Latin Names

Like Quentin, Quintin and Quintana, Quintia was once reserved for the fifth child in a family, but now would make an interesting choice for a child coming anywhere in the birth order.

Roman statesman and Caesar rival whose name, like other classical choices, was occasionally used for enslaved people. The Pompeo version could rise again.

With the new fashion for occupational names, we may hear more of this one.

This name of eight popes might appeal to confirmed city-dwellers, but Urbana would be more feminine.

The unusual hybrid Tuliana, which rhymes with Juliana, combines the Roman offshoot Tulia with the more familiar Ana, the Latinate form of Anna or Ann. Tulia comes from the Roman family name Tullius, best known as the middle name of the philosopher Cicero. While Tuliana is intriguing, any little Tuliana, upon introducing herself, will always be asked, "Juliana?"

The original male name Alban is a lot sleeker and more usable.

Occasionally heard in England, rarely here.

Projects a feeling of openness and candor.

The name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasianus and the mother of the emperors Titus and Domitianus. The variation Domitille has been heard in modern day France. Domitila is the Spanish and Portuguese version.

Cute as a nickname, slight as a first.

The daintiest and most accessible of the many Q names for a fifth child, now used for girls situated anywhere in the birth order.

One of the most pleasant and evocative of the hot new occupational names. Related name: Gardner, as in Ava.

Most often heard as an Italian surname, this might be an unusual yet musical option. While it's not among the traditional Italian names for girls, it can fill that role.

Has a medieval, slightly fusty but romantic feel.

Octavia has the numerical meaning doubled (eighth) and is much more user-friendly.

Enshrined in the Latin and Catholic culture.