21st Century Names for Girls
- Abra
Origin:
Feminine variation of Abraham, HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abra is soft, sensitive feminine form of Abraham that was the name of a soft, sensitive character in the John Steinbeck book and movie, "East of Eden." In the bible, Abra was a favorite of King Solomon and it was a popular name in seventeenth century England. Abra is also a West African name used for girls born on Tuesday. The magical 'abracadabra' is thought to have originated in the Aramaic language.
- Addaly
Description:
Addaly is a feminine name that appears to be a modern invention, possibly created as a variation of names like Adele, Adelaide, or Adeline, or as a combination of the popular "Add-" prefix with a trendy "-ly" ending. The name has a contemporary, melodic quality that fits with current naming trends favoring soft sounds and the "-ly" suffix seen in names like Everly and Waverly. Addaly is quite rare, making it an attractive option for parents seeking distinctiveness. Despite its uniqueness, the name's familiar components make it accessible and intuitive to pronounce. The name has a youthful, fresh quality while maintaining enough structure to grow with a person through different life stages. Its modern creation gives it flexibility in meaning, allowing families to invest it with personal significance.
- Alouette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"lark"Description:
Alouette is a sweet Gallic twist in the stylish bird name genre made familiar via the charming French children's song, Alouette, gentile alouette.
- 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.
- Amoret
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
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.
- 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.
- Anneli
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Annalie or HannahMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anneli is one of the hundreds of Anne variations with an intriguing spelling. This name has been popular throughout Scandinavia over time and would certainly translate easily to English-speaking countries.
- Anneliese
Origin:
German, DutchMeaning:
"grace + oath"Description:
Anneliese is a German and Dutch combination of Anna and Liese (a form of Elizabeth) with an Old World feel but modern appeal. The Anglicized Annalise spelling in in the US Top 500, but this authentic German version has only ever broken into the US Top 1000 once, back in 2005.
- Anouk
Origin:
Dutch and French variation of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anouk, made famous by French actress Anouk Aimée, is a singular name with a lovely sound and a Bohemian feel. Anouk Aimée was born as Francoise, but adopted the first name of the character she played in her debut film.
- Anya
Origin:
Russian diminutive of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anya is a Russian variation of Anna, which came from the Hebrew name Hannah. Anya is the form found most frequently in Russia, Poland, and other East European countries, while Anja is the spelling usually preferred in Germany Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. In the Hungarian language, Anya also means mother.
- Arly
Description:
Arly is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names like Arlene, Ariel, or Marlene, or could be derived from the Old English word meaning 'eagle wood' or 'hare clearing'. This short, sweet name has a contemporary feel while maintaining versatility. Arly has gained modest popularity as parents seek distinctive yet approachable names. Its brevity makes it practical and memorable, while its playful sound gives it a youthful energy. The name carries a modern, independent spirit and works well across different cultures. While not among the most common names, Arly offers a refreshing alternative to more conventional choices.
- Avalon
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"island of apples"Description:
Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
- Avonlea
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"river by a field"Description:
As all good Anne of Green Gables buffs would know, Avonlea is the fictional Canadian town created by L. M. Montgomery that Anne Shirley considers home. The literary creation inspired a real Canadian town to adopt the name. Avonlea would make a lovely literary choice for any baby, and would fit in with the Ava and "-lee" naming trends right now.
- Ayelet
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"deer, gazelle"Description:
Ayelet is an unusual -- and somewhat challenging -- Israeli name familiar thanks to sometimes controversial Jerusalem-born novelist-essayist Ayelet Waldman.
- Anthem
- Avedon
- Bayly
Description:
Bayly is a feminine name with English origins, likely derived from the surname Bailey, which historically referred to a bailiff or someone who lived near a protective wall or bailey of a castle. As a given name, Bayly represents the modern trend of transforming surnames into first names, particularly with the appealing 'ly' ending that connects it to popular girls' names like Emily, Lily, or Hailey. The spelling variation with 'y' instead of the more common 'ey' or 'eigh' gives the name a distinctive touch. Bayly offers a contemporary sound while maintaining connections to English heritage, appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible.
- Bellatrix
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"female warrior"Description:
J.K. Rowling is a modern master of naming who brought a whole constellation of ancient and celestial names to modern parents. Bellatrix, of one of the stars of Orion, combines fashionable names Bella and Beatrix to make a convivial and original name. The down side: the Harry Potter character Bellatrix, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is a character so evil she's called a Death Eater, killing one beloved character and being murdered by another. And the name Bellatrix is so closely associated with that character that it might be challenging to sidestep the association.
- Benna
Description:
Benna is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In some contexts, it's considered a variation of Bena, which has African roots meaning "truthful." In others, it may be a diminutive of names like Benedetta or Benedicta, stemming from Latin origins meaning "blessed." The name also appears in Hebrew contexts, where it relates to understanding or wisdom. Benna has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft consonants and ending vowel sound. Though relatively uncommon in most Western countries, the name's simplicity and pleasantly feminine sound make it an appealing choice. The name conveys qualities of truthfulness, wisdom, and blessing, making it both meaningful and charming for a daughter.
- 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.