Set your newborn baby girl apart from the Kristens, Megans and Emmas of the world by choosing a name for her from antiquity. If you are fond of ancient Greek mythology, name your daughter after one of the Greek goddesses. If Indian culture appeals to you, choose a name from Sanskrit. You can also choose a name from the Old or New Testament, or an ancient Celtic name.
Andromache
It’s difficult to pronounce and may be troublesome to learn how to spell, but odds are, if you name your baby girl Andromache, pronounced “an-drom-a-kee,” no other girl will have the same name. In ancient Greek mythology, Andromache was married to Hector, the brother of Paris of Troy. Paris stole the beautiful Helen from Sparta, leading to the Trojan war and the downfall of the city of Troy. The name Andromache means battle of man, which is fitting considering the character’s history.
Aphra
The name Aphra has a long and possibly confused history. It is the Hebrew word for “dust” and was used in the Old Testament to describe a place. Aphra may also come from an Ancient Irish name, Afric. Perhaps the most famous person to have the name Aphra was the playwright and spy Aphra Behn, who wrote the comedy, “The Rover.”
Gaia
In ancient Greek mythology, Gaia, pronounced “guy-a,” was the goddess of the Earth, or in some versions, the Earth itself. She was one of the original gods worshiped by the Greeks and was the grandmother of Zeus. In more modern times, eco-friendly parents have taken to naming their daughters Gaia to show that they respect the Earth.
Aruna
The Sanskrit name Aruna means “rust-colored.” It is the name of the Hindu god who was responsible for driving the sun across the sky each day. Although Aruna was a male, the name is also given to girls in modern times.
Brid or Brigid
Brid, Brighid or Brighe are all variations on the name of an ancient Celtic fire goddess. Brid is actually pronounced “breed” or “breej,” which could cause some confusion, especially once your daughter starts school and teachers will have to pronounce her name based on the way it is printed. Brighid, pronounced “brij-id,” was also the name of a 5th-century Irish saint.
Lydia
The girl’s name Lydia comes from the name of an area in Asia Minor once ruled by kings Midas and Croesus. The city of Troy was also once part of Lydia. Lydia was also the name of a merchant woman in the New Testament who was one of the first to convert to Christianity. The name either means “from Lydia” or “noble.”
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