from 6
Renaissance woman holding a rose
portrait of a red-haired woman
A woman in a green medieval dress
A picture of a beautiful arrogant queen in a royal dress
Victorian beauty in a feather wig
Young woman in renaissance dress
75 Stunning Renaissance Names for Girls
The Renaissance lasted for three centuries from the 14th to the 17th century. It was a period of cultural, artistic, political and economic revival after the Middle Ages.
The Renaissance changed the world in almost every imaginable way and was a time of spiritual discipline. Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and this is reflected in the names of girls from that era.
So if you're thinking of exploring the Renaissance era for the perfect name for your baby girl, get ready for some incredibly beautiful Italian names, many of which are still very popular today.
Check out our favorite names for Renaissance girls and see if something catches your fancy.
in the text
- Renaissance baby names for girls
- final thoughts
Renaissance baby names for girls
angel -Agnella is of Greek origin and meansneto, vaginally. Also considered a variant of Agnes.
Agnes -Agnese del Maino was the lady and mistress of Filippo Maria Visconti, the last legitimate Duke of Milan. Agnese was the mother of Bianca Maria Visconti, who received the title of Duchess of Milan in 1450 even though she was an illegitimate child. Agnese is a beautiful name, a form of Agnes in Italian and Spanish, meaning pure.
Alice -The most famous bearer of this name has to be the fictional character in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The name is of English origin and means from the nobility.
Anastasia -Anastasia is a female name of Greek origin that means resurrection. The most famous bearer of that name was the lost daughter of the last Russian tsar, who is said to have survived the massacre of her entire family. Her story has been retold in films and books.
see in the gallery
drawer -Bandecca is a rarely used name of Italian origin.
batola -Bartola's soil cultivation philosophy originates from Italy.
Bella - Bella Iisabella, a form of Elizabeth. The name is of Italian origin and means beautiful, God is my vow. The name appears in the popular Renaissance poem "O Rosa Bella". The poem describes courtly love, a formally secret passion between nobles, which is both romantic and spiritual.
bis -It is a diminutive form of Beatrice and originates from Italy. While Beatrice is pronounced lovely bay-uh-TREE-chay in Italian, Bice is pronounced BEE-chay, which could cause problems on the playground. Bice means the one who brings happiness.
ALRIGHT -The name means good and is of Italian origin. The name means good.
Katrina -Catalina is a Spanish name that means pure. Santa Catalina of Siena is one of the two patron saints of Italy and a respected author of church spirituality. Catalina de Aragon y Castilla was the original Spanish name of Henry VIII's first wife.
Katerina -Katerina is a Florentine name of Greek origin. It is a Slavic form of Catherine, meaning pure. Caterina or Catharina van Hemessen was a Flemish Renaissance painter. Her work includes small portraits of women, completed between 1540 and 1550. She was the first Flemish painter with truly verifiable work.
Zora -Chola is a variation of Zoila and originates from Greece. Zoila is the female version of Zoila.
Silesia -English variant of Cecilia, meaning blind. Once used as an ancient Roman surname, Cicilia became popular as a girl's name after the death of Saint Cecilia.
Jose -Ciosa has been used in Florence since the 13th century. As an Italian name it would be pronounced chee-OH-sa.
other -The name is becoming increasingly popular in the modern region of Lombardy in the province of Sondrio. Ciuta means little sheep, and she got a now extinct breed of sheep from the region. The name was popular during the Italian Renaissance, but unheard of in modern Italy.
Christina -Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian variants of Cristina. The name means Christopher.
see in the gallery
DEA -It is a very simple Latin name. Dea actually means goddess and shares its meaning with the word god.
Diana -The name comes from the Latin meaning holy. Diana is also the Latin name of a Roman goddess associated with the moon, virginity and the hunt. She is also the protector of wild animals, and appears in mythology as a beautiful and pure image.
With-Dolce means sweet in Italian, from LatinsweetIt also has a sweet meaning. This name is rare in Italy and is mostly used as a surname. The most famous example of this name is Domenico Dolce, co-founder of the Dolce & Gabbana fashion house. Although since its launch in 1985, the brand has inspired quite a few girls to call it Dolce.
druda-The feminine form of the name Druda means lover and is of Germanic origin.
Elizabeth -Elizabeth is a name of biblical and Jewish origin. In the Bible, Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. Elisheva is a Hebrew variant, and Elisabet is Greek. The name means God is my vow and has royal families such as Elizabeth I and II
Helen -The form of the name Eleni is of Greek origin. The name means light. Helen was more common in medieval England and was replaced by Helen only after the Renaissance.
