Names That Mean Little

Hayden meets Logan in this modern choice which debuted for girls in the US stats in 2024 when it was given to five girls. Also spelled Hagan, the name is derived from an Irish surname and can mean "little fire" or "young".

Haegan

Typically spelled as Lonán in Ireland, Lonan is its Manx form, though it could also be considered the anglicized form too. The name comes from the Irish lon meaning "blackbird", paired with a diminutive suffix, making this a charming nature-related choice that could make a nice Logan/Conan alternative. 
 
Borne by a number of early saints, the name is pronounces as LUW-nawn (LUW like the sound in "look"), LOH-nawn (LOH like it "lock") or LUH-nawn (LUH like in "luck"), depending on regional dialect.

Lonan

A twee German name likely originating as a diminutive of the word frau, meaning "lady, woman, wife".

Frauke

Rochelle rose to fame in the 1930s, thanks to actress Rochelle Hudson, who used it as a stage name. Derived from a French city name, it mean "little rock". Used nearly exclusively for girls, it has appeared in the US stats for boys a handful of times, perhaps due to data input errors or because it was a family surname. 

Rochelle

The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for something rare, whimsical, fantastical, and literary. But you must insist on the lovely French pronunciation — if you're choosing a name this uncommon, why not go all the way.

Cendrillon

One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Read more about Cinderella and other <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/disney-princess-names">Disney Princess Names</a> in our featured blog.

Cinderella

Estel is unisex name with a number of origins, one being from the name Estelle, meaning "star". Used in the early 19th century in the US, it has since fallen out of style and last appeared in the US stats for boys back in the 80s. 
 
Alternatively, it can derive from the Germanic surname Etzel (also written as Edsel), which is a variation of the Turkish name Atilla meaning "little father". 
 
It's third origin is from the fictional language of Sindarin, invented by J.R.R Tolkien for his Lord of the Rings novels. In this case, it means "hope" and was borne by the character Aragorn for some of the series. 
 
Unexpected, literary, starry, unisex, and a surname, Estel has a lot going for it.

Estel

This is an obscure spelling of the banana brand name.

Chiqueta

Alanda is a name with a number of possible origins, one being that it is an English smoosh name, combining Amanda with an Ala- name such as Alan or Alannah. It could also be an Afrikaans name, likely inspired by the Dutch Aland, which itself derives from the Germanic Adalland meaning "noble land".
 
Other theories include that it's a contracted form of Alexandra, a variation of Yolanda, or a form of the Arabic Ala ad-Din or Alanoud.

Alanda

Used occasionally in Brazil, South Africa, Haiti, Kenya, and the Philippines, Mercilene is a rare but familiar sounding choice, inspired by the virtuous Mercy and the sweet but strong Marceline. Also spelled as Mercylene, Mercyline, and Merciline, it could be viewed as a compound name, blending Marceline and Mercy to make a name that means "compassionate little warrior". Alternatively, it could be a variation on Mercy, made by adding the popular feminine suffix -lene / -line to the end of it.

Mercilene

With stylish and approachable sounds, Artan is a charming multicultural choice that could work as an unusual alternative to Arthur, Aidan, Nathan, or Arlo.  A name with three origins, it is simultaneously an Irish name meaning "little bear", an Albanian name meaning "golden", and a Faroese name deriving from Attila "little father".

Artan

As a term of endearment, maybe, but not as a proper name, where it would practically demand the refrain "Banana."

Chiquita

A luminous Romanian girl's name that combines lumina (light) with a cutesy diminutive ending. 

Luminița

A Charlotte nickname heard much more often in Britain than here — American parents might prefer Charlie or Lottie.

Charty

A blend of the Greek aster with the Armenian diminutive ik.

Astrik

An interesting and unusual choice, with a choral feel. 

Cantara

Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems. 

Bichette

Pronounced Beshette, this unfamiliar French appellation sounds fresh and feminine. 