Frank Guenthers Top Girl Names
- Anja
Origin:
Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from RussianMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
- 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.
- Emilija
Description:
Emilija is a feminine name of Slavic origin, representing the Eastern European variant of Emilia or Amelia. Popular throughout the Balkans, particularly in Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Lithuania, this beautiful name derives from the Latin 'Aemilia,' meaning 'rival' or 'emulating.' The characteristic 'j' gives the name its distinctive Slavic pronunciation and appearance. Emilija carries the same soft elegance as its Western counterparts while maintaining its cultural distinctiveness. The name has seen steady popularity in Eastern European countries while remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking regions, though globalization has increased its international recognition. Emilija conveys a sense of gentle strength, classical beauty, and cultural heritage.
- Emmi
Origin:
Diminutive of Emma and EmilyDescription:
With the enormous popularity of Emily and Emma, we're sure to see more of Emmi, Emmie, Emme, and Emmy, whether as short forms or standing on their own.
- Franzi
Description:
Franzi is a feminine name with Germanic origins, primarily used in German-speaking countries. It functions as a diminutive or nickname form of Franziska, the German equivalent of Frances, which means 'free one' or 'from France.' With its cheerful sound and approachable two-syllable structure, Franzi carries a friendly, youthful quality. In Germany and Austria, it's relatively common as a nickname but less frequently used as a formal given name. Outside German-speaking regions, Franzi remains quite rare, giving it an international flair. The name blends a traditional heritage with a modern, lively sound that feels both sweet and spunky.
- Gisela
Origin:
German; Dutch; Spanish; PortugueseMeaning:
"pledge, hostage"Description:
A variation of Giselle.
- Ilse
Origin:
Dutch variation of IlsaMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
- Jana
Origin:
International feminine variation of JanDescription:
A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.
- Lina
Origin:
Arabic; Latin diminutiveMeaning:
"tender"Description:
This pretty, succinct Arabic name is also commonly used as a nickname for names like Carolina.
- Romy
Origin:
Diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly etc.Description:
Austrian actress Romy Schneider seemed to be the singular bearer of this international nickname name until it found new style currency in the past decade, entering the US Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024.
- Sonja
Origin:
Russian, Slavic, and Scandinavian form of Sophia, GreekMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Popular throughout Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Germany, Sonja has a rich cultural heritage. The name gained international recognition through figures like Sonja Henie, the Norwegian Olympic figure skating champion.
- Sophia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Sophia, which was the Number 1 girls' name in the US from 2011 to 2013, is among the top girl names in the Western World, with a sensuous sound and high-minded meaning. A real winner, Sophia reached the top of the charts without losing any—okay, much—of its sophisticated beauty.