Emma– A name of German origin meaning generic. Emma was originally an abbreviation of a German name ending inArmenacroot. The name is very regal and has been used well for centuries - Queen Emma married the unwilling King Ethelred in 1002. Emma is historically related to Lady Hamilton, the lover of Lord Nelson and the muse of the painter George Romney.
flamingo -A name of Italian origin that means a little fiery. Fiametta comes from Italian and means flame. This was the pseudonym of Boccaccio's lover in the Decameron (a famous pre-Raphaelite painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti). Fiametta was also a famous courtesan and lover of Cesare Borgia.
Philippa——The feminine form of the name Philippos, of Greek origin and means one who loves horses.
flower -Fiora is of Italian origin and means flower. it's the female version of Italianflower- Fiora. The name was not considered unisex until the 17th century, when it evolved into Fiorello for boys and Fiorella for girls.
Flora -Flora is of Scottish, Latin origin and means flower. That was also the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth. Flora is a longtime Scottish favourite, the name of the heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie reach France.
see in the gallery
Francesca -Renaissance parents were inspired to raise their daughters as a female version of Francis. This is in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, originally named John. He got the nickname Franjo from his father, who loves the French. Francesca is lighter and more feminine than Frances and is becoming more and more popular.
Gemma -Gemma was the name of Dante's wife and a nineteenth-century saint. The name is of Italian origin and means precious stone. The title has been widely used in the UK since it hit the charts in the 1980s, but only now in the US.
yanetta says:Gianetta has the same root as John, which means God is merciful. It is also the preferred feminine form of the name Giovanni. The name is popular in Italy, but not as common in the United States.
Geneva –This name is an excellent alternative to Jennifer. It comes from Italian and means white shadow, white wave. It is also the Italian form of Genevieve. Ginevra de'Benci was a 15th-century noblewoman who was the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's portrait. This name is rarely used in the United States.
Giovanna -Italian feminine form of Giovanni, meaning God is merciful. This is one of the Italian names preferred by American parents, regardless of whether they are of Italian descent or not.
Juliana -Giuliana comes from Italy and means young. It's also the Italian form of the name Juliana, but using Gi instead of J seems to make the name more appealing to parents.
grace -Grace is of Latin origin, fromgraceLatin word for elegance. It existed in the Middle Ages as Gracia, but was not particularly popular until the Puritans adopted it along with other Christian place names in the 16th century.
to win -This beautiful Italian name became increasingly popular during the Renaissance. The name is the Italian version of Elizabeth, meaning my God is an oath or my God is rich.
Jacoba -Jacoba means the feminine form of Jacob, of Jewish origin. It is a rare and unusual name, but it could become an alternative to the increasingly popular male version of Jacob.
joanna -The name comes from Latin which means God is merciful. Joanna comes from the Greek name Ioanna, which comes from the Hebrew name Yohannah.
be happy -Lagia is not a very common name and is mostly used in Italy. Its meaning is unknown.
Lapa——This is a name of Portuguese and Galician origin, a common name for people from many places called Lapa.
see in the gallery
Lavinia -The origin of the name is in Roman mythology, because it is the name of the daughter of the King of Latin. The name really took off in the 15th century with the appearance of Lavinia Fontana, the first female artist of that time.
Lena -Lena is of English origin as a domestic form of the name Helen, but has long been used as an independent name. The name is also thought to be of Jewish origin and means Magdalene's wife.
read -Italian form of the Latin name Latitia, meaning joy. It was also the name of the Roman goddess of joy, celebration and celebration. In modern Italy, the name is most often taken as a surname.
mast -Ancient Greek, Romanian name meaning horse lover or horse friend. It is also considered a household name for the name Philippa. It is a very unusual name for a girl, and it is not in the top 1000 names.
lisa -Lisa is of Jewish and British descent, which means devotion to God. It is considered a diminutive form of Elizabeth.
Lorenza -The name Lorenzo means laurel tree and is of Italian origin. It also comes from the Roman word Laurentius, meaning one who came from the ancient Italian city of Laurentum.
Lucia -Lucia is a female name of Spanish and Italian origin and means light. the name comes from the Latin wordLuxIt means light. Also considered the feminine form of Lucius and the Latin spelling of Lucy. The name has many references to Saint Lucia, a fourth-century martyr venerated in the Middle Ages and also named after the Caribbean island. And the tragic opera Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti.
