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Sweet Names for Girls

  1. Lana

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Alana

    • Meaning:

      "rock or handsome"

    • Description:

      Popularized in the 1940s by Lana (born Judy) Turner, today Lana is synonymous with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Although it has been rising steadily since the early 2000s, Lana still sits in the popularity "sweet spot" – familiar, but not overused. Simple, sleek and seamlessly international, it makes a great choice.
  2. Adelina

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Slavic variation of Adeline

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"

    • Description:

      Adelina is back in the Top 1000 after an absence of nearly a century, thanks to the meteoric rise of her sister name Adeline -- along with Adelaide, Adele, and Ada.
  3. Dorothea

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Dorothea is a flowing and romantic Victorian-sounding name which was popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, but has been off the charts since 1970. Definitely on the brink of a revival!
  4. Lisa

    • Origin:

      English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elvis naming his daughter Lisa Marie and Nat King Cole's hit song "Mona Lisa" conspired to catapult one of Elizabeth's many offshoots to a high of #4 in 1970.
  5. Gloria

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "glory"

    • Description:

      Gloria is beginning to move beyond its de-glamorized Grandma image, most recently thanks to glamorous young Hollywood parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who chose it for their second daughter. Gyllenhaal was quoted as saying they had been inspired by Patti Smith's rendition of the Van Morrison song "Gloria" at a concert and thought " 'We'll name our daughter that one day'."
  6. Gertrude

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"

    • Description:

      Could cute nickname Gertie, remembered as cute five-year-old Drew Barrymore in E.T., revive the long shunned Gertrude?
  7. Christine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Christina

    • Meaning:

      "Christian"

    • Description:

      Christine was the dominant feminine variation of Christopher forty or fifty years ago, when French E-endings were preferred over As; it was a Top 20 name for several years, from 1966 to 1974. But though it still hangs in on the popularity list, today most any other version would be considered more stylish, from Kristen to Kirsten to Christina herself.
  8. Eleonora

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor

    • Description:

      Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
  9. Carolina

    • Origin:

      Variation of Caroline; also place-name

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Romantic, and classy, this variation heats up Caroline and modernizes Carol, adding a southern accent. A popular choice in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Italy, it recently entered the US Top 500.
  10. Celestine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly"

    • Description:

      Celestine is a pretty, crystalline extension (actually a diminutive) of Celeste that would make a choice that is both delicate and strong. It is also a popular name in France.
  11. Evangelina

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of good news"

    • Description:

      Why is Evangeline so popular -- close to Number 200 in the US -- while Evangelina hasn't charted in the Top 1000 since the early 1950s? The stardom of Evangeline Lilly has something to do with the relative popularity of that form, but Evangelina is just as pretty and romantic but given to only 10% as many baby girls.
  12. Katerina

    • Origin:

      Macedonian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek form of Katherine

    • Description:

      Katerina and its near-identical twin Katarina have a pleasingly lilting European sound, though for some Americans they may be uncomfortably close to Katrina, which will be linked for a long time to the hurricane that devastated New Orleans.
  13. Hedwig

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "war"

    • Description:

      An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
  14. Frederica

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Frederick, English from German

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness.
  15. Jaqueline

    • Description:

      Jaqueline is a variant spelling of Jacqueline, a feminine name with French origins. Derived from the masculine name Jacques (the French form of James), it ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Ya'akov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' The name gained significant popularity in the United States during the 1960s due to the influence of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, whose grace and style made a lasting impression on American culture. This particular spelling variant, Jaqueline, omits one of the 'c's found in the traditional French spelling, giving it a slightly simplified appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. Though less common than the standard spelling, Jaqueline offers a subtle distinction while still carrying the sophisticated and elegant qualities associated with the name.
  16. Floriana

    • Description:

      Floriana is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'flor' meaning 'flower.' It's essentially an elaborated form of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. The name has been particularly popular in Italy and other Mediterranean countries, conveying images of blossoming beauty and natural grace. Floriana carries a romantic, vintage quality while remaining timeless. In English-speaking countries, it's relatively uncommon, making it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce. The name suggests qualities of delicacy, beauty, and flourishing growth, making it an elegant choice that connects its bearer to classical traditions and natural imagery.
  17. Joana

    • Origin:

      Portuguese, Catalan

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      A variant of Johanna.
  18. Leanor

    • Description:

      Leanor is a rare feminine name that appears to be a variant of Eleanor or Leonor, both of which have ancient Greek and Provençal origins. The traditional forms derive from the Greek name Helen, meaning "bright, shining one" or "light." The Spanish variation Leonor has connections to the word for "lion" (león), suggesting qualities of strength and courage. Leanor combines elements of these traditions with its distinctive spelling. While Eleanor has remained consistently popular throughout Western history, Leanor is much more uncommon, giving it a unique quality while maintaining connections to its classic roots. The name has a melodious flow with its three syllables and offers the familiar nickname options of Lea or Nora. Its rarity makes it an uncommon choice that still carries historical resonance.

  19. Idabelle

    • Description:

      Idabelle is a feminine name combining the classic names Ida and Belle. Ida has Germanic origins meaning 'industrious' or 'hardworking,' while Belle comes from French, meaning 'beautiful.' This graceful compound name emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when such combinations were fashionable in America. Idabelle peaked in popularity during the early 1900s and has since become quite rare, giving it a distinctive vintage charm. The name carries associations with Southern gentility and old-fashioned elegance. With the revival of vintage names and the popularity of Belle as a component in names like Isabelle, Idabelle offers an uncommon alternative with historical roots that combines industriousness and beauty in its meaning.

  20. Hailie

    • Description:

      This variation of Hailey and Halley -- one of dozens -- was used by Eminem for his daughter.