By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Russian botanical name
"bar rock"
An arborial name related to six deciduous trees in the elm family, with a nice ballerina feel.
English, Germanic
"temple path"
Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or…
African, meaning unknown
Sulola is a rhythmic Nigerian name chosen as a middle name for Heidi Klum and Seal's daughter Lou, reflecting Seal's Nigerian roots. It's pretty and accessible enough, with its relation to Lola, to…
Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name
Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice…
Sanskrit
"truth"
Acting couple Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof chose this Sanskrit word meaning, literally, "truth vehicle" for their daughter. It has a melodic sound and strong meaning. Think of it as rhyming…
Latin
"wart"
Veruca is a name Roald Dahl made up for the horrid little girl Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . A modern rock band adopted the name, though few parents familiar with the original…
"love"
This Latin word for love is not traditionally used as a name, but why not? It's got a pretty sound and some distinctive flair. Variants Amori or Amorie can also be thought of as different spellings…
Welsh
"white snow"
An unusual Gwyn name with a lovely meaning, this compound name pairs Gwyn with the name Eira, meaning "snow". A relatively modern creation, it remains very rare.
Spanish
"liberty"
Libertad is the forceful name recently given to his daughter by Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal. English equivalent Liberty has been in use for girls for some time. Libertad might be considered a…
Word name
Moroccan might be thought of as a boys' name purely by virtue of its having been used for their newborn son by Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, who transformed this nationality into a first name. But…
Musical name
Maraca sounds more like a name than Banjo, so why not? It's rhythmic and, well, musical, so might make an adventurous choice.
"devil"
Diablo Cody, self-named (she's really Brook Busey) screenwriter of Juno, singlehandedly helped popularize not just her heroine's name and her own but all o-ending names for girls. You don't need us…
Variation of Aoibheann, Irish
"beautiful sheen"
Aoibhinn and its twin name Aoibheann may be popular in Ireland but most English-speakers would find the spelling baffling and the pronunciation impossible to divine. It's ee-van, or se-vin, fitting…
Irish
An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.
Flower name, from English
"yellow wildflower"
Though Buttercup is most often reserved for cows (and pets of other kinds), this humble flower name was given to the princess in "The Princess Bride" and to one of The Power Puff Girls . Yet to rank…
Annaston is a feminine name that appears to be a modern compound creation, combining the classic name Anna with the suffix '-ston' which is common in surnames and some place names. Anna derives from…
Yasoda is a feminine name with deep roots in Hindu tradition, particularly known as the foster mother of Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology. The name derives from Sanskrit origins and can be interpreted…
Combination of Ada and Rae
One of many uncommon girl names starting with A .
Feminization of Cesar, Latin
"head of hair"
Cesaria, a modern feminine form of Caesar or the Latinate Cesar, has been obscure in the Western World but may stir to life along with other names that have their roots in ancient Rome. Cesarina,…
Nellia is a feminine name with various potential origins. It may be a variant of Nella or Nellie, which are diminutives of names like Eleanor, Helen, or Cornelia. The name has a delicate, vintage…
