Méline is a feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive form of names containing 'mel' like Amelia or Melanie. The acute accent over the 'é' emphasizes its French pronunciation and gives it a delicate, refined quality. The name is believed to derive ultimately from Greek elements meaning 'honey' or 'sweet,' suggesting a gentle personality. While not widely used internationally, Méline enjoys modest usage in French-speaking regions, particularly in France and parts of Switzerland. The name has a soft, melodic sound that fits well with contemporary naming trends favoring short, elegant names for girls. Méline projects an image of sweetness and refinement.

Vere is a rare feminine name with multiple possible origins. It primarily derives from a Norman surname meaning 'alder tree' or from Latin 'verus' meaning 'true'. As an Old English word, vere also meant 'companion'. The name has aristocratic associations in England through the de Vere family, Earls of Oxford. As a feminine given name, Vere has an understated elegance and simplicity that appeals to those seeking uncommon names with historical depth. Its brevity gives it a crisp, modern feel despite its ancient roots. While never widely used, the name occasionally appears in upper-class British families and has seen modest revival interest from parents attracted to rare vintage names with simple pronunciation.

While this African place-name is much more popular for boys, nearly 40 girls were named Zaire last year. Among African baby names, this is one of the best-known in the US.

Jan, not short for Janet or Janice but standing on its own, ranked in the Top 200 throughout the 1950s but dropped off the Top 1000 in the 1980s and now is a truly extinct name, given to fewer than five baby girls in the US each year.

Swyn is one of the vocabulary word names that has seen more use in Wales in recent years, though it's not quite a shoo-in elsewhere.

A lucky word name that started to rise out of obscurity in the 2010s. Like Dream and True, Charm could be just one celebrity baby away from becoming a big trend. In fact, the Australian YouTube family, The Norris Nuts have a daughter/sister called Charm, born in 2019, after which the number of Charms born in the US increased by 40%. Given to 88 girls in a recent year it is probably more popular than people think.

This spin on the popular Hannah is widely-used in Europe and pronounced similarly to Hannah. It may also be a short form of Johanne, from John/Joan.

Shams is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'sun' or 'sunlight.' It holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning in Islamic traditions, where the sun symbolizes light, knowledge, and divine illumination. In Sufi poetry and philosophy, particularly in the works of Rumi, 'Shams' represents spiritual enlightenment, named after his spiritual mentor Shams Tabrizi. The name appears across several Middle Eastern cultures and has variations in Persian, Turkish, and Urdu. While traditionally used in Arabic-speaking regions, Shams has gained some international recognition for its beautiful meaning and spiritual associations. Its simplicity, meaningful symbolism, and cross-cultural appeal make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that balances cultural heritage with universal imagery of light and warmth.

A multicultural mini name with roots in three continents.

Nic is a feminine name that typically functions as a shortened form of Nicole or Nicola, though it has gained recognition as an independent name. With its brief, punchy single syllable, Nic embodies a modern minimalist approach to naming. The name carries a contemporary feel with gender-flexible qualities, as it also appears as a masculine diminutive for Nicholas or Dominic. Originally derived from Greek 'nike' meaning 'victory,' Nic inherits these positive connotations while establishing its own distinct identity. The name's simplicity makes it easily pronounceable across different languages and cultures. While statistics specific to Nic as a standalone name are limited, its usage has been steadily growing since the late 20th century as parents increasingly embrace concise, straightforward names with unisex appeal.

Tais is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Portuguese and Brazilian usage, it's a form of Thais, an ancient Greek name borne by a famous Athenian courtesan and later a Christian saint. The name may derive from Greek elements meaning 'bandage' or possibly Egyptian origins. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, Tais is occasionally used as a standalone name. The simple, melodic quality of Tais gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient roots. While never extremely common, the name has maintained steady, modest usage across different cultures. Tais conveys an elegant, sophisticated quality with a touch of exotic allure due to its international character.

Frigg was the wife of Odin in Norse mythology, and may share a common origin with the goddess Freya.

Aure is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it relates to 'aura' or 'gentle breeze,' conveying a sense of ethereal beauty. It can be considered a shortened form of Aurelia or Aurore, names connected to gold and dawn. In Basque culture, Aure means 'golden' and carries similar luminous associations. The name also appears in Norse mythology as a river goddess representing wealth. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Aure has maintained a quiet presence in French-speaking regions and among those drawn to its brevity and elegance. Its simple two-syllable structure offers an appealing minimalism, while its rich etymological background provides depth. The name's subtle connection to natural elements and precious materials gives it a timeless quality despite its rarity.

One of the few Korean names to migrate to Western culture, via supermodel Hye Park.

Parents searching for a simple, peaceful name may be attracted to this one.

Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen.

Fauste is a rare feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'faustus' meaning 'lucky' or 'fortunate.' It's the feminine form of Faust, a name associated with the legendary German character who made a pact with the devil, but the feminine version carries more positive connotations of good fortune and prosperity. Fauste has historical usage in France and other European countries, though it has never been common. The name has an elegant, somewhat mysterious quality with its French pronunciation and classical roots. Its rarity makes it distinctive for those seeking an uncommon name with historical depth. Fauste might appeal to parents interested in names with positive meanings and European heritage, offering sophistication and uniqueness while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce.

This fairly common Korean girls' name counts Korean actress Lee Mi-Yeon and American composer Serra Miyeun Hwang among notable bearers.

Traditionally, Ares was the blood-thirsty god of war and son to Zeus and Hera in Greek mythology, and it has been rising up the US charts for boys since 2013, in tune with other mythological names like Athena, Artemis, and Atlas. In Spain, it has been used as a unisex option since the 90s and as such, a number of American girls have been receiving the name in recent years.

Not commonly used for girls, but Bruce Willis used it as the middle name for his daughter Evelyn.