Girl first names
- Annaleigh
Origin:
Compound name, Anna + LeighMeaning:
"grace + fern clearing"Description:
Annaleigh is a feminine name combining the classic Anna (from Hebrew, meaning 'grace' or 'favor') with the suffix -leigh, a variation of Lee meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing.' This blend creates a pretty, flowing name with traditional roots but a contemporary feel.
- Ashlynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
This Anglicized spelling of Irish Aislinn or Aisling has enjoyed some popularity in the US as an updated Ashley.
- Brooklynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Brooklyn, place name from DutchMeaning:
"marshland"Description:
This extra-N variation matches up with the current preferred spellings of Oaklynn, Raelynn, and Adalynn, however it has always been outranked by popular Brooklyn. Though both spellings have trended downwards since their peak in 2011, Brooklyn maintains its place in the US Top 100, while Brooklynn lags behind in the #300s.
- Cady
Origin:
English, diminutive and surnameDescription:
Cady is one of those names that sounds popular but is actually rare in this form, given to only a few dozen baby girls in the US last year.
- Calliope
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"beautiful voice"Description:
Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry -- and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016, and entered the Top 500 in 2023. Similar in rhythm and sound to Penelope with usable nicknames Callie, Clio, and Lola, it is no wonder it's on the rise.
- Cameron
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
Cameron was once a rising star for boys only, but Cameron Diaz almost single-handedly transported it into the unisex camp back in the 80s.Though there are still eight times as many boy babies named Cameron as girls, it is currently in the US Top 600, where it is joined by Camryn and Kamyn.
- Cara
Origin:
Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and PortugueseMeaning:
"dear; friend; face"Description:
Cara is a simple, sweet, Italian endearment that enjoyed its greatest popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, reaching a high of Number 189 in 1977. Despite the rising celebrity of English model/actress Cara Delevingne, who played Enchantress in Suicide Squad, Cara dropped off the Top 1000 in the US in 2020, perhaps because it sounds too close to the dreaded Karen.
- Caralynn
Description:
Caralynn is a feminine name combining elements of Cara (meaning "beloved" or "dear one" in Italian) and Lynn (from the Welsh "llyn" meaning "lake" or as a diminutive of Linda). This compound name emerged in the mid-20th century as parents began creating hybrid names from popular elements. Caralynn offers a more elaborate alternative to either Cara or Lynn alone, while maintaining a melodic flow. The name suggests qualities of sweetness and affection through its first element while adding the gentle, nature-inspired touch of Lynn. Though never reaching widespread popularity, Caralynn has maintained consistent usage, especially in the United States, appealing to parents who desire a name that sounds familiar yet distinctive.
- Carina
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"dear little one"Description:
Carina is a pretty delicately feminine name whose fall from popularity is not helped by its similarity to hurricane name Katrina or slang victim Karen.
- Carly
Origin:
Feminine diminutive of CarlMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Though a couple of its more "creative" spellings—Carli and Karlee, for example—are still on the rise, this feminine form of Carl, popularized by singer Carly Simon in the 1970s, could by no stretch be considered fashionable. Despite its decline, the name has still seen some use in the entertainment industry, from Nickelodeon's iCarly to Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
- Carlynn
Description:
Carlynn is a feminine name that blends elements of Caroline and Lynn, creating a modern-feeling name with traditional roots. It can be seen as a feminine variation of Carl (from Germanic origins meaning 'free man') with the popular suffix '-lynn' that became fashionable in the mid-20th century. The name has a contemporary sound while maintaining connections to classic naming traditions. Carlynn offers a fresh alternative to more common names like Caroline or Carolyn, providing distinctiveness without being difficult to spell or pronounce. While never among the most popular names, Carlynn saw modest usage in the United States from the 1950s-1980s and continues to appeal to parents seeking a name that balances familiarity with uniqueness.
- Cecily
Origin:
Feminine variation of CecilMeaning:
"blind"Description:
Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily Parsley is a Beatrix Potter bunny, Cecily Cardew is a character in The Importance of Being Earnest, and the author of the Gossip Girl books is Cecily von Ziegesar.
- Celia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
Celia, splendidly sleek and feminine, is a name that was scattered throughout Shakespeare and other Elizabethan literature, but still manages to feel totally modern.
- Charleigh
Origin:
Spelling variation of Charlie, diminutive of Charlotte, French "free man"Meaning:
"free man"Description:
The popular -leigh suffix is clearly an attempt to feminize this traditionally boyish nickname -- and it works. There were about 550 baby girls named Charleigh in the US last year -- and zero baby boys.
- Charlotte
Origin:
French, feminine diminutive of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
- Chelsea
Origin:
London and New York place-nameDescription:
Chelsea is still being used, with about 400 baby girls named Chelsea in the US last year. But it was much more popular a few decades ago, peaking at Number 15 in 1992.
- Chloe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"young green shoot"Description:
Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.
- Cora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
- Coralie
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"coral"Description:
Coralie is a French name not often heard here, though she's gaining some recognition via Neil Gaiman's similar sounding spooky and lovely children's book, Coraline. Other literary appearances: Coralie is the stage name of an actress in Balzac's Lost Illusions, and a French girl in an 1850 Thackeray novel.Coralie is currently very popular in French-speaking Quebec, and there is a contemporary French singer named Coralie Clement.
- Corinne
Origin:
French variation of Greek KorinnaMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Corinne is one of the names that, it might surprise you to learn, ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names until 2020, when it fell off the charts after 140 years. Its most popular year was 1926, when it ranked Number 249. Corinna is another pretty ancient form of the name, technically a diminutive.