Cool Underused Names for Girls

Opal

Sanskrit

"gem"

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…

Solana

Spanish

"sunshine"

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…

Leela

Sanskrit

"play"

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…

Rue

Botanical names or word name

"herb; regret"

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…

Luana

Combination of Louise and Anna or Hawaiian

"content, at ease"

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.

Echo

Greek mythology name

"echo or sound"

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. In the Greek myth, Echo was…

Henrietta

Feminine variation of Henry, German

"estate ruler"

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…

Nella

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…

Calypso

Greek

"she who hides"

Melodic, rhythmic, and poetic in sound, Calypso is a name with connections to music, mythology, space, and pop culture. A distinctive was to nickname Callie or even Pip, it has that charming -o…

Uma

Sanskrit, Hebrew

"light, peace, nation"

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. Uma is one of the more…

Kalila

Arabic

"beloved"

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.

Griselda

German

"grey battle"

Griselda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet. In the most…

Neva

Spanish

"white snow"

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

Wednesday

English

"Woden's day"

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…

Zala

Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija

"a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"

Simple but sultry.

Parisa

Iranian, Persian

"like a fairy"

Funny how one letter can turn a name from ordinary to special. Parisa is so much more distinctive than either Marisa or Paris, with its sparkly meaning. It ultimately comes from the Persian word parī…

Clio

Greek

"glory"

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…

Xia

Chinese dynastic name

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…

Quincie

Quincie is a feminine name that appears to be a creative variation of Quincy, which originated as an English surname derived from the Latin name Quintus, meaning 'fifth.' This feminized spelling adds…

Arionna

Arionna is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variation of names like Arianna or Ariana. With Greek origins, it connects to the element 'ari' meaning 'excellence' or 'best,' though the specific…