Choosing a name for a baby girl is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Some parents opt for names that are popular or trendy, while others seek names that convey qualities they hope their child will embody. For those looking for names that suggest intelligence and wisdom, here are 20 names with stories and meanings that fit the bill.
- Ada – meaning noble and serene, this name has a long history of use among accomplished women, including Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer.
- Alexandra – derived from the Greek for “defender of the people,” this name has been borne by many accomplished leaders throughout history, from Alexander the Great to Queen Alexandra of England.
- Amelia – meaning “industrious” and “striving,” this name has been borne by trailblazing women like Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic.
- Ariadne – meaning “most holy,” this name has a mythological origin in the Greek princess who helped Theseus slay the Minotaur with her intelligence and cunning.
- Astrid – meaning “divinely beautiful,” this name is associated with intellectual pursuits and creative endeavors, as exemplified by the award-winning Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
- Beatrice – meaning “bringer of joy,” this name has been borne by many wise and learned women throughout history, including Beatrice Webb, the British social reformer and economist.
- Charlotte – meaning “free woman,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Charlotte Bronte, the author of “Jane Eyre.”
- Eleanor – meaning “bright, shining one,” this name has been borne by many powerful and intelligent women throughout history, including Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady and human rights advocate.
- Emma – meaning “universal,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and creative women, including Emma Watson, the British actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
- Grace – meaning “charm” and “elegance,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Grace Hopper, the pioneering computer scientist and US Navy rear admiral.
- Harriet – meaning “ruler of the household,” this name has been borne by many strong and intelligent women throughout history, including Harriet Tubman, the former slave who became a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
- Jane – meaning “God is gracious,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Jane Austen, the beloved author of “Pride and Prejudice.”
- Katherine – meaning “pure,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician who helped put a man on the moon.
- Margaret – meaning “pearl,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Matilda – meaning “battle strength,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and powerful women throughout history, including Matilda of England, the medieval queen who fought to maintain her claim to the throne.
- Rachel – meaning “ewe,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and creative women throughout history, including Rachel Carson, the pioneering environmentalist and author.
- Rosalind – meaning “pretty rose,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and accomplished women throughout history, including Rosalind Franklin, the chemist whose work helped unlock the structure of DNA.
- Sofia – meaning “wisdom,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and creative women throughout history, including Sofia Kovalevskaya, the first woman to obtain a doctorate in mathematics and make significant contributions to the field.
- Vera – meaning “truth,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and courageous women throughout history, including Vera Rubin, the astronomer who discovered evidence for the existence of dark matter.
- Virginia – meaning “virginal, pure,” this name has been borne by many intelligent and talented women throughout history, including Virginia Woolf, the pioneering writer and feminist.
In conclusion, the names we give our children have a powerful impact on their lives. Choosing a name that suggests intelligence and wisdom can inspire a child to strive for these qualities in themselves and set them on a path of success and accomplishment. Each of the 20 names listed above has a rich history and meaning that can serve as an inspiration for any girl seeking to make her mark on the world.
