D8 Girls Names

Alba is quietly making a behind-the-scenes comeback, perhaps thanks to actress turned baby-product mogul Jessica Alba. Last on the Top 1000 a century ago, the name was given to nearly 200 baby girls in the US last year. Alba might be tomorrow's successor to Ava and Ella. In Spain, Alba ranks among the Top 20 girls' names. Alba is the name of a character in The Time Traveler's Wife.

Indigo is one of the most appealing and evocative of the new generation of color names. Color names have joined flower and jewel names -- in a big way -- and Indigo, a deep blue-purple dye from plants native to India, is particularly striking for both girls and boys. Indigo is the name of a character in the Ntozake Shange novel Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, and was used for his daughter by Lou Diamond Phillips.

Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.

For a name related to a Scottish town, a patterned Indian fabric, and a country singer named Brad, Paisley has seen remarkable success. After appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, it is now an American favorite.

Dottie and Dot are old Dorothy nicknames that some cutting-edge Brits are bringing back to fashion. It's been half a century since Dottie ranked on its own in this country, one of those nickname names that flourished in the 1890's.

A unique combination of a surname feel and dainty femininity. It's currently associated with actress Lacey Chambert.

Bryce is the preferred spelling over Brice for both genders, with nearly 70 girls named Bryce in one recent year vs. only five called Brice. But note that there were over 3000 boys named Bryce and 240 named Brice, making this a predominantly male name. Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of director Ron, is the most notable female bearer of this name.

Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.

Teal is one of the prettiest and most straightforward of the new color names -- an ideal middle name choice.

Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names, Mauve has the added benefit of being similar to stylish Maeve and classic Maude.

Crimson could be a possible competitor for Scarlett's success, though it's lacking that Johansson charm.

A word name with fashionable o-ending that has associations with both the homespun fabric and the mottled cat. Alice Cooper named his daughter Calico decades ago.

Rarely heard outside of Wales, Arianwen is one of many pretty wen-ending names prominent in ancient Welsh legend.

Y-ending color adjectives like Tawny and Rusty are nowhere near as stylish as the more sophisticated Lilacs and Violets.

Silk is an uncommon English word name derived directly from the luxurious fabric. The name evokes qualities of smoothness, elegance, softness, and luxury. As a given name, Silk has been used very rarely, making it a truly distinctive choice. The word itself comes from the Old English 'seoloc,' ultimately derived from the ancient Chinese silk trade routes. While traditionally gender-neutral, it has slightly more usage as a feminine name. Parents choosing Silk for their child likely appreciate its unique sound, memorable single-syllable simplicity, and the positive sensory associations it carries. The name projects an image of refinement and uncommon beauty, standing out in a world of more conventional names.

The name of a French city famous for its fine lace. Another association: Chantilly cream – a sweetened whipped cream apparently invented there in the 17th century by a chef at the Château de Chantilly. The town probably takes is name from the Gallo-Roman personal name Cantilius, derived from a word for "white".

Silky is a delicate female name that embodies softness and luxury. Derived from the English word for smooth, lustrous fabric, the name evokes a sense of elegance and refined grace. While uncommon as a traditional first name, Silky has seen occasional use as a nickname or modern given name, particularly in English-speaking countries and parts of India. The name appeals to parents seeking something tactile and sensory with positive connotations of comfort and beauty. Silky's informal, approachable quality gives it a contemporary feel while maintaining its feminine associations with smoothness and refinement.

Pronounced SHAM-ee, this color and word name is soft and appealing.

Aside from the singer, there aren't many people around named Pink or Pinkie or Pinky -- zero, in fact.

Cashmere is soft, luxurious — and way out of the ordinary. One of the unique names found in The Hunger Games series.