Short List for Little Bit

Short list of names I am considering for Baby Girl #3. She’s due around Hanukkah, 2018.
  1. Ariella
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Ariel
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      This variation of Ariel, with the extra-feminine suffix, has been on the rise in recent years and has now surpassed the original. The similarity to the name of the Little Mermaid gives Ariella a princessy flair. Ariella entered the charts in 2008, and has now risen into the Top 200. The cute nickname Ari is on trend as seen with the popularity of Ariana and Arianna, as are any girl names ending in "-ella", making Ariella a natural hit. Arabella is another name with the best of both of these trends.
  2. Neriah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light of Jehovah"
    • Description:

      A version of a symbolic name given to girls born on Hanukkah, the festival of lights. It can also be spelled Neriya(h), but this spelling made it into the Top 1000 in 2013. Neriah was among the fastest-rising names of 2022, possibly in part due to up-and-coming musical artist NERIAH.
  3. Nesiah
    • Nessa
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian
      • Meaning:

        "headlands, promontory"
      • Description:

        Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
    • Nomi
      • Origin:

        Hebrew and Japanese
      • Meaning:

        "beautiful, pleasant, delightful "
      • Description:

        This adorable cross cultural name updates Naomi and offers an accessible Japanese option. Strikes the right balance by being distinctive without seeming strange.
    • Phoebe
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "radiant, shining one"
      • Description:

        Phoebe is the Latin variation of the Greek name Phoibe, which derived from phoibos, meaning "bright." In classical mythology, Phoebe is the by-name of Artemis, goddess of the moon and of hunting. The masculine version of Phoebe is Phoebus.
    • Rina
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Caterina or other names ending in -rina
      • Description:

        A pan-European short form often used as a name in its own right, Rina is sister to names like Mina and Lena, popular at the end of the 19th century and showing their pretty if slight faces again. In the Netherlands, Rina itself is sometimes shortened to Rineke, as Tina may become Tineke.
    • Sadie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Sarah
      • Meaning:

        "princess"
      • Description:

        Sadie started as a nickname for Sarah, but their images couldn't be more disparate. Where Sarah is serious and sweet, Sadie is full of sass and fun.
    • Yakira
      • Zahara
        • Origin:

          Hebrew; Swahili
        • Meaning:

          "to shine; flower"
        • Description:

          Zahara, a delicate but strong multicultural name, came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie bestowed it on her Ethiopian-born daughter, and we predict other parents will adopt it as well. If you want something simpler than Zahara, consider Zara, a royal name in England--but also the name of a Spanish-based clothing store chain.
      • Ziva
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "life"
        • Description:

          A zippy little international name. The Hebrew name relates to the month of Israeli independence. The Slavic Ziva (also spelled Živa and Siva) is a goddess of love, life and fertility.