Girls
- Lilibeth
Origin:
English combination of Lily + Beth or diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Queen Elizabeth's childhood nickname was Lilibet, the name of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn daughter, and Lilibeth has the same kind of lilting charm. While many combo names are less attractive than either of their original parts, Lilibeth can make a nice compromise if you're stuck between Lily and Elizabeth or if you want a fresh variation of either.
- Monet
Origin:
French artist name, from diminutive of SimonDescription:
A new favorite of the bohemian set, brought to light by actress Monet Mazur, daughter of the artist who designed the Rolling Stones' mouth logo.
- Niobe
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
The mythological queen whose perpetual weeping for her slain children turned her into a stone has always cast a pall over this name. Still, when other names with less-than-savory associations -- Delilah, Ophelia, Persephone -- are becoming popular, parents might want to consider this one of the more unusual mythology names for girls.
- Novalie
Origin:
Elaboration of Nova, LatinMeaning:
"new"Description:
Novalie combines the uber stylish and starry Nova with the trendy -lie ending, making it even more modern sounding than it was before.
- Arrietty
Origin:
Literary name, variation of HarrietDescription:
A pretty, dainty name for one of the little characters in the children's book series The Borrowers. It was the basis for a later Studio Ghible animated film, The Secret World of Arrietty. While the connection to Harriet is tenuous, you might want to consider Arrietty as an honorific for an ancestral Harriet, Harry, or even Henry or Henrietta.
- Scarlet
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
The Scarlet spelling makes it less a name, less Gone With The Wind and Scarlett Johansson, and more the bright red color that inspired it in the first place.
- Ainhoa
Origin:
Basque place nameDescription:
The name of the French town where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, this name is in the Spanish Top 100 and was, until recently, virtually unheard of elsewhere. Now however it is familiar in Puerto Rico and Chile, and as of 2019, it has been a feature in the US Top 1000.
- Aminta
Origin:
Literature, GreekMeaning:
"defender"Description:
One of the romantic names favored by British pastoral poets, it was first used as a masculine name by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso for his 16th century play about a shepherd falling in love with a nymph.
- Este
Origin:
Diminutive of Esther, PersianMeaning:
"star"Description:
Este -- think Esme with a t -- comes to us via one of the rocking sisters in the musical group Haim. For long best known as the Esther diminutive used by cosmetics queen Estee Lauder, Este is a slimmed-down version that feels chicer for our star-struck times. While mother name Esther has Persian origins and impressive Biblical roots, it's a name used in a wide range of cultures.
- Aitana
Origin:
Spanish place-nameDescription:
Aitana is the name of a Spanish mountain used by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter. He reportedly chose it because the mountain was his last glimpse of Spain when he went into exile after the Spanish Civil War. The name was popularized by Aitana Alberti's goddaughter and namesake, actress Aitana Sanchez-Gijan. It became one of the fastest-rising girls names in 2016, after entering the US Top 1000 in 2015, and is among the most popular Spanish names for girls in its native Spain and beyond.
- Edeline
Origin:
Variation of Adeline, French from GermanMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
An Old French variation of the popular Adeline and Adelina, Edeline may appeal to those who want something rare-but-familiar, to anyone looking to honor and Edward or Edith, or to those who want nicknames Edie or Eddie over Addy. Derived from the Germanic adal, it means "noble"
The name has been notably borne by Lady Edeline Strickland (nee Sackville-West), who was the founder of the New South Wales division of the Australian Red Cross back in 1914. She was the inspiration for the names of both the Edeline Islands off the western coast of Australia and for the Lady Edeline ferry. A more recent bearer is fashion designer Edeline Lee.
- Olena
Origin:
Ukrainian, HawaiianMeaning:
"torch, shining light; turmeric, yellow, ginger"Description:
This chic Ukrainian form of Helen is relatively unknown outside of its native country, but it definitely has international appeal. Olia or Olenka are the usual Ukrainian diminutives, but tomboyish Oli or Leni could work too.
- Penrose
Origin:
Cornish and Welsh place name and surnameMeaning:
"top of the heath"Description:
Penrose – an ancient place-name and surname derived from several villages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border country of England – would make for an even more unexpected alternative to quirky nature name Primrose. Intuitive nicknames Penny or Rosie make it feel more wearable.
- Maelys
Origin:
French or BretonMeaning:
"chief or prince"Description:
Another feminine form of the old saint's name Mael. Spelled Maëlys, it is a very popular name in France today.
- Keturah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"incense"Description:
Keturah, the Old Testament name of Abraham's second wife, is a possibility for anyone seeking a truly unusual and interesting biblical name; certainly a lot more distinctive than that of Abraham's first wife, Sarah.
- Persis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"Persian woman"Description:
Parents seeking a distinctive New Testament name might consider this one. Adopted by some Puritans in the seventeenth century, Persis was used in the William Dean Howells novel The Rise of Silas Lapham for the wife of the protagonist.
- Candida
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"Description:
Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.
- Arizona
Origin:
Place-name from Papago IndianMeaning:
"little springs"Description:
We usually think of place-names as a modern invention, but in fact Arizona ranked on the US Top 1000 from its inception in 1880 until 1911, when it vanished below the surface. It peaked at Number 510 in 1882, before Arizona became a state. One notorious vintage bearer: criminal "Ma" Barker, born Arizona Clark.
- Silvie
Origin:
Czech from LatinMeaning:
"from the forest"Description:
The sweet Czech form of Sylvia.
- Lelia
Origin:
Italian form of Laelia, meaning unknownDescription:
A rare and delicate choice, Lelia is a modern variation of an ancient Roman family name. It came to Britain in the mid-nineteenth century, following the publication of George Sand's popular romantic novel titled Lelia in 1833.
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