Cool Classic Girl Names Below the Top 1000
Updated Mon Mar 11 2024
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Choosing a classic girl name doesn't have to mean choosing a popular one. These classic names are also unusual, hiding below the Top 1000.
For a name to be cool and classic, it has to be both out-of-the-ordinary and used over centuries, and the 100+ girl names here qualify on both counts.
Along with up-and-coming names such as Imogen and Romilly, this list features hidden treasures such as Eugenie, Ione, Jessamine, Lucretia, and Tullia — each of which were given to fewer than 20 baby girls in 2022.
Names outside of the Top 1000 are unique and rare. If you'd like to give your baby girl a name with deep roots that also stands out from the crowd, here is our selection of classic-but-distinctive names for girls, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Adela
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble"
- Adira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strong"
- Agatha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"good woman"
- Agnes
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pure, virginal"
- Alba
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"
- Althea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"with healing power"
- Amadea
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"God's beloved"
- Amity
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"friendship"
- Amoret
Origin:
Literary name
- Anita
Origin:
Spanish diminutive of Ana; SanskritMeaning:
"grace; unguided"
- Anjali
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"gift"
- Annora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"honor"
- Antonia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from Antium"
- Aoife
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"beautiful, radiant"
- Apollonia
Origin:
Greek, Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek sun god.
- Augusta
Origin:
Feminine variation of AugustusMeaning:
"great, magnificent"
- Aviva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"springlike, fresh, dewy"
- Azélie
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"noble type"
- Beatriz
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of BeatriceMeaning:
"she who brings happiness; blessed"
- Betty
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"
- Blanche
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"white"
- Bluma
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"flower"
- Blythe
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"happy, carefree"
- Bree
Origin:
Irish, from Brid, Brigh, BrigidMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"
- Bronte
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thunder"
- Bryony
Origin:
Latin flower nameMeaning:
"to sprout"
- Calista
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"most beautiful"
- Cambria
Origin:
Place-name
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"
- Carys
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"love"
- Cassia
Origin:
Feminine form of Cassius or GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"
- Cecile
Origin:
French feminine form of CecilMeaning:
"blind"
- Cecily
Origin:
Feminine variation of CecilMeaning:
"blind"
- Chiara
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"light, clear"
- Citlali
Origin:
NahuatlMeaning:
"star"
- Clemency
Origin:
English feminine variation of Clement, LatinMeaning:
"mild, merciful"
- Constance
Origin:
English version of Latin ConstantiaMeaning:
"steadfastness"
- Coral
Origin:
Nature name
- Cordelia
Origin:
Latin; CelticMeaning:
"heart; daughter of the sea"
- Corinna
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"maiden"
- Cornelia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Cornelius, LatinMeaning:
"horn"
- Cosette
Origin:
French literary nicknameMeaning:
"little thing"
- Cosima
Origin:
Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, GreekMeaning:
"order, beauty, universe"
- Cressida
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gold"
- Darcy
Origin:
Irish or FrenchMeaning:
"dark one, or from Arcy, or from the fortress"
- Delia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"born on the island of Delos"
- Delphine
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"of Delphi; womb"
- Delta
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"letter or island"
- Dinah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God will judge"
- Dominique
Origin:
French, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to a lord"
- Dorothea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"
- Echo
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"echo or sound"
- Edie
Origin:
English, diminutive of EdithMeaning:
"prosperous in war"
- Eira
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"snow"
- Eleanora
Origin:
Latinate form of Eleanor, meaning unknown
- Eleni
Origin:
Greek variation of Helen
- Elowen
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"elm"
- Enid
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"life, spirit"
- Eugenie
Origin:
French form of Eugenia, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"
- Eulalia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sweetly speaking"
- Evelina
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"desired; or water, island"
- Farida
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"unique, precious pearl"
