Animal Names for Girls

Abilene is a rarely used place name, mentioned as such in the New Testament, that combines the cowboy spunk of the Texas city with the midwestern morality of the Kansas town where Dwight D. Eisenhower spent his boyhood. Abilene is a much more untrodden path to the nickname Abbie/Abbie than the Top 10 Abigail.
 In 1857, Eliza Hersey named the frontier village of Abilene, Kansas after a vast plain described in Luke's gospel.
 Abilene is the title of a Sheryl Crow song, and the book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo features a sweet character named Abilene.

Abilene

Annabel is a spirited name that embodies quirky British gentility. Appearing in Scotland as early as the twelfth century, where it was a royal name, it also recalls the romantic Edgar Allan Poe poem Annabel Lee, written upon the death of his young wife, Virginia.
 In the Swinging Sixties, Annabel was in the thick of things as the name of London's trendiest disco and nightclub, named for the wife of the owner. The Annabel spelling is preferable today to Annabelle, too closely associated with the eponymous horror movie doll.

Annabel

Annaliese is a distinctly German smoosh name that's found some popularity in the US, especially with the simpler spelling Annalise.
 
Annalise is among the Top 1000, given to about 750 baby girls in one recent years, ten times as many as were called Annaliese.
 
Liese is the German form of Lisa, a short form of Elizabeth.

Annaliese

A vintage nickname for Roberta or Barbara, most famously borne by Roberta "Bobbie" in Edith Nesbit's classic The Railway Children. Bobbie is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls. In tune with the likes of Stevie, Billie, Scottie, and Bonnie, Bobbie was at its most popular in the 1930s and 40s in the US, when it ranked in the Top 200.
 
Meaning "bright fame" from Roberta and "stranger" from Barbara, Bobbie has been out of the charts in the US since the 1990s, however, it remains well-used in England and Wales, where it ranked at #520 in a recent year. It is showing signs of moving up the US charts too, given to 91 girls in 2025 compared to 65 girls in the year prior.

Bobbie

Both a biblical and an Israeli place-name, this can be used as an offbeat substitute for Deborah. 

Devora

Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a fashionable choice in the UK, where it has ranked just outside the Top 100 for several years.

 Several Ediths have chosen to be known by this pet form, including socialite and Andy Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick, actress Edie Falco, singer Edie Brickell and the Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy relatives called Big and Little Edie in the iconic documentary Grey Gardens. Edie Britt was the character portrayed by Nicolette Sheridan in Desperate Housewives.

 British actress Samantha Morton chose Edie for her daughter as did Keira Knightley in 2015. We think Edie is going to continue to rise in the coming years.

Edie

Acelynn is a modern feminine name that combines elements of popular contemporary naming trends. It likely blends the prefix 'Ace' (suggesting excellence or achievement) with the popular suffix '-lynn,' which appears in many feminine names like Brooklyn, Carolyn, and Madelyn. Created in the early 21st century, Acelynn exemplifies the trend toward invented names with recognizable elements and melodic sounds. While not among the most common names, its usage has increased slightly in recent years as parents seek distinctive yet accessible options. Acelynn has an energetic, contemporary feel with its combination of strength ('Ace') and femininity ('-lynn'), making it appealing to parents looking for a modern name with positive connotations.

Acelynn

Angely is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, most likely derived from Angela or Angelina, ultimately coming from the Greek word 'angelos' meaning 'messenger' or 'angel.' This modern variation has a delicate, ethereal quality with its soft ending sound. Popular particularly in Hispanic communities and French-speaking regions, Angely combines spiritual associations with a contemporary feel. The name has gained moderate popularity in recent decades as parents seek names with traditional roots but distinctive forms. Angely strikes a balance between familiarity and uniqueness, offering a fresh alternative to more common angel-derived names. Its gentle sound pattern and heavenly associations give it an inherent sweetness and grace that appeals to many parents.

Angely

This is a long-recognized smoosh name merging Anna with the short form of Elizabeth, and is one of the prettiest combo names, a possible alternative to Annabel. 
 Annabeth Chase is one of the main protagonists of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series; Annabeth Gish is the actress first noticed in "Mystic Pizza."

