21st Century Names for Girls
- Neela
Origin:
Hindi, SanskritMeaning:
"sapphire blue"Description:
A variation of Nila, a name spread through African by the substantial Indian population there. Also a variant of Neala and Neila.
- Ever
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"always, eternally, constantly"Description:
A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends when he named his now grown-up actress daughter Ever back in the 70s, while more recently, it was used by both Milla Jovovich and Owain Yeoman.
- Milla
Origin:
Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, HungarianMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant, gracious people"Description:
Milla originated as a diminutive of names like Camilla and Ludmilla, but has since become well established as a name in its own right in several European countries. Milla Jovovich is a Ukrainian-born actress and supermodel, while Milla is also used for a character in the novel and musical adaptation, Wicked.
- Chrysanthemum
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gold flower"Description:
One of the rarest of the flower names, that of the blossom celebrated in Japan as a symbol of the sun and a possible object of meditation. One of the rare flower names counted among names for autumn babies, Chrysanthemum is also one of the most unusual nature-themed girl names starting with C.
- Faustine
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of FaustMeaning:
"fortunate one"Description:
Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.
- Halcyon
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"kingfisher bird"Description:
This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.
- Anaise
Origin:
Variation of AnaisDescription:
Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
- Kirby
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"church settlement"Description:
Unisex name around for several decades for boys and now ripe for girls.
- Caraway
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
An edible plant used in seed and spice form.
- Bexley
Origin:
English place-nameDescription:
The name of an affluent suburb of Columbus, Ohio and a section of Greater London, Bexley is increasingly being coopted by parents looking for a novel name in the Kinsley/AInsley/Paisley family. Bexley debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016 and is definitely one of the trendiest girl names starting with B. Think of it as a 21st century Becky.
- Cypress
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Juniper, Maple, and Willow. Nearly 200 babies were named Cypress in the US last year, about 40 percent of them female.
- Jetta
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"jet"Description:
Although this is a legitimate name, most people would associate it with a line of Volkswagens -- you'd be better off choosing a Mercedes.
- Signy
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"new victory"Description:
Signy — also spelled Signe — would make another distinctively offbeat alternative to Sydney. Signy appears in Norse mythology as the twin sister of Sigmund.
- Berkeley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"where birches grow"Description:
Despite the strong association with the University of California, Berkeley, the more common version of this name omits the second E, Berkley.
- Garland
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz.
- Lleyton
Origin:
Variation of Leighton, EnglishMeaning:
"meadow settlement"Description:
Lleyton is the novel spelling publicized by Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. Other double 'L's are found in such Welsh names as Lloyd and Llewellyn. More popular forms of the name include Layton and Leyton.
- Lore
Description:
Lore is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In German tradition, it's a shortened form of Eleanor or Lorelei, while in Spanish it can be a diminutive of Dolores. The name literally means 'knowledge' or 'wisdom' in Latin, giving it an intellectual connotation. In folklore contexts, 'lore' refers to traditional knowledge and stories passed through generations. This gives the name a mystical, storytelling quality. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lore has a simple elegance and cross-cultural appeal. Its brevity makes it distinct while remaining easy to pronounce across language boundaries. The name's connection to wisdom and cultural traditions makes it appealing for parents seeking a name with depth and subtle sophistication.
- Alyona
Origin:
Diminutive of Yelena, RussianMeaning:
"bright and shining light"Description:
New name in the pool of international names, added by lovely supermodel Alyona Osmanova.
- Joplin
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Job"Description:
Used as a first name for a handful of girls every year, Joplin could be seen as a distant cousin of other -lin names, like Caitlin, Brooklyn and Braelynn. We think it works even better as a musical middle name possibility for fans of Janis... or Scott. Both great connections — albeit very different from one another.
- Easton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"eastern town"Description:
Easton is a stylish Waspy-sounding surname that's climbing up the popularity charts. TV actress Elisabeth Rohm named her daughter Easton August Anthony, which seemed like a real gender bender, and now Rachel Leigh Cook has made it the middle name of her baby Charlotte. Note that Easton is now in the Top 100 for boys--for whom directional names are a real trend-- but we won't be surprised to see more and more little lady Eastons arriving.