My Favorite Girl Names

The names

• Adelaide

  Variant of Adelheidis, German

  "noble, nobility"

  Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by Britain's Princess Eugenie…

  

• Estella

  Latinate form of Estelle

  "star"

  Estella is a pretty Latin name, most notably associated with the character in Dickens's Great Expectations , adopted and raised to reek Miss Haversham's revenge on men. With the popularity of Stella,…

  

• Amelia

• Cordelia

• Eloise

• Florence

• Jade

• Laurie

  English diminutive of Laurence

  "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

  A sweet and sophisticated nickname which feels fresh again after many years in style limbo. For literature lovers, it brings to mind Theodore "Laurie" Laurence from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women .…

  

• Lorelai

• Louisa

• Merrick

  German, Welsh

  "fame, power, ruler; dark-skinned"

  Maverick meets Merritt in this strong sounding choice, which has its origins in Welsh, German, and Scottish. Notably borne by dancer Merrick Hanna, comedian and presenter Merrick Watts, and by…

  

• Madeline

• Mila

• Mirabel

• Mirium

• Piper

  English occupational name

  "one who plays the pipes or flute"

  Piper's rising popularity for girls makes it an unlikely masculine choice.

  

• Rosalie

• Ruth

• Tess