California Inspired Girl Names

Carmel

Hebrew

"garden"

Carmel is a biblical place-name that is often used by Catholic parents around the world. It is given in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is the name of a mountain ridge on the Mediterranean near…

Clarita

Clarita is a feminine name of Spanish and Latin origin, serving as a diminutive form of Clara, which means 'bright,' 'clear,' or 'famous.' The suffix '-ita' adds an affectionate quality in Spanish…

Cruz

Spanish

"cross"

Cruz might be a sister for Concepcion and Corazon, although its masculine side was emphasized when the high profile David Beckhams chose it for their son.

Dana

English, Slavic, Persian, Arabic

"from Denmark, gift, or wise"

This name found in both Celtic and Scandinavian mythology has gone from all-boy to almost all-girl, retaining a strong, unisex quality. However, it has dropped following its three-decade heyday from…

Diablo

Spanish

"devil"

Diablo Cody, self-named (she's really Brook Busey) screenwriter of Juno, singlehandedly helped popularize not just her heroine's name and her own but all o-ending names for girls. You don't need us…

Francisca

Spanish, Portuguese

"free man"

Spanish and Portuguese form of Frances or Francesca

Marin

Latin

"of the sea"

Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina. As a place-name, Marin is pronounced with the…

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…

Oceane

French

"ocean"

Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more…

Pacifica

Spanish

"tranquil"

When properly pronounced, has an alluring sound and harmonious meaning.

Palmyra

Greek, place name

"palm tree; pilgrim"

An ancient city in modern-day Syria, which occasionally makes the roster of girl names. Its etymology is uncertain — locally it is called Tadmor, and Palmyra is the Greek version — but it has…

Sequoia

Native American, Cherokee

"sparrow"

This name of a giant tree, itself named for a nineteenth-century Cherokee who invented a way to write his tribe's language, makes a strong, stately statement.

Shasta

Place-name, Sanskrit

"teacher, guide, ruler"

A Californian mountain name revered by healers and spiritualists, Shasta has a New Age, cowboy feel. The mountain takes its name from the Indigenous American tribe, the Shasta people - though this…

Soledad

Spanish

"solitude"

This strong Spanish name that refers to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Solitude) has been made accessible by broadcaster Soledad O'Brien -- who shows how well it combines with an Anglo surname. Her…

Suri

Yiddish, Hebrew, Persian, Sanskrit

Suri, a once obscure name, hit the headlines when it was chosen by Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise for their daughter in 2006. A truly multi-cultural choice, Suri is a unique name with a variety of…

Venice

Italian place-name

This name of one of the most romantic cities in the world could easily find its way onto an American baby girl's birth certificate.