Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine to a fresh alternative to beloved middle name Rose. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in English and "street" in French. Despite these unfortunate secondary meanings, Rue has real potential to be one of the most popular new middle names for girls.

Ruth, with its air of calm and compassion, was the third most popular name in the 1890s, remaining in the Top 10 through the 1920s. It's still in use today as some parents tiring of Rachel and Rebecca are giving Ruth a second thought. Some see such Old Testament girls’ names as Ruth and Esther rising on the heels of boy equivalents Abel and Moses.

Wilhelmina might once have been condemned as a clunky relic best left in the past, but a steadily increasing number of parents are dusting it off for their 21st century babies. A reasonably popular choice in the 19th century, but out of favor by the 1950s, in the last decade, Wilhelmina has attracted more attention, and was given to around 110 babies in a recent year.

Mona had more than a moment in the sun, peaking in 1950 at Number 230 but falling off the Top 1000 completely in the late 1980s. Its similarity to the word "moaner" undercuts the appeal of its simplicity. In one recent year, fewer than 100 baby girls received the name, and we don't see it reviving any time soon.

Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan novel Atonement is spelled Briony, which is the variation and Bryony the original.

Ivory was last popular a hundred years ago. In 2013, it finally began to regain some momentum in the female rankings, reentering the Top 1000, while 2024 saw it jump up the charts again by over 100 places, making it a To 500 name.

This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin.

Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name usually an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika.

This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The French form Églantine appeared in the charts in the first half of the 20th century and again in the 2000s.

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.

Citrine is a type of quartz named after its citrus-colored hues. if Amethyst, Jasper, and Onyx (all other types of quartz) can be used, why not Citrine, which has a lovely French-sounding suffix. Citrine is one of the many rare and attractive girl names starting with C.

The name Lassie originates from Scottish culture, where it was traditionally used as a term for a young girl or maiden. However, its widespread recognition comes primarily from the fictional female collie dog character created by Eric Knight in his 1940 novel 'Lassie Come-Home,' which spawned multiple films and a popular television series. As a human name, Lassie is quite rare, maintaining an affectionate, loyal quality associated with the beloved canine character. The name carries connotations of faithfulness, heroism, and protective instincts. While uncommon as a given name for girls, it may occasionally be used as a nickname for names like Lassarina or simply to evoke the wholesome, classic Americana feel associated with the character.

The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form of Avraham, the Biblical Hebrew form of Abraham.

An ancient Roman name that has never made it into the modern world.

Harleen is a feminine name of Punjabi and Sikh origin, combining elements that mean 'God's love' or 'with God's grace.' The name blends 'Har' (a reference to God) with 'leen' (absorbed or immersed). Primarily used in the Punjabi community, Harleen gained some recognition in Western pop culture through the character Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn) in Batman comics. The name reflects Sikh naming traditions while offering a distinctive yet accessible sound for diverse communities. Harleen projects strength, spirituality, and cultural heritage. Its growing international recognition has increased its appeal beyond traditional usage, though it remains most common in families with Punjabi or Indian connections.

Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.

Supermodel Karlie Kloss lends this spelling variation some style. Having appeared in the US Top 1000 since 1991, it was in trouble of dropping off completely when it ranked Number 992 in 2009. Since then, however, it has made modest strides back up the list.

If you're looking for a creative way to get to Neve, Nevena is a lovely option with a sweet floral meaning.

Praxis makes perfect? Though this mythological name sounds boyish, it's a female name, an equivalent for Aphrodite.

Laurelei is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Lorelei (or Loreley). The original Lorelei comes from German folklore, referring to a siren who sat atop a rock on the Rhine River and lured sailors to their doom with her enchanting singing. The name combines elements suggesting 'murmuring rock.' This alternative spelling incorporates 'laurel,' the evergreen shrub associated with victory and achievement in classical tradition. Laurelei emerged in usage during the late 20th century as parents sought more distinctive spellings of familiar names. The name has a musical, flowing quality with its succession of liquid consonants and open vowels, evoking a sense of mystery and feminine grace.