Once Upon a Time Baby Names

Here are some nice names given to only 5 girls in 2013. Abyssinia Afra Alexina Amadea Amandine Aquinnah Argelia Aricella Arusha Ash Asherah Atira Aurore Averil Behati Benicia Briony Caelia Calandra Calixta Carmine Cassiopeia Catharina Clarita Clary Claudine Clementina Coretta Cristabella Daciana Dinara Dinora Dionysia Doria Drucilla Ebba Edina Elidia Elisabel Elmira Elodia Elsabeth Eugenia Eulalie Evania Farzana Fiamma Florina Frederica Gavrielle Gem Ghita Gianina Gracielle Graziana Gwendoline Hilaria Hyacinth Idania Illythia Ivona Izora Jessamy Jovia Ketura Kinneret Kismet Lealani Letitia Liadan Linna Lisbet Liva Lunabelle Macrina Magenta Marchelle Mariane Mariposa Mirren Nanette Nazarene Nicolena Ninette Odilia Olimpia Olinda Olivine Onora Oriane Ourania Piera Pierina Quintessa Rohana Romelia Rosalva Soteria Sunniva Tallia Talulla Thessaly Thisbe Tulia Verina Viveka Zoraida Zul...

This Latin name meaning "beautiful view/lovely vista" is one rare baby girl name that fits right in today, alongside Elva, Bella, and Ava. It stemmed from place name usage, likely bella vista , and remained uncommon throughout history. In the U.S. the most it was used was 185 times in 1927, slimming its way down to 5 births in 2007 - the same amount it started out with in 1882. Belvia, an elaboration of Belva, stopped being used in 1969, never used more than 21 times in a year. Below are four historical namesakes. Belva Lockwood, women's rights activist who ran for president in 1884 and 1888 - the first woman on official ballots. American author Belva Plain. Belva Gaertner, the inspiration behind character Velma Kelly in "Chicago." Not to be confused with Beulah Annan. American journalist Belva Davis, now age 81.

To some, Nicander (nih-CAN-dur) might seem like a made-up smoosh name - Nick + Andrew or something like that. However, I assure you this saint name is legit, although it remains so rare that there are no statistics in the U.S. for it. From the name Nicandros this name means "man of victory." And the fact that it sounds so close to Nick, Andrew, Alexander, Leander, etc makes it that much more wearable. Hearing it once also packs a punch. Nicander of Colophon was a Greek poet, physician and grammarian, but only two of his works survive. Many other "greats" were inspired by him, such as Ovid and Pliny. Nicander of Sparta was a Greek king who reigned between c.750 and c.725, but not too much is known about him. There are only a few other namesakes throughout history, some of which go by the international spelling Nicandro. Nicknames for both could be Nick, Nico, or Andy. There are also a few saints of the name, including Nicander the Egyptian physician, Nicander o...