Favorite Girl Names
- Nevada
Origin:
Spanish place-nameMeaning:
"covered in snow"Description:
Named for its snowcapped mountains, Nevada is a state name which, unlike Carolina, Montana, and Dakota, has been relatively undiscovered. Warning: today's unvisited place-name could become tomorrow's trampled tourist attraction.
- Cerese
Description:
Cerese is a delicate feminine name of Latin derivation, likely related to Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain crops, and motherly love. The name can also be connected to place names like the French commune Cérès or may be a variant of Cerys, a Welsh name meaning 'love.' Cerese is exceptionally rare, never having appeared in the U.S. Social Security Administration's top 1000 names. Its uniqueness makes it distinctive, while its soft, flowing pronunciation and classical roots give it an elegant, sophisticated quality that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with historical depth.
- Promise
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified"Description:
Promise is one of those word names with an uplifting meaning that is making inroads as a girls' name, like sisters Dream and Serenity. How promising is Promise as a first name? Our try at cleverness illustrates perhaps the biggest problem with naming your baby girl Promise: It will be difficult for people to resist making bad puns on the name. We promise (argh) you'll be tired of hearing them well before your baby Promise's first birthday.
- Truth
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"truth"Description:
With the first name True receiving a Kardashian dose of popularity for girls, Truth is gaining in visibility too. Though its still more popular for boys two to one, the truth is that the name works equally well for both genders -- but may inspire a lot of puns.
- North
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
- Esmae
Origin:
English variation of Esme, FrenchMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Phonetic spelling of Esme, popular in the UK.
- Marrilynn
Description:
Marrilynn is a feminine name that combines elements of Mary and Lynn, creating a distinctive elaboration of these classic names. This compound name emerged primarily in mid-20th century America, reflecting the trend of creating more ornate variations of traditional names. With English origins, Marrilynn carries the rich meanings of its component parts - Mary (possibly meaning "bitter" or "beloved") and Lynn (meaning "lake" or "waterfall"). The double-R spelling gives it a unique visual identity. While never among the most popular names, Marrilynn has maintained a steady presence, particularly in the United States. It appeals to parents seeking a name with familiar roots but a more elaborate, individualized presentation.
- Montanna
Description:
Montanna represents a feminine name that emerged as a spelling variation of Montana, which derives from the Spanish word 'montaña' meaning 'mountain.' This version with the double 'n' gained modest popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, reflecting the trend toward place names and nature-inspired choices for girls. The extra 'n' adds a distinctive touch while maintaining the connection to the rugged, expansive imagery of the American West. Montanna conveys a sense of strength, natural beauty, and wide-open spaces. While less common than the standard spelling, this variation appeals to parents seeking a name with geographical significance and a slightly more elaborate presentation that distinguishes their daughter's name from the state reference.
- Legend
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"hero or fable"Description:
Legend joins cousins Story, Saga and Fable in the baby name pantheon of narrative words. Unlike Story and Fable, however, Legend comes with additional weight, being used for fame ("living legend") and to denote a person who is fantastic "what a legend"). Who can live up to that?
- Christmas
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Christmas is a day name long and quietly used as a name for babies born at Christmas. Prettier and more modern than Noel or Noelle.
- Braelynn
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Like its single "n" sister name (Braelyn), Braelynn is currently enjoying its highest level of popularity. Unlike Braylin and Braylyn, the 'ae' of Braelynn gives the name a Scottish look, making it seem slightly less creative and more sturdy
- Auriella
Description:
Auriella is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'aurum' meaning 'gold.' It can be viewed as an elaborate form of Aurelia or a combination of Auri (golden) with the popular feminine suffix 'ella.' This elegant, melodious name has gained modest attention in recent years as parents seek names with both classical roots and contemporary appeal. Auriella's four syllables create a flowing, romantic quality that fits current trends for elaborate feminine names. While still uncommon, it has seen increasing usage in the United States since the 2010s. The name carries associations with precious materials, light, and brightness. Its golden meaning conveys qualities of value, radiance, and warmth, making it appealing for parents seeking a name with both substance and beauty.
