Animal Names for Girls

The ie ending injects this late 20th century favorite with a bit of late 19th century charm. But not quite enough to make it a good 21st century choice.

Carlie

Charlize is a name that owes its very life to a star: elegant blond South African actress Charlize Theron. She was named after her father, whose name was Charles. Charlize jumped onto the popularity lists in 2004, the year the actress won the Oscar for lead actress in Monster.
 Like Theron herself, Charlize has an elegant and attractive image.

Charlize

Eleonor is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Eleanor, which derives from the Occitan name Aliénor, possibly meaning 'other' or 'foreign.' This elegant name has royal associations throughout European history, most notably with Eleanor of Aquitaine, the powerful 12th-century queen of France and later England. While the Eleanor spelling has been more common in English-speaking countries, Eleonor has maintained popularity in Scandinavian countries and parts of Eastern Europe. The name carries an air of sophistication and classical beauty. Eleonor offers the historical depth and feminine elegance of Eleanor but with a slightly different international flair, appealing to parents who appreciate traditional names with subtle variations in spelling.

Eleonor

Ellamae was given to over 60 baby girls in the US last year, although the data doesn't record punctuation, so we don't know how many of those will actually go by Ella Mae or Ella-Mae. The fourth most popular compound name for girls in the US, It's a modern smoosh name with a sweet, old-timey feel.

Ellamae

Adelyne is a feminine name with elegant French and Germanic roots, representing a more ornate variation of Adeline. The name derives from the Germanic elements 'adal' meaning 'noble' or 'nobility' and 'lind' meaning 'soft' or 'tender,' essentially conveying 'noble tenderness.' This spelling variation with the 'y' adds a distinctive touch to the classic name. Adelyne offers the appealing nickname options Addie, Lyn, or Lynnie. Though less common than Adeline or Adalyn, Adelyne has seen modest usage among parents drawn to its vintage charm combined with subtle uniqueness. The name carries an air of sophistication and femininity while maintaining a connection to historical naming traditions, appealing to those seeking a name that's recognizable but not overly popular.

Adelyne

Aeris is a feminine name with ethereal qualities, derived from the Latin word 'aer' meaning 'air' or 'atmosphere.' The name gained significant recognition through the character Aeris Gainsborough in the popular 1997 video game Final Fantasy VII, contributing to its modern usage. With its connection to air and the heavens, Aeris evokes a sense of lightness, freedom, and spiritual elevation. The name has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While still relatively uncommon, Aeris has attracted parents seeking names with nature connections and mystical undertones. Its popularity saw some increase in the early 2000s among gaming enthusiasts and those drawn to names with celestial or elemental associations.

Aeris

Alayla is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant spelling of Alaila or Alayah, which themselves are contemporary elaborations of Alaya, meaning 'highborn' or 'exalted' in Arabic. Alternatively, it could be a creative spelling of Aleila, with Hebrew roots meaning 'to ascend.' The name has gained modest popularity in the 21st century, fitting with the trend toward melodic names with the popular 'ayla' sound, similar to Kayla, Layla, and Makayla. Alayla has a flowing, musical quality with its three syllables and alternating consonants and vowels. Its exotic feel combined with relatively straightforward pronunciation makes it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible for their daughters.

Alayla

Used as a masculine name in the Piedmont region of Italy, Alessi is a variation of Alessio, the Italian form of the Ancient Greek Alexius and Alexis. Meaning "defender" or "helper", in the US, Alessi leans feminine, likely owing to the familiarity of Alessia and the popularity of Alani, Elsie, and Alice. It was given to nearly 100 girls in a recent year. 

Alessi

Annmarie

Caia Caecilia was the Roman Goddess of fire and women.  The name Caia would make a truly fresh alternative to the flagging Maya, with which it rhymes.

Caia

Cianna is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant of Gianna (Italian feminine form of John, meaning 'God is gracious'), a feminine form of Cian (an Irish name meaning 'ancient' or 'enduring'), or a creative modern formation. The name has a melodic quality with its soft 'c' sound and flowing syllables that make it appealing in contemporary naming trends. While not historically common, Cianna gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 2000s as parents sought names with traditional roots but modern flair. The name is often associated with qualities like gracefulness and creativity. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it work well in diverse communities while remaining distinctive.

Cianna

Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own.  One noted bearer is writer Cyra McFadden.

Cyra

Dailyn is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in popularity during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. With its melodic two-syllable structure, Dailyn represents the modern trend of created names with appealing sounds and optional spelling variations (including Daylin, Daelyn). The name likely draws inspiration from the prefix 'Day-' combined with the popular feminine suffix '-lyn,' suggesting brightness and light. Dailyn has a fresh, modern feel while remaining relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name has gradually gained modest usage in the United States, particularly in the 2000s, and carries an upbeat, positive connotation associated with daily renewal and optimism.

Dailyn

Deari is a rare feminine name with multiple possible origins. It could be a creative modern invention, possibly derived from the English word 'dear' with an added 'i' for a feminine touch. Alternatively, it might have Albanian roots, where 'dëri' relates to concepts of light or doors. The name could also be a variation of Dearie, an affectionate term. As an uncommon name, Deari offers its bearers a sense of uniqueness and individuality. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft consonants and ending vowel sound. While not widely used in most countries, Deari appeals to parents seeking a name that's sweet-sounding yet distinctive.

Deari

Desirae is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Desiree, which derives from the French word "désirée" meaning "desired" or "longed for." This elegant name gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, offering a distinctive alternative to the more traditional spelling. Desirae carries a romantic and sophisticated quality while maintaining a modern edge through its unique orthography. The name reached its peak usage in the mid-1990s but continues to be chosen by parents seeking a name that combines melodic sounds with meaningful origins. Desirae generally evokes images of someone graceful, passionate, and confident—qualities associated with its etymological connection to desire and aspiration.

Desirae

Eman is a spelling variation popular in some European countries of this gender-neutral Arabic name, made most famous by Mrs. David Bowie. In the US, there were about 60 baby girls named Eman last year to 18 boys. The gender balance is more even for Iman.

Eman

Aditi is the name of the ancient Hindu mother goddess. Sometimes call the Cosmic Creator, Aditi is the goddess of fertility, the earth, the sky, the past and the future. Along with several other Hindu goddess names, Aditi is on the rise.

Aditi

Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.

Aiko

Asher is of course a very popular Biblical boys' name, but Australian actress Asher Keddie puts this in the girls' column too. Nearly 70 baby girls were named Asher in one recent year, about 1 percent of the total babies given the name. But if you've always loved Ashley and fear that now it's outdated, you might look to Asher as a worthy substitute.