Female Names of Latin Origin

These can be forms of Roman family names or word adaptations, often with a virtuous or Christian connotation. Except for saints' names, they were not much used in England before the Reformation when they became popular with the Puritans. Latin forms of women's names (Anna instead of Anne, Maria instead of Mary) became fashionable in the C18th.

Amanda 'lovable'

Amy 'loved'

Arabella from 'Orabilis' - 'easy to intreat'?

Avis 'bird' or Germanic 'Aveza'

Beatrice 'beatus' - 'blessed'

Diminutives

Bella 'beautiful' or short form of Isabella

Benedicta 'benedictus' - 'blessed'

Candida 'candidus' - 'white'

Cara 'beloved' (also Irish Gaelic 'friend?')

Clare 'clarus' - 'bright/clear'

Faustina faustus 'fortunate'

Hilary 'hilaris' - 'cheerful/noisy/merry'

Laura from 'laurus' - 'laurel'?

Diminutives and elaborations

Letitia 'gladness/happiness'

Diminutives

Lona from Leona?

Mabel 'amabilis' - 'lovable'

Marina 'of the sea'

Mirabel 'mirabilis' - 'wonderful'

Monica may be 'moneo' - 'to advise'

Nadine

Nadeen

Natalia 'dies natalis' - 'natal day' given to children born at Christmas

Diminutives

Nona

Nova 'new'

Olinda fragrant?

Oriana 'oriri' - 'to rise'? or 'gold'

Renata 'reborn'

Rufina 'Rufus' - 'red'

Sabina 'Sabine woman'

Serena 'serenus' - 'calm'

Tacy 'be silent'

Una 'one'

Ursula 'ursa' - 'she-bear'

Valda from Valerie?

Valina from Valentina?

Valentina 'valens' - 'strong'

Verena?

Verna spring?

Verda 'fresh?'

Vita 'life'

Vivian 'vivus' - 'alive'

Diminutives

Roman Family Names