Notable women in history

mm&es

I am at a loss for a MN for DD3.  I don't really have any family names that I'm in love with, or people that I want to honor.  I'm trying to think of inspriational names that would honor an important woman in history.  Who are  your favorite female historial figures?  I've got:

Eleanor Roosevelt

Harriet Tubman

Elizabeth Cady Stanton; Elizabeth Blackwell

Amelia Earhart

Susan B. Anthony

Rosa Parks

Hellen Keller

 

While I love these women, none of these names are calling out to me.  Who are some other notable historical/congtemporary figures?

 

 

Manderlin923

When I think of non-family females I would like to use names of, it tends to be those of literary significance- either authors or characters. Some of my favorites:

Jane, Hermione, Maya, etc...

Scarlett&Gatsby

How far back are you willing to go?

Boudicca

St. Monica

Elizabeth I

Annie Oakley

Dolly Madison

Mother Theresa

Sojourner Truth

Maya Angelou

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Heloise d'Argenteuil

Florence Nightingale

Marie Curie

Coco Chanel

Helen Keller

Audrey Hepburn (she was a spy during WWII!)

Flannery O'Connor

 

You could also consider Cleopatra and Sappho, who had pretty major influences, but are a little controversial.

emmy236

It may be a woman who inspires you. I had a fabulous professor in college who I absolutely adored. She is the reason I am the person I am today so if I was needing a name id use hers. I don't know what religion you are but a lot of time you can find a name that can inspire you. There are some Saints with great stories and many are very strong women.

Dr.Loretta

Jane Austen

Jane Goodall

Marie Curie

Mother Theresa

Winnie Mandela

Malala Yousafzi

Coretta Scott King

Anne Frank

Charlotte and Emily Bronte

Harper Lee

I could spam you with a ton of saints' names, but I don't know if you are religious

 

 

mm&es

Thanks for all the responses!  I'm not religious, so Saint's names aren't at the top of my list.  I love some of these suggestions, though, especially Jane.  I have always loved the name, but never had a reason to use it.  Jane Goodall and Jane Austen are pretty inspirational, though!

 

mh89

What about character or author names from your favorite childhood books?
I was originally going to go with influential women from history too (I was leaning towards Amelia) but I just didn't feel a personal connection to the name. We ended up going with a literary name and really love it.

emilyray14

I love the name Ada, like Ada Lovelace/Augusta Ada King the mathematician/computer programmer.

I know you said you aren't religious but I also like Esther, nn Essie. I think Esther is such a strong name!

sweetpeace13

Beverly Jordan
Indira Ghandi
Agnes Demille
Corazon Aquino
Gloria Steinem
Rachel Carson
Marlena Deitruch
Simone De Bouvier
Maya Angelou
Dorothy Dandridge

capulet

Two of my favorite girl names are Livia and Theodora, both powerful empresses in the ancient world - one Roman, one Byzantine.  They weren't exactly good people, but they exercised power in a way that was unusual for women before the modern age.

I also like Abigail for Abigail Adams, and Monica for the saint (S&G reminds me this is a favorite of mine I forget to include on my girl name list when I make it off the top of my head).  I probably wouldn't use it for a daughter, but my confirmation name is Macrina, after St. Macrina the Younger, whose brothers Sts. Gregory and Basil are famous theologians, but who was an educated woman in her own right.

Esther, Judith, Deborah, and Miriam are strong female biblical characters whose names a non-religious person could easily use.

divinemsbee

Gloria Steinem

Margaret Sanger

Gertrude Stein (I love Trudy as a nn)

Elizabeth (Betty) Friedan

Jane Fonda

Germaine Greer

Sally Ride

 

 

talanswife

I am a nurse, so I think of famous, inspirational nurses in history-

Florence Nightingale

Clara Barton

Lillian Wald

Dorothea Dix

Scarlett&Gatsby

capulet said:

Two of my favorite girl names are Livia and Theodora, both powerful empresses in the ancient world - one Roman, one Byzantine.  They weren't exactly good people, but they exercised power in a way that was unusual for women before the modern age.

I also like Abigail for Abigail Adams, and Monica for the saint (S&G reminds me this is a favorite of mine I forget to include on my girl name list when I make it off the top of my head).  I probably wouldn't use it for a daughter, but my confirmation name is Macrina, after St. Macrina the Younger, whose brothers Sts. Gregory and Basil are famous theologians, but who was an educated woman in her own right.

Esther, Judith, Deborah, and Miriam are strong female biblical characters whose names a non-religious person could easily use.

Our Monica is after the saint. I think her story is so moving, even from a non-religious perspective. She just loved her son so much and refused to give up on him, and because of her persistence and faith, he became one of the most important thinkers and theologians, ever. I know OP doesn't want a name that's too religious; I just think Monica is an incredibly admirable person, no matter how you feel about her beliefs. ETA: We did use the name because we're religious. Just to clarify. I just don't think she's only admirable if you're Christian.

lilegg

Eleanor & Amelia have always been on my list.