Girl Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 31 pages
of 31
Arabic
"night traveler, night rain"
Bright and pretty, resembling Aaliyah, Delilah, Amaya and Sarah, Sariyah is a celestial and stylish choice, Sariyah can be a variant of the Mormon 'Sariah' meaning "Yahweh is ruler", or it is an…
American invented name
"oak lake"
Oaklyn is one of the oak-related names moving up the popularity charts, along with more popular sister Oakley and near-identical twin Oaklynn. The Oaklynn spelling used for three times as many baby…
Latin
"marvellous, admirable"
Miranda, a shimmeringly lovely, poetic name that was invented by Shakespeare for the beautiful and admirable young heroine of his play, The Tempest , is still a recommended choice even though its…
Feminine variation of Brian
"strong, virtuous, honorable"
Spelled this way, Briana was coined by Edmund Spenser for his great literary work, The Faerie Queene , which gives the now-overexposed name a far classier pedigree than it's usually credited with.…
Greek
"sweet-smelling oil"
As with many grandmother-y names, this choice may be coming back into style. Myra was invented in the seventeenth century by a poet called Fulke Greville as a short form of Miranda--or perhaps an…
Hebrew
"behold or wealthy"
When Jennifer finally gave up her Number 1 place on the girls' popularity list, her crown was passed to Jessica, who reigned for not one but two decades. Jessica was the Number 1 name in both the…
Invented name
While for some, it may feel stuck in the shadow of the Dolly Parton song, Jolene re-entered the charts in 2010 and has seen increased use in recent years, ranking in the US Top 700 in the latest…
Variation of Oakley, English
"oak clearing"
Oakleigh broke into the Top 1000 in 2019, two years after Oaklee and six years after Oakley. Last year, about 600 baby girls were named Oakleigh in the US, almost exactly the same number as Oaklyn --…
Nahuatl, Aztec
"you will always be loved"
This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down…
American invented name or variation of Lachlan
"pretty lake; lake; lake land"
If you can add Lyn to it, someone will. This particular -lyn name is a rising star of the 2020s, having entered the US Top 1000 in 2022, alongside sister spelling Lakelynn. Meaning "lake lake" or…
English elaboration of Ember
"ember"
The Kimberly of the current age, but currently less popular than either Ember or Everly.
Literature
"warlord"
Khaleesi is an invented name introduced to the world by inventive and prolific author George R. R. Martin for his wildly popular Game of Thrones series—it's Dothraki for "queen" and is one of the…
Scottish surname
"fair hero"
A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero". Kinley also feels like a modern invention, ala Kenzie or Kimbry. Kinley peack in 2011-12, when it…
Variation of Kinsley
Similar to Kinsley, this modern choice has become much more popular in recent years; it first entered the Top 1000 in 2011. Part of its appeal might be that it sounds reminiscent of the…
Modern invented name
Kiana (or more appropriately, Quiana) is the original polyester name, coming into favor in the 1970s but then drifting downward for years before taking a surprise turn back up the charts, perhaps…
"wood-dweller; the cross"
X is undoubtedly one of the coolest initials to have, and more parents are agreeing — Xyla entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022. Xyla comes from the Greek xylon, meaning "wood" — the same…
American variation of Azariah or Azhari, Hebrew, Malay
"helped by God; shining, brilliant"
Azari is a rising unisex name invented as a variation of Azariah or Azhari. With its I-ending and prominent Z, we see Azari going places — this is one to watch, especially with Azariah, Azaire, and…
Modern invented name, variation of Jane
Janiyah’s star is definitely fading, but it will likely remain in the Top 1000 for years to come.
Variation of Kaylee, English
"laurel, crown"
The -leigh suffix seems to be losing its luster; several names in this category, including Kayleigh, Kyleigh and Ryleigh, peaked in popularity a few years back but have since lost quite a bit of…
Variation of Brinley or combination of Bryn and Leigh
"burned clearing; hill + meadow"
A combination name and an English surname, Brynleigh has trendy sounds and two possible nature meanings. Less popular than its counterparts, Brinley and Brynlee, it is nevertheless still in the US…
