Updated October 2026
Across 180 pages
of 180
English word name
"elm"
For tree huggers.
Word name, English from Latin
"eloquent"
If you want to give your child the gift of...gab.
English combination of Emma + Beth
"universal + pledged to God"
South African-raised actress Embeth Davidtz added this unique smooth name to the mix. Perfect if you can't decide between Emma and Elizabeth and more unusual than Annabeth.
Cornish and Medieval English variation of Emmeline, French
"work"
The Cornish version of Emmeline holds many charms.
English diminutive of Emma or Emily
"universal; rival"
There are a lot of little girls called Em today, but not that many named Em, just Em. As a first name, it's a bit reductive, especially with all the children named Emma, Emily, Emilia, Emeline, and…
"challenge, endeavor"
Extravagant virtue name which is notably the first name of the British TV detective Inspector Morse.
Word name, English from Greek
"energy"
Better than Synergy.
English place name
"land of the Angles"
Most parents would prefer London for their daughters.
American invented name
This perfume name, undoubtedly a takeoff on the French word for pretty, has somehow wafted into the girls' lexicon. Too commercial.
Word name, English from French
"enterprise, to undertake"
The virtue. Or the Starship.
Femeninization of Ernest, English from German
"serious, resolute"
One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine.
Variation of Esme, French, Persian
"esteemed; beloved; emerald"
While the traditional Esmé is pronounced EZ-may, the Isme variation would suggest an IZ-may pronunciation.
English invented name, combination of Esme + Maria
"beloved + drop of the sea"
We think Esmarie rolls off the tongue better.
English diminutive of Henrietta, English, or Mehetabel, Hebrew
"estate ruler; God makes happy"
A classic short form of Henrietta, also seen as a nickname for Mehetabel.
Variation of Ethel, English
"noble maiden"
Ethel is one of those vintage names that will always will be out...or will it? A generation ago we might have said the same for now-fashionable names like Florence and Ida. Even if Ethel rises,…
Variation of Gina, English, Hindi
"well born; pure; queen; farmer to live"
Actress Geena Davis (born Virginia) put her own distinctive stamp on this spelling of Gina, though this form may lend itself to being a short form of Eugenia ("well born") or Georgina and Georgeanna…
Spelling variation of Gina, English, Hindi
"well born, farmer, pure, queen; to live"
Used as a spelling variation of Gina, a short form of Eugenia, Georgina, Regina, Virginia, and similar, Jeena is also a Hindi name, derived ultimately from Sankrit, with the lively meaning "to live".
English
"fern"
This spelling variation of Fern may appeal to those who enjoy the sounds of the plant name, but want something that looks and feels less "wordy" for their baby — just as people choose Scarlett over…
Variation of Gwendolen, Welsh
"white ring, circle"
A variation of the ancient Welsh name, Gwendolen, notably used in South Africa and occasionally in the UK and the US too. This is also the form of the name that appears in Edmund Spenser's…
English, Norse
"love again, renewal"
Idony is a Medieval variation of Idonea, itself an English form of Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth. She was notable for carrying, keeping, and guarding the box of apples from…