Girl Names I Love That Hubby Wouldn't
- Elianna
Origin:
Variation of Eliana, Hebrew, LatinMeaning:
"my God has answered; sun"Description:
Eliana and her spelling variations are multicultural favorites that have been rising across the English-speaking world since the turn of the 21st century. Popular in Netherlands, the UK, Canada, France, and Brazil, Eliana and sisters come with in-built nicknames Ellie, Elle and Ana which makes them versatile and appealing
- Roslyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of RosalindDescription:
Spelling variations abound when a name is trendy, which Rosalind is not these days. We say leave Roslyn back in the middle of the 20th century and reclaim the original Rosalind.
- Milan
Origin:
Italian place name or SlavicMeaning:
"the middle of the plain; gracious, dear; union"Description:
In many Slavic and other European countries, Milan is purely a boys’ name, but in the US, it's also popular for girls – no doubt inspired by the fashionable Italian city. It entered the Top 1000 for boys in 2013, while for girls it has been in the Top 1000 since 2009. Currently, it is given to three boys for everyone one girl.
- Anniston
Origin:
English surname and American place nameMeaning:
"Anis' town; Annie's town"Description:
A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late 19th century by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler, it was named in honor of the latter's daughter-in-law, Annie Tyler.
- Tierney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendent of a lord"Description:
An uncommon Irish-accented surname that seems particularly well suited to a girl. Tierney Sutton is a well-known jazz singer. Tierney, in its original Tiarnach form, was the name of several saints. It can also join the ranks of Old Hollywood names, via the haunting actress Gene Tierney. ER actress Maura Tierney is a current surname bearer.
- Jersey
Origin:
English place name, Old NorseMeaning:
"Geirr's island"Description:
An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.
-ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".
- Vivica
Origin:
Spelling variation of VivecaDescription:
The attractive actress Vivica A. Fox has done a lot to add this version of the name into the mix.
- Liberty
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Less common than other virtue names, Liberty is nonetheless a name with a long American heritage.
- London
Origin:
English place-nameMeaning:
"Capital city of England"Description:
The capital of England makes a solid and attractive twenty-first-century choice in the US where it is currently in the Top 1000. Given to nearly 1000 girls and 200 boys each year, it is a unisex option that has been in slow decline since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
- Monique
Origin:
French variation of MonicaMeaning:
"advisor"Description:
The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.
- Brinley
Origin:
English, combination of Brynn + Lee "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"Meaning:
"burnt clearing; hill + meadow"Description:
Brinley was a surprise entrant to the US Top 1000 in 2009, however, in 2023, it doesn't feel surprising at all. In fact, alternative spellings Brynleigh and Brynlee also rank in the Top 1000, with Brynley not too far behind.
- Jessa
Origin:
Short form of Jessica, HebrewMeaning:
"behold or wealthy"Description:
Once rare, this streamlined form of Jessica has been boosted by two very different television figures: the Jemima Kirke character on HBO series Girls, and reality television daughter Jessa Duggar.
- Selma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"godly helmet"Description:
Selma has recently been given a more youthful spin via actresses Selma Blair and Salma Hayek. But while Selma has not yet become popular again in the US, it is widely used in both Sweden and Norway.
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
- Salma
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"safe"Description:
Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.
- Ever
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"always, eternally, constantly"Description:
A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends when he named his now grown-up actress daughter Ever back in the 70s, while more recently, it was used by both Milla Jovovich and Owain Yeoman.
- Raquel
Origin:
Spanish variation of RachelMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch. Similarly to the Hebrew form Rachel, Raquel is past its peak. Nonetheless, it retains a certain sparkle and would feel newly refreshing for a baby today.
- Orion
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
The Greek mythological hunter who was turned into a constellation is much more often used for boys.
- Giada
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"jade"Description:
Popular in its native Italy, Giada has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Television cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility — then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.
- Eline
Description:
Eline is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. In the Scandinavian tradition, it functions as a variant of Helena or Ellen, while in French contexts, it may be considered a form of Aline. The name carries a gentle, refined quality with its soft sounds and simple structure. Eline is more common in Northern European countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, where it maintains steady popularity. The name's international versatility makes it appealing for multicultural families, as it translates well across language boundaries while remaining distinctive. With its elegant simplicity, Eline balances uniqueness with accessibility.