By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 409 pages
of 409
Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from Greek
"defending men"
2012's Hurricane Sandy blew away whatever style currency Sandra retained from its 1960s Sandra Dee heyday. While in recent years it's been associated with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor,…
Variation of Malia
Oh dear! We can see where you were going with connecting this name to the classic "Leah," but it just doesn't work. We recommend sticking with the classic Malia.
American from Arabic or African
"large eyes, or time, or beautiful flower"
Aiyana is a name that could easily cross cultures. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 1999 and hovers near the bottom of the Top 1000.
Phonetic spelling of Alicia; also Sanskrit
"protected by God"
This name has two derivations. One is as a member of the well-populated Alice/Alicia family (with an overly literal spelling), which gives it the meaning "noble"; the other is an Urdu name with the…
Invented name
Girl names ending in -lani are invented every year — Ehlani is among the latest pseudo-Hawaiian inventions.
Eliany is a modern feminine name growing in popularity, particularly in Hispanic communities. It likely developed as a creative variation of names containing the 'Eli' element, such as Elizabeth or…
Hindi
"loving"
One of the most popular Indian names for girls in the US and a fast rising choice in England and Wales.
Latin
"from the woods"
This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.
English surname
"barrel maker"
Cooper is one of the American names used for both genders, but much more often for boys. More than 140 American parents chose it for their baby girls in the most recent year counted....compared with…
Variation of Mae, English
"drop of the sea; pearl"
A combination of vintage Mae with popular suffix -lynn , Maelyn feels reminiscent of glamorous Marilyn and contemporary Raelynn. In use since at least the 80s, Maelyn practically doubled in…
English
"hay field"
It all started in 1946, when Hayley Mills was given her mother's maiden name. Now that spelling is in third place, after Hailey and Haley, with all three adding up to one of the most popular names in…
Spelling variation of Leila
This spelling variation of the name only recently entered the Top 1000 in 2008. The popular Layla is currently very popular in the United States, while the more traditional Leila is also widely used.…
Hebrew
"a plain"
This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor.
French
"with solemnity"
Solene is a variation of Solange fashionable in recent years in France and a new hit name on Nameberry. Also spelled as Solène, it ranks in the Top 500 in France, while in the US, it was a fast…
Ariela is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'lioness of God' or 'lion of God.' It is a feminine variant of Ariel, combining 'ari' (lion) with 'el' (God). The name appears in various cultures…
English, diminutive of Matilda
"battle mighty"
A surprise recent hit revival with cutting-edge British, Tribeca and Malibu parents; Tillie, also spelled Tilly, is cute, frilly, and sassy all at once. Tilly features in the England and Wales Top…
Variation of Selena or Celine, Latin
"moon; heaven"
The Selina spelling swims below the Top 1000, which it fell off more than 15 years ago. Still, more than 160 baby girls were named Selina in 2023, compared with over 1300 named Selena and more than…
Diminutive of Cassandra, Greek
"prophetess"
Though not much in use, still retains a cozy Little House on the Prairie-type pioneer feel.
Hebrew; Swahili
"to shine; flower"
Zahara, a delicate but strong multicultural name, came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie bestowed it on her Ethiopian-born daughter, and we predict other parents will adopt it as well. If you…
Flower name, from German surname
"Zinn's flower"
Zinnia is an unusual floral choice with a bit more edge and energy than most and beginning to find its way onto namers' wish lists of botanical possibilities. Named after the 18th-century German…
