Names, Names , Glorious names

In music, the term allegro means "quickly, lively tempo," which makes this quintessential Bohemian ballet dancer's name all the more appealing. Allegra is one of the most distinctive yet accessible girl names starting with A.

Sounds like a princess -- or an enticingly evil witch -- in a fairy tale.

The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".

Althea is a poetic, almost ethereal name found in Greek myth and pastoral poetry, associated in modern times with the great tennis player Althea Gibson, the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.

Alura has an entirely different root from the similar Allura and shares the fairy tale tinge. It could be a great choice for a wise baby girl.

Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.

Amella is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Amelia, which derives from the Germanic word 'amal' meaning 'work' or 'labor,' suggesting industriousness. Alternatively, it could be related to the Latin 'amellus,' a type of flower, giving it natural associations. The name has a soft, melodic quality with the popular '-ella' ending that has become fashionable in contemporary naming. While not widely used historically, Amella offers a slight variation on the extremely popular Amelia, giving it familiarity while maintaining distinctiveness. The name's gentle sound and potential connections to both diligent character traits and natural beauty make it appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet slightly uncommon.

Amica is a word meaning girlfriend that is not often used as a name in Italy, but it would sound pretty and name-like elsewhere.

Amity--what nicer gift to give your little girl than a name that signifies friendship and harmony? This virtue name is also more rhythmic and feminine than the single-syllable Hope, Faith, and Grace.

Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.

An ancient Roman name that has never made it into the modern world.

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.

Ardella is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'ardere' meaning 'to burn' or 'to be passionate.' This charming vintage name peaked in popularity in the early 1900s in the United States but has since become quite rare. Ardella can be considered a diminutive form of names like Arda or a variation of Ardith. The name conveys qualities of warmth, enthusiasm, and fervor, suggesting someone with a vibrant personality. Ardella has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing syllables. Though uncommon today, it belongs to the category of classic names that might experience revival as parents increasingly search for distinctive yet traditional options with meaningful origins.

Arden is a gender-neutral name that's sleek and stylish but always seems to bob just below the surface of popularity, despite ticking all the boxes with its fashionable two-syllable, N-ending shape and its awesome nature-inspired meanings. In the 2021 US statistics, 41 percent of the babies named Arden were boys to 59 percent girls.

While Arla has a literal meaning in Swedish, its roots as a name are probably more closely related to such names as Arlene or Orla. Arla is among the girls' Top 1000 names in the UK.

A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.

Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.

Hot star Ashton Kutcher is pushing this unisex choice toward the boys' camp, but its variation Ashtyn is on the rise.

As Ashley becomes one of today's "mom names" thanks to its popularity amongst millennial-borns, Ashton is a fresh alternative. This particular spelling is nearly completely equally split between girls and boys in 2023.