Medieval Girl Names: Transforming Popular Choices

Medieval girl names sometimes feel right at home in the twenty-first century. Alice, Emma, Beatrice, and Katherine fit in a thirteenth century English village. But they sound at-home in a kindergarten in twenty-first century Chicago, too.

Names change, but also? They stay the same.

Just for fun, let’s imagine that we possess a glorious machine called the Medievalizer. Sounds like a torture device, right? But this machine transforms the most popular choices from our era into medieval girl names.

And if they’re already medieval baby names? Well, this device makes them even medieval-er.

It also strives to make them wearable – at least a little – for our time. Amaltrude is legit medieval, but maybe not likely to appeal to parents naming a daughter now.

Of course, this list thrives on a healthy dose of fantasy. Many of these names fit a fictional heroine better than an actual person from the twelfth century. But then, we can’t actually time travel, either.

Enjoy!

ABIGAIL –> AMABEL, AGNES

The name Abigail name existed in the Middle Ages, but it sounds more like a contemporary choice – or maybe a Colonial one. Instead of Abigail, how about Ambael? It’s the forerunner of Annabelle and Mabel, and it has a great meaning: loving. Another option? Agnes, associated with lambs. Nickname Aggie feels every bit as wearable as Margaret’s Maggie and Abigail’s Abby.

ARIA –> ELISARIA

Musical word name Aria is a twenty-first century favorite, heard in Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones. While it’s a modern innovation, the sound exists in several medieval girl names. Elisaria, a mix of Elizabeth and a German element, and spotted in France, seems promising.

AURORA –> AURELIA

Ancient goddess name Aurora doesn’t appear in most listings of medieval female names, but the similar Aurelia does. It comes from the Latin root meaning golden. While Aurora is the more popular name today, both feel at home in the twenty-first century.

AVA and AVERY –> AVEZA, AVICE

Plenty of Av- names were heard in the Middle Ages, probably derived from the Old Germanic element avi – desired. As time passed, they became associated with the Latin avis – bird. But that’s a whole other list! The spelling Avice is also seen.

CAMILA –> QUITERIA, CATALINA

A legendary warrior maiden in Virgil’s Aeneid, Camilla persisted in Italian, as well as other European languages, across the centuries. It’s hard to transform it, besides opting for the double-L spelling. Though for something more obscure that sounds medieval-ish, there’s Quiteria. The name of a fifth century saint, it’s originally associated with the goddess Aphrodite. Worth noting: Camila is the Spanish spelling, and figures like Camila Cabello make it a Spanish-English crossover choice. Another option might be Catalina, a form of Catherine and a choice that feels more like a Spanish name.

CHARLOTTE –> CELESTINA

You probably know that the Germanic Carl became the French Charles, leading to feminine form Charlotte. It’s also cousin to Caroline. But none of the feminine forms surface in the Middle Ages – at least not in the records available. Instead, Celestina sounds just different enough to suit, and it was heard – at least in Latin – in the right era.

CHLOE –> CLOTILDE

Once again, the Greek Chloe was not unknown in the Middle Ages. But Clotilde – also spelled Clothilde – feels more at home in the era. Maybe that’s because in the earliest days of the Middle Ages, Clotilde was wife to Clovis I, King of the Franks. She converted her husband – and their countrymen – to Christianity, and is considered a saint.

ELIZABETH –> ELISENDE

Elizabeth works, of course, but for something with that Great Hall vibe, how about Elisende or Elisenda? The name belonged to a fourteenth queen of Aragon, and she inherited it from her mother. It likely has Visigothic roots.

ELLA –> BELLAFLOR

Several of the El- names mentioned on this list might serve, but Ella appeared in some gorgeous compound medieval girl names. Bellaflor (and Florabel) sound like fanciful blasts from the past.

ELLIE –> ELEANOR, ELISANNA

The easiest option? Extend short form Ellie to Eleanor, a familiar choice in the Middle Ages. Other El- names were heard then – just like now – including the romantic Elisanna.

