​
​
Advanced Search

Master List of Girls Names

kaitlin.j.murphy
By kaitlin.j.murphy
Updated Mon Dec 26 2022
  1. Alis

    • Description:

      Alis is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It can be considered a variant spelling of Alice, which derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning 'noble type.' Alis appears in Welsh tradition and also exists as a simplified spelling in various European cultures. In some Baltic contexts, it may be a masculine form. The name has a crisp, clean sound with its straightforward spelling, while maintaining the classic elegance associated with Alice. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Alis offers international appeal with its cross-cultural recognition. Parents might choose Alis for its subtle difference from the more common Alice, appreciating its simplified spelling and slight exotic quality while retaining familiar pronunciation and classical roots.

  2. Alix

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "noble type"

    • Description:

      A chic and sassy French choice, popular in France but likely to be confused with the more prosaic Alex in English-speaking countries. Although sometimes used in the US as a variant spelling of Alex, the French name Alix actually derives from a medieval French form of the name Alice or Adelaide.
  3. Arla

    • Origin:

      Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "early"

    • Description:

      While Arla has a literal meaning in Swedish, its roots as a name are probably more closely related to such names as Arlene or Orla. Arla is among the girls' Top 1000 names in the UK.
  4. Bryn

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "hill"

    • Description:

      Bryn is an up-and-coming gentle, yet substantial, Welsh name that would also be effective in the middle spot. In Wales it's a traditional boys' name, but it's far more popular for girls now in the US.
  5. Calla

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calla is a botanical name that is much more distinctive than popular Lily or similar Callie. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.
  6. Caro

    • Origin:

      Diminuitve of Carol or Caroline, English, French ,"free man"

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.
  7. Cleo

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory"

    • Description:

      Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
  8. Delia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "born on the island of Delos"

    • Description:

      Delia is a somewhat neglected southern charmer that stands on its own but also might be short for Adelia or Cordelia.
  9. Edie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Edith

    • Meaning:

      "prosperous in war"

    • Description:

      Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a fashionable choice in the UK, where it has ranked just outside the Top 100 for several years.
  10. Eliot

    • Origin:

      Variation of Elliot

    • Meaning:

      "The Lord is my God"

    • Description:

      Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.
  11. Ellis

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Elijah or Elias or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "benevolent"

    • Description:

      Ellis, a surname used sparingly as a first in the Wallace/Morris period, sounds new now for girls, as a gender-neutral alternative to Ella or Alice. It debuted in the US Top 1000 for girls in 2015.-- Ellis has always been in the Top 1000 for boys -- and seems to be headed straight up. One of the most popular gender-neutral names, currently there are two baby boys named Ellis for every girl.
  12. Farrah

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "happiness"

    • Description:

      For a few seconds there in the late '70s, Farrah Fawcett's name was as frequently copied as her hairstyle; the name was Number 177 in 1977. Now, after many years off the charts and out of style, it's back, mostly thanks to a TV Teen Mom who bears the name.
  13. Fay

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fairy"

    • Description:

      Fay, also spelled Faye, who had been napping quietly since the 1930's, has, like cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae, sat up and started rubbing her eyes, ready for a mini-comeback, especially as a middle name. In 2014, Faye hopped back onto the US Top 1000, though Fay is used much more quietly as a first name.
  14. Gemma

    • Origin:

      Italian, Catalonian, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"

    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  15. Grace

    • Origin:

      English, virtue name

    • Description:

      Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
  16. Isla

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name or Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
  17. Jade

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "stone of the side"

    • Description:

      As a precious stone, Jade is known for its cool green hues, its importance in Chinese art, and its ability to transmit wisdom, confidence, and clarity. As a name, however, Jade is a 90s throwback in the UK, a Top 5 choice in France, and a returning gem in the US right now.
  18. Jana

    • Origin:

      International feminine variation of Jan

    • Description:

      A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.
  19. Jemma

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Gemma

    • Description:

      Jenna is overheated, but Jemma is still cool. Jemma and Gemma are most heard in Australia but are increasingly used in other countries.
  20. Johanna

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.