Do you love the name Penelope, but are looking for something just a bit different? This list of beautiful girl names like Penelope will help you find the perfect name!
Why Choose a Name Like Penelope ?
Penelope means ‘weaver’ in Greek. Penelope was the faithful wife who waited at home for Odysseus in the Odessy.
Penelope is a really lovely girl name. It’s a vintage name that is a little quirky and very frilly. It also comes with a super cute nickname, Penny. In the past two decades Penelope has risen drastically on the charts. in 2001 it barely registered on the Social Security list of top baby names, but it’s risen to the twenties on the charts in the past couple years.
But you may not want to name your child Penelope precisely because it is so popular. You may already have a friend or family member use this name, or maybe your partner is not a fan. Perhaps you’re looking for a similarly elegant, but slightly different name.
Well, I’m here to help with this list of names that are similar to Penelope. Check out the list of names like Penelope below!
Names Similar to Penelope
So without further ado, here is my list of beautiful girl names like Penelope:
Adelaide
This is the English version of the Germane name Adalhedis. This name means ‘noble’ or ‘nobility’. Addie would make a great nickname for Adelaide. Like Penelope, Adelaide is a pretty, frilly name, but is much less common than Adelaide.
Ainslee
Ainslee or Ainsley was originally a Scottish surname derived from the place name for a meadow.
Alice
Alice is an English baby name that has gone through several transitions, but originally stemmed from the German name Adelaide, meaning ‘nobility’. Alice is a simple, but pretty vintage name that isn’t overused. It became very popular after Alice in Wonderland was published in the 19th century, but has fallen in popularity over the past few decades. If you’re looking for a recognizable, but uncommon baby name, Alice might be perfect for you!
Amaryllis
Giving your child a floral-inspired name is a tradition that has been around for hundred if not thousands of years. Amaryllis is a more unique option than Rose or Lily.
Amelia
Amelia is a variant of Amalia, a Germanic name meaning ‘work’, ‘industrious’, or ‘striving’. It was made popular by the daughters of George II and III, as well as the aviation icon, Amelia Earhart.
Annabelle
Annabelle comes from the French and means ‘loving’. It’s another super feminine name, just like Penelope.
Annalise
Annalise is a Scandinavian baby name that combines two names, Anna (full of grace) and Liese (God is my oath). Annalise is a beautiful and delicate name that hasn’t been overused since the trend of vintage girls names started.
Augusta
Coming from the Latin name, Augustus, Augusta means ‘to increase’ or ‘esteemed’. Sometimes it’s also used to honour the eighth month of the year as well.
Aurora
Aurora means ‘dawn’ and has its origins in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the sunrise. It was also the name of the princess in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, making it a sentimental favorite among princess fans. After years of rising on the charts, it cracked the top fifty year year, jumping from 51 to 44.
Beatrice
Beatrice is a beautiful French/Italian baby name, stemming from the Latin word Beatrix, which means ‘she who makes happy’. I love this frilly baby name, which is similar to Penelope.
Bernadette
Bernie is a great androgynous option for a very girly name like Bernadette.
Brielle
Brielle/Briella are shortened versions of Gabrielle/Gabriella, meaning ‘woman of God’, but it is now being used as an independent given name.
Calista
Callie is the shortened form of Calista, meaning ‘beautiful, lovely’.
Camilla
Camilla is a Spanish and Portuguese name which originally comes from the Roman name, Camillus. It means ‘ceremonial attendant’ and increased in popularity from 23 to 18 last year. It’s a lovely name, just like Penelope.
Cassia
Cassia is another more unique vintage name, which comes from the Greek and means cinnamon. Cassie or even simpler, Cass would work for a nickname.
Cecily
Cecily is a female version of the name Cecil, a founder of a sect of Christianity. It literally means ‘blind’. Cecily is a lovely spin on the name Cecilia. It’s one of those lovely and not so well know vintage names and is one of my personal favorites!
Clementine
Clementine is another super frilly vintage name that I LOVE. Just like Penny, Clemmie is the perfect cute, but not too cute, counterpart to Clementine.
