By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
English and French surname derived from a place-name, Gerville
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
English
"cheerful, jolly"
Diminutive of Japheth
"he expands"
Japhy Ryder was a hero of Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums . Compared with Moses and Noah, Japhy sounds downright adorable and eminently baby-worthy.
Latin
"doorway"
The meaning of this ancient Roman god's name relates to transitions, hence its connection to the name of the first month of the new year, a time of fresh beginnings. Janus is usually depicted as a…
English surname, Scottish variation of Janet
"God is gracious"
Jaunty Jancey hails from the United Kingdom, where it appeared in England as a surname and in Scotland as a nickname for Janet. It's extremely uncommon in the US, given to fewer than five baby girls…
French
"July"
Diminutive of names beginning with Ju-
An informal nickname for names such as Julia, Juliette, and June.
English from Persian
"rose water"
Move over Brandy and Sherry, Julep is an alcohol-inspired name that certainly feels unique today, despite sharing similar sounds to popular Juliet and Juliana.
Finnish form of Old Norse Hjalmar
"helmet protector"
Distinctive-sounding Scandinavian name . with deep roots. Short form is the attractive Jari.
Animal name
Grrrr.
Cornish variation of Jacob or James
"supplanter"
A dashing alternative to the popular James and Jacob, Jago is the jaunty Cornish form of the Biblical names. Occasionally (or historically) appearing as Jagoe, Jego, and Jaego, it may have been…
English occupational name
"carter"
Jagger, made famous as the surname of Rolling Stone Mick, gets an entry in the girls' column thanks to Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross, who chose it for their daughter. For either gender, this name…
Japanese
"pure or obedient child"
Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.
Spanish variation of Junius
Junot, which sounds like the goddess and indie movie name "Juno" and the Alaskan place name Juneau, is actually someting completely different. The literati will recognize the unusual name of writer…
Croatian, Japanese
"earth worker; tenth son"
A Croatian form of George, and also a lively Japanese name traditionally given to the tenth son.
Gemstone name, variation of Hyacinth, English
"blue larkspur; precious stone"
Jacinth is a gemstone of the Zircon variety. The name is related to the floral Hyacinth.
Sanskrit
"light"
The slightly complex spelling of this Sanskrit name belies its sweet and simple sound.
Variant spelling of Jessamine
"jasmine flower"
An alternative spin on Jasmine and Jessica, Jessamyn is a spelling variation of floral Jessamine, with just a little less frill. Notable bearers include writer Jessamyn West, wrestler Jessamyn Duke,…
