By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 119 pages
of 119
Myrl is a gender-neutral name though historically more common for females, derived from the word 'merle' meaning 'blackbird' in French. The name shares etymological roots with Meryl and Muriel, all…
Olar is an unusual feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Romanian place names, represent a variation of the Scandinavian male name Olaf (meaning "ancestor's relic"), or…
Dasi is a delicate feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it can be related to the name Hadassah (Esther's original name in the Bible), meaning 'myrtle tree.' In Sanskrit, it can…
Murl is an uncommon feminine name with roots in American naming traditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It may have originated as a variant of Merle, which comes from the French word…
Noma is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, Noma means 'field of wild flowers,' creating a naturally beautiful image. In Swahili, it carries the meaning 'comfortable' or…
Irva is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Old Norse name Irvr, meaning "river" or "water," or could be a variation of Irva, with Celtic roots relating to "fresh,…
Ozie is a feminine name with American origins, though it has been used for both genders historically. It emerged primarily as a nickname or diminutive form of names like Oswald, Osborne, or Ozella,…
Edra is a concise feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Hebrew name Edre, meaning 'flock' or 'cloud', or have connections to Greek or Welsh roots. In Welsh contexts, it…
Italian variation of HIlda, German
"battle woman"
The Italian form of Hilda is rarer but sweeter than its mother name, which still isn't ready for revival in the US.
Dutch variation of Dale
Dael is cooler than Dale -- but why? Vowel switch gives an old nature name a hipper look.
Variation of Wave, Waverly, or Wafa
"wave; quivering aspen; loyal"
Briefly popular in the 1910s and 20s, Wava is an unusual choice that nevertheless the familiar elements of Ava, Eva, Waverly, and Ocean. While the exact origins of the name are unknown, it may have…
Otha is a feminine name with American origins, though it was historically used for both genders. It may have evolved as a variant of other names like Otho or Othello, which have Greek and literary…
Daci is a short, feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from Romanian culture, relating to the ancient Dacians who inhabited parts of Eastern Europe. Alternatively, it could…
Lesa is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Lisa, which derives from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Greek…
Modern invented name, initials C + G
This name, which sounds like "C.G.", was popularized by the character Ciji Dunne on the soap opera Knot's Landing . She appeared from 1982-3, and her name peaked sharply in 1983 before slowly fading.
Daja is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Daja or Daya, which in Sanskrit means 'compassion' or 'kindness.' Alternatively, it could be related to the…
Latin
"care, concern"
The Roman goddess of care and concern was said to have created humans out of clay.
Place name, Latin
"where fertile land is abundant; great place"
The most prominent person with this unusual geographical choice might be actor Cuba Gooding Jr., however, Cuba has a far longer history as a feminine name. Deriving from the island in the Caribbean…
German diminutive of Cornelia
"horn"
Nele originated as a German nickname for Cornelia, but it superseded its mother name and has been a Top 50 name in Germany since 2000. Nell, or even the phonetic spelling, Nela, would be more…
Greek
"maiden"
Kore is the original Greek form of the modern Cora, a name that's heading straight for the top of the charts in the English-speaking world. Kore was an alternate name for Persephone, goddess of the…