- Farrah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"happiness"
- Fern
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"plant name"
- Flannery
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Flannghal"
- Francine
Origin:
French diminutive pet form of FrancoiseMeaning:
"from France or free man"
- Gaia
Origin:
Greek and LatinMeaning:
"earth mother; rejoicing"
- Geneva
Origin:
Swiss place-name or FrenchMeaning:
"juniper tree"
- Georgina
Origin:
English, feminine variation of GeorgeMeaning:
"farmer"
- Giada
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"jade"
- Greer
Origin:
Scottish, contraction of surname Gregor; LatinMeaning:
"alert, watchful"
- Gretchen
Origin:
German, diminutive of MargaretheMeaning:
"pearl"
- Gwyneth
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"blessed, happy"
- Havilah
Origin:
Biblical place-nameMeaning:
"stretch of sand"
- Henrietta
Origin:
Feminine variation of HenryMeaning:
"estate ruler"
- Hermione
Origin:
Greek, feminine version of Hermes, "messenger, earthly"Meaning:
"messenger, earthly"
- Hero
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"demi-god"
- Hester
Origin:
Medieval variation of Esther, PersianMeaning:
"star"
- Hollis
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller at the holly trees"
- Honor
Origin:
English word and virtue nameMeaning:
"honor"
- Ianthe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"purple flower"
- Ida
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"industrious one"
- Idalie
Origin:
French and Swedish variation of Idalia, GreekMeaning:
"behold the sun"
- Iman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"faith"
- Imogen
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"maiden"
- Inara
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"shining light"
- Ines
Origin:
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"
- Ione
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"violet flower"
- Isadora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of Isis"
- Jemima
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"dove"
- Jerusha
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"inheritance"
- Jessamine
Origin:
English from PersianMeaning:
"jasmine"
- Jessamy
Origin:
English, variation of JessamineMeaning:
"jasmine flower"
- Joan
Origin:
English variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"
- Jocasta
Origin:
Greek, meaning unknown
- Joni
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"God is gracious"
- Juno
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"queen of the heavens"
- Justine
Origin:
French feminine variation of JustinMeaning:
"fair, righteous"
- Kassia
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cassia, GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"
- Keren
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strength, power, ram's horn, ray of light"
- Kerensa
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"love"
- Keturah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"incense"
- Keziah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"cassia tree"
- Kiri
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"tree bark"
- Larkin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"rough, fierce"
- Lavender
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"purple flower"
- Lavinia
Origin:
Latin, from ancient place name Lavinium
- Leonie
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lion"
- Leonora
Origin:
Italian diminutive of Eleonora or Eleanor, meaning unknown
- Lilac
Origin:
English, from PersianMeaning:
"bluish or lilac"
- Lilia
Origin:
RussianMeaning:
"lily"
- Linnea
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"twinflower, lime tree"
- Lois
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"most desirable"
- Lucero
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"light"
- Lucinda
Origin:
Variation of LuciaMeaning:
"light"
- Lucretia
Origin:
Latin, female form of Lucretius, meaning unknown
- Lula
Origin:
Diminutive of any Lu name
- Maeva
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"welcome"
- Magdalene
Origin:
Spelling variation of MagdalenMeaning:
"woman from Magdala or high tower"
- Marcella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"warlike"
- Marguerite
Origin:
French variation of Margaret; also a flower nameMeaning:
"pearl; daisy"
- Marianne
Origin:
French combination of Marie and AnneMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"
- Maribel
Origin:
English combination of Mary and BelMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"
- Marietta
Origin:
Italian diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
- Marjorie
Origin:
Scottish variation of Margery, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"
- Mathilde
Origin:
French variation of Matilda
- Mattea
Origin:
Italian, from HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"
- Maude
Origin:
English and French diminutive of Matilda, GermanMeaning:
"battle-mighty"
- May
Origin:
Diminutive of Margaret and Mary; month name
- Mercedes
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"gracious gifts, benefits"
- Merritt
Origin:
English surname nameMeaning:
"boundary gate"
- Millicent
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"
- Minerva
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of the mind, intellect"
- Minnie
Origin:
Diminutive of WilhelminaMeaning:
"resolute protection"
- Mireya
Origin:
Spanish from LatinMeaning:
"admired"
- Nadine
Origin:
French variation of Nadia, RussianMeaning:
