Unique Girl Names: Uncommon, Unusual, Cool

  1. Isatou
    • Origin:

      Gambian
    • Description:

      As more parents look for unique alternatives to the popular Isabella — Isabeau and Isadora are two great examples — they may like the beautiful Gambian name Isatou. Isatou Ceesay is a Gambian activist who started a revolutionary recycling movement called "One Plastic Bag".
  2. Kapua
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "the flower or child"
    • Description:

      A unisex Hawaiian name with a fitting meaning. It also happens to mean "cloud" in Maori.
  3. Jilson
    • Origin:

      English surname, spelling variation of Gilson
    • Meaning:

      "son of Giles"
    • Description:

      The unique name Jilson is considered a girl's name only because its best-known bearer is a not-very-nice female character in The Mysterious Benedict Society. Fun name detail: Jilson's twin brother is named Jackson.
  4. Almendra
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "almond"
    • Description:

      A rare choice with familiar sounds, Almendra is a Spanish word name meaning "almond", making it a nature-inspired choice with links to Bible and to marzipan treats. With potential nickname Alma, it could be an appealing choice.
  5. Jennings
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "child of John"
    • Description:

      This common English surname originated as a patronymic for the son or daughter of a person named Jen, a medieval short form of John.
  6. Jem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jemma or Jemima
    • Meaning:

      "gem; dove"
    • Description:

      There was an eighties cartoon queen named Jem (& The Holograms), and this is as likely to be a full name as a short form – deriving from Jemma, Jemima or Jameela.
  7. Arja
    • Origin:

      Variation of Irja, Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      Not to be confused with the Aria/Arya name family, Arja is a variation of Irja, which ultimately is derived from Irene.
  8. Kuleni
    • Origin:

      Ethiopian, Amharic
    • Meaning:

      "the one whose eyes are lined with mascara; princess"
    • Description:

      This Ethiopian girl's name feels in line with stylish Kalani, Kehlani and Kailani. Kuleni, pronounced "koo-LEH-nee", has the evocative meaning of "the one whose eyes are lined with mascara".
  9. Kisakye
    • Origin:

      Lugandan
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Found as both a girls' first name and a surname in the African nation of Uganda, Kisakye has a lovely meaning but a non-intuitive pronunciation for English speakers. As with difficult-but-beautiful names such as Saoirse and Xiomara, you may decide Kisakye is worth the effort.
  10. Olliemae
    • Isha
      • Origin:

        Sanskrit
      • Meaning:

        "master, lord"
      • Description:

        A short and sweet Hindi name which has been relatively popular in the UK – peaking at #280 there in 2003.
    • Kedzie
      • Origin:

        Scottish surname
      • Description:

        Upbeat Scottish surname reminiscent of Kenzie. Kedzie Avenue is a major North-South street in Chicago, named after real estate developer John Hume Kedzie.
    • Halliday
      • Origin:

        Scottish surname
      • Meaning:

        "holiday"
      • Description:

        This ancient Scottish surname may be pagan in origin, referring to a "holy day", but today it makes an attractive and unique Scottish name for girls. Halliday has many spelling variations and traveled throughout the British Isles and to France, where it has royal associations, and eventually to the new world. Johnny Hallyday was a French pop star.
    • Grady
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "noble"
      • Description:

        A name that's on the rise for boys but rarely used -- though possible -- for girls.
    • Hezly
      • Origin:

        American invented name
      • Meaning:

        "heather field"
      • Description:

        Combining "Hez", a short form of Heather, and the -ley suffix meaning "field, clearing", Hezly is a modern invented name that has yet to catch on.
    • Kephirah
      • Origin:

        Variation of Chephirah, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "young lioness; village"
      • Description:

        A distinctive Biblical place name, Kephirah could make an interesting alternative to the more familiar Keziah, Keturah, and Sapphira. Also spelled as Chephirah (and sometimes Kefeera, Kfira, Kephira, Kefirah, Kefira, and Kephyra too), it derives from the Hewrew kephir which can mean both "young lion" and "walled village".
    • Cleide
      • Origin:

        Italian variation of Cleis, Greek, Brazilian, Portuguese
      • Meaning:

        "glory; key, clave, keyholder"
      • Description:

        Rare, concise, and distinctive, Cleide is a multicultural choice. As an Italian name, it comes from the Greek Cleis (or Cleïs), the name of Sappho's mother and daughter, and a relation of Kleio or Cleo, meaning "glory". As a Brazilian name, it may come from the Spanish word for "key" or "keyholder", though it might also be in reference to the wooden rhythm keeping instrument, claves.
    • Alala
      • Origin:

        Greek mythology name
      • Meaning:

        "war cry"
      • Description:

        This name of the mythological sister of Mars might be used for a girl born under one of the signs ruled by the planet Mars--Aries or Scorpio. She is the personification of the war cry.
    • Dalett
      • Origin:

        Modern invented name
      • Description:

        Larry Hernandez is at it again — the reality TV star known for his show Larrymania has successfully popularized each of his three daughters' names. He and Kenia Ontiveros created totally new names for their girls — Daleyza, Dalary, and Dalett, who was born in May 2020.
    • Emony
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "great treasure"
      • Description:

        A medieval and early English variant of the Ismenia, which feels surprisingly on trend today.

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