Modern Baby Girl Names

A recent addition to the name lexicon with some real potential.

A more feminine version of Devin.

Created in the style of Jabari, a fashionable Swahili name. Jakari is mainly used among African American families in the US.

This spelling variation of the color name Gray could also be a diminutive form of Graham — though it could also derive from Grace. Currently a gender-neutral choice in the US, it is borne by Olympic windsurfer Grae Morris, singer Grae Phillips, and baseball player Grae Kessinger.

Artist is one of many occupational words newly adopted as first names. Now gender-neutral, Artist appeared first for boys and now is given to about 20 percent girls. A name that is sure to spark discussion and may prove inspirational.

Painter is among the most creative choices in this very fashionable category of names, with a particularly pleasant sound. Whereas most occupational names conjure up physical labor, this one feels like a gateway to the arts. Actor Chad Lowe used it as the middle name of his daughter Mabel.

One of the new literalist religious names, like Blessing, Heavenly and Neveah. More male than female, but essentially unisex.

A nouveau creation inspired by Paisley.

Honesty is one of the modern virtue names, which along with Justice and Destiny are picking up where Faith, Hope, and Charity left off. Is Honesty the most appealing name ever? No, and it's also sure to spark lots of tiresome jokes. Still, Honesty is a positive quality and a lot more appealing than negative word names such as Pistol and Rehab (which both, yes, were given to five baby girls in the US last year).

Strong meaning, sweet but strong sound, fresh and earthy: a winner.

Amiracle is a contemporary feminine name that emerged from English-speaking countries, particularly in American naming trends. As its spelling suggests, it combines the prefix 'a' with 'miracle', creating a name that literally evokes the concept of being a miracle. This meaning-rich name likely appeals to parents who view their child as a blessing or miraculous gift. Amiracle began appearing in naming records in the late 20th and early 21st centuries but remains uncommon. The name has four syllables with a rhythmic quality and a distinctly modern, inspirational feel. Its uniqueness ensures that a child named Amiracle would stand out, carrying a name that inherently celebrates her existence.

Prior to 2013, this name was unheard of. That was the year that Larry Hernandez, singer and star of reality show Larrymania, gave the name to his daughter. It has now entered the US Top 1000, following in the footsteps of Daleyza, the invented name Hernandez bestows upon his older daughter.

Actor couple Chyler Leigh and Nathan West added this one to the lexicon when they adapted the surname of actress Jennifer Aniston as their daughter's first name, Anniston. Aniston, which theoretically might mean "Agnes town," was actually Anglicized from the Greek Anastasopoulos. With its similarity to both Addison and Anna and its relationship to the attractive star, Anniston is taking off a la Jolie.

First appearing in the US charts back in 2017, Kaior could have a number of origins. One one hand, it may be an invented name, combining the popular Kai with the designer name Dior, giving it the meaning "golden ocean". As such, it may have been inspired by Jamaican entrepreneur, Keyshia Ka'oir Davis, whose daughter with rapper Gucci Mane is called Iceland Ka'oir (born 2023)

Neo, indeed--though it was a male character in "The Matrix."

With Henley and Kinsley two of the most popular new ley-ending baby names for girls, why not Hensley? We can think of several reasons, but if you like this style of name, Hensley is as attractive as any.

Reno Sweeney is the heroine of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes, played on Broadway by Ethel Merman, Patti Lupone, and Sutton Foster. While Reno was not used for any baby girls in 2022, it's certainly a gender-neutral choice. Reno, Nevada is named for Civil War Union General Jesse Lee Reno. The name is said to be an anglicization of Reynaud or Reynold, which means "powerful counsel".

Jalen was made popular for boys by basketball player, Jalen Rose, whose name was made up of his father and uncle's names, James and Leonard. Jaylynn emerged as a feminine form, as did Jaelyn, and Jaelin is another spelling variant.

A Puritanical virtue name and also a place name, belonging to the state capital of Rhode Island and several other towns and cities in the US.

Saint went quickly from word to celebrity baby name to accepted baby boy name and now to baby girl name. And there's nothing historically or etymologically gendered about Saint, so why not?