"hope"
- Nell
Origin:
English, diminutive of Helen, Eleanor, et alMeaning:
"bright, shining one"
- Odelia
Origin:
Hebrew, GermanMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"
- Odette
Origin:
French, from GermanMeaning:
"wealthy"
- Olena
Origin:
UkrainianMeaning:
"torch; shining light"
- Olympia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"from Mount Olympus"
- Oriana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dawn"
- Orla
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"golden princess"
- Ottilie
Origin:
German, FrenchMeaning:
"prosperous in battle"
- Pamela
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"all honey"
- Pandora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"all gifted"
- Patience
Origin:
Latin virtue name
- Perla
Origin:
Spanish variation of Pearl
- Petra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"
- Phaedra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"bright"
- Philippa
Origin:
Greek, feminine variation of PhilipMeaning:
"lover of horses"
- Philomena
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lover of strength"
- Pia
Origin:
Latin or diminutive of OlympiaMeaning:
"pious; from Mount Olympus"
- Pilar
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"pillar"
- Pippa
Origin:
English, diminutive of PhilippaMeaning:
"lover of horses"
- Polly
Origin:
English variation of Molly
- Portia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"pig"
- Primrose
Origin:
English flower nameMeaning:
"first rose"
- Priya
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"beloved"
- Prudence
Origin:
Virtue nameMeaning:
"caution"
- Rhiannon
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"divine queen"
- Romilly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"citizen of Rome"
- Romy
Origin:
Diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly etc.
- Rosalind
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"supple horse or pretty rose"
- Rosamund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"horse protection"
- Rowena
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white spear or famous friend"
- Roxana
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"dawn; or, little star"
- Runa
Origin:
Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, JapaneseMeaning:
"secret lore; moon"
- Sakura
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"cherry blossom"
- Sally
Origin:
Diminutive of SarahMeaning:
"princess"
- Salome
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"peace"
- Saskia
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"Saxon"
- Scout
Origin:
Word name
- Seraphina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ardent; fiery"
- Sheridan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"searcher"
- Susannah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"lily"
- Sybil
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"prophetess"
- Tabitha
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"gazelle"
- Tallulah
Origin:
Choctaw, IrishMeaning:
"leaping water, lady of abundance"
- Tamar
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"date palm tree"
- Tamsin
Origin:
English, contracted form of ThomasinaMeaning:
"twin"
- Tess
Origin:
English, diminutive of TheresaMeaning:
"to harvest"
- Therese
Origin:
German variation of TheresaMeaning:
"to reap, gather"
- Thomasin
Origin:
English, feminine variation of Thomas
- Tullia
Origin:
Feminine form of Roman family name Tullius, meaning unknown
- Twyla
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"woven with a double thread"
- Una
Origin:
Latin, Irish, or Old NorseMeaning:
"one; lamb; happy"
- Unity
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"oneness"
- Ursula
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"little female bear"
- Valencia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"brave, strong"
- Valentine
Origin:
French variation of ValentinaMeaning:
"strength, health"
- Vega
Origin:
Arabic, SpanishMeaning:
"swooping eagle; meadow"
- Verena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"integrity"
- Verity
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"truth"
- Viola
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"violet"
- Vita
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"
- Wilhelmina
Origin:
German, feminine variation of WilhelmMeaning:
"resolute protection"
- Winifred
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"blessed peacemaking"
- Winona
Origin:
Sioux IndianMeaning:
"firstborn daughter"
- Xanthe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"golden, yellow"
- Xenia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"hospitable, welcoming"
- Xochitl
Origin:
Nahuatl, AztecMeaning:
"flower"
- Yael
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ibex"
- Zadie
Origin:
English variation of SadieMeaning:
"princess"
- Zahara
Origin:
Hebrew; SwahiliMeaning:
"to shine; flower"
- Zella
Origin:
African, BobangiMeaning:
"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"
- Zenobia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"force of Zeus"
- Zinnia
Origin:
Flower name, from German surnameMeaning:
"Zinn's flower"
- Zipporah
Origin:
Variation of Tziporah, HebrewMeaning:
"bird"
- Zita
Origin:
Italian or Persian; GreekMeaning:
"little girl; seeker"
- Ziva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"
- Zofia
Origin:
Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian variation of SophiaMeaning:
"wisdom"