Animal Names for Girls
- Barri
Description:
Barri is a feminine name with various origins. As a female variant of Barry, it derives from Irish and Gaelic roots meaning "spear" or "fair-haired." It may also relate to the Welsh name meaning "hill" or "mound." Sometimes used as a short form of Barbara, which comes from Greek meaning "foreign" or "strange." Barri has a contemporary feel with its distinctive spelling variation. While never extensively popular in mainstream rankings, it offers a concise, strong-sounding alternative to more common feminine names. Its unisex quality appeals to parents seeking modern, versatile options with traditional connections.
- Emberly
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
The Kimberly of the current age, but currently less popular than either Ember or Everly.
- Emlyn
Origin:
Welsh from LatinMeaning:
"rival"Description:
An Emily or Emma substitute that may be prettier and more classic as Emmeline or Emeline.
- Celyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"holly"Description:
Traditionally a masculine name in Wales, Celyn (pronounced with a hard K) is now used for both boys and girls. It could work as an alternative to Holly or an honor to a Kelly or a Caitlyn perhaps.
- Chlöe
Description:
Chlöe is a feminine name representing a stylistic variation of Chloe, with the addition of an umlaut over the 'o'. The name originates from Greek mythology, where Chloe was an epithet of the goddess Demeter, meaning 'young green shoot' or 'blooming.' This alternative spelling maintains the classical beauty of the original while adding a distinctive European flair. The name has experienced steady popularity throughout the Western world, with the traditional spelling ranking consistently in top name lists. The variant Chlöe offers a slightly more unique option while retaining the name's inherent grace and fresh, springtime associations. The pronunciation remains the same as Chloe ('KLO-ee'), despite the decorative diacritic mark.
- Deanne
Origin:
Variation of DianaMeaning:
"divine"Description:
Deanne was one of many variations popular in the middle of the 20th century, during the heyday of Diane and sisters and even cousins. Now, at least one generation away from a comeback.
- Cana
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
Cana is well-known to readers of the Bible as the city where Jesus performed his first miracle. If other place names, both modern and ancient, real and mythical, can be baby names, why not Cana? Rhyming with Dana, it can work for either gender.
- Ciana
Description:
Ciana (pronounced see-AH-nah) is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Cianna, which derives from the Italian 'Gianna,' a feminine form of John meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Irish name Kiana, meaning 'ancient' or 'enduring.' In some cultures, it's considered a variation of Sianna or Shiana. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowels, making it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. While not among the most common names, Ciana has seen modest usage in recent decades, particularly in Italian communities and among parents looking for uncommon names with traditional roots.
- Devan
Description:
Devan as a feminine name represents an interesting crossover from traditionally male usage. While more common as a boy's name with roots in Irish and Sanskrit origins, Devan has gained traction as a girl's name in recent decades. In Irish contexts, it derives from 'Devin' meaning 'poet' or as an anglicized form of 'Damháin,' while in Sanskrit it relates to 'divine' or 'heavenly.' As a feminine name, Devan offers a modern, slightly androgynous quality that appeals to parents seeking gender-neutral options. Its popularity for girls saw modest growth in the 1990s and early 2000s but remains relatively uncommon, giving it distinction without being completely unfamiliar. The name balances strength and softness in its sound and associations.
- Contessa
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"countess"Description:
There's a craze for royal names right now, including Royal itself, so c'mon down, Contessa, and join Prince, King, Duke, Royalty -- the whole blue-blooded gang. Bonus: Short form Tess or Tessa makes this an almost-ordinary name.
- Émilie
Description:
Émilie is the French variation of Emily, derived from the Latin name 'Aemilia.' This elegant feminine name carries a sense of grace enhanced by the accent mark over the first 'e,' which indicates a specific pronunciation in French (ay-mee-lee). The name has a long history in French-speaking regions, with notable bearers including Émilie du Châtelet, an accomplished 18th-century French mathematician and physicist. Throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, Émilie has maintained steady popularity, often ranking among the top 100 girls' names. The name conveys a classic yet timeless quality, embodying both intellectual depth and feminine charm across French-speaking cultures.
