top names for girls
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This list, which is normally a mess and inaccurate, was recently updated and made accurate-- 12/12/18 (we'll see how long that lasts!)
- Alessandra
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of AlexandraMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
This softened version is even prettier than the original.
- Amoret
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.
- Annika
Origin:
Swedish diminutive of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Annika is a surprise hit of recent years, inspired by golfer Sorenstam; for Trekkies, it was also the name of a 'Star Trek:Voyager' character. Some people's first memory of it might be as Pippi Longstocking's friend. A nice namesake for an ancestral Ann.
- Anya
Origin:
Russian diminutive of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anya is a Russian variation of Anna, which came from the Hebrew name Hannah. Anya is the form found most frequently in Russia, Poland, and other East European countries, while Anja is the spelling usually preferred in Germany Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. In the Hungarian language, Anya also means mother.
- Arabella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"yielding to prayer"Description:
Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. Its meaning may also be interpreted as "beautiful," thanks to -bella.
- Arbor
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
- Arianell
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"silver"Description:
This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.
- Asa
Origin:
Hebrew, Japanese, or ScandinavianMeaning:
"healer; morning; of the gods"Description:
A male Biblical name meaning healer, Asa is also an international gem. In Japanese, it means "(born in the) morning". And in Scandinavia, where it's generally spelled Åsa or Ása and pronounced O-sa, it's a popular diminutive form of Old Norse names beginning with the element áss "god".
- Aurelia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
- Azra
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"virgin"Description:
Azra is a perennial favorite Arabic name for girls in Turkey, Bosnia and Croatia. In the West, Azra could become a fresher take on Virginia or a more feminine spin on Ezra.
- Benjamina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"daughter of the right hand"Description:
The kind of feminized male name that never caught on.
- Bridie
Origin:
Irish, strength or exalted oneDescription:
Swap two letters of Birdie and you get Bridie, a traditional diminutive of Bridget. Bridie fits perfectly with the trend for standalone vintage nicknames like Betty and Sadie, but is surprisingly rare.
- Bronnen
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"a rush"Description:
Bronnen is an attractive name but is similar to so many others -- Brennan, Brannon, Bronwen -- it's sure to provoke a lot of "What was that again?"
- Caia
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of CaiusMeaning:
"to rejoice"Description:
Caia Caecilia was the Roman Goddess of fire and women. The name Caia would make a truly fresh alternative to the flagging Maya, with which it rhymes.
- Calandra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lark"Description:
Calista Flockhart opened the door to a whole flock of graceful and unusual Greek names like this. Some others are Calantha, Calla, Carissa, and Cassia.
- Calantha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lovely flower"Description:
Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names.
- Calla
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Calla is a lily name that is much more distinctive and delicate than Lily. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"Description:
This unisex name, the seventh most popular surname in Scotland, can make a more unusual Cameron alternative. It is represented on the girls' side by TV news correspondent Campbell Brown, for whom it was a family name, Brown was born Alma Dale Campbell, Alma Dale being her grandmother's name,and Campbell her mother's maiden name.
- Carbry
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"charioteer"Description:
Male name from Irish mythology makes stylish-sounding choice for girls.
- Cassiane
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"Description:
Cassiane, also spelled Kassiani or Kasiani, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Cassiane, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Cassiane was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.