Ballerina Baby Names
This summer, t.v. networks are indulging the childhood dreams of so many little girls with new ballet-themed shows. Breaking Pointe (a reality show) and Bunheads (a drama/comedy), now joining Australia’s drama Dance Academy, are an answer to the fascination many of us have with the ballet, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of young ballerinas.
The characters and real-life dancers in these shows are not always given names that scream “ballet”, but some do stand out. When it comes to ballerina names, we think that the most prominent examples come from famous ballerinas throughout modern history as well as names from classical ballets. Here’s a sampling of each.
Ballet-Inspired Names
Aurora - from the ballet Sleeping Beauty
Aurora is a name we associate with the northern lights. It has a lovely meaning and a fairytale image to add to its list of charms. This name is on an upward trend.
Clara - from the ballet The Nutcracker
The name of the little girl whose dreams come to life in the ballet, this seems fitting for a ballerina or a girl next door (maybe both!). Though not as popular as it was in the 1800s, Clara is on an upward trend as well.
Giselle - from the ballet Giselle
This could be considered the most iconic ballerina name because of its strong association with the ballet. It’s also the name of a Disney princess, though that hasn’t seemed to have hurt or helped its popularity too much.
Maya - Maya Plisetskaya, Russian ballerina (b. 1925)
Maya is another name enjoying an upswing in popularity since it first appeared on the charts in the 70s.
Sasha - from Bunheads
A Russian name with lots of appeal. This is the pet form of Alexander and is used primarily for girls in the U.S.
Sylvie - Sylvie Guillem, French ballerina (b. 1965)
The French form of Silvia, this is a charming name that people seem to like but don’t use very often.
Svetlana - Svetlana Zakharova, Ukrainian ballerina (b. 1979)
This is a common Russian name that’s rarely found in the U.S., as the “Sv” combination makes it a bit choppy to pronounce. This name is shared by Russian ballerina Svetlana Lunkina.
Ballerina Names That End In -ina
One common characteristic shared by several ballerina names is the “-ina” ending, mirroring the Italian word ballerina. These names have a distinctly international feel to them. The most popular on this list is the name Nina; all the others are not in the top 1,000.
Bettina “Boo” - Character in Bunheads
Galina - Galina Mezentseva, Russian ballerina (b. 1952)
Irina - Irina Kolesnikova, Russian ballerina (b. 1980)
Katrina “Kat” - Character in Dance Academy
Nina - Nina Ananiashvili, Georgian ballerina (b. 1963)
When you think of a ballerina, what name comes to mind? What names would you add to the list?
--L.E.
Comments
What about Coppelia?
I always think of Lorna and Lorena the Cuban Prima Ballerina sisters.
The New York City Ballet has a few interesting names among the dancers.
Sterling (f)
Ask (m)
Likolani (f)
Tiler (f)
Gonzalo (m)
Abi (f)
Amar (m)
Spartak (m)
I like the list.
My favorite has to be Gelsey - as in Gelsey Kirkland. I'm curious to see Bunheads ... here's hoping for tons of great names this fall season!
Angelina Ballerina!
My favorites are Giselle and Sasha. They are ultimate. I am definitely going to use this name for my baby.
Odette from Swan Lake. Swoon!
Love Sterling! Sasha is on my list for girl's names but might be getting too popular these days.
Darcey Bussell is a famous British ballerina. The name Darcey always reminds me of her.
I always think of Polly, Posy, and Petrova, from "Ballet Shoes," by Noel Streatfeild.
I am with you on the Gelsey love. It is definitely at the top of my list for girls.
Sadly, there is not much dancing in "Bunheads," nor is it "Gilmore Girls," which it is trying so desperately to be. It is worth watching for Kelly Bishop and the bit of dancing they show (as well as hunting for Stars Hollow actors) are the only reasons I find it to be worth watching.
Tanaquil LeClercq, one of George Balanchine's muses and wives
It was Pauline, not Polly, in "Ballet Shoes."
I'm adoring Bunheads! My niece is named after Allegra (after the celebrated dancer Allegra Kent). They do get allergy medication comments, but it is a beautiful, if unusual, name that means joy.
Hello, Isadora.
If my youngest had been a girl, he would have been Margot. Which definitely feels like a ballerina name to me due to Margot Fonteyn. It is feminine and sophisticated, like a prima ballerina.
Whenever my most youthful was really a daughter, even though were Margot. Which unfortunately absolutely feels like a new ballerina moniker to my opinion on account of Margot Fonteyn. It will be woman's and complex, similar to a prima dancer. micah
I'm adoring Bunheads! My niece is named after Allegra (after the celebrated dancer Allegra Kent). They do get allergy medication comments, but it is a beautiful, if unusual, name that means joy.
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We haven't had a President Candy, but we haven't had a President Margaret or Susan or any other "more serious" women's name either. jaxsportsradio
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Waiting for the day when harry potter characters will be also taken for baby names. marketing strategies for small business
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