This sweet and loving name, favored in recent years by a mix of Hispanic-American parents and Bob Dylan fans, was chosen for her daughter by TV actress Melina Kanakaredes.

Now the best-selling version of this infinitely varied name, Makayla incorporates the also-popular Kayla. Makayla and Mikayla have now left the original Michaela far behind.

Rosella can be seen as a nature name (a rosella is the name of a variety of beautiful Australian cockatoos and an Australian flower) or a diminutive version of Rose.

This name of an admired Puerto Rican pop singer has been picked up by hundreds of Hispanic parents.

Noelle may be literally 15 times as popular, but Noella was given to more than 100 baby girls in the US last year, a not insignificant number. The growing popularity of Nola may increase the attraction to the rare variation on a classic Christmas name.

Spelling variant of Catalina, currently on the rise in the US.

Madelina is the Madeline equivalent used in many European cultures. While it's a simple and melodic name, like its mother name it can lead to lots of spelling and pronunciation problems. The first syllable may be "may" or rhyme with dad; last two syllables pronounce lee-na, though of course some will inevitably say lye-na. Only a handful of girls received this name in the US last year, making it a distinctive and pretty classic, but don't choose it ignoring its very real down side.

Charolette is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Charlotte, which derives from the masculine name Charles, ultimately meaning 'free man' or 'warrior.' This alternative spelling maintains the pronunciation of the traditional form while offering a subtly distinctive visual presentation. Charlotte has maintained strong popularity across English-speaking countries for centuries, with this variant being less common. The name carries royal associations through Queen Charlotte of England (1744-1818) and literary connections via Charlotte Brontë. The additional 'o' in Charolette gives the name a slightly fuller, more rounded appearance. While some may view it as a creative modern spelling, this variation has historical precedent and offers parents a way to choose a classic name with a subtle twist of individuality.