Girl Names I Adore

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.

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.

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

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.

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.