Strong Girl Names

  1. Solveig
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "the strong house; the way of the sun"
    • Description:

      Currently popular in Norway where it ranks in the Top 50, Solveig is a sunny but strong choice, also familiar across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Finland. It notably appears as the name of the heroine in Isben's 1876 play, Peer Gynt, making it a literary choice.
  2. Oakley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "oak wood or clearing"
    • Description:

      Oakley, with its nature name roots and its Annie Oakley charm, is a hot name for both genders but more than twice as popular for girls. This name made it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, one of only four girl names starting with O to rank that high. A decade letter, it's aiming for the Top 100.
  3. Larkin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"
    • Description:

      While Larkin takes this name from bird to surname, there are actually more female Larkins these days than male, and it's a name that works as well for either gender. It has the literary connection to poet Philip Larkin too.
  4. Irie
    • Origin:

      Jamaican
    • Meaning:

      "positive and powerful"
    • Description:

      A name used in the Caribbean, taken from the Rastafarian term that translates best to "positive and powerful." Rastas often greet each other by saying, "Are you feeling Irie today?"
  5. Adira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "strong"
    • Description:

      Adira is one of those names that feels familiar without being overused. Simple but with subtle flair, Adira crosses different languages easily and could provide an alternative option tor the likes of Ava, Ariana, Adeline, and Anna.
  6. Casey
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "brave in battle"
    • Description:

      One of the original unisex Irish surname names, energetic Casey bounced onto the scene in the 1960s, then peaked in the 1980s for both boys and girls. Today Casey is having a resurgence for both girls and boys and re-entered the charts on the girls' side, likely due to the character Kayce Dutton (pronounced like Casey) on the hit show Yellowstone.
  7. Aila
    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Helga or Scottish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "from the strong place"
    • Description:

      Now that Isla Fisher has pushed her once-obscure name into the Top 150, some parents are looking for similar-sounding Scottish names for girls that are further off the beaten path. This one is especially promising, with its cross-cultural appeal. Ayla, a common name in Turkey, is also worth considering.
  8. Ebba
    • Origin:

      Feminization of Ebbe, Swedish and Danish, or variation of Old English Æbbe
    • Meaning:

      "bear god; brave boar"
    • Description:

      Ebba, the feminine version of Ebbe (a diminutive of Eberhard or Asbjorn) and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity.
  9. Everett
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "brave boar"
    • Description:

      Everett is a male name that's a prime crossover candidate, much like Eliot, Ellis, and Ellery.
  10. Brigid
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Brighid
    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"
    • Description:

      Brigid is the simpler Irish version of the name of the goddess of fire, which may also be spelled Brighid. Other variations include Bridget, the most usual spelling in the U.S., and the French Brigitte.
  11. Drusilla
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "fruitful"
    • Description:

      Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.
  12. Briella
    • Origin:

      Short form of Gabriella
    • Meaning:

      "God is my strength"
    • Description:

      If you feel, as many parents do, that Gabby or Gabi is too harsh a short form for the mellifluous name Gabriella, try Brie, Brielle, or Briella.
  13. Trudy
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "spear of strength"
    • Description:

      Innocent, sincere, and bright-eyed, and as outdated as its mother name, Gertrude.
  14. Melisande
    • Origin:

      French form of Millicent, German
    • Meaning:

      "strong in work"
    • Description:

      This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized tribute to an Aunt Melissa or Melanie.
  15. Aziza
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful and beloved"
    • Description:

      Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a Turkish variation is Azize. In African mythology, the Azizi are a supernatural race of forest dwellers who give practical and spiritual advice.
  16. Gerda
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Norse, German, Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold; brave, hardy spear"
    • Description:

      Gerda is one of two things: a modern, Latinized form of the Old Norse name Gerd or a feminine form of the masculine German name, also Gerd. Not currently in style, it has a strong, ancient sounding feeling.
  17. Fernanda
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Fernando, Spanish and Portuguese version of German Ferdinand
    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"
    • Description:

      Fernanda is very popular in the Latino community, with a lot more charm than its male counterpart. The standard nickname is Nanda, and variations include Ferdinanda and Fernandina.
  18. Isley
    • Origin:

      English variation of Eisele, German
    • Meaning:

      "iron"
    • Description:

      A surnamier take on Isla. Isley may be derived from the German occupational surname Eisele (of the same pronunciation), or be related to the Old English word hesli, meaning "hazel grove." The Eisley spelling is about twice as popular, but both versions together are given to about 200 baby girls in the US each year.
  19. Cyrene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "supreme power"
    • Description:

      Cyrene was a mythical nymph and huntress who was beloved by Apollo. An ancient city in Libya was named after her.
  20. Oaklynn
    • Origin:

      American invented name
    • Meaning:

      "oak lake"
    • Description:

      Many names relating to oak as in the tree are becoming more popular for baby girls, including Oaklynn, more popular than twin Oaklyn three to one. About 1800 baby girls were named Oaklynn versus 600 spelled Oaklyn.

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