Dahlia
One of the most gorgeous large perennial flowers, Dahlia is an uncommon, but not unheard of name for girls. For more beautiful floral-inspired girl names, click here!
Daphne
This vintage name is veeeeeery old and comes from the Greek. In Greek mythology, Daphne was the name of a nymph and daughter of the river-god Penelus. Daphne was a very popular name in the mid-century and is gaining popularity again in the past few years.
Delilah
Delilah is a Hebrew baby name, meaning ‘delight’. Delilah was Samson’s mistress in the Old Testament. It’s seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, rising from 102 to 94 on the charts last year.
Dorothy
Dorothy is a pretty vintage name that hasn’t seen a resurge in popularity like many other vintage girl names. Dorothy originates from the Greek word for ‘gift’. Dottie makes a super cute nickname for Dorothy!
Eleanor
Eleanor stems from the old French name, Alienor. Eleanor of Aquitaine, the 12th century queen, made the name well known.
Eloise
Eloise comes from the French and means ‘healthy’ or ‘large’.
Estella
Estella comes from the Latin word meaning ‘star.’ Stella is a cute, less formal option for a nickname.
Etta
Etta is the shortened form of Henrietta (meaning ‘estate owner’). It’s often associated with Etta James (whose given name was actually Jamesetta), the matriarch of soul, which gives it a cool, retro vibe!
Evangeline
Evangeline is an elegant vintage girl name which stems from the Greek. Meaning ‘bringer of good news’, Evangeline is a lovely choice for your daughter. This name is synonymous with Longfellow’s infamous poem of the same name.
Evelyn
This lovely old fashioned name originates from the British surname, Aveline, and is associated with peace and harmony.
Felicity
Felicity is a beautiful vintage name meaning either ‘happiness’ or ‘good fortune’. Either meaning is as lovely as the name is!
Florence
Florence is a name derived from Saint Florentia, a Roman martyr. Florence means ‘blossoming’ in Latin.
Freesia
A beautiful flower associated with truth, friendship and innocence.
Gemma
Gemma is an Italian girl’s name meaning ‘precious stone’. It entered the charts in 2008 and rose in popularity from 257 to 229 last year.
Genevieve
Genevieve has roots in French or German meaning tribe woman. It’s popularity peaked in the early 20th century, but is on the rise again today.
Georgina
Similar to Penelope, Georgina is another super girly name with super cool unisex nickname for your daughter!
Gloria
Gloria is a pretty old fashioned girls name meaning ‘glory to God’.
Helena
Helena is another example of a very elegant name, like Penelope. Lena is still elegant, but a little less sophisticated and a little more sweet and makes a great nickname, just like Penny.
Ida
Ida is a name that comes from several different cultures including the German (meaning ‘to work’), Old Norse (after the goddess, Iounn), and the anglicization of the Irish saint, Ide.
Imogene
Imogene was first recorded in Shakespeare’s play, Cymbeline. It’s thought to stem from the Gaelic word inghean, meaning ‘maiden’.
Isadora
Isadora is a great alternative to the more common Isabelle. It stems from Greek and Latin and means ‘gift of Isis’ (Isis was the principal goddess of Egypt). Izzy or Dora would both make cute nicknames!
Isla
Isla, pronounced eye-la, is a baby name originating in Scotland. There is a Scottish island called Islay, or it may be derived from the Gaelic word for ‘rocky place’. Isla is also the Spanish word for island. It’s one of my favorite boho names for girls. It entered the top 1000 in 2008 and moved from 103 to 82 last year.
Josephine
Josephine is the feminized form of Joseph and means ‘God increases’. The wife of Napolean, was a notable Josephine. Josephine’s popularity peaked around 1910, but is making a comeback. It’s a great choice for those looking for a vintage name that has not been overused, but isn’t uncommon.
Juliet
Juliet is the English spelling of the French name Juliette (also very cute!). It is the feminine form of Julius, which refers to a Roman family name.
Kamila
Kamila is an Arabic baby name with means ‘perfect’. It entered the charts in 2003, and has risen steadily. Just last year it rose from 292 to 267 on the charts.
Lavender
From the fragrant purple flower, Lavender is another one of those names that is lovely, but it’s uncommon enough you won’t likely have another Lavender in your social circle.
