Oriana

Oriana was the nickname for Queen Elizabeth 1st. She was fondly known as 'our glorious Oriana' and the Oriana madrigals were written for her. A popular cruise ship in England was named the Oriana. I called my daugher Oriana because I was told it meant golden dawn. She awoke at dawn every day of her life until she was 10 years old, AND, she is blond! and glorious.

I used to dislike my different name, but now I love it! Its got character and I love that it starts with an 'O', not your typical ___ana name (Briana, Deanna, Joanna)... I can't recommend it enough - and I am blonde too (now)!

My last name is Orellana, which is pronounced o-ree-ana (phonetic spelling). I had always been told that my last name was pretty enough to be a first name. I never knew that it was an actual name and in baby books. Years ago, when I was 18, I said that in the future when I have a daughter, I was going to name her Oriana. Well, I had a little girl nearly a year ago and I named her Oriana, of course, she does NOT have my last name or that would have been really silly. hahahahaha Though, in the hospital, the nurses all thought that was going to be her full name. They all kept saying, "Mom, why would you do that? That's just mean." hahahahaha She has her daddy's last name. I recommend this name 100%. My daughter constantly gets compliments on it.