. In 2018, Stella was the 38th most popular name for girls.

8. Felicity

Felicity means “good fortune” or “happy.” Felicity comes from Felicitas which was taken from the Roman goddess Fortuna who personified luck.

7. Celeste

The angelic name Celeste means “heavenly.” Celeste is also a color name that refers to light blue we often call “sky blue.” Celeste made the top 500 baby names for girls in 2018 and we predict its popularity will continue to rise.

6. Mira

Mira is a name that’s found in many Romance languages. The name comes from Latin and means “wonderful.” Variations of the name can also be found in Arabic, Slavic, and Sanskrit. It has a ton of cross-cultural appeal!

5. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delicious herb. Its Latin name means “dew of the sea.” It’s a combination of Ros “dew” and Marinas “of the sea” which were used to describe the rosemary plant’s ability to grow well in coastal climates. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Rosmarinus was created which gave way to the present-day name, Rosemary.

4. April

April is a breath of fresh air. This Latin name belongs to one of the best months (if you don’t live in the upper-midwest). It means “to open.” April is a peppy springtime name that we absolutely love.

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3. Elysia

Elysia has Latin and Greek origins and means “from Elysium.” In mythology, Elysium was a conceptual home for the afterlife. Elysia is similar enough to Alicia without sounding completely exotic, but it’s unique enough that it will stand out.

RELATED: 25 Latin Baby Names for Boys That Prove the ‘Dead Language’ Is Alive And Well

2. Nydia

Nydia is a rarely used Latin name that’s extremely unique. If you love the names Nadia or Lydia but would like something with more character, Nydia would do the trick. Nydia means “nest” or “home.”

1. Sidonie

An excellent alternative to Sydney or Sidney, Sidonie is a Latin name that means “from Sidon.” Sidon is the name of a Lebanese city that was first occupied by the Greeks and later the Romans. It was hugely important because of its location on the Mediterranean. The name Sidonie is extremely popular in France and it is in the top 500 names for girls there.

We love each of these 25 names for girls with Latin origins. They may be old names, but they still feel fresh. Any of these baby names would be a wonderful choice for your baby girl.