EMILY –> CECILY

Emily requires no alteration, but for something less expected, how about Cecily? Latin records typically recorded the name as Cecilia, but Cecily would’ve been the everyday use form in English during the Middle Ages. It shares Emily’s rhythm, but feels a little more surprising.

EMMA –> EMELISSE

It doesn’t seem logical that Emma would be found among medieval girl names, but it was wildly popular. From the Germanic element ermen, meaning strong, it appeared in at least a dozen compound names. But authentically medieval picks like Ermentrude don’t feel terribly wearable. Instead, how about Emmelise? It appears on this list – and almost nowhere else. Emmeline and Emmelina would be safer bets, but Emelisse intrigues.

EVELYN –> AVELINA, GENEVIEVE

Another avi name, Avelina came from Avila – desired. It was whispered down the alley into Evelyn over the years. Now Evelyn seems like the traditional choice, and Avelina the gussied-up innovation. The French Genevieve feels less medieval and more like a slightly less common alternative to Evelyn.

GIANNA –> JOAN, JOANNA

Gianna is an Italian feminine form of John, of course. During medieval times, Joan would’ve been one of the more popular names in that category. But variations like Joanna and Johanna were in use, too, and match Gianna’s flowing, romantic vibe a little better.

GRACE –> GRACIA

Grace names proved popular in the Middle Ages, and they remain so today. But while Grace tops contemporary charts, we’ve almost forgotten some lovely rarities. Gratiana comes from the Latin word gratus. There’s also Gratiosa. Though perhaps Gracia is the most accessible of them all.

HARPER –> HILDEGARD, HELENE

Some medieval girl names are reached with minor transformation. But Harper, a surname name boosted by a twentieth century novelist, requires more significant renovation. Hildegard retains the first initial, but it also feels tailored and strong. For something a little more contemporary, Helene feels at home in twenty-first century North America or Europe – as well as in the distant past.

HAZEL –> OLIVE, ADELE, ADELAIDE

Again, Hazel and Olive sound like twin names, from the same era. But while Olive appears in medieval England, Hazel does not. Another possibility? Swapping Hazel for Adele, another short name ending with a strong L sound, or even Adelaide. Various forms of Adele surface across languages and centuries, and Adelaide shares some of Hazel’s vowel sounds.

ISABELLA –> ISABEAU

No question that Isabel and Isabella would’ve been right at home in the Middle Ages. But for something on the throwback side, how about Isabeau? It’s another form of the name, one that’s mostly forgotten now. Fans of A Discovery of Witches might think of Ysabeau, the vampire matriarch of the de Clermont family. Other elegant options from the right age include Isolde, Idonia, and Belsante.

ISLA  –> IVA

Brief and complete, Isla feels like a perfect twenty-first century name. So many medieval-sounding girl names are more like Euphemia or Griselda – long, lots of sounds, maybe even a little bit of crunch and grind. But Iva hits the right note, a feminine form of Ivo, likely related to the yew tree.

LAYLA –> ALDA

Another name with a bright, liquid sound that’s difficult to replicate. But how about Alda? It’s a feminine form of Aldo, meaning old – or possibly another cousin to all of those adal- names, meaning nobility.

LEAH –> LELLA

In medieval Italy, any name ending in Ella might be shortened to Lella. It has the same breezy, brief sound of Leah. Of course, Leah also has Biblical status and a long history of use. If that’s a consideration, names like Leticia and Leolina might appeal.

LILY –> FLORENCIA

For sound, the lovely Lily probably becomes Lella, too. And Lily almost certainly existed in the Middle Ages – but as a nickname for Elizabeth. (Yup. Lillian came later.) But if it’s the floral vibe that charms, then Florencia might be a better bet. A few botanical names, like Eglantine – sweet brier – also were in use. So was Susanna, which literally means Lily. But Florencia might strike the best balance between being an throwback to the year 1200, as well as a name at home today.

