My favourite girls names

Eilis

Irish variation of Elizabeth

"pledged to God"

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)…

Noel

French

"Christmas"

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.

Saoirse

Irish

"liberty"

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…

Aimiliona

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.…