My Favorite Girl Names July 2017
- Aberdeen
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
This undiscovered Scottish port city name has a nice, upbeat feel and lots of good nickname possibilities.
- Amarantha
Origin:
Flower name; GreekMeaning:
"unfading"Description:
Amarantha is a rare botanical name whose mythical equivalent was believed to be immortal. The Italian and Spanish form is the somewhat-more-acccessible Amaranta.
- Amberly
Origin:
Modern variation of AmberDescription:
A rarely used play on Amber, making it more feminine and both more modern and old-fashioned at the same time.
- Anamarie
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese combination of Ana and MarieMeaning:
"grace + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Variant of Annemarie
- Anitra
Description:
Anitra is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It gained recognition in Western culture through Henrik Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt,' where Anitra is an alluring dancer character. The name may have Egyptian origins or connections to the Greek 'Anythra,' though some sources suggest it was Ibsen's own creation. Anitra experienced a modest spike in popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, partly influenced by a jazz standard titled 'Anitra's Dance.' The name has an exotic, musical quality that appeals to parents seeking something uncommon yet melodious. With its artistic associations and rhythmic sound, Anitra projects an image of grace and creativity. Though relatively rare today, it maintains appeal for parents drawn to names with literary and artistic connections.
- Annalisa
Origin:
Comnibation of Anna and LisaDescription:
One of the more widely used combination forms.
- Blakely
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"dark wood or clearing"Description:
Blakely, along with Blakeley, Blakelee and Blakeleigh, is one of the post-Ashley surname names that end with the lee sound so stylish today. Reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter named their daughter Blakesley. These surname-names are among the most stylish English names for girls.
- 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.
- Ella
Origin:
German; EnglishMeaning:
"all, completely; fairy maiden"Description:
Ella is a sweet, simple name that owes much of its current popularity to the popularity of other names, from Emma to Bella to Emily to Ellie.
- Ellamae
Origin:
English compound name, Ella + MaeMeaning:
"fairy maiden + beloved"Description:
Ellamae was given to over 60 baby girls in the US last year, although the data doesn't record punctuation, so we don't know how many of those will actually go by Ella Mae or Ella-Mae. The fourth most popular compound name for girls in the US, It's a modern smoosh name with a sweet, old-timey feel.
- Ellianna
Origin:
Variation of Eliana, HebrewMeaning:
"God has answered"Description:
Eliana is a multicultural name, popular in the US, the UK, The Netherlands, France and Brazil. With the popular nickname Ellie and the classic sounds of Anna and Eleanor, it is no wonder this name has caught on.
- Emily
Origin:
Feminine variation of Emil, LatinMeaning:
"rival"Description:
Emily may have dropped somewhat in the current standings, but it was the most popular girls' name for over a decade because it appeals on many levels: Emily is feminine, classic, simple, pretty, and strong. Emily is Number 1 among Gen Z names. It also has those nice literary namesakes, like Emily Dickinson and Emily Brontë.
- Emmalea
Description:
Emmalea is a feminine name that combines the popular Emma with the suffix -lea, creating a melodic elaboration of the classic name. Emma derives from Germanic origins meaning 'whole' or 'universal,' while the 'lea' element suggests meadows or clearings. This combination creates a name that feels both familiar and fresh. Emmalea began appearing more frequently in the early 2000s as parents sought variations on the extremely popular Emma. The name carries a sweet, somewhat vintage quality while maintaining modern appeal. Emmalea offers the historical weight and recognizability of Emma with a distinctive twist that provides individuality.
- Esme
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".
- Everdean
- Fabienne
Origin:
French variation of FabiaMeaning:
"bean grower"Description:
Instead of the usual French suspects -- Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle -- why not consider Fabienne, which is less common and just as pretty.
- Faye
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fairy"Description:
Soft and simple, but no less magical, Faye is enjoying a quiet spell of popularity in the US. It broke the Top 1000 in 2014, and by 2023, was one of the fastest rising names on the charts. Faye is a perfect example of a name that fits in and stands out, recognizable and yet unexpected. It also makes a beautiful middle name option, if Mae and Rae are feeling too overdone.
- Fernanda
Origin:
Feminine variation of Fernando, Spanish and Portuguese version of German FerdinandMeaning:
"bold voyager"Description:
Fernanda is very popular in the Latino community, with a lot more charm than its male counterpart. The standard nickname is Nanda, and variations include Ferdinanda and Fernandina.
- Freya
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"a noble woman"Description:
Freya has long been popular in the U.K. but has only taken off in the US in the last decade, along with the entire category of mythological names. Derived from the Old Norse name Freyja, meaning "Lady, noble woman", Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
- Georgina
Origin:
English, feminine variation of GeorgeMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
Now more popular than Georgiana in Britain, this elegant Dickens. Jane Austen name deserves attention. Most American parents prefer Georgia to Georgina or any other feminization of George.