Lenora
Shortened for of Elenora. Also the princess in ‘The Balloon Tree’ by Phoebe Gilman.
Lillian
The name Lillian is a form of Lily, which honours the lily flower.
Lucille
Lucille is the French form of Lucia, which means ‘torch’ or ‘light’.
Louisa
Feminized form of Louis, from the French ‘renowned warrior’.
Maeve
This Irish name refers to the warrior queen of Ireland and means ‘the cause of great joy’ or ‘she who intoxicates’.
Magnolia
Magnolia is a beautiful vintage name that evokes the South (made popular by the novel and musical, Showboat). The Magnolia flower is named after Pierre Magnol. The name Magnolia was quite popular between 1880 and 1940, and is now making a comeback.
Malina
Meaning ‘strawberry’ in several Slavic languages.
Margeurite
The French form of Margaret, Margeurite is a tad fancier and gives a unique spin on this beautiful name.
Matilda
Matilda is a German name meaning ‘battle-might’. I love that this frilly sounding name has such a strong meaning behind it!
Millie
Millie can be a shortened form of several names, including Amelia, Camilla, Melissa, Mildred or Millicent. It means ‘industrious’.
Nina
Nina has etymologic roots all over the world including Russia, Spain, Babylon, South America and a nickname for many names ending in -nina.
Olivia
Olivia was first used in Shakespeare’s Twelveth Night, and was a spin off from Oliva or Oliver, both of which are names that honour the olive tree.
Peony
Peonies are the large perennial flowers that herald the start of summer. Peony flowers are striking, just as the name Peony will be if you choose it for your daughter.
Poppy
Naming your daughter Poppy honours the poppy flower, which symbolizes ‘peace’.
Posy
Diminutive of Josephine, or the English word for a bunch of flowers, this name is beautiful and original!
Rosalind
A Shakespeare heroine, meaning ‘beautiful rose’.
Rosalie
Rosalie is a gorgeous vintage French baby name. It comes from the Latin word ‘rosa’, meaning ‘rose’. Rosalie is a really lovely alternative to Rose, if you’re looking for something a little more fancy.
Rosamund
Influenced by the word, rose, the Normans brought this name to England.
Rosemary
This beautiful vintage baby name means ‘dew of the sea’, after the herb, rosemary. It can also be a combination of Rose and Mary. Rosemary is yet another alternative to the traditional name, Rose. Rosemary has a vintage Hollywood feel, as several famous Old Hollywood actresses, such as Rosemary Clooney, had this name.
Sadie
Sadie is another gorgeous old fashioned name that is making a comeback. It means ‘princess’ in Hebrew.
Stella
This vintage baby name comes from Latin and means ‘star’. It peaked in popularity in the 1880’s, but has risen again in the past decade.
Suzannah
Suzannah is a Hebrew name meaning ‘lily’. It’s still a fairly uncommon baby name that has not risen in popularity as others have in the past few years. I love the vintage nickname, Suzie, for Suzannah!
Tabitha
Tabitha means ‘gazelle’ in Aramaic. Tabitha was the daughter on the classic television show, Bewitched. Tabatha is an alternate spelling.
Vera
This is a super recognizable, but unique vintage name that is very hip at the moment. Vera is a Russian baby name meaning ‘faith’. This could be the perfect baby name if you’re looking for a mix of frill, yet simplicity!
Viola
Viola is an Italian vintage girls name. It comes from Latin and means ‘violet. Viola Davis is a well-known actress with this beautiful name.
Violet
The name Violet comes from the purple colour, or the small purple flower. It’s been popular in Scotland since the 16th century and in England since the 19th century.
Viviane
Viviane means life and comes from the Latin. It’s the perfect old fashioned name that is uncommon, but very recognizable. You have several different spelling options, the conventional English Vivian, or the French Vivianne.
Winnie
Winnie is a beautiful nickname for Winifred, or sometimes Edwina. It comes from the Welsh and means ‘fair one’.
Well, those are my top choices for names that are similar to Penelope. I hope this helps you find the perfect baby name!
Names sourced from Behind the Name.
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