By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 129 pages
of 129
Greek
"sea-green jewel"
Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
Latin and French
"fair Christian"
Though Isabel is a smash hit, Christabel still hasn't been fully embraced. It was originally popularized in England via the Coleridge poem Christabel ("whom her father loves so well") and was given…
Chrystal is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Crystal, which derives from the Greek word "krystallos" meaning "ice" or "clear, transparent stone." This alternative spelling with "Ch"…
English combination of Clara + -bel, Latin
"bright + beautiful"
Claribel improves on its mother name Clarabelle by distancing itself from the clown and the cow.
Hebrew
"God is my judge"
While Daniel is the usual male form of this usually male Biblical name, it's a Top 100 name for girls in Israel, pronounced as above. In most cultures, Daniel is feminized to Denielle or Daniela when…
Spanish
"sunflower"
Girasol is a Spanish nature name, meaning "sunflower." As sun-related names — such as Soleil, Sol, and Sunny — heat up, we may see more of Girasol.
Janel is a feminine name generally considered a variation of Jane or Janet, with French influences. Derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious,' Janel emerged as a…
English
"sea-bright; pleasant hill"
Merrill, once fairly common for American boys back in the first half of the 20th-century, is now a rare choice, given to just 7 girls and 6 boys in a recent year. Alternative spelling Meryl is also…
Arabic
"fountain in paradise"
Also written as Salsabil, this is used as a term in the Quran and in the hadiths to denote a water spring or fountain in paradise (or Jannah).
Shantel is a feminine name that gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and reached its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It appears to be a modern creation, possibly derived…
Fictional name
"daughter of the forest"
Tauriel is the name of an elf in the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit , played by Evangeline Lilly. She is the head of the Mirkwood Elven guard, and a companion of Legolas. Her name was…
Aerial is a feminine name with English origins, drawing inspiration from the word 'aerial' meaning 'of the air' or 'lofty.' This ethereal name evokes images of lightness, freedom, and…
Anel is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew tradition, it relates to 'God has answered,' while in Latin American contexts, particularly Spanish and Portuguese influence, it can…
