By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 27 pages
of 27
English
"quill, hollow stalk"
A heroine in a Victorian novel written with a quill pen, has an unusual, offbeat charm.
"elfin advisor"
Extremely unusual ella-ending choice.
"fame; gossip, story"
Celebs Demi Moore and Bruce Willis made waves in the 80s when they named their now-grown daughter after novelist Rumer Godden. The author was actually born Margaret, with family surname Rumer as her…
Animal name
"salmon, a fish"
Possibility for fish enthusiasts, but works better for a boy.
English nickname
"sack, bag"
Chosen by Woody Allen for his son with Mia Farrow (now renamed Seamus), honoring the great old-time baseball player Satchel Paige, and by Spike Lee for his daughter, but far too eccentric for…
"from the willow farm"
Selby, a rarely heard British surname, feels sleeker and more distinctive than Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.
"shade"
A daring word name with a touch of mystique, Shadow is an edgy choice for a baby that some may say is best reserved for pets. Nevertheless, it has been appearing in the US stats for girls since 1974…
"tree stump"
Stockard Channing -- "West Wing" 's first lady -- picked this strong, Waspy first name over her original, Susan.
English, from Persian, word name
A few boys have adopted fabrics like Denim and Suede; here's a singular one for the girls, with a distinctively silky sheen.
English word name
"golden brown"
Y-ending color adjectives like Tawny and Rusty are nowhere near as stylish as the more sophisticated Lilacs and Violets.
English, contracted form of Thomasina
"twin"
Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes , Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan…
English, feminine variation of Thomas, Aramaic
Though rarely used now that many parents would rather appropriate men's names than sweeten them with feminine endings, Thomasina does have some vintage appeal. Thomasina Coverly plays a large part in…
English, diminutive of Taylor
"tailor"
Tay is occasionally used on its own, or as a nickname for the now fading Taylor.
English, diminutive of Elizabeth
Commonly heard in the eighteenth century, but could cause middle-school titters today. Consider Letty or Tessie instead.
English, feminine variation of Thomas
One of those feminizations that came over shortly after the Mayflower but has been lost at sea ever since.
English herb name
Not time yet for Thyme.
English, diminutive of Martita et al
A diminutive diminutive, too tease-worthy.
English, modern spelling variation of Trina
See TRINA.
English river name
Compact and creative, it has been associated with one-time Cagney & Lacey star Tyne Daly.
"firebrand"
Appealingly boyish a decade ago, less so now.
