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Cool Underused Names for Girls

mel.haas
By mel.haas
Updated Wed May 10 2023
Underused names that need to be given more attention. Cool-sounding and beautiful names for Girls.
  1. Rue

    • Origin:

      Botanical names or word name

    • Meaning:

      "herb; regret"

    • Description:

      Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine to a fresh alternative to beloved middle name Rose. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in English and "street" in French. Despite these unfortunate secondary meanings, Rue has real potential to be one of the most popular new middle names for girls.
  2. Opal

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "gem"

    • Description:

      Opal is on the verge of a repolishing, following other jewel names like Ruby and Pearl. A Top 100 name during the first two decades of the twentieth century, the opalescent Opal has a good chance of coming back as another O-initial option.
  3. Solana

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "sunshine"

    • Description:

      A bright and warm possibility for a summertime girl, Solana feels both soulful and fresh, distinctive and familiar. Originally adapted from the Spanish surname and Saint name, Solano, it entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2023.
  4. Uma

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light, peace, nation"

    • Description:

      Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity.
  5. Calypso

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "she who hides"

    • Description:

      This hyper-rhythmic name has two evocative references. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home. It is also a genre of West Indian music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago and largely popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte.
  6. Henrietta

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Henry, German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that Henrietta has the same vintage charm.
  7. Wednesday

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Woden's day"

    • Description:

      Made famous by the iconic and macabre character Wednesday Addams, this name has the spooky and Halloween-inspired feel that some parents might be looking for. The character has appeared in various adaptations of The Addams Family over the years, but the 2022 television series starring Jenna Ortega has given the name an unexpected boost in popularity.
  8. Neva

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "white snow"

    • Description:

      Has a pure, clean aura, but is also evocative.
  9. Evadne

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pleasing one"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Evadne was the daughter of Poseidon. Evadne also appears in literature (Mary Shelley's "The Last Man") and has a pop culture reference as the cousin of Wonder Woman. A more unusual alternative to other Greek "-ee" names like Ariadne, Daphne and Penelope. The trendy "Ev" sound makes this a lovely choice in a world of Evelyns, Evangelines and Everlys.
  10. Nella

    • Description:

      Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or 'in the,' while as a short form, it often inherits meanings from its longer versions. Nella has historical usage dating back centuries but has experienced periods of renewed popularity in recent decades. The name has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet not overused. With its brief two syllables and melodic sound, Nella strikes a balance between simplicity and distinctiveness. The name carries connotations of sweetness and strength, making it versatile for different personalities.

  11. Clio

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory"

    • Description:

      Clio is the name of the ancient Greek mythological muse of history and heroic poetry, one that is rich with modern charm and would make an intriguing choice, especially thanks to its dynamic o-ending.
  12. Echo

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "echo or sound"

    • Description:

      Echo, the pretty, resonant name of a legendary nymph, was the heroine of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series Dollhouse. Nick Hexum, of the band 311, named his daughter Echo Love.
  13. Io

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      Io may be one of the slightest names in the book, but there aren't many two-letter names with as much substance as this Greek mythological example. Io, a name used for the largest moon of Jupiter, was in classic myth raped by Zeus and escaped from him by changing herself into a cow.
  14. Hildegard

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "comrade in arms"

    • Description:

      Hildegard is an ancient name that sounds it, but it does have sweet short forms Hildie and Hilda to recommend it, as well as several illustrious historical bearers.
  15. Xia

    • Origin:

      Chinese dynastic name

    • Description:

      This name of the first recorded dynasty of ancient China is short and simple enough to make a possible Asian-American alternative to Mia and Tia. British-Filipino child star Xia Vigor has invigorated the name in the Philippines.
  16. Leela

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "play"

    • Description:

      While Leela may be a spelling variation of Lila or Leila, it's also an Indian name in its own right with a playful meaning. And unlike it's more popular Western sisters, Leela does not create pronunciation confusion.
  17. Kalila

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      The lilting name of a range of mythical mountains, with an extensive menu of spellings, and a more unusual way of fitting in with current favorites Lila and Lola.
  18. Zala

    • Origin:

      Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija

    • Meaning:

      "a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"

    • Description:

      Simple but sultry.
  19. Luana

    • Origin:

      Combination of Louise and Anna or Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "content, at ease"

    • Description:

      In the slipstream of Luna, this everywhere-and-nowhere international name, with its attractive liquid sound, is popular in several European countries along with Hawaii.
  20. Queenie

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "queen"

    • Description:

      Wisecracking waitress name stuck in the luncheonette. Started as nickname for girls named Regina -- queen in Latin -- now mostly a canine choice.