When I first heard that Kourtney Kardashian named her brand new baby girl Penelope, I thought two things immediately:
1. How did she manage to escape giving her baby girl a name that started with a "K"?!
2. I bet she named her baby after Penelope Cruz!
I mean, who wouldn't want their baby to take after the gorgeous Spanish actress? She's talented and graceful and every bit a lady, so it seems fitting to want to pass on those characteristics to a baby girl. But what's the real meaning behind her name?
The name Penelope is actually derived from Greek origins, and the most famous Penelope of all times is the wife of Odysseus, the main character in Homer's famous tome The Odyssey. In the book, she avoids being forced to remarry while her husband is away by weaving a tapestry during the day and unraveling it at night after declaring it must be completed before she would wed. The name has come to signify characteristics such as loyalty and cleverness.
Penelope Cruz isn't the only Latina celebrity out there with an inspirational name though. Here are 10 celebrities whose names would be perfect for a new little girl and the secret meanings behind them!
Images via Splash News
Eva Longoria and Eva Mendes
Eva is the name given to two of Hollywood’s most vivacious Latinas, so it makes sense that the name means “Life”! The name has Hebrew roots, but has always been big across Latin America (hello, Eva Peron!) and has been gaining popularity again lately in the United States. Both the feisty chicana Longoria and the sultry cubana Mendes seem to embody the name Eva perfectly, no?
Gisele Bundchen
Brazilian supermodel Gisele only needs to go by one name for everyone to know exactly whom you are talking about. Her name has French roots and means “pledge”. It’s clear how Gisele got to the very top (and beyond) of the model game with such a committed name.
Raquel Welch
Raquel is a big, sexy name–makes sense for one of the sexiest bombshell actresses of the 20th century. Welch’s name is actually animal derived and is the Spanish translation of Rachel, meaning “lamb” or “ewe” in Hebrew. The Mexican star of One Million Years B.C. is likely the most famous Raquel of them all!
Rita Moreno and Rita Hayworth
Both Rita Moreno and Rita Hayworth share this name, many times shortened from Margarita in Spanish. Margarita has its roots in the Greek word for “pearl”, but it also has a Hindi history meaning “right”. Both Rita’s were unique pearls, so their names were definitely fitting. Puerto Rican film, TV and stage star Moreno is one of the few celebrities to achieve an Emmy, Tony, Oscar and Grammy and Mexican film icon Hayworth remains the epitome of Old Hollywood Glamour.
Rosario Dawson
This is a traditionally religious name, which means "rosary" in Spanish. In Roman Catholic countries, the name is taken from Nuestra Señora del Rosario, or the iconic Virgin Mary. Dawson–of mixed Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican descent–is one of the few famous Rosario’s to hit it big in Hollywood, making this activist even more unique!
Salma Hayek
Salma is actually an adaptation of the Arabic name “Salima,” meaning “peace,” or “to be safe”. Hayek’s father has Assyrian-Lebanese roots, so that explains how the Mexican actress got this unique moniker. Salma is also popular in Swahili speaking countries in Africa.
Selena Gomez and Selena Quintanilla
Selena has a celestial background. In fact, the word “Selena” actually means moon, and is derived from Greek and Latin origins. The name has been climbing in popularity over the last 20 years. Actress/pop star Selena Gomez has even mentioned that she was named after fellow tejana Selena Quintanilla, whom the former Disney princess has described as one of her idols.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe is a direct transliteration of the ancient Greek word (written 'zeta-omega-eta: ΖΩΗ) and it–like “Eva”–means “life”. Saldana seems poised to become a big action star so it is fitting she has such a powerful name. It’s gained tons of popularity in recent years and is now one of the Top 50 most popular names for baby girls in the U.S.