Lucretia -Lucrezia is of Latin origin, the feminine form of Lucretius, but its meaning is unknown.
Madeleine -Maddalena was adopted from Mary Magdalene by Portuguese parents who dropped the "g" and made it their own. The name has some famous synonyms, since it belongs to the first published female musician in the history of Western music. But he added an extra 'd' - Maddalena Casulana.
Margarita -A form of Marguerite, of Spanish origin, meaning pearl. Of course, this is also the name of the dessert wine.
marija -The Aramaic name, derived from Latin, means bitter or beloved drop of the sea. Mary comes from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of these names is unknown, but some versions include drop of the sea, bitter and beloved.
see in the gallery
month -Name of Italian origin, unknown meaning.
Matilda -The name Mathilda means fighting power and is of German origin.
element -Mea means mine and comes from Italy. it is consideredA.
Nick——Mella is related to Melanie, a Greek word meaning black or dark. Mera is also the name of an Italian river in Lombardy and is often found in towns and cities in Italy.
Minerva-The second name comes from Roman mythology and is derived from Latin, meaning intelligence. The name was brought back to the public when the Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli used his paintings of Minerva and the Centaur.
nana-Nanna is of Scandinavian origin and means brave. The name comes from Norse mythology and is one of the first 30 names of modern Denmark.
fool-Cosimo de Medici's grandson, Lorenzo, used this extremely sweet name in a poem called Nencia de Barberino.
childhood -This forgotten Italian name was popular in Renaissance Florence. This is the Italian form of the word Nazarene, which means Nazarene. The name is rarely used anywhere in the world today, but it can create a truly unique name for the right baby girl.
novel-Novela is derived from Latin and means new. The name comes from the Latin word novellus, meaning young or younger. In literature, a novella is a term for a short story.
olympiad-The name means Mountain of the Gods and is of Greek origin. Olympia would be a great replacement for some overused "O" names likeOlive.
Easter -Pasque is an old Cornish name, derived from the medieval name Pask. Pask is thought to be derived from the Middle English word paske meaningEaster.
not anymore -Pia comes from Latin and means from Mount Olympus. Pia is heard both in Europe and in Hindi.
Pierre——Piera is the Italian form of Petra, which means rock. Piera de' Medici was one of the most powerful abbots in Florence during the Renaissance. Piera used her connections with the city's ruling family to help the community of Vallombrosan S. Verdiano.
Paula -Paula is of Portuguese descent, which doesn't really make sense. It is also thought to be of Latin origin and means humble.
Look at -Rigarda is the Italian form of the German name Ricarda, which means brave ruler. This name is not even used in Italy anymore, which shows how rare this name is.
see in the gallery
save -Salvaza's Italian roots inspire commitment, ambition and passion.
Sandra -The English name means defender of the people. It was originally short for Alexandra. It is also believed to be short for Alessandro, Italian for Greek.
Santa Claus -Santa comes from Spain and Italy, which means saint. Today's parents have a hard time distinguishing between the name of the Italian girl and Mr. Claus himself.
Serena -Serena is a name that has been used since Roman times. The name is of Latin origin and means peace, peace, and is still widely used around the world today. During the Renaissance, many buildings in Florence were built from a type of stone called pietra serena, which can still be seen today.
Simone -The name means I have heard and is of Spanish origin. It's a variant of Simone.
Stella -Stella is a name of Latin origin meaning star. Many believe that the name was coined by Sir Philip Sidney for his poem Atrophel and Stella, but there is evidence that the name was in use for over 200 years before the poem was even written.
Tadia -Taddea Malaspina was an Italian marquise. From the early 1530s until about 1537, she was the mistress of Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence, and probably the mother of at least two of his children.
Tessa -A small form of Theresa originating in Greece. It means harvest, harvest. Tessa is preferred to Theresa or Tess for short.
Tita -It is believed to come from the diminutive form of the English Martita et al., meaning gigantic, large.
Thomas -Tomasia was a popular name during the Renaissance but has been forgotten in modern times. It is the feminine form of the Greek name Thomas, which means twin.
Veronika -During the Renaissance, Veronika was one of the most popular names in Venice. the name comes from the Latin wordtruthAnd it is of Greek origin. The name may also come from the Greek phrase "Bere nike", which means to bring victory.
final thoughts
Our list contains some beautiful Renaissance names that wouldn't be out of place in today's classroom. Maybe we've inspired you to think outside the box when looking for the perfect name for your baby girl.
