Christmas Names

Slightly sing-song and very joyful, with a hint of Melody, a bit of Felicity, and a dash of Truly thrown in, Merrily was briefly popular in the 1940s. 
 
It can be considered a smoosh name, blending elements of Mary and Lee - which might explain why it was popular in the 40s, when Marilyn and Marilee were on trend - or it can be considered a word name, giving it a fresher vibe.
 
2023 saw spelling variation, Merrilee, appear on the charts again for the first time since the 2000s and with word names trending, perhaps Merrily may make a resurgence in the future.

Merrily

Over-the-top glitzy. Sparkle debuted in 1976 and peaked in 1979 when it was given to 124 baby girls. Since then, it has only been given to a small handful of girls most years in the US. Pretty Amaryllis, Swedish Tindra, and Greek Maira all have sparkly meanings, while Sparky feels closer to Sparkle but more in line with the likes of Ziggy, Goldie, and Stevie. 

Sparkle

Whimsy is a new entry to the ever-expanding word name lexicon, sister for Pixie and Bliss. While it has an undeniable offbeat English aristocratic charm (maybe we're thinking of Dorothy Sayers' fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey, whose middle name was Death?), we see this as more fitting for a middle than a first name.
 
Infamous baby namers Nara and Lucky Blue Smith welcomed a daughter named Whimsy Lou in 2024, which is likely to increase this name's profile significantly.

Whimsy

Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.

Alcott

One of the rarer names to come from the Bible, Cherith has a fresh and modern sound despite its ancient roots. Cherith was the name of the stream that kept Elijah alive during the three years' drought which he announced to King Ahab. 
 
In English, Cherith pleasingly reminds one of the word cherish which is another plus to this underused girls' name, while also having similar sounds to choices like Edith and Delyth.

Cherith

A sweet and rare spice name, which made its first and only appearance on the US baby name charts in 1969 — the year Neil Young's song "Cinnamon Girl" was released.

Cinnamon

An unusual feminization of boy name Casper with a beautiful meaning and familiar nicknames Cassie, Cass and Perrie.

Caspera

A relation of Helen via the Slavic Jelena, Jelka is also a word name, used to describe a fir tree in Slovene and a Christmas tree specifically in Serbian and Croatian. As such, it may be a good choice for a winter baby. 




Jelka

Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.

Pine

Most commonly seen as a surname in Finland, where it means "deer." Maybe for a Christmas baby.

Peura

Elfie is a charming feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'alf' or 'elf', which in Germanic mythology referred not to tiny creatures but to supernatural beings of great beauty and power. It can also be a nickname for names like Elfrieda or Elizabeth in some cultures. The name evokes qualities of whimsy, magic, and enchantment, with its fairy-tale associations giving it a playful, ethereal character. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Elfie has experienced periodic interest, particularly in European countries. Its brevity and sweet sound appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet endearing. The name's magical connotations give it a sense of wonder and imagination.

Elfie

Paziva is a rare feminine name likely derived from Hebrew origins. It appears to be related to the Hebrew word 'paz' meaning 'golden' or 'fine gold,' possibly with connections to peace (paz/pax). The feminine ending '-iva' creates a melodic, flowing quality. This uncommon name carries an exotic and distinctive sound while potentially expressing aspirational qualities of preciousness and tranquility. Paziva remains extremely rare in usage worldwide, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a truly unique name with meaningful roots. Its musical sound features gentle consonants and open vowels, creating a name that feels both substantial and graceful. The name's rarity ensures individuality while its intuitive pronunciation makes it accessible.

Paziva

An unusual feminization of boy name Caspar with a beautiful meaning and familiar nicknames Cassie and Cass. It is also the name of a sports clothing brand. 

Caspara

A sweet and musical variation of Evangeline or Evangelia, Evangelie may be considered a French form of the name in the style of Amelie, Elodie, and Eulalie. While it would typically be written as Évangélie among French speakers, this spelling may appeal in countries where accents are less commonly used.

Ultimately derived from Greek, Evangelie means "bearer of good news", though in Dutch (and in Afrikaans), it is also the word for gospel, adding a spiritual layer to the name. 
 
A rare option, Evangelie has never made the US stats, but it may being to appeal as Evangeline climbs the charts.

Evangelie

Evergreen

The ultimate ethereal name for lovers of fairies, pixies, and sprites.

Faerydae

Calls to mind the twinkling strands of bulbs found during the winter holidays and in college dorm rooms.

Fairylight

Orana is an word from the Wiradjuri language meaning "welcome". It has become more widely known for its use in the traditional Australian Christmas carol "Carol of the Birds", meaning it now carries strong yuletide connotations. Orana is an original addition to the list of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">names for Christmas babies</a>.

Orana

One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.

Azenor

Fig was the unlikely name of a beautiful character in Curtis Sittenfeld's Man of My Dreams. It could make a playful middle name or a sparky nickname for the likes of Philippa, Fiona, Felicity, and Francis.
 
Culturally, figs have been associated with "mother earth" after the Babylonian goddess Ishtar took the form of a divine fig tree, with cultivation and refinement in Ancient Greece, with chastity and humility in the Bible, and with enlightenment in Buddhism.

Christmas names can be drawn from many sources, from names that mean Christmas to figures associated with the magical holiday to symbols of Christmas and winter.

 include Clara for girls and Theodore for boys. Along with Ivy, other 

Christmas names for girls in the US Top 1000 baby names

 include Ivy, Eve, Stella, Natalie, Holly, Josephine, Mary, Lucia, and Angela.

 ranking in the US Top 1000 include Felix, Pax, Nicholas, Joseph, Christian, Christopher, Bennett, and Angel.

 that strike the perfect style note today include Snow, Drummer, Lumi, Lucian, Kerensa, Pace, and Christmas itself.

The Christmas names here represent many origins and styles and include 

 as well as gender-neutral names with Christmas meanings. Names that mean blessed or holy, star or light, joy or peace might be considered Christmas names.

Nature names related to snow or the trees and flowers of Christmas qualify, along with the names of the Holy Family, the angels and the Wise Men.

If you're expecting a baby born during the end-of-year holidays, or simply want a name that connotes the magical season, consider this collection of Christmas baby names.

Christmas names for baby girls and baby boys, including popular Christmas names and unique names celebrating the Christmas holiday, such as Noelle, Winter, Ivy, and Nicholas,  (Page 15)