Names That Mean Girl

Although Disney's cute deer was a male, Bambi has always been used for girls. It first appeared on the charts in 1943, the year after the Disney movie was released. Bambi featured in the Top 1000 from 1954-1964 — a decade where girl names ending in I, like Lori and Teri, were big — and again from 1977-1982.

Talitha appears in the Bible as words Jesus says to awaken a young girl whose parents feared she was dead. It has been used in the US since colonial times. Talitha is also the name of two stars in Ursa Major, where it's related to the Arabic word for "third." Talitha definitely makes a fresh spin on Tabitha or Talisa.

Midcentury Irish-American favorite, never used in Ireland itself, being the generic word for "girl"; rarely given today.

Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.

Meaning "girl" in Spanish, this has occasionally been used as a name in the Philippines, but is not a usual Spanish name.

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.

This name of an ancient fertility goddess is associated with the month of May and could make a pretty, unusual choice for a springtime baby. Damaris is a similar possibility.

A modern combo name created from Zoe + Ella – or, in the case of influential British Youtuber Zoella, from Zoë + Elizabeth.

A beautiful Lithuanian name with an ever-so-lovely and inspiring meaning.

Streamlined and sleek Japanese name with a sweet, fragrant meaning.

Better saved for a doll.

Zoelle is a modern-sounding name combining the stylish Zoe, which means life, with the trendy Elle, French for "she". Could make for a zippier spin on sweet Noelle.

Famke was introduced to this country via Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen, but is not likely to appeal to many American parents.

From an Arabic word meaning "girl".

Mexican place-name famously used by Joan Didion for her daughter, Quintana Roo.

Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.

Channary, a sweet and preppy sounding name with a lovely lunar meaning, belongs to a character in the Lunar Chronicles series. Her relatives Levana and Selene have similarly moon-inspired monikers.

The sound is quite lovely, but it still comes down to naming your little girl young girl.

Would be the Maori equivalent of Cora or any other name meaning maiden.