FAQs
75 Stunning Renaissance Names for Girls? ›
Along with Alice and William, other medieval names that currently rank in the US Top 1000 include Amira, Beatrice, Dante, Ellis, Emmeline, Lucia, Roger, and Walter. Rare and intriguing medieval names worth reviving include Amabel, Cyprian, Isabeau, and Lucan.
What were popular girl names in the 1500s? ›- Elizabeth.
- Joan.
- Alice.
- Mary.
- Agnes.
- Margaret.
- Anne.
- Jane.
- Aella. Origin: Ancient Greek name. Meaning: “Whirlwind” or “tempest”
- Alohi. Origin: Hawaiian girl name. Meaning: “Shining” or “brilliant”
- Caitronia. Origin: Gaelic. ...
- Novalie. Origin: Latin. ...
- Ottiline. Origin: French and German girl name. ...
- Tamsyn. Origin: Cornish.
Along with Alice and William, other medieval names that currently rank in the US Top 1000 include Amira, Beatrice, Dante, Ellis, Emmeline, Lucia, Roger, and Walter. Rare and intriguing medieval names worth reviving include Amabel, Cyprian, Isabeau, and Lucan.
What was the most popular girl's name in 1975? ›Girls | Boys | |
---|---|---|
1 | Jennifer | Michael |
2 | Amy | Jason |
3 | Heather | Christopher |
4 | Melissa | James |
Oldest Female Name in History
Per Oldest.org, Neithhotep is the earliest named woman in history. A queen consort of Pharoah Narmer in Ancient Egypt, Neithhotep had her name recorded between circa 3150 and 3125 BCE. Looking for more ancient names for girls.
Along with Elizabeth and Mary, other girl names from the 1700s still popular today include Abigail, Amy, Caroline, Charlotte, Hannah, Katherine, Molly, and Sabrina. Unique colonial-era nicknames for girls include Cleda, Hitty, Nonie, Thirza, and Winnet.
What is a vintage name? ›Vintage baby names are found on the popularity lists of a hundred years ago and then often faded from sight, only to be revived for the new generation of babies. The best antique names are inspired by literary, biblical, and royal sources.
What are rare 1700 names? ›Other top 1700s girl names include Sarah, Jane, Martha, Alice, and Susan. Top 1700s boy names include Thomas, James, Joseph, and Henry. Unique 18th century names for girls include Hester, Mercy, Lavinia, Sophronia, and Theodosia. Unique Colonial names for boys include Amias, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, and Philomon.
What are the best names vintage? ›Along with Emmett and Elsie, other cool vintage baby names in the US Top 500 include Ada, Calvin, Georgia, Hazel, Otto, Roman, Ruby, and Walter. More unique vintage names for babies that fall outside of the popularity charts include Barnaby, Tess, Leopold, and Winifred.
What was a popular girls name in 1860? ›
- Alexandra.
- Amelia.
- Anne.
- Catherine.
- Elizabeth.
- Emily.
- Emma.
- Louise.
- #1. Jennifer. 46,157 births.
- #2. Lisa. 38,964 births.
- #3. Kimberly. 34,138 births.
- #4. Michelle. 34,051 births.
- #5. Amy. 25,211 births.
- #6. Angela. 24,928 births.
- #7. Melissa. 23,737 births.
- #8. Tammy. 19,583 births.
Rihanna | Sweet Basil | Arabic |
---|---|---|
Saoirse | Freedom | Irish |
Sarabi | Mirage | African |
Sariyah | Princess of the lord | Hebrew |
Saskia | The Saxon people | Slavic |
Hayami: A unique Japanese baby name meaning “rare beauty,” this is a special choice for a little girl.
What is a ancient name for a girl? ›Along with Octavia and Persephone, other cool girl names from ancient cultures in the US Top 1000 include Arya, Aurelia, Calliope, Hadassah, Itzel, Lucia, Valentina, and Valeria. We have our eye on Minerva, Juno, Honoria, and Cyra to be among the next wave of ancient girl names to be revived.
What is the ancient name for beauty? ›The ancient Greek word "Kallos" means "beauty" and is associated with both women and men.
What is Lottie short for? ›Lottie is a lovely diminutive version of the name Charlotte that has carved its own path. Meaning "little and womanly," this feminine name of French origin will be able to accompany baby through their life with a characteristic flair.
