Animal Names for Girls

This friendly Irish surname is catching on with girls, perhaps due to the easy Callie nickname.

Callahan

This Welsh nature name that can be pronounced exactly like the male Ira. Or, to avoid confusion, you could just name her Snow. 

Eira

This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest in the name falls in line with the revival of other mythological names like Apollo and Athena. The trendy nickname Ari doesn't hurt either.
 In Greek mythology, she was the daughter of Minus who gave Theseus the thread by which he escaped from the labyrinth. After being deserted by him, she married Dionysus, the god of fertility, wine and drama

Ariadne

Clarity is one of the lightest of the newly rediscovered virtue names, with a bit of three-syllable sparkle, old-fashioned charm and a clear vision for the future. Clarity is a very desirable quality in this confusing world and it also, unlike some other newly coined word names, has real meaning and history as a name.
 Clarity is preferable to Charity and definitely to Chastity, with the possibility of Clare as a short form.

Clarity

Daenerys is yet another girls' name invented by "Game of Thrones" author George R. R. Martin that is beginning to gain some traction in real life. Daenerys was used for 67 baby girls in 2013 while one of the character's titles, Khaleesi, was given to 241 baby girls. And the name Arya, also from the hyper-popular series, is one of the fastest growing <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a> in the country.

Daenerys

Akin to Ada, Adeline, and Adele, Adalie is one of many names to derive from the Old German element adal. Musical and lively, and less popular than its many of its sisters, Adalie was given to around 160 girls in a recent year. An obscure choice until the 2000s, Adalie saw increased usage in the US in 2012, around the time as other Ad- names were beginning to really trend. 
 
While the German origin is more obvious, there is the possibility that Adalie has Hebrew roots too. Adalia is used as a masculine name in the Bible and is the origin of Adlai. Meaning "God is just", this could add another layer of meaning to the name for some.
 
A less expected way to nickname Addie — or even to Dollie — Adalie might occasionally confused with its counterpart, the popular Adeline, Adelyn and co.

Adalie

With lofty word names like Chosen, Blessing, Halo, and Haven in vogue, Adore feels like it could fit right in. With possible spiritual undertones and a sense of self-confidence, Adore also sounds shares sounds with the popular Aurora and provides the nickname Addie, which make the bold choice feel more wearable. Given to 125 girls in a recent year, it is a round four times more popular than it was a decade ago. 
 
If you like the idea of it but find it just a little too blatant and wordy, then Adora, Isadora. or Annora might appeal too.

Adore

Lyrical choice with an ornamental H — a common phenomenon among Puerto Rican names.

Alahia

Arizbeth is a compound name particularly popular in Mexico and among Hispanic parents in the US. Created by blending Ariel or Ariana with classic Elizabeth, it is one of the hottest unique names currently around. 
 
While the alternative spelling Arisbeth is more popular with its friendly but poetic feel, the fresh and zippy Arizbeth isn't far behind. Given to around 160 girls in a recent year, it has grown significantly in the early 2020s.
 
When you combine the number of Arisbeths and Arizbeths together, the name is received by more than 320 babies each year, making it feel like a Top 1000 choice, similar in popularity to Kallie, Tiffany, and Elia.

Arizbeth

Cosette is best known as the heroine of Les Miserables. In the Victor Hugo novel, Cosette was the nickname given to the girl named Euphrasie by her mother. Although Hugo invented the name, some etymologists believe it's a spin on Colette, originally a female short form of Nicolas.


 Despite the popularity of Les Mis the musical, the name was given to only 138 girls in 2015 -- though it's worth noting that this is almost double the number from just a few years ago. Cosette would make for a sweet and quirky French choice.

Cosette

Sweet and cosy with a touch of sass, this nickname-y choice was a familiar option up until the sixties in the US. Then, for a while, it was a bit of a one-person name, associated with singer Dolly Parton, but more recently, it's been singing a fashionable note again along with sisters Dottie and Millie. 
 Typically short for Dorothy or its sister, Dorothea, Dolly has been used on its own since the seventeenth century, so common then that it became a generic term for a favored girl. In the US, it was a Top 300 name around the turn of the last 20th century.
 The fourth First Lady of the United States spelled her name variously as Dolly and Dolley Madison. And of course Dolly Levi is the name of the central character in the iconic musical bearing her name. Then, there's Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned, and the British writer and journalist, Dolly Alderton, who likely helped bring this name back into the England and Wales Top 1000 back in 2008.
 
While some may read it as just a touch too cutesy, Dolly does fit right in with Birdie, Scottie, Maisie, Etta, Goldie, and so on, and was a Top 400 choice in the UK in a recent year. Its return to the stage in the US has been quieter, but 127 girls were called Dolly in the latest count: more than double the number who were given the name in 2020. 
 
Love Dolly but want a full name besides Dorothy and Dorothea? You could try Dahlia, Gwendolyn, Theodora, Delphine, Odilia, or Dolores.

