girls

  1. River
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      River shares the tranquil feeling of all the water names, and seems to have pretty much escaped its past strong association with River Phoenix and his unfortunate fate. Actor Joaquin Phoenix named his son with actress Rooney Mara after his brother River.
  2. Mina
    • Origin:

      Hindu equivalent of Pisces or diminutive of Wilhelmina, German
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      Most famous as a Dracula victim (where Mina is short for Wilhelmina), Mina is a name that can stand on its own or be a diminutive of any name ending in -mina, most usually Wilhelmina.
  3. Pippa
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philippa
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Pippa, a peppy condensation of Philippa that turns it from serious to sprightly, has come into the public eye in a big way via the former Kate Middleton's sister.
  4. Paloma
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "dove"
    • Description:

      Paloma is vibrant and ruby-lipped a la jewelry designer Paloma Picasso, but it also suggests peace, as symbolized by the dove. Paloma is a highly recommended striking but soft name, one of the best of the names that mean peace and girls' names starting with P.
  5. Marina
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from the sea"
    • Description:

      This pretty sea-born name was used to dramatic effect by Shakespeare in his play Pericles for the virtuous princess who says she is "Call'd Marina, for I was born at sea."
  6. Savannah
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "flat tropical grassland"
    • Description:

      A place name with a deep Southern accent, the once-obscure Savannah shot to fame, with others of its genre, on the heels of the best seller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in the mossy Georgia city of Savannah. Originally a substitute for the overused Samantha, Savannah is now popular itself, long among the top girls' names starting with S.
  7. Kai
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "sea"
    • Description:

      This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.
  8. Trinity
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "triad"
    • Description:

      A name that feels both spiritual and trendy, Trinity surged up the charts in the early 2000s, following the release of The Matrix. In just two years, it made an impressive jump from the latter end of the charts to the US Top 100, where it remained for more than a decade.
  9. Mona
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "noble good"
    • Description:

      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.
  10. Alexa
    • Origin:

      Greek, English
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Alexa was a steadily popular modern classic until Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa was released in 2013. It remains relatively well used in the US despite this, though its standing keeps dropping for obvious reasons. Too bad, because it's a strong and pretty name (which is probably why Amazon used it.)
  11. Ria
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "small river"
    • Description:

      Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.
  12. Nieve
    • Description:

      Nieve is a delicate feminine name derived from the Spanish word for 'snow,' reflecting purity and pristine beauty. In Irish contexts, it's sometimes used as an anglicized spelling of Niamh (pronounced 'neev'), which means 'bright' or 'radiant' in Gaelic and was the name of a goddess in Irish mythology. The dual linguistic origins give Nieve rich cultural associations across different traditions. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, it has seen increased interest among parents seeking short, distinctive names with natural connections. The name carries connotations of beauty, purity, and luminosity across its different cultural interpretations, making it an appealing choice for parents drawn to names with poetic natural imagery.
  13. Cari
    • Description:

      Cari is a feminine name with diverse origins. In Welsh, it derives from "caru" meaning "to love," making it essentially mean "beloved." It also functions as a diminutive of Caroline or Katherine in English-speaking countries, giving it connections to names meaning "free woman" or "pure." In Italian, Cari can be a variant of Cara, meaning "dear." Despite its brevity, this multicultural name carries significant warmth across its various etymological roots. Cari experienced moderate popularity in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s but remains relatively uncommon today. The name's short, sweet nature and positive connotations make it appealing to parents seeking a simple yet meaningful name with cross-cultural appeal.

  14. Nyia
    • Description:

      Nyia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variant of Nia, which has roots in several cultures: in Swahili it means 'purpose,' in Welsh it means 'bright,' and in Gaelic it can mean 'champion.' The spelling with 'y' could be a contemporary adaptation to create a more distinctive appearance. Alternatively, it might derive from the Greek name Nyia, possibly related to the nymph deities. Some parents may choose it as a variation of names like Nya, Naya, or even as a shortened form of names like Antonia with the nickname Nia. While not among the most common names, Nyia offers multicultural connections and a melodic, flowing sound with its simple two-syllable structure.

  15. Arrianna
    • Dahla
      • Gailan
        • Jianna
          • Nai
            • Skarlet