What was a popular girls name in 1912? ›Girls | Boys | |
---|---|---|
1 | Mary | John |
2 | Helen | William |
3 | Dorothy | James |
4 | Margaret | Robert |
John | 1215 (20.3%) |
Thomas | 805 (13.4%) |
William | 786 (13.1%) |
Richard | 534 (8.9%) |
Robert | 372 (6.2%) |
In this group we'd put Ida, Alice, Clara, Florence, and Mabel for girls; Arthur, Ezra, Louis, and Oscar for boys. More unique 1800s baby names that feel new and cool today include Lula, Etta, and Alma for girls: Clyde, Otto, and Homer for boys.
What names are making a comeback? ›
- Patricia.
- Anita.
- Rita.
- Martha.
- Barbara.
- Esther.
- Diana.
- Gloria.
- Alessia.
- Anya.
- Aurelia.
- Azalea.
- Bexley.
- Briar.
- Effie.
- Ellerie.
- Olivia.
- Emma.
- Charlotte.
- Amelia.
- Sophia.
- James.
- Isabella.
- William.
Along with Emma and Henry, other vintage baby names in the US Top 500 include Abraham, Arthur, Edith, Frederick, Josephine, Olive, Philip, Rosemary, and Walter. Other old-fashioned names that are up-and-coming include Amos, Ida, Lucinda, and Ralph.
What is a iconic name? ›icon·ic ī-ˈkä-nik. : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an icon. : widely recognized and well-established. an iconic brand name. : widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence.
What are the coolest names in history? ›- Siddhartha.
- Solon.
- Swithun.
- Tace.
- Tamerlane.
- Tancred.
- Theodosia.
- Thurstan.
Girl names from the 1800s back in fashion include Violet, Mabel, Phoebe, and Ada. The names Queen Victoria herself chose for her daughters include stylish choices like Adelaide, Alice, Helena, Beatrice and Louise. More unusual girl names among the Victorian royal baby names include Alberta, Augusta, and Maud.
What was a popular girls name in the 1950s? ›Males | Females | |
---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Name |
1 | James | Mary |
2 | Michael | Linda |
3 | Robert | Patricia |
- Arlo. Shaggy-haired folk singer Arlo Guthrie was known for protesting social injustice through music in the '60s. ...
- Buzz. On July 21, 1969, Buzz Aldrin was the second dude ever to walk on the moon. ...
- Echo. Hello, hello, hello! ...
- Leaf. ...
- Marley. ...
- Peace. ...
- River. ...
- Sonny.
Girls | Boys | |
---|---|---|
1 | Jennifer | Michael |
2 | Amanda | Christopher |
3 | Jessica | Jason |
4 | Melissa | David |
What were popular girls names in 1965? ›
- Males. Michael. James. John. David. Robert. William. Richard. Mark. Thomas. Jeffrey.
- Females. Lisa. Maria. Karen. Mary. Kimberly. Susan. Patricia. Cynthia. Linda. Donna.
- Minnie.
- Florence.
- Helen.
- Emma.
- Elizabeth.
- Margaret.
- Anna.
- Mary.
Girls | Boys | |
---|---|---|
1 | Mary | John |
2 | Dorothy | Robert |
3 | Helen | William |
4 | Margaret | James |
Girls | Boys | |
---|---|---|
1 | Mary | Robert |
2 | Shirley | James |
3 | Barbara | John |
4 | Betty | William |
So, in the mid-1500s Richard was in the top 50 baptismal names for both boys and girls. Other names commonly used for both boys and girls included Philip, Nicholas, Alexander, James, Gilbert, Aubrey, Reynold, Basil, Eustace, Giles, Edmund and Simon.
What was a popular name in the 1600s? ›John | 1215 (20.3%) |
Thomas | 805 (13.4%) |
William | 786 (13.1%) |
Richard | 534 (8.9%) |
Robert | 372 (6.2%) |
Kushim is the earliest known recorded name of a person in writing. The name "Kushim" is found on several Uruk period (c. 3400–3000 BCE) clay tablets used to record transactions of barley. It is uncertain if the name refers to an individual, a generic title of an officeholder, or an institution.
What is a fancy old girl name? ›Along with Ada and Iris, other retro names for girls in the US Top 200 include Alice, Arabella, Clara, Daisy, Esther, Josephine, Lydia, and Sadie. Unique vintage girl names that are starting to trend include Cordelia, Imogen, Posey, and Susannah.
What is a rare middle name for a girl? ›Evanna | Peaceful | Greek |
---|---|---|
Eve | Life, animal | Latin |
Faye | Loyalty; belief | French |
Fleur | Flower | French |
Gem | Gem, jewel | Latin |