- Alean
Description:
Alean is an uncommon feminine name with uncertain origins. It may be a variant spelling of Aileen or Eileen, both derived from the Gaelic name Aveline, meaning "pleasant" or "beautiful bird." Alternatively, it could be related to the French name Alain (feminine form Alaine), ultimately from a Celtic word meaning "rock" or "handsome." The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft vowel sounds. Alean has never been widely popular but saw some limited usage in the United States during the mid-20th century. It maintains an air of vintage charm and uniqueness, appealing to parents seeking rare names with traditional roots. The uncommon nature of Alean gives it a distinctive quality while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce.
- Elany
Description:
Elany is a feminine name with a modern feel, though its origins aren't firmly established in a single tradition. It may be a contemporary variation of Elena or Elaine, or a novel combination inspired by popular elements like 'El-' (found in Ella, Eleanor) and the feminine ending '-any' (as in Bethany, Tiffany). The name has a light, melodious quality with its flowing syllables. Elany remains relatively uncommon, making it attractive to parents seeking something recognizable yet distinctive. Its similarity to established names gives it familiarity, while its uniqueness allows it to stand apart. The name has seen modest usage in recent decades, particularly appealing to those drawn to modern-sounding feminine names with a gentle, graceful quality.
- Cendrine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"little ashes"Description:
Cendrine derives from Cendrillon, the French form of Cinderella. It's quite uncommon, even in France, but if the fairy tale made a big impression on you, it could be a sweet tribute.
- Arna
Origin:
German, SanskritMeaning:
"eagle; river"Description:
Truly a cross-cultural name, with usage in Germany, Scandinavia, India, France, and Iceland.
- Daneen
Description:
Daneen is a feminine name of Irish origin, functioning as a feminized version of the male name Daniel, which means 'God is my judge.' This melodic three-syllable variation (da-NEEN) adds a graceful quality to the traditional root name. Emerging primarily in the mid-20th century, Daneen reached modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, aligning with the trend of creating feminine versions of traditional male names. The name carries both the biblical gravitas of its root while offering a distinctly feminine identity. Though never extremely common, Daneen appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with familiar sounds and clear pronunciation. Its usage has declined since its mid-century peak, now giving the name a somewhat vintage quality with potential for revival.
- Atala
Origin:
French literary nameDescription:
Atala is the eponymous heroine of a 19th century novella 'Atala, ou Les Amours de deux sauvages dans le desert' by François-René de Chateaubriand. Given the racist overtones of the novel, probably best to steer of this name.
- Aislin
Description:
Aislin is a feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from 'aisling' meaning 'dream' or 'vision.' It's sometimes anglicized as Ashlyn, Ashlynn, or Aislinn. In Irish literary tradition, an aisling was a poetic genre featuring Ireland personified as a woman. The name gained popularity outside Ireland in the late 20th century as interest in Celtic names increased. Aislin combines melodic sounds with meaningful cultural connections, making it appealing to parents seeking names with both beauty and substance. While less common than some other Irish names like Erin or Shannon, it has maintained steady usage particularly in Irish diaspora communities and among those drawn to names with Celtic heritage.
- Devorah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"bee"Description:
The Biblical name of a great prophet and judge who helped organize an army and effect a major victory over the Canaanites. Sounds much fresher than the Anglicized Deborah.
- Bel
Description:
Bel is a short, feminine name with multicultural origins. It can be derived from the French word 'belle' meaning 'beautiful,' function as a diminutive of names like Isabel, Belinda, or Annabel, or connect to the Celtic god Belenus. In Hebrew contexts, it might relate to 'Bel' meaning 'heart.' This concise name carries elegant simplicity while maintaining depth through its varied etymological connections. While never ranking among top popular names, Bel has seen occasional usage across different cultures. Its brevity makes it distinctive in an era when longer names are common. The name appeals to parents seeking a minimalist yet meaningful option with international versatility and positive connotations of beauty or affection.