LUNA –> LUCERIA and LUCINA

Lu and Lou names abound. Lucida comes directly from the Latin lucidus – clear, shining. Lucina sounds like a diminutive form of Lucia, and maybe it sometimes was. But there’s also a Roman title Lucina, applied to both Juno and Diana. It was associated with childbirth, as well as the moon. That last part takes us full circle to Luna – and makes Lucina a great medieval version of the name.

MADISON –> MATILDA, MAUDE, and MIRABEL

Matilda might read Australian. Or bring to mind the Roald Dahl character. But long before we waltzed or met the Wormwood family, Matilda of Flanders was the wife of William the Conqueror. They (probably) named one of their daughters Matilda, too. As for Maude, it sounds like a different name, but it’s actually cousin to Matilda, used interchangeably to refer to women by the name throughout the Middle Ages.

Another option? Mirabel, an all-but forgotten rarity meaning wonderful, introduced to a new audience thanks to Encanto’s Mirabel Madrigal.

MIA and MILA –> IDA and MILLICENT

If a short, compact name appeals, then Ida steps in for modern minis like Mia and Mila. But sound might also suggest Millicent. Another Germanic name with a no-nonsense meaning – work and strong – Millicent is familiar, but rare, in this century.

Another option? Maria, since Mia started out as a Maria nickname.

NORA –> PETRA, THORA

​A feminine form of Peter, Petra has never been common. But it’s been heard across the millennia, including in the Middle Ages. It’s as short and strong as Nora, which is why it makes this list. The Scandinavian Thora is another possibility, rhyming with Nora.

OLIVIA –> ORIANA

Olivia comes from Shakespeare, so it’s only fitting that another literary invention substitute. Oriana appeared in the fourteenth century romance Amadis of Gaul. In the tale, Oriana is heir to the British throne. It was sometimes used to refer to Queen Elizabeth I, as in The Triumphs of Oriana, a collection of madrigals celebrating her reign. It means golden.

PENELOPE –> PETRONELLA

Another long and elaborate P name, Petronella substitutes nicely for Penelope. Petronella or Petronilla come from Petronius, an old Roman family name. It’s as elaborate as Antonella or Isabella, but rare enough to feel nicely old school.

SCARLETT –> SIBYL

Maybe some medieval girl names mean red, and could work here every bit as well. But for style and sound, Sibyl feels like a perfect alternative. The spelling Sybil has fared better in recent centuries, but it’s so uncommon than either works well.

SOFIA and SOPHIA –> SAFIRA, SAPHIRA, and SAPPHIRA

It’s possible to just stick with Sophia, but medieval girl names starting with S abound. Sapphira, borrowed from the New Testament, is a favorite. Sabina and Sidonie also replace Sophia/Sofia nicely.

VICTORIA –> VALASCA

Plenty of V medieval girl names exist, but let’s choose something truly obscure. In Bohemian legend, Valasca was a tougher-than-tough warrior woman, pledged to protect the princess Libussa. (The princess would go on to, among other things, found Prague.) It’s quirky, obscure, strong, and yes, medieval.

VIOLET –> VIOLA, YOLANDA, GISELLE

Violet is another medieval name. But inspiration for substitutes can come from several places. First, any name with a floral theme, like Florencia, works. But Latin names like Viola and other European forms like Yolanda refer to the violet flower, too. Another option? Giselle, a feminine but straightforward name. It means pledge or hostage, a French name with German origins. It’s uncommon and overlooked today – perfect among medieval girl nams.

SOURCES

The original version of this post relied on the extensive lists at the Medieval Names Archive, Kate Monk’s Onomastikon, and The Middle Ages. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources proved the biggest resource for the 2020 and 2024 revisions. It’s marvelous, and you should absolutely check it out!

First published on January 20, 2012, this post was revised substantially and re-published on August 1, 2020 and again on July 31, 2024.