Updated May 2023
Across 6 pages
of 6
French from German
"pledge"
Ghislaine still sounds unusual to us, even though in France this name is dated. It can also be spelled Ghislain. In the US, it is best known through association to Ghislaine Maxwell, the…
Variation of Gertha, English from Scandinavian
"enclosure, stronghold"
Don't put "girth" in a baby name.
Irish
"grain or love"
Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a…
Spanish place-name
Moorish region and city in Spain that makes a melodic and unusual first name.
Variation of Grainne, Irish
"the loved one or grain of corn"
In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the…
Japanese
"spring"
Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen.
French
"pancake"
Feminine variation of Galen, Greek
"calm"
Galene is a minor goddess of Greek mythology, representing the calm seas. She is also sometimes referred to as Galatea.
Literary name
Gilly is a name that's popped up from time to time in different contexts: As a nickname for Gillian, for instance, and as the name of a town in Switzerland. But it's increasingly associated with…
English
"covered with gold"
Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved…
Modern invented name
Gidget was the surfer girl who started it all. She was the subject of six novels by Frederick Kohner, and the 1959 film in which she made her theatrical debut, starring Sandra Dee, helped make…
Nature name
"grove of trees"
Fresh, evocative choice.
Mongolian
"light"
Designer name
Makeup artist to the stars Gucci Westman has made this Italian fashion name a first.
Welsh
"white, fair, blessed"
Yet another member of the Gwyn/Gwen/Finn family of names ultimately deriving from a Celtic element meaning "white", Guin gets rare use in England and Wales; a notable bearer is Olympic-medal winning…
Greek
"healer, calm"
The final n makes this choice infinitely more modern than Gail.
Word name
A (male) character in Toni Morrison's great Song of Solomon , but also plays for a girl.
English diminutive of Augusta, Latin
"great, magnificent"
Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.
Scottish
"windy place"
Guthrie, folk singer Woody's last name, makes a perfectly fine first choice for a girl. Names such as Guthrie that have no gendered history can make true nonbinary names.
Variation of Gaynor, Welsh
"white and smooth"
A strong, classic, simple name that has nonetheless never been overexposed.