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20 Names to Substitute for Danielle

Danielle is a feminization so popular in the 1980s and 1990s that modern parents will be looking for updates. Here, some ideas of girls' names that might be fresh substitutes for Danielle.
  1. CelesteHeart
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "heavenly"
    • Description:

      Celeste is a softly pretty and somewhat quaint name with heavenly overtones, which kids might associate with Queen Celeste of Babar's elephant kingdom. She's a light and lovely choice that's finally getting noticed.
  2. EstelleHeart
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      Maybe it's because she shares that winning -elle sound with Isabel and Bella, but Estelle is no longer seen as a muumuu-wearing canasta player of a certain age (think George Costanza's mother on Seinfeld or Joey Tribbiani's talent agent in Friends). This could be in part thanks to the young Royal Couple of Sweden, who chose it for their firstborn daughter, or the single-named British R&B singer. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2012 after a nearly fifty-year absence.
  3. NellHeart
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Helen, Eleanor, et al
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"
    • Description:

      Nell, once a nickname for Helen, Ellen, or Eleanor, is a sweet old-fashioned charmer that is fashionably used today in its own right. While Nell is perfectly in tune with contemporary vintage name style, it hasn't taken off the way some of its sisters have and so maintains an air of distinction. Use Nell or Nellie as a short for any name from Eleanor to Penelope or just name her Nell.
  4. AmelieHeart
    • Origin:

      French variation of Amelia
    • Meaning:

      "work"
    • Description:

      Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie; it entered the American popularity list in 2002 and is now solidly established in the Top 1000.
  5. JulietteHeart
    • Origin:

      French from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "little Julia"
    • Description:

      Juliette, pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, adds a little something extra to Juliet. In the past years it has been rising up the chart.
  6. SimoneHeart
    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Hebrew Simon
    • Meaning:

      "hearkening"
    • Description:

      Simone, the elegant French feminization of Simon, strikes that all-important balance between unusual and familiar, and it's oozing with Gallic sophistication. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a daughter named Simone; Chris Rock used it in the middle place for his daughter, as did Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates
  7. GabrielleHeart
    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Gabriel
    • Meaning:

      "God is my Strength"
    • Description:

      The quintessentially elegant and worldly Gabrielle -- designer Coco Chanel's real name -- is on its descent after years on the rise. Gabrielle was a hit in the 90s and early 2000s, peaking at number 46 in 1999. Popular nickname options include Gabby, Bri, and Brielle. Today Gabriella has taken over as the more popular version and still sits in the Top 100, while Gabrielle is soon to lose its spot in the Top 500. This follows a collective trend of "-a" ending version surpassing the more tailored versions, similar to how Daniela replaced Danielle.
  8. JustineHeart
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Justin
    • Meaning:

      "fair, righteous"
    • Description:

      Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly.
  9. MarielleHeart
    • Origin:

      Dutch and French diminutive of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Mariel Hemingway made us aware of the more abbreviated spelling of this charming name, which dates back to the nineteenth century.
  10. LucienneHeart
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Lucian
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle.
  11. MirabelleHeart
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "marvelous"
    • Description:

      If you're looking for a fresher belle name than Isabelle, Mirabelle is lovely, and we also like the extra flourish of Mirabella. And if you want a nature tie, Mirabelle is also the name of a delicate French plum.
  12. ArielleHeart
    • Origin:

      French variation of Ariel
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      While not as popular as the Ariel spelling of Little Mermaid fame, this rendition has achieved popularity in its own right.
  13. NicolaHeart
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Nicola, an elegant Latinate feminization of Nicholas, has long been standard issue for English girls but for some reason has never voyaged across the Atlantic, which we consider a pity, especially as Nicole's standing has waned.
  14. MarineHeart
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from the sea"
    • Description:

      Marine is an extremely popular and fashionable name in France that's virtually unknown here — and is ready to set sail. Marine feels more contemporary than Marina and less hippie-esque than Oceane, another popular name for girls in France.
  15. DanielaHeart
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish feminine form of Daniel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my judge"
    • Description:

      This Latinate feminine form of Daniel has ranked among the Top 300 girls' names in the US for more than 30 years.
  16. DaniqueHeart
    • Origin:

      French variation of Danica
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.
  17. DanikaHeart
    • Origin:

      Eastern European
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      Spelling variation of Danica with a modern update.
  18. GiseleHeart
    • Description:

      The French variation of Giselle was made famous by the spectacular Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
  19. AurielleHeart
    • DanyaHeart
      • Origin:

        Russian, diminutive of Danielle, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "judgment of God"
      • Description:

        An energetic name with an embroidered feel.