Couture Classic

Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."

Almost like a fusion between vintage Audrey, bubbly Ruby, and unisex Avery, Aubrey has been a popular choice for girls since the mid 2000’s.

Audrey is one of the girls' names that have been rising due to their connection to Old Hollywood glamour — in this case the eternally chic and radiant Audrey Hepburn. Audrey has another very different appeal as one of the elite group of girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful.

Briony may be the variation and Bryony the original, but many parents will see this as the more authentic-feeling version of this attractive botanical name. Still unusual in the U.S., Briony is in the British Top 100 and may appeal to parents as a fresh spin on Briana or Brittany or an honorific for a Brian, though it bears no relationship to the male name.

Bronwen is widespread in Wales, but still rare enough here to sound somewhat international — we think Bronwen is a real winner. (Note: the Bronwyn spelling is an Anglicization, since the -wyn ending is masculine in Welsh).

Candace, an ancient title of a dynasty of Ethiopian queens mentioned in the New Testament, is associated both with actress Candice Bergen and Sex and the City writer Candace Bushnell.

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.

Actress Hepburn made the Katharine spelling famous, which seems to be the inspiration for this spin on Catherine.

Variant of Kathleen

Chelsea is still being used, with about 400 baby girls named Chelsea in the US last year. But it was much more popular a few decades ago, peaking at Number 15 in 1992.

Chloë is a feminine name of Greek origin meaning 'young green shoot' or 'blooming.' The dieresis (the two dots over the 'e') indicates that the final vowel is pronounced separately, giving the name its distinctive two-syllable pronunciation: KLO-ee. In Greek mythology, Chloë was an alternative name for Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility. The name has enjoyed consistent popularity throughout the centuries but saw a particular resurgence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. While the spelling without the dieresis (Chloe) is more common in English-speaking countries, the traditional Chloë form is appreciated for its classical authenticity and visual distinctiveness.

There are much chicer versions of this name today, such as Claudie, Claudia, or Claude itself. Claudine is a name wobbling on the edge of extinction.

Corinne is one of the names that, it might surprise you to learn, ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names until 2020, when it fell off the charts after 140 years. Its most popular year was 1926, when it ranked Number 249. Corinna is another pretty ancient form of the name, technically a diminutive.

Esylt is a feminine name of Welsh origin, being a variant spelling of Essyllt or Esyllt, which is the Welsh form of Isolde (or Iseult). The name is prominently featured in Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology as the Irish princess in the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde. The Welsh pronunciation typically emphasizes the first syllable (ES-ilt). While maintaining deep connections to Celtic heritage and medieval romance, this particular spelling remains extremely rare even in Wales. The name carries associations with tragic beauty, forbidden love, and ancient Celtic traditions. Its unusual spelling and mythological connections make it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with strong cultural roots and literary significance while remaining distinctly uncommon.

Fantine is a rarely heard French name except as a character in the Victor Hugo novel Les Misérables.

This unusual (to non-Welsh speakers) is near the top of the charts in Wales, carried by the recent taste for native Welsh names. Those in Wales say it's already on the way down, but for outsiders wanting to honor their Welsh heritage, it still makes an intriguing choice.

Frostine, best known in the U.S. as the name of the Candyland queen, is newly fashionable in France and is certainly a choice that any little girl the world over would love. Fanciful, if over-the-top, but a perfect name for a winter baby girl.

This attractive Scottish surname choice, has a certain amount of glamour thanks to feisty British-born red-haired forties Academy Award winner Greer Garson, who was born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson--Greer was her Irish mother's maiden name). Greer was chosen much more recently by Kelsey Grammer for his daughter and by Brooke Shields in the Grier form. As a surname, it's associated with feminist writer/activist Germaine Greer.

Now that Tristan has been rediscovered, maybe it's time for his fabled lover in the Arthurian romances and Wagnerian opera, a beautiful Irish princess, to be brought back into the light as well.