Girl Names I Love That Hubby Wouldn't

The Greek mythological hunter who was turned into a constellation is much more often used for boys.

This is a soft and strong Arabic and Persian name commonly heard in the Middle East.

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. 

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.

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

Jessamy and big sister Jessamine are all but unknown in the U.S., but make distinctive alternatives to overexposed Jessica, Jessie, and Jasmine.

Ezri is one of the cool new unisex names starting with E, except as a Biblical name, it's not so new. Used for both genders in Israel, in the US it's currently running five to one in favor of girls, surprisingly. Its deviation from the better known and more traditional Ezra makes it feel like one of the more truly gender neutral names.

Nickname sometimes heard on its own, sort of an updated Sally and playmate of Hallie.

Not cutting edge, but still graceful and feminine.

Melodious and unusual form of a name with an uncountable number of variations. Many will understand it as the more down-to-earth Annalee.

Sahari is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections, potentially derived from Arabic or Hebrew origins. In Arabic contexts, it may relate to 'sahara' meaning 'desert,' evoking images of vast, beautiful landscapes. In Hebrew, it could connect to 'sahar' meaning 'moon' or 'crescent.' This cross-cultural name has a flowing, melodic quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While not extremely common in any region, Sahari has a contemporary feel with ancient roots, appealing to parents seeking names with both cultural depth and modern appeal. The name's relative rarity gives children bearing it a sense of uniqueness. Sahari travels well across different languages, with its straightforward pronunciation making it accessible internationally. Its evocative potential meanings connecting to natural elements give it an organic, earthy quality that resonates with many contemporary naming preferences.

Audrina is a name that owes its fame to overnight reality TV sensation Audrina Partridge, one of the original cast of the MTV reality series The Hills.

Leona with a French accent that gives it a bit more flair. It's currently very popular there – in the Top 30 for French baby girls.

See NATASHA.

Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.

A Slavic variation of Helen that might make an unusual update of that classic name.

An old Irish surname cousin of Tierney that makes an unusual and appealing Irish gender switch.

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.

Coralee is a charming feminine name that combines the name Cora with the popular suffix 'lee.' Cora has Latin origins meaning 'maiden' or Greek roots meaning 'heart,' while the suffix adds a southern, melodic quality. This combination creates a sweet, slightly vintage feel reminiscent of American southern charm. Coralee evokes images of warmth and femininity, with connections to both the heart (cor in Latin) and coral from the sea. While never extremely common, the name saw modest usage in the early 20th century and has experienced a small revival along with other vintage names. It appeals to parents who appreciate names with a touch of nostalgia and sweetness, offering the appealing nickname options of Cora or Lee.