Unique, Rare, and Unusual Girl Names

The famous home of Hamlet in Shakespeare's great play, Elsinore is based on Kronborg Castle in eastern Denmark. Known as Helsingør in Danish, it guarded the narrow entryway to the Baltic Sea for centuries.
 
Similar in sound to Eleanor or Lenore, Elsinore has potential as a name. While some may find it a little pretentious or be bothered by the 'snore' sound, it could make a fabulous middle name for a lover of Shakespeare, or a daring and unexpected route to popular nicknames Nora and Elsie.

Elsinore

Sage, Rosemary, Saffron, Ginger, and Cassia are used as names, so how about Samphire? This unusual name is given to a plant from the parsley family that grow on seaside cliffs but it's also used to refer to other coastal plants that resemble it. Similar in sound to Sapphire, Saphira, Samantha, and Samara, this undiscovered name could make a bold choice with familiar sounds and grounded nickname options, Sam, Sammy, and Saffie.
 
Derived from the French herbe de Saint Pierre, it was corrupted in English to sampiere and then to samphire. As such, the name means "St Peter's herb", in honor of the patron saint of fisherman. 
 
Appearing in Shakespeare's King Lear and in a number of food recipes, Samphire can be pronounced as SAM-fie-uh or as SAM-fuh, depending on region. A one of a kind choice, this nature, herb, food and sea-related name has yet to appear in the US stats.

Samphire

Stylized as Sha'Carri, Olympic sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson brought this name to the field. It entered the US stats for the first time in 2024, when it was given to 5 babies.
 
The name has a variety of origins, one possibility being that it comes from the Zulu Shakari, relating to a stomach cramp caused by an intestinal parasite and sometimes given to unexpected babies. Alternatively, it might come from the Hebrew Sachar, meaning "dawn" or the Arabic Shakira (or Shakara) meaning "thankful", although it may also be a blend of English nickname Carrie and the prefix sha.

Shacarri

This rare name combines the Scandi Siri with the classic Anna into one enchanting name. For anyone who loves Siri but finds it unusable due to the association with the digital assistant, Sirianna could be a beautiful alternative.

Sirianna

A bright, musical name with multiple origins, Satara is a distinctive choice with familiar sounds. It hasn't appeared in the US stats since 2007, making it an appealing possibility for those looking for something rare, that works in multiple languages, and has a celestial feel.
 
From its Arabic roots, Satara means "one who covers", interpreted as meaning "one who hides the faults of others" or "one who doesn't speak badly of other people". Also spelled as Satarah and Sattaarah, the masculine form is Sattar. 
 
From its Hindi roots, it is connected to a place in India which derived its name from the phrase "Saat Tara", translating to "Seven Stars". This name referred to the seven hillside forts throughout the city, associating the name with both the celestial and with protection. 
 
Another possibility is that Satara might sometimes be used as an English compound name, blending together Sarah and Tara, lending it the combined meaning of "princess of the elevated place".
 
A notable bearer is footballer Satara Murray.

Satara

A preppy surname and place name derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Ælfweard "elf guardian" + the -by suffix, meaning "village, homestead". Ellerby feels like a quirkier Ellery or Emery.

Ellerby

A word name, a nature name, and a surname, Swift is strongly tied to singer Taylor Swift. It could make a fun and quirky middle name, and there might just be some "Swiftie" parents who choose it in the future.
 
Also linked to the writer Jonathan Swift and the high flying bird, Swift also means "quick".

Swift

While Stewie Griffin from Family Guy may come to mind, boyish nicknames for girls are in and Stewie may offer a fresh way to honor Grandpa Stewart. It also offers a fun twist on rapidly rising Stevie.

Stewie

This Georgian diminutive of Sophia can also be spelled as Sopiko and Sofiko and could be a way to make your Sophia stand out if Soph doesn't appeal to you as a nickname. Journalist, author, and presenter Sophie "Sophiko" Shevardnadze is a notable bearer. 

Sophiko

Eliška is warm and friendly, in the Misha, Sasha mode.