Annabeth

Less popular than the more succinct spelling Blakely, but used more often than Blakeley and Blakelee, this variation may appeal to those honoring a Leigh or like letter-heavy names. Given to 131 girls in a recent year, Blakely was chosen for 1882 in comparison. 

Blakeleigh

Blayke is a feminine name that represents a modern, stylized spelling variant of Blake. Originally an English surname derived from Old English "blæc" meaning "black" or "dark," Blake became a masculine given name before crossing over to feminine usage in recent decades. The distinctive 'y' spelling gives this surname-turned-first-name a contemporary edge while maintaining the original pronunciation. Blayke has a strong, crisp sound that conveys a sense of confidence and individuality. This spelling variation has gained some popularity among parents seeking modern alternatives to traditional names. The name projects qualities of strength and uniqueness, fitting contemporary naming trends that favor surname-style names for girls. Its androgynous nature also appeals to families looking for gender-neutral options with a distinctive spelling.

Blayke

Caeli is a delicate feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'caelum' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky.' This ethereal name carries celestial connotations and evokes images of the heavens above. In Roman mythology, Caelus was the god of the sky, giving the name additional historical depth. Caeli remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, making it an uncommon choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet melodic. The name's brevity and flowing sound contribute to its appeal, along with its meaningful connection to the natural world. Some may also appreciate Caeli as a variation of Caelie or Kaylee, though with a more direct link to its Latin celestial roots.

Caeli

Eleia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Greek roots, possibly connected to Elea, an ancient Greek colony, or as a variant of Elaia, meaning 'olive tree' - a symbol of peace and prosperity in Greek culture. Alternatively, it could be a modern elaboration of names like Ella or Elena. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowels creating a gentle, lyrical sound. While relatively uncommon in most countries, Eleia appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds feminine and elegant without being overly common. Its Greek connections give it a timeless, classical feel while its modern sound makes it accessible for contemporary use.

Eleia

Aislynn is a feminine name combining Celtic elements with modern spelling variations. It evolved from traditional Irish names like Aisling (meaning 'dream' or 'vision') with the popular '-lynn' suffix that became fashionable in late 20th century naming trends. The name carries a lyrical quality with its flowing sounds and unique appearance. Aislynn began gaining notice in the 1990s and 2000s alongside similar Celtic-inspired names, appealing to parents seeking names with Irish or Scottish connections but distinctive modern styling. While less common than similar names like Ashlyn or Ashlynn, Aislynn offers a more direct connection to its Celtic linguistic roots while maintaining the contemporary feel many parents desire.

Aislynn

Anari is a feminine name with multicultural roots and various possible origins. In some African cultures, particularly Swahili, it may relate to meanings of brightness or light. The name also appears in variations across different languages, with possible connections to Hebrew origins meaning "my light" or Indian origins relating to "without enemies." Anari has gained modest popularity in recent decades for its melodic quality and international appeal. The name's four letters and three-syllable pronunciation (ah-NAH-ree) create a rhythmic, flowing sound that feels both contemporary and timeless. Parents often choose Anari for its exotic feel combined with relative ease of pronunciation and spelling across multiple languages and cultures.

Anari

Both Ariana and Arianna sit comfortably in the US Top 100, so it makes sense that Aryana with the trendy y would join the fray. However, due to its inevitable confusion with the other spellings and the word "aryan" prominently displayed, it might be best to consider an alternative.

Aryana

Authentic African name that blipped in popularity a few years ago when hip-hop singer Ashanti first arrived on the scene. 

Ashanti

Athalia was an Old Testament daughter of Jezebel and a king's powerful wife with a gory history. You don't wanna know -- and you probably don't wanna name your kid after her either. Pretty name, though, and one that's in step with the current fashions for A beginnings and endings as well as for distinctive names with deep roots.  Atalia is a simplified spelling..

Athalia

Variation of Adriana, with a dash of Audrey thrown in. While fewer than 100 baby girls are named Audriana in the US each year, it's part of a constellation of names including Aubrey, Aubriana, and Ariana that are used for thousands of girls and will make the name feel far more popular than the numbers indicate.

Audriana

Banks as a girls' name was brought into the lexicon by actress Hilary Duff and musician Matthew Koma, who chose it for their daughter, Banks Violet. As both a surname and a word name, Banks refers to financial establishments as well as river banks.