Animal Names for Girls

Actor Jeremy Sisto put this word name on the map in 2009, when he used it as the middle name for his daughter Charlie.

Ballerina

Ballou

Balou is a feminine name that likely draws inspiration from various sources, including the beloved bear character Baloo from Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book.' The alternative spelling with 'ou' may be influenced by French orthography, giving it a softer, more feminine appearance. While uncommon as a formal given name, Balou has a playful, gentle quality that might appeal to parents seeking something distinctive with positive associations. The name's brevity and simple pronunciation make it accessible across languages. Balou carries a cheerful, warm character that evokes a sense of friendliness and approachability, making it a unique but engaging choice for a daughter.

Balou

Bama is a concise feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In the United States, it's most commonly associated with the nickname for Alabama, particularly in reference to the University of Alabama's sports teams. In some African cultures, particularly Nigerian, Bama can be a given name with various meanings depending on the specific language or dialect. In parts of India, it may derive from Sanskrit with connections to the goddess Lakshmi. The name's brevity gives it a punchy, memorable quality with just two syllables. While uncommon as a formal given name in Western countries, Bama might appeal to parents seeking a unique name with regional American significance or those with cultural connections to its various international origins.

Bama

Bambalina

Bambee is a modern feminine name that draws inspiration from the word "bamboo," suggesting qualities of strength, flexibility, and resilience. As a creative variant spelling of Bambi, it evokes a sense of natural beauty and gentleness. Bambee remains quite rare in the United States, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking something unique. While maintaining the endearing qualities associated with young deer (popularized by Disney's 1942 film), the double 'e' ending adds a contemporary twist that distinguishes it from its more traditional counterpart. With its soft sounds and nature-inspired origins, Bambee conveys both innocence and strength.

Bambee

Bambie is a feminine name that evokes the beloved deer character from the 1942 Disney film and earlier literary works. While not common as a formal given name, Bambie carries associations of innocence, gentleness, and natural beauty. The spelling with an 'ie' ending gives it a playful, affectionate quality compared to the more recognized 'Bambi.' The name's woodland associations connect it to nature-inspired naming trends. Though uncommon in official records, Bambie might appeal to parents seeking a sweet, distinctive name with immediate cultural recognition and positive connotations.

Bambie

Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.

Banana

Bandar as a feminine name is quite unusual, as it is more commonly known as a masculine name in Arabic and Persian cultures, where it means 'port' or 'harbor.' In Arabic contexts, Bandar is traditionally associated with boys and carries connotations of being a gateway or connection point. The usage as a feminine name may represent a cross-cultural adaptation or a modern reinterpretation. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with equal emphasis on both syllables. Outside of Arabic-speaking regions, Bandar remains relatively unknown, giving it an exotic quality that might appeal to parents seeking something truly distinctive. The name's connection to harbors and ports can symbolize shelter, commerce, and the meeting of different worlds. This geographical association gives Bandar a distinctive semantic quality among feminine names.

Bandar

Actress Rachel Griffiths made headlines when she chose this musical name for her son, but it's also the name of an Australian poet. 

And absolutely, why can't it work for girls? Banjo joins an entire orchestra of musical names from Cadence to Tempo to Madrigal to Viola.

Banjo

Credit, of course, to the artist for inventing this secretive pseudonym, but we actually have Hilary Duff to thank for Banksy as a baby name. Banksy is Duff's nickname for her daughter Banks, born in 2018. Banksy debuted on the US charts in 2020, and in a more recent year, was given to seven girls. 
 
For some, it may feel too much of a mononyn, while others may see it as an arty alternative to Banks.

Banksy

Brand-new surname-name rising for both genders (though leaning masculine) that might appeal to Marvel fans, as in Bruce Banner, and as a patriotic choice, in reference to "The Star-Spangled Banner", the US national anthem. Though it was given to just 7 girls in a recent year, it was also chosen for 66 boys.

Banner

Bannerjee is a feminine name of Indian origin, specifically Bengali. It's a variant spelling of 'Banerjee' or 'Bandyopadhyay,' which is actually a Brahmin surname from the Bengal region of India. The name derives from 'banaj' meaning 'merchant' and 'adhyaya' meaning 'study,' historically referring to scholars who studied commerce. While traditionally a family name, Bannerjee has occasionally been adopted as a given name, particularly in Western contexts where the distinction between Indian surnames and first names isn't always recognized. As a feminine given name, it's quite uncommon but carries cultural richness and historical significance from the Indian subcontinent, representing intellectual heritage and scholarly traditions.

Bannerjee

Name introduced here via Chinese cinema, has middle-place potential. 

Baojin, sometime hyphenated to Bao-Jin, has a luxurious meaning making it a relatively common choice for Mandarin-speaking parents.  Baojin can be used for girls and boys. But this meaning also means that baby Baojin will also share his/her name with a mining company, an expressway and a housing policy.

Baojin

Probably too evangelical for mass importation. 

Baptista

Bar is a feminine name with multicultural roots and concise elegance. In Hebrew, it means 'pure' or 'grain,' and holds significance in Israeli culture where it's used for both genders, though more commonly for girls. The name also appears in various cultures with different meanings: in Celtic traditions, it relates to 'height' or 'summit,' while in Turkish it can mean 'existence.' Bar's simplicity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal that works well internationally. In Israel, notable namesakes include actress Bar Refaeli, which has increased its recognition globally. Despite its brevity, Bar carries cultural depth and spiritual significance. The name remains uncommon in Western countries but has seen steady usage in Israel. Its short form enables easy pronunciation across languages while maintaining its distinctive character.

Gently appealing, a floral choice in Japanese.

Bara

Barabal is an unusual feminine name with possible Scottish Gaelic origins, potentially derived from or related to the name Barbara. In Scottish naming traditions, it may have served as a variant or diminutive form. The name has an ancient, rustic quality that evokes the highlands and Celtic heritage. Extremely rare in modern usage, Barabal maintains an air of mystery and old-world charm. The pronunciation (likely BAR-uh-bull) has a rhythmic quality that distinguishes it from more common names. Historical records show limited usage primarily in Scotland and nearby regions, though it has never achieved widespread popularity. For contemporary parents, Barabal might appeal as an extraordinarily distinctive choice with authentic historical roots.

Barabal

Barah is a feminine name with Arabic origins, derived from 'barakah' meaning 'blessing' or 'divine favor.' The name carries connotations of prosperity and good fortune in many Middle Eastern cultures. While not widely common in Western countries, Barah has maintained steady usage in Arabic-speaking communities and is increasingly chosen by parents seeking names with meaningful spiritual significance. The name is appreciated for its gentle sound and positive associations, making it an elegant but distinctive choice for baby girls. Barah is typically pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable (BAH-rah).