100+ Best Girl Names Below the Top 1000

Updated Thu May 22 2025

Uncommon and unique girl names are more sought after than ever by new parents. Long gone are the days when there were five Jennifers or three Ashleys in every class! In 2024, a third of American baby girls received a name outside the Top 1000 most popular.

The great news is that there has never been a more exciting time to name a baby girl. But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the ever-expanding universe of options out there!

In an attempt to simplify the process, today we're taking a systematic look at a selection of the best options ranking comfortably below the Top 1000 in the US.

In 2024, the #1000 girl name, Raina, was given to 257 baby girls. Other stylish choices that just missed out on a place in the charts include Eleni and Evelina, Vida and Belle, Winifred and Simone.

All of the rare names in the lists below were given to fewer than 200 baby girls in 2024. They are sorted according to number of births in the last year on record, and include options to suit a range of styles and sensibilities.

150-200 Births

Girl names given to between 150 and 200 baby girls last year sit in the popularity sweet spot for parents looking for names that are familiar but rare. They are unusual enough to be highly unlikely to repeat in a class, grade, or even school, but they’re also widely known and liked.

They include stylish vintage options poised for revival, fresh word and nature names, literary and artistic gems, and international options that translate well between cultures. Below are some of our favorites.

Beatrix

Linked to the beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit. This rare name carries the delightful meaning "she who brings happiness." Beatrix offers a blend of bookish charm with a playful, upbeat vibe.

Frida

Artistic parents may feel inspired by the name of iconic and bold Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Though rare in the US, it shines in Europe, particularly in Denmark where it ranked #1 in 2023. This international name is perfect for those looking for a creative, cross-cultural option.

Odette

Odette is the graceful swan princess of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, famously portrayed by Natalie Portman in Black Swan. This under-the-radar gem exudes elegance with a lively edge.

Pia

A short and sweet name of Latin origin meaning "pious" or "from Mount Olympus," Pia is a fresh alternative to the ever-popular Mia. With ties to religious devotion and the mythical grandeur of Mount Olympus, this name may appeal to those seeking a name with both spiritual depth and a lively, modern edge. But with just 158 baby girls named Pia in 2024, it remains rare.

Ziva

This radiant Hebrew name meaning "brilliance" or "light" is sleek, zippy, and still under the radar. With its high-energy sound and ties to the television show NCIS, Ziva feels fresh, global, and powerful.

More names given to 150-200 baby girls in 2024

100-149 Births

Girl names in this category are truly under-the-radar options that are unlikely to break the Top 1000 for a good few years — if at all. They include some cool modern options with fashionable sounds, as well as unique names from ancient civilizations that feel right at home on 21st-century birth certificates.

Georgie

Grandpa names for girls are a small but recently trendy category — just ask Stevie, Scottie, or Leni! Georgie, with its bright sound and bouncy rhythm, is the latest old-school nickname to rise for girls but remains rare as a standalone name.

Linnea

A Scandinavian nature name with elegance and strength, Linnea offers an alternative to melodic classics like Lydia. Despite the popularity of floral names from Lily to Magnolia, this botanical choice remains under the radar in the US.

Rosalind

A name with a distinguished literary history, Rosalind peaked in the 1940s with the stardom of Rosalind Russell, but fell off the list in the late 1970s and has yet to return. Despite its bright nickname offering, "Rosie," this Shakespearean classic is not popping up on many birth certificates.

Sybil

Known from Downton Abbey and ancient myth alike, Sybil is a vintage star ready for revival. It pairs smart, serious charm with the spunky, trending nickname Billie — making this pick feel both timeless and right on trend.

Tess

Sweet, strong, and effortlessly chic! This is traditionally a streamlined version of Theresa, but Tess stands perfectly on its own. Boasting literary charm as the beautiful heroine of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, this name is iconic yet unheard.

More names given to 100-149 baby girls in 2024

50-99 Births

Coming in at under 100 births in 2024, these names are true rarities that you’re unlikely to ever encounter on anyone else (IRL, at least). But unique doesn’t necessarily mean out there! While there are some more adventurous choices in this category, others are overlooked classics which come with plenty of historical precedence.

Dorothea

Theodore joined the boys' Top 5 in 2024 and Theo, Thea and Theodora are all hot — but this reversed alternative remains rare. It's equally appealing, with a vintage charm in-step with Bridgerton-esque favorites like Daphne and Hyacinth. And nickname options abound, including cute-as-a-button Dot or Dottie.

Oona

Oona has a round, open sound and Irish, nature roots — making this name feels both whimsical and grounded. If you're seeking a rare, vintage-tinged pick with international flair, this may be the one for you!

Pippa

Bright and breezy, Pippa is a staple in the UK thanks to royal-adjacent Pippa Middleton. Still, this nickname name is surprisingly underused in the US with only 73 baby girls named Pippa last year — making this a real standout choice.

Polly

Retro and irresistibly friendly, Polly is poised for a comeback alongside names like Maisie and Millie. Polly adds a peppy punch, old-school charm, and rich pop culture ties. Time for a revival? We think so.

Vesper

Mysterious and sleek, Vesper blends celestial cool with vintage Bond girl glam. With space names for girls like Nova and Luna rising high, Vesper’s edgy, luminous style fits right in.

More names given to 50-99 baby girls in 2024

Below 50 Births

The rarest of the rare! Girl names given to fewer than 50 babies last year are standout choices that your daughter won’t share with anyone else. International baby name charts are a great source of appealing yet virtually unused options. There are also plenty of overlooked vintage names that feel ripe for revival, or aspirational choices ready to shine.

Delphine

Elegant and enigmatic, Delphine is a French floral name. It offers the sophistication of Genevieve and Josephine with a dreamy, oceanic twist. A favorite for style-savvy parents, and already picked up by Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas for their daughter.

Enid

With its crisp consonants and vintage flair, Enid is a quiet powerhouse ready for revival. Literary and bold, it gained fresh attention via the pastel-haired best friend in Wednesday on Netflix — but still hasn't been picked up as a baby name.

Lilou

A spunky French diminutive with irresistible charm, Lilou blends the sweet sounds of Lily and Lulu into one chic, compact name. It’s rare in the US but lovely for parents seeking something light, lyrical, and continental.

Merit

A virtue name with sleek modern appeal, Merit feels meaningful and minimal. It carries ideas of virtue, achievement, and worthiness, making it an understated yet powerful pick in the style of True or Grace.

Trudy

Trudy is the retro-cool cousin to Sadie and Hattie, with just as much spunk. Short for Gertrude but strong enough to stand alone. So far out, it's in — Trudy’s due for a quirky comeback.

More names given to fewer than 50 baby girls in 2024

About the Author

Madison Dresler

Madison Dresler joined the Nameberry team in August of 2024 and is better known on the forums as lateaugust. She works on editorial projects and helps run Nameberry's social media channels.

Outside of Nameberry, Madison lives in New England with her cloud-shaped dogs and is a research scientist studying why we get sick. You can reach her at madison@nameberry.com