30 Gorgeous Girl Names We Love
By Abby Sandel
Last year, we took a look at 28 names that our readers love. How do we know for sure? We’re lucky enough to have millions of visitors every month, and we maintain the Nameberry Top 1000 based on the most visited name pages.
Our Top 1000 looks an awful lot like the US Top 1000 – everybody loves Charlotte – but a considerable number of the most popular names on Nameberry will surprise. Especially the ones that don’t even crack the US rankings.
What names do berries love right now? Here are 30 more choices much more popular on Nameberry than in the US.
MavisNameberry rank: 152; US rank: unranked
The name of the adorable teenage vampire from the Hotel Transylvania series, voiced by Selena Gomez, is just one reason this vintage name is on the rise. It also combines the sounds of Mae, Ava, and Alice and carries a great nature name meaning: it’s a type of songbird.
PersephoneNameberry rank: 155; US rank: unranked
Persephone is a long-neglected Greek goddess name with ties to the seasons and the natural world. It’s no harder to wear than popular Penelope, and has gained in use in recent years, but, though high on Nameberry, remains outside the US Top 1000.
CleoNameberry rank: 157; US rank: unranked
Once in steady use in the US, vintage Cleo has become rare . But if Willow, Margot, and Harlow are stylish, why not Cleo?
HermioneNameberry rank: 169; US rank: unranked
Like Persephone and Calliope, Hermione is another Greek name seldom heard in recent years. And yet, this is also the name of whipsmart Harry Potter heroine, Hermione Granger. It’s every bit as wearable as fellow HP name Luna, but much rarer.
IsadoraNameberry rank: 170; US rank: unranked
Isadora is often suggested as a substitute for Isabella. Famous bearer and legendary dancer Isadora Duncan gives the name an artistic vibe. It also fits right in with Nora and Cora, though for now, it’s seldom heard.
LuxNameberry rank: 177; US rank: unranked
The Latin word for light makes a spare, straightforward – and surprising – choice for a child’s name. It would do well for a son or a daughter, a first or a middle.
EdieNameberry rank: 188; US rank: unranked
If Millie is the next Molly, maybe Edie will replace Sadie. Another vintage nickname name, Edie is short for rising favorite Edith, also on this list. It’s also the name of Keira Knightley’s new daughter.
AvelineNameberry rank: 192; US rank: unranked
Berries excel at discovering names that could be the next big thing. Aveline means hazelnut in French, though it actually has Germanic roots. Style-wise, Aveline gracefully mixes Ava and Adeline, with a touch of Evelyn, too.
FlorenceNameberry Rank: 96; US Rank: unranked
Love traditional names, but worry that they’re too common? Florence is one of several classic names American parents completely overlook – though again, Florence is a favorite in England.
TallulahNameberry Rank: 104; US Rank: unranked
We love ‘lu’ names like Lucy and Luna, and now Louisa is back in the US Top 1000. Why not Tallulah, made famous by show biz legend Tallulah Bankhead. Patrick Dempsey named his daughter Talula in 2002.
CallaNameberry Rank: 114; US Rank: unranked
Take the flower power of Lily, factor in our affection for Ella, Stella, and Bella, and Calla ought to be catching on. For now, the Greek name meaning beauty remains rare.
LouiseNameberry rank: 119; US ranked: unranked
After years of languishing in obscurity, Louisa is back in the US Top 1000. Can Louise be far behind? Worn by 1920s icon Louise Brooks, and BFF to Thelma in the 1991 movie classic, this name defines the “classic but seldom heard” category.
AnaisNameberry rank: 129; US rank: unranked
This French form of Anne can trip up some parents: it’s an-nah-EES, emphasis on the third syllable. With literary ties and classic roots, this could make a bold but wearable choice for a daughter in the US.
AdiraNameberry rank: 133; US rank: unranked
A Hebrew name meaning strong, Adira could substitute for more popular picks like Ariana and Adelaide. 61 girls were given the name last year – a new high.
CalliopeNameberry rank: 134; US rank: unranked
Take Zoe, Chloe, and Penelope, add in a dash of Cadence and Harmony, and you’ll have Calliope – beautiful voice. One of the nine muses in Greek mythology, the name later referred to a type of steam organ.
SaoirseNameberry rank: 144; US rank: unranked
Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan helps make this Irish name more accessible. It means liberty and, in Ireland, it’s as ordinary as Grace is in the US.
OctaviaNameberry rank: 146; US rank: unranked
Derived from the Latin word for the number eight, Octavia has long been a name nerd favorite. A possible substitute for Olivia, the name’s profile is raised by Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer.
AmaraNameberry Rank: 57; US Rank: 461
Amara means grace in Igbo, though it also has meaning in Sanskrit, Mongolian, Italian, and even Esperanto. It’s a multicultural name that would wear well almost anywhere in the world. It’s catching on in the UK.
ZaraNameberry Rank: 74; US Rank: 402
Zara feels like a just-add-Z twist on Sara, but it likely has Arabic roots, as well as ties to literature and a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. It’s a modern name that doesn’t stray too far from traditional picks like Emma and Clara.
MabelNameberry Rank: 86; US Rank: 578
The name just chosen by Russell Brand for his first child, Mabel is a spunky vintage name enjoying a revival. It’s recently re-entered the US Top 1000, and shows no signs of slowing down.
JulietNameberry Rank: 87; US Rank: 240
In the US, Juliette is slightly more popular than the –et ending. And yet, Juliet is the Top 100 favorite on Nameberry, comfortably ahead of both spellings on the US charts.
CeciliaNameberry Rank: 91; US Rank: 181
Parents often look for similar-but-different names to replace the most popular choices. Cecilia is poised to replace current chart-toppers like Sophia and Amelia.
FreyaNameberry Rank: 95; US Rank: 417
Berries are an international bunch, and our rankings reflect it. This Norse goddess name has been big in the UK for years. Lately, it’s crossed the Atlantic to catch on in the US, too.
FelicityNameberry Rank: 102; US Rank: 360
With an uplifting meaning – luck or happiness – Felicity was an early American Girl doll, a popular 90s television character, and rising actress Felicity Jones, set to star in the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. No surprise it’s trending in the US.
FionaNameberry Rank: 109; US Rank: 219
Scottish import Fiona shares sounds with stylish Sophia and Josephine, but remains less popular in the US – but not on Nameberry!
AmelieNameberry Rank: 111; US Rank: 641
Cousin to Amelia and successor to Emily, Amelie was boosted by the 2001 French film by the name. Now it is sometimes heard in the US, and even more so on NB.
EdithNameberry Rank: 113; US Rank: 526
Downton Abbey names like Cora and Daisy have fared well. Could middle daughter Edith be next? With built-in nickname Edie and a nearly Top 100 Nameberry rank, we say yes.
EmmelineNameberry Rank: 116; US Rank: 809
Emma and her fellow Em– names have had a great run in recent years. Emmeline, as in British suffragette Pankhurst, fits right in and yet feels distinctively different, too.
MillieNameberry Rank: 118; US Rank: 477
Move over, Molly! The even more vintage Millie is catching on. Young actress Millie Bobby Brown, of Stranger Things fame, helps.
Nameberry rank: 148; US rank: 648
1940s favorite Elaine seems like it might be stuck in style limbo. Except that it fits right in with current choices like Elena and Eloise, making it seem fresh and interesting sooner than you might expect.
Are your favorite names more popular on Nameberry or in the US? Look them up here! And stay tuned for the upcoming boys’ list.