Happydahlias list of favorite girls names

Devin

Irish

"poet"

Used far more for boys with this spelling, but still has a nice impish Irish feel for a girl.

Dixie

Latin, French

"I have spoken; tenth"

A sassy, spunky, punchy kind of name, Dixie can also be considered a place name, one that has become problematic because of its association with the antebellum South. The Dixie Chicks recently…

Ebony

English

An attractive and now underused nature name belonging to a tree whose wood is prized for its dark color and dense texture, which shines when polished. Ebony joined the most popular girl names list in…

Eira

Welsh

"snow"

This Welsh nature name that can be pronounced exactly like the male Ira. Or, to avoid confusion, you could just name her Snow.

Eirlys

Welsh

"snowdrop"

This ethereal Welsh word name has a sound as pretty and delicate as its floral namesake. Pronounced with a bright IRE sound like in Iris or an AYR sound like in air, depending on region, Eirlys…

Elidi

Greek

"gift of the sun"

Elidi is intriguing but potentially confusing. Try the French Elodie instead.

Esperanza

Spanish

"hope, expectation"

Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New…

Eulalia

Greek

"sweetly speaking"

Eulalia is a melodious name with a southern drawl, thanks to those lilting double L s and similarity to similar Eudora and Eula. Familiar in the US in the early 20th century, it was also a popular…

Evella

Invented literary name

Though it doesn't have historic roots--it was created by L. Frank Baum for a Princess character in his book Ozma of Oz --Evella could fit well into the Eve-Eva-Evelyn group now coming back into favor.

Evony

Evony is a contemporary feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variant of Ebony, referring to the dark, valuable wood and symbolizing strength and rarity. Alternatively, it…

Fauna

Roman, English word name, from Latin

"young deer; all the animals that live in a particular area"

Fauna is the Roman goddess of the earth as well as one of the fairies who protected Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". It can also be considered a word name with a scientific, nature focused feel. Used to…

Gaelle

French

"from Gaul"

Gaia

Greek and Latin

"earth mother; rejoicing"

Floral, bright, and subtly powerful, Gaia is a name with two separate origins. In Greek mythology, it is the name of the earth goddess and the universal mother, who takes her epithet from the Ancient…

Garnet

Jewel name, from the French

"pomegranate"

One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.

Georgiana

English, feminine variation of George

"farmer"

Long a popular upper-crust form in England, where it's pronounced George-ee-AH-na, Georgiana has been been neglected here. But with Georgia growing more popular and the general fashion for elaborate…

Halcyon

Greek

"kingfisher bird"

This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.

Hyacinth

Flower name, from Greek

"blue larkspur; precious stone"

Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unusual flower name. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was…

Ianthe

Greek

"purple flower"

Like Violet, Lavender and Lilac, Ianthe is a purple flower name. Chosen by the poet Shelley for his daughter, Ianthe has a poetic, romantic, almost ethereal quality. In the ancient myth, she was the…

Imogen

Celtic

"maiden"

Imogen has long been fashionable in England and is gaining favor in the US among stylish parents. Pronounced the British way — the initial i is short as in Kim, as is the final E as in Ken — Imogen…