Possible Daughters

The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. This once uncommon member of the El- family is a Top 100 name in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, while in the US, it was one of the fasted rising names of 2024 and now sits in the Top 400.

A Slavic name that could easily blend in.

Joseline is a feminine name that serves as a variant of Jocelyn, with French origins meaning 'member of the Germanic tribe.' It blends the melodic quality of Josephine with the uniqueness of Jocelyn, creating a distinctive yet familiar sound. The name gained popularity in the early 2000s, particularly in Hispanic communities where it's sometimes spelled Yoselin. Joseline has maintained steady usage without becoming overly common, appealing to parents seeking a name with classic roots yet modern appeal. The reality TV personality Joseline Hernandez contributed to the name's recognition in the 2010s. With its soft consonants and flowing syllables, Joseline carries an elegant, feminine quality while maintaining strength and character.

Pronounced lee-sha, Laoise is the feminine form of the Irish mythological names Lugh and Lugus, which means light. Lugus was the Celtic god of commerce and craftsmanship, the equivalent of the Roman Mercury, thought to inspire the later Irish hero Lugh. Laoise is among the Top 100 Irish names for girls, but Americans will definitely have pronunciation issues.

This streamlined Italian and Spanish spelling of Louisa is currently very popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal, where it's usually spelt Luísa.

Melitza is a melodious feminine name with Spanish and Puerto Rican connections, possibly derived as a variation of Melissa, which has Greek origins meaning 'honeybee.' In Puerto Rico and other Spanish-speaking regions, Melitza emerged as a distinctive cultural adaptation, giving the classical name a unique Latin flair. The name's 'tz' sound creates a distinctive pronunciation that sets it apart from more common variants. Though not among the most popular names globally, Melitza has maintained steady usage in Hispanic communities, particularly in Puerto Rico and among Puerto Rican diaspora. The name conveys a sweet, gentle quality while maintaining a certain exotic appeal. Its rhythmic sound pattern and distinctive spelling make it memorable while still being relatively easy to pronounce, appealing to parents seeking a name with Latin character and feminine elegance.

A word name with a touch of Adeline/Caroline/Apolline mixed in, Opaline has a sleek and stylish yet whimsical feel.

Although Susan had her heyday from the thirties to the sixties, and is now common among moms and new grandmas, and though most modern parents would prefer Susanna/Susannah, we have spotted some flickers of interest in a revival. It still retains a certain black-eyed-Susan freshness.

The name of a martyred medieval saint, Valerie has been on the popularity list since its earliest publication in 1880. Though it peaked in the 1960s, remaining in the Top 100 until 1988, it still doesn't sound terminally dated; the association with the word valor gives it a sense of boldness and makes it one of the special group of girl names that mean strong.

This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming novel, and is just now beginning to provoke interest among namers, with its spiritual reference and soft, whispery sound.

Variation of the name Yara—an Arabic name well-used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries meaning "butterfly"—with the suffix from names like Maritza.

Julia is a name that's ancient and hallowed enough to not only have many variations, but for its variations to have variations. Juliana has been consistently used in the US and Europe, sometimes spelled Julianna. Yuliana or Yulianna is the Russian version. That Y at the beginning makes the name sound distinctly more exotic in the US.