Favorite Girls' Names
- Acacia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thorny"Description:
Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
- Adabella
Origin:
Combination of Ada and Bella, German, Turkish, and FrenchMeaning:
"noble and beautiful, or beautiful island"Description:
Ada is one of those names found in two different languages with two different meanings. As a German name, it means noble or nobility, and as a Turkish name, it means island.
- Aislyn
Description:
Aislyn is a feminine name of Irish and Gaelic origins, representing a modern Anglicized variation of Aisling (pronounced ASH-ling), which means 'dream' or 'vision' in Irish. The name emerged from the Irish poetic tradition where 'aisling' referred to a dream-vision poem, often featuring Ireland personified as a woman. The spelling variation with '-lyn' instead of '-ing' gives the name a contemporary feel while maintaining its Celtic roots. Aislyn began gaining modest popularity in English-speaking countries outside Ireland in the 1990s, appealing to parents seeking names with authentic Irish heritage but accessible pronunciation. The name carries a mystical, dreamy quality with its meaning, while its sound offers a gentle femininity that balances traditional roots with modern appeal.
- Alyxia
Description:
Alyxia is a modern feminine name that likely developed as an elaborate spelling variant of Alexis or Alexa. It may also draw inspiration from the botanical genus Alyxia, tropical flowering plants. The Greek root 'alex' means 'defender' or 'protector'. With its unique 'y' and 'x' combination, Alyxia offers parents a distinctive alternative to more common Alex- derivatives while maintaining the same strong meaning foundation. The name has a contemporary feel with its unusual letter combination and melodic three-syllable pronunciation. Though uncommon in historical records, it has gained modest usage in recent decades.
- Amethyst
Origin:
Gem and Color nameDescription:
As flower names become more unique, so can gem names move beyond Ruby and Pearl to names like Topaz, Sapphire, and Peridot. Amethyst, the purple birthstone for February, has never been in the Top 1000, but could have some appeal, joining similarly-hued Violet and Lilac, all of which make great names for Aquarius babies or names for February babies.
- Anwyn
Description:
Anwyn is a feminine Welsh name meaning 'very beautiful' or 'very fair.' Composed of the Welsh elements 'an' (very) and 'gwyn' (white, fair, or blessed), this lyrical name has ancient Celtic roots. Though relatively uncommon, Anwyn appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with authentic Welsh heritage. The name has a melodic, flowing quality that sounds both ethereal and strong. Anwyn shares some similarities with the more familiar Bronwyn, but offers a more unique option. In Welsh tradition, names containing the element 'gwyn' often conveyed purity and spiritual blessing. With its gentle sound and meaningful etymology, Anwyn projects both grace and substance.
- Aria
Origin:
Italian and HebrewMeaning:
"air; song or melody; lion"Description:
Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.
- Aviana
Origin:
Variation of Avis, LatinMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Aviana is a name that's like the megapopular Ava and Ariana, but not quite as popular as either. It entered into the mainstream back in 2010 however, after actress Amy Adams chose it for her daughter, fulfilling her desire to choose a "normal" name after all, even if it didn't seem like that a decade ago.
- Aerilyn
- Aimelie
- Aisanoelle
- Alleyaiesha
- Amariyah
- Anabryn
- Ashmyn
- Beatrix
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"she who brings happiness; blessed"Description:
Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
- Brielle
Origin:
Short form of Gabrielle, French, Cajun, Hebrew, CelticMeaning:
"god is my strength; hunting grounds"Description:
Though it sounds modern, Brielle is, among other things, a traditional Cajun contraction of Gabrielle, and the name of a historic seaport in the Western Netherlands, also known as Brill. Today, it is used more widely as a nickname for Gabrielle and as a stand-alone name that fits in easily with Isabelle, Briana, and Brinley. In a recent year, it appeared in the US Top 200, ranking above the longer form and used nearly four times as often.
- Brinley
Origin:
English, combination of Brynn + Lee "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"Meaning:
"burnt clearing; hill + meadow"Description:
Brinley was a surprise entrant to the US Top 1000 in 2009, however, in 2023, it doesn't feel surprising at all. In fact, alternative spellings Brynleigh and Brynlee also rank in the Top 1000, with Brynley not too far behind.
- Brylee
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"thorny woodland clearing"Description:
Blending the sounds of Bryce, Brian, Riley and Kylie, Brylee is a modern invention that ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2005 to 2022. It peaked back in 2012 when it was given to around 770 babies, but has since been in decline. Given to around 230 girls in a recent year, Brynlee and Oakley are now preferred.
- Bryony
Origin:
Latin flower nameMeaning:
"to sprout"Description:
Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan novel Atonement is spelled Briony, which is the variation and Bryony the original.