Nameberry
Unique Girl Names
Unique baby girl names seem to be coveted by every parent these days. (A generation of Jessicas and Emilys want a different fate for their daughters!) But homing in on the perfect choice — and one that is actually unique — requires some digging.
Unique can mean a lot of different things when it comes to names: rare, uncommon, non-traditional, or literally one-of-a-kind. By our definition, unique baby names rank outside the US Top 1000. All of the names listed here were given to fewer than 250 American baby girls last year.
To simplify your search, browse our favorite rare, uncommon, even one-of-a-kind baby girl names across a range of styles and origins, hand-chosen by Nameberry editors.
Top Unique Girl Names
Top unique girl names — sounds like an oxymoron, right? It sure is, but our list of the most popular unique names for girls includes those that sit right outside the Top 1000. Here you'll find names on their way to the Top 1000 (Zoya, Safa) along with names from previous generations that recently fell out (Carly, Joelle). These top unique names for girls are familiar enough for others to understand them immediately, but rare enough that they won't repeat in classrooms. Talk about a sweet spot!
Unique Vintage Baby Girl Names
The best unique vintage girl names are baby name unicorns, combining rich history, rarity, and real style. They span the aesthetic gamut, from so-clunky-it's-cute to on-trend-yet-uncommon (ahem, Cecily).
These names are poised to come back in fashion, but it will take a generation (or two) for them to be truly common. Use one of these unique vintage baby girl names today, and you'll be a trendsetter.
Unique Ancient Baby Girl Names
Who says ancient girl names can't be thoroughly modern? Centuries-old choices are finding new life in 21st-century America, where you're likely to find girls named Athena, Naomi, and Valentina (sometimes all in the same class).
Our favorite unique ancient baby girl names hail from mythology, the Bible, and ancient cultures, but you're unlikely to hear them on modern playgrounds. Some choices — think Dinah and Pallas — seem poised for revival, while others will be well-kept secrets for generations to come.
Unique Mythological Names for Girls
Mythological names that were unknown or unusable a generation ago have become downright popular in the US. Girl names from mythology such as Luna, Maeve, Aurora, and Penelope are heard in every classroom. But there are still lots of mythological names that are still rare for baby girls and qualify as unique.
Unique Unisex Baby Girl Names
New gender-neutral names emerge all the time, so parents looking for a girl’s name that’s both unisex and unique have plenty to choose from. Comprising of traditionally male names that have become more feminine, as well as brand-new surname, world, nature, and place names, unique unisex names for girls appeal to every type of namer.
Unique Nature Baby Girl Names
Unique nature names for girls are oh-so on-trend, blending parents’ love of undiscovered names with the fresh style of the natural world.
Among the most eligible rare and unusual nature names right now are underexposed flower names for girls, like Calla and Zinnia, and unique animal names for girls, such as Cricket and Lark.
Unique Word Baby Girl Names
Unique word names aren't just for celebrities — although let's be fair, the stars have popularized choices like Dream and Sunday for baby girls. The best unique word names for girls elicit an "ooh" reaction, feeling unexpected yet totally appropriate. Along those lines: Mosaic and Cameo (who could go by Mosy or Cam for something more "name-like"). There are also plenty of familiar words-as-names that are still rare for baby girls, such as Arrow, Poet, and Reverie.
Unique Surname Baby Girl Names
Last names as first names are fully mainstream for baby boys, but many surname names feel fresh and exciting on baby girls. Unique surname names for girls abound, with many parents searching their family trees or drawing inspiration from celebrity surnames.
Some of the most fashionable rare and uncommon last names as first names for girls come with equally unique nicknames. A little Estes could go by Essie, and a Rooney might be called Roo.
Unique Girl Nicknames
Once a distinctly British phenomenon, nicknames on the birth certificate are becoming more common on our side of the pond. But to stand out among the crowds of Ellies, Millies, and Josies, you'll need to browse unique nicknames for baby girls. Uncommon vintage nicknames for girls, like Flossie and Dot, are great candidates, along with rare boyish, unisex nicknames, a la Nico and Georgie.
Unique Middle Names for Baby Girls
Rose? Mae? James? Yawn! We're much more interested in unique middle names for baby girls. It can be a challenge to find them, since many single-syllable connectors are already among the top middle names. Still under the radar are Bly, Fleur, and Muse. Iambic names, with the emphasis on the second syllable, are also great middle name candidates (think: Boheme and Marais).
Unique Invented Baby Girl Names
Invented girl names are — theoretically — as unique as they come. But some of today's most mainstream baby names began as inventions. You may be surprised to learn that authors invented such old-fashioned choices as Araminta and Cosette, making them among today's best unique invented girl names. If your taste skews more modern, Avaya and Kiari are contemporary inventions. And we have a soft spot for the can't-believe-it's-not-Arthurian Lilivere.
Unique Spelling Baby Girl Names
Generally, we prefer names that are spelled in their most common form. But there are certain baby girl names with unique spellings that make our hearts flutter! Some are international variations of names with a dominant American spelling — Margery is the softer English form of the Scottish Marjorie, for example — while names like Storie and Winslowe have been adapted by contemporary namers.
We don't recommend calling your daughter Laylannie or Emerrsynne, but these girl names with unique spellings have the Nameberry seal of approval.
Unique International Baby Girl Names
Trawling international popularity charts is a great way to discover new-to-you names. Sure, they may be well-used, even popular in their countries of origin (Azzurra and Fiadh rank highly in Italy and Ireland, respectively) but you'll have the only Nnenna or Noelia in town!
Our favorite unique international baby girl names hail from cultures and languages around the world, including Japanese, French, Arabic, and Swedish. But the best place to take inspiration is from your child's heritage.
Sources
Unique girl name meanings and origins come from Nameberry's own research and name books, along with other reference books. Read how we source our names and information.
-- Written by Sophie Kihm, Nameberry Editor-in-Chief
-- Edited by Pamela Redmond, Nameberry creator