Dolly

Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since 1970, however it's definitely on the brink of a revival! In fact, it has already been making its way back into the UK Top 1000, and a recent year saw it given to 90 girls in the US — three times the number it was given to a decade prior. 
 
A relative of Dorothy, Theodore, and Theodora, Dorothea is comprised of the same Greek elements, doron and theos, meaning "gift" and "god". It has has a long literary history, including as a clever and beautiful character in Don Quixote and the intelligent and generous heroine of George Eliot's Middlemarch.
 Worthy namesakes include Dorothea Dix, nineteenth century activist for the mentally ill and Civil War nurse, and the influential documentary photographer Dorothea Lange, known for her moving portraits taken during the Great Depression. It is also a saint name, borne by Dorothea of Alexandria, Dorothea of Caesarea (the patron saint of florists), and Dorothea of Montau (saint and visionary). 
 Appealing nickname possibilities include Dorrie, Dolly, Doro, Dodie, Dot, Dottie and Thea, while international variants include the Spanish Dorotea, the Czech and Polish Dorota, and the Hungarian Dorina.
 
In English, the name would likely be pronounced as dawr-uh-THEE-uh, while in German, it is said as do-ro-TEH-a

Dorothea

Eila is a Hebrew name heard in Israel. The name also has roots in Finland and Norway, where it's derived from Elina, a variation of Helen, or from Aila, a form of Helga. Eila could gain attention as a cross-cultural name and fresh alternative to popular sound-alike choices like Ayla, Ella, and Isla.

Eila

Astraea —also found as Astraia — is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who left earth to become the constellation Virgo after she grew unhappy with the state of humanity. She was prophesised to return and begin a new Golden Age, meaning she is associated with renewal — and with Queen Elizabeth I of England thanks to Renaissance writers associating her with the goddess. 
 
 A more unusual choice among the many star-related names currently attracting attention -- from Astra to Esther to Estelle and Stella. Astraea was the daughter of Astraeus, the god of the dusk, and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, and her association with the constellation could make her an appealing choice for a Virgo baby.
 
Given to 91 girls in the US in 2024, it is 10 times more popular than it was a decade ago.

Astraea

Aysha is a feminine name with Arabic origins, traditionally spelled as 'Aisha' or 'A'isha,' meaning 'alive' or 'she who lives.' It holds special significance in Islamic culture as it was the name of one of Prophet Muhammad's wives, known for her intelligence and leadership. Over time, Aysha has developed various spelling variations while retaining its cultural importance. The name has spread globally and gained popularity beyond Muslim communities due to its beautiful meaning and melodic sound. In Western countries, Aysha began gaining recognition in the late 20th century and continues to be chosen for its cross-cultural appeal, spiritual significance, and elegant simplicity. The variant spelling with 'y' gives it a slightly contemporary touch while maintaining its traditional essence.

Aysha

One of many variations of the name Brinley, with its on-trend -lee ending and inclusion of the "Brynn" sound. This form has never been in the US Top 1000, though Brynlee, Brinley, and Brynleigh are. 

Brinlee

Dailany is a modern feminine name that likely emerged in the early 21st century, reflecting the trend toward melodic names with flowing syllables. It may be a creative variation combining elements of names like Dailey, Leilani, or Delany. The name has a contemporary feel with its musical quality and distinctive ending. While its exact linguistic origins are uncertain, Dailany has a multicultural appeal that resonates with various naming traditions. The name remains relatively rare, making it an uncommon choice that still sounds familiar and accessible. Parents might be drawn to Dailany for its unique quality, its pleasant rhythm, and the way it balances uniqueness with pronounceability—a name that stands out without being difficult to say or spell.

Dailany

Amaria is one of those rare names that sounds like a familiar and well-known choice. Part of this is done to its similarity to the likes of Amara, Amelia, Maria, and Aria, but another factor is it its multicultural roots. 
 
As an English name, it could be considered an elaboration of the Igbo Amara, meaning "grace" or an elaboration of classic Maria, meaning "bitter, beloved or drop of the sea". As an Arabic name, it could come from Ammar, meaning "to live long and thrive" or possible Amira, meaning "princess, ruler". 
 
From it's Hebrew origins, it could be a form of the masculine name Amariah, now considered unisex in the US. In this case, it would mean "Yahweh has said". There's also the possibility that it comes from the Greek Amaryllis or Maira, with the glittery meaning "to sparkle".
 
Other sources suggest it comes from the Sanskrit and Hindi Amariya, meaning "eternal" or from the Spanish and Portuguese name Amaro, meaning "bitter".
 
Given to around 110 girls in a recent year, it is currently outside the US Top 1000.

Amaria

A possible variation of Amia and Amaya. It has charted in the U.S. Top 1000 for most of the 21st century.
 As a <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys name</a>, it has ties to literary critic and poet Amiya Chandra Chakravarty.

Amiya

More often used as a boys' name, parents have also been choosing Austin for their little girls - as the 176 female Austins born in the US in 2022 demonstrate. May we suggest the literary version "Austen" for girls, as a well-deserved homage to the famed English author Jane Austen?