Parenting

15 Unique & Powerful Baby Girl Names Borrowed From Ancient Goddesses

ParentingPublished Oct 31, 2016
By Anne Meadows
featured-img-of-post-200760iStock.com/Ilya Terentyev

If you've looked through just about every baby name list you could find on your search for the perfect name for your little bean, and just haven't found the one -- maybe it's time to look to the leading ladies of ancient cultures. Heralded by poets and honored by millions, timeless goddesses are, as it turns out, a very chic source for current-day baby names. 

In fact, you'd be surprised just how current-day they sound!

You see, we're not talking about familiar names like Athena or Aphrodite here. We're talking old Norse goddesses; Hindu, Yoruban, Germanic, and Celtic goddesses whose power echoes across centuries. Remember, in the pantheon of pagan gods, goddesses had equality long before their human counterparts. Goddesses literally ruled

Who wouldn't want to bless their new baby daughter with a historic name imbued with power and divinity? Besides, she already rules your world -- the rest of the world is just naturally next in line. 

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Áine
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Áine

In Irish folklore, Áine (pronounced "on-yah") is a goddess of summer, wealth, and love. She was the queen of the fairies in Celtic mythology. What a cute spin on the more traditional (and awesome) name Anne!

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Theia
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Theia

The sparkling Greek name Theia comes from a goddess of "sight, glittering and glory." The name may have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, but we still love its unique and divine feeling.

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Radha

Radha

The cool-girl name Radha comes from Sanskrit and means "success." Radha herself was described in some texts as the "mother of the universe." Who wouldn't want to give their daughter a head start with a powerful name like that? 

More from CafeMom: 15 Gorgeous Baby Girl Names Inspired by the Beauty of Autumn

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Arinna
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Arinna

Arinna is one of those names that sounds so familiar and yet so unique. Arinna was the Middle-Eastern Hittite goddess of the sun. What a warm and bright name for a new baby girl!

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Zaria
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Zaria

The distinctive name Zaria comes from the Slavic goddess of beauty. The name means "flower" in Arabic, and would be perfect for your little beauty. It's like a hip version of Daria, with a really exotic feel!

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Mielikki
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Mielikki

Mielikki is the Finnish goddess of the forest, whose name means "pleasant." It's pronounced "mia-lick-key," and has a sweet, Scandinavian ring to it, doesn't it? 

More from CafeMom: 18 Gorgeous Celtic Baby Names That Are Totally Overlooked

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Damara
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Damara

If your little lovey is due in the springtime, consider the cute name Damara ("duh-MAR-uh"). She's the Celtic goddess associated with spring, fertility, luck, and abundance. How much more positive energy can you cram into a name?

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Maia

Maia

Maia (pronounced 'MY-ah') in Greek mythology was the daughter of Atlas and the mother of Hermes. But she was a goddess in her own right -- and the month of May was named after her. If you like the name Mya but want a more divine spelling, Maia might be for you.

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Thalia
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Thalia

Another Greek-inspired name, Thalia (pronounced "THAH-lee-ah") has a sweet, hopeful meaning: "to flourish." Thalia was the Greek muse of comedy and poetry. Which makes it totally perfect, because what daughter isn't a muse to her parents?

More from CafeMom21 Baby Names for Girls Inspired by Modern-Day Princesses IRL

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Kora
iStock.com/Linda Kloosterhof

Kora

Another name for the beautiful Greek goddess of the harvest Persephone, Kora has such a sweet, old-fashioned sound to it. It means "maiden," and can be spelled either with the "k" or "c." It's especially perfect for autumn babies.

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Jaya
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Jaya

The Hindu goddess Jaya rides a lion -- which is no surprise because this badass lady is the goddess of victory. The name is short and sweet but also very melodic. Ben Harper and Laura Dern must have agreed: They named their daughter Jaya.

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Zisa
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Zisa

If you're looking for a funky-yet-feminine name inspired by a goddess, Zisa might be for you. Zisa was the Germanic goddess of water, ships, and the underground, whose myths date all the way back to the 11th century.

More from CafeMom: 21 Magical Baby Girl Names Inspired by the Sea -- Perfect for Your Little Mermaid

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Inara
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Inara

Fans of the cult favorite TV show Fireflyalready are familiar with the mysterious allure of the name Inara. But most probably don't know about the Middle Eastern (Hittite-Hurrian to be exact) protection goddess named Inara. She was the protector of the wild animals for the people on the Eurasian steppe. Her myth tells of how she saved her people by helping defeat a great dragon. She prepared a great feast, with lots of wine, and when the dragon had eaten and drunk himself into a stupor, her lover tied up the dragon so that her father could come kill it. Clever girl, Inara!

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Aja
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Aja

The unique and regal name Aja (pronounced like Asia) is the forest goddess of the Yoruba people in Africa. She's a master of "potions and healing herbs," making Aja a perfect choice for your little flower child.

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Lelya
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Lelya

Lelya is an Old Norse name meaning "bright one, shining one". The ancient Slavic goddess was all about passion, love, and indulgence. What's not to love about this unique variation on Lilian? 

More from CafeMom: 15 Arabic Boy Baby Names That Are Melodic in Sound & Sweet in Meaning

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