Animal Names for Girls

Dayanna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon and hunting, or a combination of 'day' with the popular name ending '-anna.' In some Hispanic communities, it's used as a variation of Diana with a unique spelling. The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly among Latin American families. Dayanna carries a bright, positive connotation with its connection to 'day' suggesting light and optimism. Its melodic quality and recognizable but uncommon status make it appealing to parents seeking a name that's distinctive yet accessible.

Dayanna

Adah is a biblical name twice over—one was the mother of Jabal and Jubal, the other was a wife of Esau. The latter Adah and Esau’s descendants settled in Edom and became the Edomites. Adah is unrelated to the visually similar name Ada, which is Germanic in origin.
 
Pronounced AH-dah, this unusual biblical name—the first female name in Genesis after Eve and given to a number of women in the Old Testament—is a softer Ada equivalent.

Adah

Belinda, cousin of Linda and Melinda, enjoyed a brief return to the Top 1000 from 2005 through 2013, only to fall off again in 2014. A name that some may consider a modern spin on the midcentury popularity queen Linda is in fact a classic with deep and fascinating roots. In Babylonian mythology Belinda was the goddess of heaven and earth, and the name later was used for the heroine of Alexander Pope's satirical poem The Rape of the Lock.
 One of Belinda's meanings is 'beautiful snake' (coined at a time when snakes were a sacred symbol of wisdom and immortality) and it still does seem to have a certain lingering serpentine charm.
 Belinda entered the US popularity lists in 1940, and went on to reach Number 142 in 1961. Both Maria Edgeworth and Anne Rice wrote eponymous novels called Belinda.
 Belinda Carlisle was the lead vocalist in "The Go-Go's."

Belinda

Claira is a feminine name that represents a modern variation of the classic name Clara, which derives from Latin 'clarus' meaning 'clear, bright, or famous.' This alternative spelling adds a touch of uniqueness while maintaining the elegant sound of the original. Claira combines the traditional appeal of Clara with a slightly more contemporary appearance, making it appealing to parents who want a name that feels both familiar and distinctive. The name carries connotations of clarity, illumination, and radiance. Though less common than Clara or Claire, Claira has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries since the 2000s. Its melodic quality and soft ending give it a gentle, feminine feel while its classical roots provide substance and historical depth.

Claira

On one hand, this may be a twist on the unisex Emery, to make it more obviously feminine - and to make it stand out from Emery, Emory, and Emerie, which all rank in the US Top 600.
 
Alternatively, it is a smoosh name, combining the classic names, Emma and Marie, into something that sounds modern and on trend. This could work as an unexpected honor name if you happen to what to honor an Emma (or an Emmett, an Emily, or an Emmanuel) and a Marie (or a Maria or a Mary) at the same time.
 
Emmarie made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 back in 2018 when it was given to 265 girls.

Emmarie

Parents finding Olivia too popular first turned to Alivia and then went further with Alyvia.  But making the spelling different does not improve on the original.  If you love Olivia, name your daughter Olivia.

Alyvia

A vintage short form of Roberta or Barbara, Bobbi fits into the boyish nicknames for girls renaissance. It's already ranked in the England and Wales Top 1000 in recent years. 
 
Barbara "Bobbi" Morse is part of the Marvel universe as Mockingbird, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. You may also be familiar with makeup artist Bobbi Brown, and her eponymous cosmetic line.

Bobbi

The Spanish variation of the 80s and 90s American favorite Amber has an international flair.

Ambar

The French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne put the spotlight on this name when she made the charts with "Sk8er Boi". It is simply the French form of April, the fourth month of the year, whose name might derive from the Latin aperire meaning "to open" in reference to the start of spring in the Northern hemisphere. Other sources suggest it comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
 
With a spikier feel to it, Avril makes a distinctive yet familiar choice, which, as of 2024, has never made it to the US Top 1000.

Avril

Brenna is a feminine form of the Irish surname Brennan, or perhaps a variation of Brenda or Brendan—all of which have different meanings. Whatever its derivation or authenticity, it's a modern sounding name which has steadily decreased in popularity since 1995 when it peaked at Number 235 in the United States.
 Brenna O'Brien is a Canadian actress.

Brenna

A modern(ish) invented name, only in widespread use since the 20th century. It is a combination of the English word darling and the popular midcentury suffix -lene. It was recently used on a character in the BBC comedy-crime drama, Death in Paradise.

Darlene

The Elissa version of a long-popular name is fading in favor of Alyssa, Eliza and other variants. The legion of other forms and spellings includes Alissa, Allissa, Allyssa, Alyssa, Elissah, Ellisa, Ellissa, Ellyssa, Elys, Elyssa, Elyssia, Ilissa, Ilysa, Ilyssa, Lissa, Lissie, Lissy Lyssa. 

Elissa

Emberleigh made its all-time debut on the charts in 2009, rising steadily each year. It could be a future member of the Top 1000.

Emberleigh

This character name from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas has an ancient appeal, even though it seems to be a modern coinage. It may have been inspired by similar sounding names, like the Turkish Aylin ("of the moon") or the Irish Eileen, a form of Helen or Aveline.
 
First appearing on the US charts in 2016, following the release of the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, it has been quietly on the rise with nearly 80 girls called Aelin in 2024.

Aelin

Beckett

More colorful than Blanche, but blanker than Bianca. 

Blanca

An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish.  Which may be a positive, in terms of Daria not being in danger of overpopularity.

Daria

Emilee

Italian form of Alexa, sometimes short for Alessandra, which sidesteps the Amazon Alexa issue.

Alessa

Aleya is a feminine name with diverse multicultural origins. In Arabic contexts, it can be related to 'aliya' meaning 'high,' 'exalted,' or 'sublime.' The name also appears in Indian cultures, possibly derived from Sanskrit elements meaning 'goddess' or 'divine.' Some associate it with Hebrew origins relating to 'to ascend.' This versatility across cultures has contributed to its growing popularity in the 21st century, particularly in the United States and multicultural communities. Aleya appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds contemporary yet has traditional roots. Its melodic quality, with the flowing 'l' and ending in a soft 'a' sound, gives it a feminine grace while remaining straightforward to pronounce and spell. The name strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility.