Uncommon nickname for Katherine.

Spice names are increasingly appealing to the senses of prospective parents; this one, belonging to a precious spice derived from the crocus has a vaguely orange-scented-incense sixties feel.

This is a soft and strong Arabic and Persian name commonly heard in the Middle East.

Stylish and boyish but could work for a girl -- especially one with brown eyes -- and Sully is a quirky and jaunty nickname.

Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.

Tilden is mostly seen as a male name, but we love it just as much for a girl. It's an androgynous answer to Tilda, and still gets you the super-sweet nickname Tilly (or Tildy).

An evocative word name, conjuring up images of the beautiful low land between hills and mountains, and the streams and rivers that often run through them, Valley has the advantage of also sounding totally name-y. Reminiscent of Ally, Valerie, Valentina, Tally, and Callie, it is a rising choice in the US, more than doubling in popularity in recent years.

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

Yola is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Polish, it's a diminutive of Jolanta, meaning 'violet flower.' The name also exists independently in African cultures, particularly in Nigeria among the Yoruba people. Additionally, Yola has Hungarian roots as a nickname for Jolán. This multicultural background gives the name a global appeal while remaining concise and melodic. Yola has never been extremely common in English-speaking countries, maintaining its distinctive quality. The name's brevity and open vowel sounds make it accessible across language barriers. Its rhythmic quality and gentle sound contribute to its feminine appeal. Parents might be drawn to Yola for its simplicity, international character, and the subtle natural connection to violets in its Polish origin.

Zinnia is an unusual floral choice with a bit more edge and energy than most and beginning to find its way onto namers' wish lists of botanical possibilities. Named after the 18th-century German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, it appears in Roald Dahl's Matilda as the young protagonist's mother.

An international variation of Sophia that ranks in the Top 10 in Poland and the Top 1000 in England and Wales. Zosia is a charming diminutive.