Girl Names Uncommon in the US

  1. Madelena
    • Birna
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Bjorn, Swedish
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        Birna is unlikely to be a hit in the US, but it's a current favorite in Iceland. Birna is also used in Finland and Scandinavia.
    • Margherita
      • Meline
        • Live
          • Briet
            • Origin:

              Icelandic variation of Brit, English
            • Meaning:

              "from Britain"
            • Description:

              Bríet, the Icelandic form of Brit, feels fresher and more exciting than the original.
          • Arney
            • Origin:

              Icelandic
            • Meaning:

              "eagle"
            • Description:

              Arney is a modern Icelandic name, combining the elements arn, meaning "eagle," and the diminutive suffix "ey."
          • Soraia
            • Carminho
              • Origin:

                Diminutive of Carmo, Portuguese
              • Meaning:

                "garden"
              • Description:

                Carminho is a Portuguese singer who popularized her stage name — she was born Maria do Carmo Carvalho Rebelo de Andrade. Carminho is a nickname for Carmo, the Portuguese form of the Hebrew name Carmel.
            • Mynte
              • Origin:

                Danish
              • Meaning:

                "mint"
              • Description:

                Minta would be easier to wear as an English-speaker.
            • Birta
              • Origin:

                Icelandic
              • Meaning:

                "exalted or rescue"
              • Description:

                An Icelandic diminutive of Birgitta turned popular first name there, currently ranking among the Top 30 girl names in Iceland. Parent name Birgitta is either a Nordic variant of Brigitta, from the Irish Brighid "exalted one", or a feminization of the Norse masculine name Birger, meaning "help, rescue".
            • Karitas
              • Origin:

                Icelandic variation of Carita
              • Meaning:

                "beloved"
              • Description:

                Karitas -- with an accent over the i -- is among the Icelandic Top 100 names, a version of the Scandinavian Carita which is itself a spin on Charity. An intriguing and unique name with a beautiful meaning.
            • Katrin
              • Eduarda
                • Hekla
                  • Origin:

                    Icelandic from Norse
                  • Meaning:

                    "cloak"
                  • Description:

                    This geographical name is in the Icelandic Top 10, inspired by a volcano in southern Iceland. The volcano was named after the Icelandic word for a hooded cloak, since the summit is often covered by clouds.
                • Alberte
                  • Origin:

                    Nordic variation of Alberta
                  • Description:

                    Good choice if you want to avoid connections with the Canadian province, but the confusing spelling is probably not worth the hassle.
                • Audur
                  • Kolbrun