- Keelynn
Description:
Keelynn is a feminine name that represents a modern constructed name combining elements of traditional names like Kelly, Kailyn, and Lynn. The 'Kee-' prefix gives it a contemporary sound, while the '-lynn' suffix has been popular in girls' names since the mid-20th century. This name emerged primarily in the United States in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward unique spellings and combinations. Keelynn has a melodic quality and fits well with other compound names ending in '-lyn' or '-lynn.' While not among the most common given names, its usage has been steady in recent years. The name carries no specific historical meaning but evokes associations with other 'Kee-' names like Keely (meaning 'beautiful' or 'slender') and the widely-used Lynn (meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall').
- Charisma
Origin:
Word name, English from GreekMeaning:
"charisma, grace"Description:
Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after an Avon perfume.
- Beverlee
Description:
Beverlee is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Beverly. Originally an Old English surname derived from 'beofor' (beaver) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow), meaning 'beaver stream' or 'beaver meadow.' This alternative spelling emerged in the mid-20th century when Beverly was at its peak popularity in the United States. Beverlee offers a slightly more feminine and distinctive appearance than the traditional spelling. The name saw modest usage during the 1940s-1950s but has declined since then. Though relatively uncommon today, Beverlee maintains its appeal for parents seeking a vintage name with a personalized spelling and connection to nature.
- Dyllan
Description:
Dyllan as a feminine name represents a gender-crossover adaptation of the traditionally masculine Dylan. While Dylan originated as a Welsh name meaning 'son of the sea' or 'born from the ocean,' associated with a sea god in Welsh mythology, Dyllan with the double 'l' spelling creates a distinctive feminine variation. This spelling modification subtly shifts the name's character while maintaining its nature-connected meaning and modern appeal. The name gained popularity for girls particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reflecting the trend toward gender-neutral naming. Dyllan offers a blend of strength and fluidity, appealing to parents seeking a contemporary name with Celtic roots for their daughter. While still more commonly used for boys, the feminine usage of Dyllan represents the evolving nature of naming practices and gender associations.
- Kye
Description:
Kye is a versatile, gender-neutral name that has historically been more common for boys but is increasingly used for girls. With origins spanning multiple cultures, it can be derived from the Chinese name meaning "victory," the Danish/Norwegian word for "cow," or as a shortened form of Kyle or Kylie. As a feminine name, Kye has a modern, minimalist appeal with its single syllable and straightforward spelling. The name's brevity gives it a contemporary edge while its soft sound maintains femininity. Though relatively uncommon for girls, Kye has seen modest usage in English-speaking countries in recent decades, appealing to parents seeking a simple, distinctive name that works well internationally and avoids traditional gender associations.
- Callysta
Description:
Callysta is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'kallistos' meaning 'most beautiful.' It's a variant spelling of Callista or Kalista, adding the extra 'y' for a distinctive touch. The name evokes images of grace and elegance, sharing roots with words like 'calligraphy' (beautiful writing). While not among the most common girls' names, Callysta offers an elaborate and sophisticated alternative to the more popular Callie or Kaylee. The name gained some recognition through variations used in literature and entertainment. Callysta's melodic quality and positive meaning make it attractive to parents seeking a name that sounds both classical and contemporary, with an inherent compliment built into its etymology.
- Kaelynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of KaylinDescription:
The family of Kaylin names includes a wide variety of spellings—Kaylen, Kaelyn, and Kaylynn are a few—that enjoy varying degrees of popularity. This particular spelling plays on a couple contemporary trends, namely the ae vowel combination and the -lynn ending. While it's definitely a distinct spelling, it's likely to be misspelled more often than not.
- Carma
Description:
Carma is a feminine name that represents an alternate spelling of Karma, which derives from Sanskrit and refers to the spiritual concept of cause and effect. Some sources also suggest it could be a variant of Carmel, with Hebrew origins meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard.' The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 20th century but remains relatively uncommon today. Carma carries spiritual connotations while maintaining a gentle, approachable sound. Its four-letter structure gives it a modern brevity, while the meaning connects to profound philosophical traditions. Parents might choose this name for its spiritual significance or simply for its melodic quality and distinctive spelling variation.
