We usually think of place-names as a modern invention, but in fact Arizona ranked on the US Top 1000 from its inception in 1880 until 1911, when it vanished below the surface. It peaked at Number 510 in 1882, before Arizona became a state. One notorious vintage bearer: criminal "Ma" Barker, born Arizona Clark.

Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.

Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter Marlowe.

Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.

Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.

Penrose – an ancient place-name and surname derived from several villages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border country of England – would make for an even more unexpected alternative to quirky nature name Primrose. Intuitive nicknames Penny or Rosie make it feel more wearable.

This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.

The beguiling Darya is the name of a character in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. As a Russian name, it's a spelling variation of Daria, while in Iran, it's a girl's name that means "the sea".

Not too long ago, Temperance was found only on lists of Puritan baby names.

With related choices such as Lark and Phoenix gaining popularity, why not Sparrow? Though it's usually thought of as a female name, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their son.

Truely is a modern feminine name that serves as a creative spelling variant of 'Truly.' This virtue-inspired name conveys qualities of honesty, authenticity, and sincerity. While uncommon in historical records, Truely has gained some recognition in recent years, particularly through its use in reality television. The name has a sweet, wholesome quality that reflects positive character traits parents might wish for their daughter. The distinctive spelling with an 'e' adds a unique touch while maintaining the clear pronunciation and meaning of the word it's based on. As a virtue name, Truely belongs to a category that includes names like Faith, Hope, and Grace, though it remains considerably less common. Its simple, two-syllable structure gives it a gentle rhythm and memorable quality.

Enna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, including as a variation of Anna (Hebrew for 'grace'), a shortened form of names like Ennaline or Marienna, or derived from the ancient city of Enna in Sicily. In Finnish, 'enna' means 'predict' or 'foresee,' adding another layer of meaning. This short, symmetrical name has a gentle yet distinct sound that travels well across different languages and cultures. While never widely common, Enna has seen occasional usage throughout history and across different regions. Its simplicity, melodic quality, and cross-cultural adaptability make it appealing to modern parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible with a subtle ancient resonance.

For many, this is a Disneyfied name: Faline was the sweet doe Bambi fell in love with. The name is possibly based on Feline, a Latin name meaning "cat-like", however other sources suggest it comes from the French faon meaning "fawn", combined with the suffix -line. It is pronounced as FUH-LEEN in French and English or as fah-LEE-nuh in German, and was given to 7 girls in the US in 2024.

Amabel is an older name than Annabel and a lot more distinctive. Amabel was a very common name in the twelfth and thirteen centuries, then was revived during the nineteenth century British fad for medieval names.

Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.

Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori Kiri which means tree bark, or the Aboriginal word kira which means leaf – plus the lee sound.

Nasrin has a strong sound and lovely floral meaning. International variants include the Turkish Nesrin and Egyptian Nesreen.

One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May or Rae.

Vivia, the fresh Italian version of newly popular name, streamlines and even vivifies the original.

The sweet Czech form of Sylvia.