Bloom at Dawn

While the etymology of the name is unclear, it's most likely a contraction of Eliora or Elnora. Despite the uncertain heritage, it's a winning construction, based on its El- prefix, the feminine three-syllable flow, and the a ending. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015, and by 2023, Elora was one of the fastest rising girl names.

First-wave Irish name and place name—the poetic name for Ireland—now supplanted by newer alternatives such as Maeve and Delaney.

As with many grandmother-y names, this choice may be coming back into style.

Variously spelled Annalise and Annaliese as well as several other forms, this is not a modern smoosh but a traditional German combo-name with a definite Heidi-esque feel.

Derived from the Latin word aemulus, Emil is a name with international appeal. Concise and sturdy but with the gentle Em sound, Emil is popular across Europe, from Azerbaijan to Finland, from Germany to Norway, and Denmark. Alternative spelling Emile also ranks highly in Belgium and Canada.

Cressida is a pretty mythological and Shakespearean heroine name much better known in Britain than it is in the US. Given to just 7 girls in a recent year, it shares the cool golden meaning of Aurelia, Orla, and Goldie, and offers cute Cassie- alternative nickname Cressie, along with Ida and Sid too.

Darius is a historic name via Emperor Darius the Great, a key figure in ancient Persian history, and several other Persian kings. His name today has an appealingly artistic image, which might well be found on a concert program or gallery announcement.

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.

Lawrence is the dominant spelling in the US, but in the UK Laurence and Lawrence are given in almost equal numbers each year, often with the adorable nickname Laurie or Lawrie. British actor Sir Laurence Olivier is a famous bearer.

Converting Damian to Damien – or Julian to Julien or Lucian to Lucien – adds a certain je ne sais quoi to names. But most people in English speaking areas will still pronounce this the same as the -an ending form. The French pronunciation is more like "dah-mee-u(n)".

A name with many spelling variations, including Malek, Melik, and Maliq, Malik is a popular name of Arabic and Semetic origin that is used internationally as both a given name and a surname. In terms of meaning, it can be considered a royal name meaning "king", though other sources suggest it is an alternative transcription of Maalik, making "owner, possessor" a more accurate meaning.

Fintan is an ancient Irish saints' name that in legend is also the name of the only person to survive The Flood. Popular in modern Ireland, Fintan is ripe for export to the US where it is rarely used but could make an excellent long form for the stylish Finn.

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.

This spelling of the classic name is found in France, Germany, Greece, and other cultures, and is worn by such notables as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth Shue, Elisabeth Moss, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The name's pronunciation is usually just like the Z version, but some parents choose this because they want to discourage the Liz or Lizzie short forms and so pronounce it as if it has Lisa in the middle.

While both Elaine and Elena are on an upward trajectory, Elaina has shifted up and down the charts in recent years, making no big moves in either direction. Steadily used, this blend of the two could make it clearer which pronunciation is preferred.

Spelling variation of Philip. Exactly as many baby boys were named with the single 'l' spelling in 2017.

Eirene, modernized to Irene, was the Greek goddess of peace. Eirene or Irene was also the name of an early empress and several saints.

Aurore is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning 'dawn.' It's the French form of Aurora, the Roman goddess of the morning. The name evokes images of daybreak, new beginnings, and golden light. In French-speaking countries, particularly France and Canada, Aurore has maintained steady popularity over the centuries. The name carries an air of classic elegance and natural beauty. Its literary connections include the protagonist of George Sand's novel 'Histoire de ma vie.' While less common in English-speaking regions, Aurore offers an alternative to the more widely used Aurora. The name's soft sounds and romantic associations give it a timeless quality. Parents might choose Aurore for its subtle French sophistication or meaningful connection to light and renewal.

Rainer is one of those baby names that is still under-the-radar but has been quietly gaining traction: The number of boys who've received the name has doubled in the past decade, to just under 50. Part nature name and part traditional German name for boys, Rainer can claim a place among the two-syllable r-ending baby names so fashionable for boys today.

Adia is a feminine name with origins spanning several cultures. In Swahili, it means 'gift,' while similar variations appear in Hebrew and Arabic traditions with meanings relating to 'adornment' or 'jewel.' The name gained some recognition in Western countries after Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan released a song titled 'Adia' in 1997. Despite this brief spotlight, the name remains relatively uncommon in most Western countries. Adia appeals to parents seeking a name with multicultural roots and positive connotations. Its brevity and melodic sound make it accessible across different languages and cultures. The name's four distinct vowels create a rhythmic, musical quality when spoken. While rare, Adia provides a beautiful alternative to more common 'A' names for girls.