Unique Girl Names: Uncommon, Unusual, Cool

Finja

German, short form of Josephine

Finja Is a Josephine nickname that ranks among the Top 100 girl names in Germany.

Finella

Scottish variation of Finola

"white shoulder"

Finella and cousin Fenella, which are found most often in Scotland, would make pleasing imports.

Rox

Greek

"dawn"

Likely derived from the Greek name Roxanne, Rox was a short form popular in America in the mid-19th Century. Like Max and Lux, it seems sleek and contemporary and particularly suited to modern life.

Rhiya

Variation of Rhea, Riya, or Rhiannon, Greek, Sanskrit, Welsh

"flowing stream; singer, melody; divine queen"

Familiar but underused, Rhiya has been given to a handful of girls each year in the US since 2007. Likely a variation of the water-inspired Greek name Rhea, the musical Sanskrit name Riya, or the…

Requiem

Word name, Latin

"rest; act or token of remembrance; Mass or musical composition for the souls of the dead"

A word name linked to music and spirituality, Requiem could have the more familiar nicknames Remi or Emmy. Associated with remembrance, Catholic Mass, and music for the dead, it more literally means…

Rositsa

Bulgarian

"dew"

Rositsa may seem like another Rose name, but it has a different nature-inspired meaning: it comes from the word rosa, Bulgarian for "dew". A sweet and feminine name whose energetic sound makes it…

Rosafiere

Dutch, meaning uncertain

An obscure Medieval Dutch name found in "Jonathas ende Rosafiere", a Dutch poem related to the Mother Mary. Rosafiere is virtually unheard of, but it has an enchanting sound and can be shortened to…

Fifi

French diminutive of Josephine, Hebrew

"Jehovah increases"

Fifi is a perfect name -- for a French poodle. But Fifi may seem more child-friendly as names like Coco and Lulu rise. Fifi in its fluffiness also balances the seriousness of such full names as…

Redell

English

"counsel, advice; red valley"

A last name as a first name, Redell began to appear in England after the Norman invasion. Likely connected to the names Raymond and Radulf, it could mean "counsel, advice, decision". Another possible…

Fifer

Scottish occupational name

"piper"

Fifer is a musical name that fits in seamlessly with the likes of Harper and Piper, but is much more unusual. It's also a Scottish demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the historic Scottish county…

Sachli

Turkish

"long-haired"

Sachli, pronounced "sahch-lee", is a Turkish girl name that feels extra cool today with both the trendy "lee" sound, and the "-i" ending that has been red-hot for girl names recently. Sachli…

Fidelity

Word name

Fidelity is an admirable virtue, yes, but as a name it tends to sound like a financial institution. Faith, Honor, or Patience would be easier to live with than Fidelity.

Salali

Cherokee

"squirrel"

This traditional Cherokee name could easily be borne by a modern baby girl with connections to the tribe.

Sarika

Hungarian variation of Sarah, Hebrew, Hindi, Sanskrit, Khmer

Zippy and multicultural, Sarika can be considered a pretty nature name, referring to a myna bird in Hindi and Sanskrit and to a blackbird in Khmer (or Cambodian). In these contexts, it would be…

Satima

Choctaw, Native American, meaning unknown

A traditional female name in the Choctaw tradition.

Season

Latin

"time of sowing"

Winter, Summer, and Autumn are all mainstream names; this covers all bases.

Selby

English

"from the willow farm"

Selby, a rarely heard British surname, feels sleeker and more distinctive than Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.

Fiamma

Italian

"flame"

Fiery names are blazing hot right now, and this one would fit right in.

Seville

Spanish from Phoenician

"plain, valley"

A rare and evocative place name for a girl. Seville is the capital of Andalusia, an autonomous community in Spain. The Spanish name, Sevilla, derived from the Phoenician word sefela , meaning "plain"…

Shenandoah

Native American place-name

While some sources assign the place-name the romantic meaning "beautiful daughter of the stars," the Virginia region itself says the name is of uncertain Native American origin with many possible but…