Mercilla

Like Camilla and Priscilla, Mercilla is another example of a name that ends with -illa. A feminine title, Mercilla has English origins and is a variant of the virtue moniker Mercy. You might also recognize Mercilla from Edmund Spenser’s epic poem “The Faerie Queen.” While the word “mercy” appears in the English dictionary, its roots lie in the Latin word merces, which refers to a “wage” or “reward.” In a funny trick of etymology, the word “mercy” actually means “compassion,” “forbearance,” or “forgiveness,” describing a generosity of spirit rather than monetary generosity! With a name like Mercilla, baby will quickly learn the value of being kind to themselves and others.