Animal Names for Girls

A lucky word name that started to rise out of obscurity in the 2010s. Like Dream and True, Charm could be just one celebrity baby away from becoming a big trend. In fact, the Australian YouTube family, The Norris Nuts have a daughter/sister called Charm, born in 2019, after which the number of Charms born in the US increased by 40%. Given to 88 girls in a recent year it is probably more popular than people think.

Charm

Romantic and elegant but tough and sparky at the same time, Ariadna is a variation of the Greek Ariadne, predominantly used among Spanish speakers. In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete who oversaw the labyrinth, where she later helped Theseus defeat the Minotaur.
 
Ariadna is one of the most <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names/spain">popular names in Spain</a> where it had ranked in the Top 100 for over 20 years. Also familiar in Mexico and Puerto Rico, in the US, it was given to 194 girls in a recent year, while classic Ariadne was given to 184. 
 
With its mythological ties and its similarity to Aria, Ariana, and Adriana, Ariadna makes a solid yet stand-out choice and is notably borne by actresses Ariadna Gil and Ariadna Romero. More historically, other famous bearers have been poet and activist Ariadna Scriabina and artist, poet, and critic Ariadna Efron.

Ariadna

Aracely is a feminine name with Spanish origins, particularly popular in Latin American countries like Mexico. It likely derives from Araceli, which comes from the Latin phrase "ara caeli" meaning "altar of heaven" or "altar of the sky." The name has religious connections, as Ara Coeli is also the name of a basilica in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Aracely has a melodious quality with its flowing syllables and soft ending. In the United States, the name saw modest popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in Hispanic communities. The variations Araceli and Aracely both remain in use, with the latter offering a slightly more contemporary feel while maintaining the name's beautiful meaning and cultural connections.

Aracely

Newly popular boys' name could cross over in much the way the related Cameron has. 

Camden

One of the original French names chosen by midcentury parents for their sophistication and je ne sais quoi, Desiree has since become completely assimilated in the US. It ranked in the Top 1000 from 1954-2017, but has since dropped back out.
 "Désirée's Baby" is a short story by Kate Chopin, published in 1893.

Desiree

A spelling variation of Ava, perhaps influenced by the biblical-style, ends-in-H names currently trending: Delilah, Alayah, Aniyah, et al, along with more classic options like Leah and Hannah. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2008 where it remained for 14 years, peaking in 2018 when it was given to nearly 680 girls. Now in decline, it was given to just under 200 girls in a recent year.


Avah

In the New Testament, Damaris was an Athenian woman converted to Christianity by St. Paul. Known for her charitable work, her name was a favorite among the Puritans. Having slid off the bottom of the Top 1000 in 2012, Damaris might be deserving of more attention by parents in search of a New Testament name that is unusual but accessible, especially since girls' names ending in 's' are coming back into fashion. 
 Damaris is a supermodel name via Damaris Lewis; it's currently a Top 100 name in Chile.

Damaris

Annette is a French diminutive of Ann which was among the first wave of widely-used girls' names from France, now neglected for so long that it's almost starting to feel stylish again.

Annette

While this might be used as an alternative spelling to Elisa, Alyssa, Alicia, and similar, this form stands out from the pack as Elysia relates to Elysian Fields, the home of the blessed dead in Greek and Roman mythology. Far less popular than other similar choices, it did rank in the UK Top 1000 until the 2020s, albeit near the latter end of the list. 

Elysia

Addison has been a wildly popular surname name, mostly for girls, for a few decades now, and Addisyn is one of its many spelling variations.

Addisyn

Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
 Avalon manages to blend the appeal of Ava and Evelyn, while sounding more interesting and unique.

Avalon

Ailany has been a big hit in the 2020s, and this Eliana variant is following in its footsteps. A spin on the sunny Eliana, it first appeared in the US stats back in 2001 and has been used quietly ever since, but a recent year saw it jump in popularity when it was given to nearly 150 girls.
 
A Top 20 name in the Dominican Republic, content creator Elianny Yánez is a notable bearer.

Elianny

Emeri is an alternate spelling of Emery which means industrious. Emeri offers a modern twist on traditional names like Emma and Emily. This spelling is used primarily for girls, with just under 200 girls given the name each year.

Emeri

Also written as Bayla, Baila is reminiscent of the Spanish word for "dance". Its meaning is debated: it may come from the Slavic root word for "white", or it may be a form of Bilhah, one of the four women who gave birth to the tribes of Israel. An offbeat approach to Bella. 


Baila

We can't account for the popularity of this name, for either a boy or a girl, given the first syllable, the tacky connotations with a luxury car, and the range of other options which are more harmonious to the ear. Nonetheless, nearly 200 girls were names Bentley in the US in 2015.

Bentley

Delani is a feminine name with multiple cultural roots. It may derive from Hawaiian origins, where it means 'from the heavens' or 'heavenly.' Alternatively, it has connections to African languages, particularly in Southern Africa, where similar names exist. Some consider it a modern variation of Delaney, which has Irish origins meaning 'descendant of the challenger.' Delani has gained moderate popularity in the United States since the 1990s as parents have sought distinctive yet melodic names. The name features a pleasing rhythm with its three syllables and soft consonants. Delani conveys a sense of gentleness while maintaining uniqueness. It's appreciated for its contemporary feel without being overly trendy and works well cross-culturally, appealing to families from diverse backgrounds looking for a name that's both meaningful and modern.

Delani

Ellowyn is a feminine name with a lyrical, ethereal quality. It appears to be a modern construction combining elements of popular names like Ella and Eowyn (from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings) or traditional Welsh names ending in 'wyn' which means 'fair' or 'blessed.' The name has a distinctly fantasy-inspired or Celtic feel, appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet melodious. While lacking deep historical roots, Ellowyn has gained modest attention in recent years alongside similar nature-inspired and whimsical names. Its flowing sounds and combination of familiar elements with unique structure give it an enchanting quality. The name fits contemporary trends toward distinctive, somewhat magical-sounding girls' names with multiple syllables.

Ellowyn

While Atlas is a decidedly male god and this name is in the US Top 300 for boys, it is used for an increasingly significant number of baby girls in the US. And undeniably, it's a name that imparts strength to any child.

 As well as the mythological connection, Atlas is a cool geographical word name – perfect for the child of parents who love traveling or who hail from different parts of the globe.

Atlas

Cattaleya is a feminine name inspired by the cattleya orchid, an exotic flower named after William Cattley, the English botanist who first cultivated it. The name gained significant attention following the 2011 film 'Colombiana,' where the protagonist was named Cataleya. The double 't' spelling variation adds a distinctive touch to the name while maintaining its floral association. Cattaleya embodies elegance, beauty, and rarity—qualities associated with the orchid itself. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While still relatively uncommon, Cattaleya has been increasing in popularity among parents seeking nature-inspired names with an exotic flair. The name offers versatility with potential nicknames like Cat, Catta, or Leya.

Cattaleya

Amiah is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Amaya, which has Basque origins meaning 'the end' or 'high place,' or it could be related to the Hebrew name Ammiah, meaning 'God is my people.' Some see it as a modern variation of names like Amelia or Mia. The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 2000s, reflecting parents' interest in names with vowel-rich sounds and international flair. Amiah offers a balance of uniqueness and familiarity—uncommon enough to be distinctive, yet simple to pronounce and spell. Its melodic quality, with the soft 'm' sound and flowing vowels, gives it a gentle, feminine appeal that works well across cultures.