Unique Girl Names: Uncommon, Unusual, Cool

Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that first r.

A unisex Scandinavian name. Joa is more common for boys in Finland but equally split between sexes in Sweden and Denmark.

Although there were two male Jadduas in the Bible, this would make an interesting option for a girl today.

Keira Knightley made her first name famous, single-handedly changing the most popular spelling from Kiera to Keira. Now we're moving on to use her last name as baby name inspiration. Knightley is a last name used as a first that we predict will be used more for girls, with its trendy -ley ending, in the future.

The name of one of warring families in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Capulet might appeal to those who enjoy names that are literary and unique.

Didion is an unusual feminine name that likely derives from surnames or place names of Greek or French origin. It may be connected to the Greek name 'Didymus' meaning 'twin,' or possibly from French regional surnames. The name gained some recognition through association with celebrated American author Joan Didion, whose literary contributions may inspire parents to choose this name. As a first name, Didion remains extremely rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive, intellectual choice with literary connections. It has a sophisticated, modern sound despite its historical roots. The name's uncommon nature means a child named Didion would likely be the only one in their community, making it an individualistic choice with cultural cachet.

Actress Gates McFadden proves this surname can work just as well for girls as boys. It joins an impressive lineup of celebrity babies with similar names, including Hillary Duff's Banks and Emma Roberts' Rhodes. Gates is also famously the surname of Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft.

Similar enough to Mavis in sound that it might just work, Mefus is a sweet and summery choice taken directly from the Welsh word for "strawberries". The pronunciation, MEH-vis is likely to be unintuitive outside of Wales, though within Wales, it might have the same energy as choosing Apple or Plum. One for the middle spot, perhaps.

Despite fitting in with the modern word name trend, Glorious has been in use since 1925, when it first appeared on the charts for girls. At peak usage, it was given to 15 baby girls in 1948, although we expect this could rise now that model Jessica Hart used it for her son.

Chosen by novelist Anne Brontë as her pseudonym when she first began to publish her work in the mid-19th century, this buttoned-up and strong sounding surname-name could make an interesting literary choice.

A cutesy Dutch diminutive of Sophia. Illustrator Fiep Westendorp (born Sophia Maria Westendorp) is a notable bearer of this name

This and two other female forms -- AQUILA and AQUILINA -- of the Roman family name Aquilius might live on in modern times.

Dorie is a charming feminine name with multiple origin stories. Primarily considered a diminutive of names like Dorothy ("gift of God") or Doris (from Greek, meaning "from the sea"), Dorie has established itself as an independent given name. It reached modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but has since become less common, giving it a sweet, vintage appeal. The name gained contemporary recognition through the character Dory in Disney's "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory," though with a different spelling. Dorie conveys a friendly, approachable quality with its soft sounds and cheerful ending. The name's brevity makes it practical while maintaining a distinct personality, appealing to parents who appreciate classic names with a playful, affectionate quality.

Dreamy name occasionally used in the Philippines. The fashionable "raya" sound may garner some more attention for Hiraya.

Al-Falaq or The Daybreak is the 113th chapter of the Qur'an in Islam. Falaq is slowly increasing in use as a girl name in the US, but still remains very rare. Falaq Naaz is an Indian actress with this name.

Playful yet grandiose, Biondina is a rare name of Italian origin, borrowing from the word bionda meaning "blonde". It was notably used as the title for a portrait by 19th century artist Frederic Leighton.

Psalm became a name by the power of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who chose it for their younger son in 2019. As a spiritual word name however, it is a perfectly gender neutral choice that works just as well for girls. The name is now 7 times more popular than it was before Kim and Kanye put it on the map, and in a recent year, it was given to 40 girls and 120 boys.

Popular choice among Millennial and Gen Z girls in Hawaii, following along the tails of Kalani.

Also spelled Kephirah, Kfira, Kephira, and Kefirah, Chephirah is an Old Testament, Biblical place name, mentioned in the Book of Joshua. It likely derives from the Hebrew kephir meaning "village" and "young lion", and is sometimes seen as a feminine form of Kfir. It might be worth noting however, that the name is also close to Hebrew word for "heresy".

Cordis is an unusual and substantial unisex choice.