Eliska

An intriguing medieval name found in various forms across Europe. Variants include Elisende, Elisenda, Elysant, Elysande, Elissent and Helisent. It likely derives from a Visigothic name meaning "temple path".

Elisent

Tegwen is a Welsh name that balances between clunky and mystical, sweet and tough. Created back in the 19th century by blending the element teg "beautiful, pretty", with the element wen "fair, white, blessed", it may appeal to those who enjoy Teagan, Gwen, Gwendolyn, and Tesni. 
 
Voice actress Tegwen Tucker and squash player Tegwen Malik are notable bearers.

Tegwen

Also spelled Elitza, this sweet but spiky name comes from the Bulgarian ела meaning "fir tree". Similar in sound to Eliza, though not related to it, this could make a charming option for a December baby (but it could easily work all year round too).
 
Notable bearers include singer Elitsa Todorova, volleyball player Elitsa Vasileva, and composer Elitsa Alexandrova.

Elitsa

Less known than other Cornish beauties like Elowen, Demelza, and Kerensa, Elestren is a pretty botanical name ripe for wider usage. While it may have a starry, celestial feel, likely owning to sound-alikes Estelle, Celeste, and Seren, Elestren actually comes from the Cornish name for the iris flower, most specifically, the yellow iris. 
 
Though it has yet to appear in the UK stats, it may still catch on (even if it is only quietly) among those looking for rare alternatives to Elowen.

Elestren

An unusual old school name which is made more modern by that fashionable El- beginning.

Eldora

Ejiro

A fresh and pretty Welsh nature name whose beautiful meaning would be perfect for a winter baby girl. Pronounced as AIR-wen or IRE-wen depending on the region of Wales from which someone is from, it may appeal to those who like Eira and Elowen. Yet to feature in the US charts, it is given to a handful of babies in Wales most years.

Eirwen

Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.

Theda

An old-lady name in Scandinavia today, but Eivor may get a fresh start in the US, where it is associated with Assassain's Creed character Eivor Varinsdottir. Interestingly, the video game inspired several sets of parents to use the name for their sons in 2021 — the first year Eivor was ever recorded — but it has never made the charts for girls.
 
Another modern association is Eivør Pálsdóttir, a Faroese pop singer known mononymously as Eivør.

Eivor

The name of an area in northern Greece, known in the era of Homer's Odyssey as Aeolia, Thessaly makes a spirited and pretty place name. Reminiscent of Tessa, Rosalie, and Thea, the name likely derives from that of an ancient tribe, though the exact meaning isn't known.
 
Borne by American actress Thessaly Lerner, and a character in the graphic novel Sandman, Thessaly is given to small handful of girls in the US each year.

Thessaly

 come in many varieties, from ancient to modern, traditional to invented. The best 

 but also have deep roots, are attractive, and can fit into contemporary life.

, we mean names that don't rank in the Top 100 or even the Top 1000 in most countries, which makes these 

 no matter where you live. Some people might also define unique names as those that are new and different from traditional names; just remember, everyone's perception of unusual will we different.

 seem to be especially primed to rise in popularity. Along with Fawn and Bee, 

 with nature meanings include Samphire, Lilac, and Tansy.

Rare girl names with celebrity and pop culture ties

 also have a better-than-average chance of becoming less unique. These include Eleven, Celaena, Dalzary, and Costeen.

What are the most unique girl names in the world? 

One-of-a-kind names you create for your baby girl probably qualify. Lots of international girl names are highly unique in the English-speaking world too. Have a look at the Turkish Gozdegul, the Norwegian Tomine, and the Persian Yekta to get an idea.

Of course, there are thousands upon thousands of 

 The choices on this list range from light and cute unique girl names like Tassie and Ellerby to serious rare names such as Biondina and Ethelberta.

Unique girl names - rare, uncommon, unusual, and unique names for baby girls with origins, meaning, and popularity, word names, names from around the world, ultra rare, one of a kind, names you haven't heard, names no one else in the class will have (Page 24)

Best Cool Unusual Girl Names