My favourite girls names

Aimiliona is an elaborate feminine name that appears to be a unique creation, possibly drawing inspiration from names like Amelia, Emilia, or Meilani, with a flowing, polynesian-influenced sound. This ornate name follows the trend of creating distinctive, vowel-rich names with a melodic quality. The name's structure, with five syllables and varied vowel sounds, gives it a musical, almost lyrical feel when pronounced. Extremely rare in usage, Aimiliona would likely be a one-of-a-kind name for most who bear it. Parents choosing this name might be drawn to its exotic feel and uniqueness. While its rarity means it lacks traditional historical or cultural associations, it offers the advantage of being truly distinctive while still having a feminine, flowing quality that connects it to naming traditions from multiple cultures.

Familiar in the US thanks to the lovely movie Brooklyn, based on the Colm Toibin novel of the same name. Popular in medieval times, it is still used in Ireland (properly spelt with a fada: Eilís) could make an alternative to the super-popular Isla. Eilish and Eibhlis are alternate forms.

Noel, the French word for Christmas has been given to both boys and girls born on that holiday since the Middle Ages. For girls it's often spelled Noelle.

Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones, few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way edging its way into the mainstream, particularly, of course, with parents who have Irish roots. It made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2016, when it was the third-fastest-rising girls' name.