Exotic & Unique Names

Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.

Addison has been a wildly popular surname name, mostly for girls, for a few decades now, and Addisyn is one of its many spelling variations.

Adrina is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It likely derives from the Latin name Adriana, feminine form of Adrian, meaning 'from Hadria' (an ancient city in northern Italy). The name also appears in Armenian culture, where it may relate to the Adriatic Sea or maintain its Latin origins. Adrina has a flowing, melodious quality with its soft consonants and rhythmic syllables. While less common than Adriana or Adrienne, it offers a slight variation that maintains familiarity while feeling unique. The name has seen modest usage across various cultures but remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while still being accessible and elegant.

While theoretically unisex, this surname name has been edging up the girls’ names list, perhaps originally as an Ashley substitute. One quality in Ainsley's favor: It's remained steadily popular -- but not TOO popular -- for more than 20 years now, ranking consistently around Number 400. That makes it stylish and familiar without showing up everywhere.

One of those names you may not even be aware of if you haven't been paying attention to recent naming trends, Alani was given to more than 700 baby girls in the US in one recent year, to be the second most popular feminization of Alan after Alana. It's certainly the most modern-sounding female version of Alan.

Similar to Malaysia, except completely invented.

While Alivia may not have achieved the megapopularity of its mother name, it's still a widely used choice. Alivia combines the trendiness of A names with the trendiness of Olivia to create a choice that's slightly off the beaten track -- slightly being the operative word here. Is the distinction the initial A earns you worth a lifetime of explaining, "No, it's Alivia, with an A, not Olivia"? Your call, though ours would be no.

Amarion is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a creative variation of names like Amari, Amarion, or Damarian. The prefix 'Amar-' may connect to roots meaning 'eternal' or 'immortal' in some languages, or 'to love' in Latin-based languages. Amarion gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the 1990s and saw increased usage through the early 2000s. The name has a rhythmic, melodious quality with its three syllables and ending '-on' sound that fits contemporary naming trends. Amarion offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents seeking a modern-sounding name with depth.

Amaris sounds like "amorous," which is a loving name for a child, but doesn't really have a clear derivation or meaning of its own. The popular Amara is one of the most international names on the charts, with derivations and meanings in cultures that truly span the globe. And Amariah is an ancient Hebrew name. Still, Amaris is unusual and pretty, and that may be enough.

Amery is a feminine name with Germanic origins, though it can also be used for boys. The name derives from elements meaning 'home' or 'power' and 'ruler,' suggesting strength and leadership. Historically, it appeared more commonly as a surname or place name, particularly in England. As a given name, Amery has a delicate, melodic quality despite its strong etymological roots. It offers a distinctive alternative to more common names like Amory or Emery, with whom it shares linguistic connections. While relatively uncommon in the United States, the name carries an elegant, somewhat aristocratic feel. Parents might choose Amery for its blend of softness and historical depth, along with its subtle connection to concepts of home and authority.

Concise, familiar and multicultural, Amir enjoys widespread popularity around the world. A common name in the Middle East and across Africa, it has been on the rise in the US since the late 70s, and entered the Top 100 for the first time in 2023.

Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.

Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew

Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.

Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.

While not as popular as the Ariel spelling of Little Mermaid fame, this rendition has achieved popularity in its own right.

Ariyah jumped into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, probably because some American parents see it as a creative spelling of the popular Aria or Arya. But it's also an authentic Hebrew name in its own right, a feminine form of the Biblical Aryeh, heard in modern Israel..

Crisp and colorful, Autumn is the most popular season name now — the only one in the Top 100 in recent years — with Autumn's coolness only surpassed by Winter. Jennifer Love Hewitt named her daughter Autumn James.

Aviana is a name that's like the megapopular Ava and Ariana, but not quite as popular as either. It entered into the mainstream back in 2010 however, after actress Amy Adams chose it for her daughter, fulfilling her desire to choose a "normal" name after all, even if it didn't seem like that a decade ago.

Aviva is vivacious and memorable, a fresh spin on the Vivian and Vivienne names that have been getting more popular since Angelina and Brad chose one for their twin daughter. Another A-beginning palindrome name: Aziza.