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My favourite girls names beginning with R, S, T, V, X, Y & Z

ElsaAnne
By ElsaAnne
Updated Thu May 25 2023
  1. Violet

    • Origin:

      English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "purple"

    • Description:

      Violet is soft and sweet, yet with a vivacious edge. Today, Violet is the top flower name for girls, outranking Lily and Iris in the Top 100, and the second most popular color name for girls after Scarlett.
  2. Ruby

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "deep red precious stone"

    • Description:

      Vibrant, sassy, and bubbly, Ruby is a vintage gem that hasn't lost any of its sparkle. Currently popular in a number of English-speaking countries, Ruby is proof of the 100 Year Rule, trending again for the first time since its heyday in the 1910s.
  3. Rosalie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Rosalia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      Rosalie hit its apex in 1938 and then slid straight downhill until it fell off the U.S. Top 1000 completely in the 1980s, only to spring back to life in 2009 as the name of a character in the Twilight series. The beautiful vampire Rosalie Hale has breathed fresh life back into this mid-century name, and the fact that the character is both sympathetic and relatively minor means Rosalie has the chance to thrive again as a baby name without feeling unduly tied to Twilight.
  4. Sadie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sarah

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Sadie started as a nickname for Sarah, but their images couldn't be more disparate. Where Sarah is serious and sweet, Sadie is full of sass and fun.
  5. Zoe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100.
  6. Tessa

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theresa

    • Meaning:

      "to reap, to gather"

    • Description:

      Tessa is one of those golden names that's been popular but not TOO popular for several decades now. Tessa has ranked in the Top 500 in the US since 1981 but has risen only once above Number 200.
  7. Sophia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      Sophia, which was the Number 1 girls' name in the US from 2011 to 2013, is among the top girl names in the Western World, with a sensuous sound and high-minded meaning. A real winner, Sophia reached the top of the charts without losing any—okay, much—of its sophisticated beauty.
  8. Rosemary

    • Origin:

      Latin or English

    • Meaning:

      "dew of the sea, or rosemary (herb)"

    • Description:

      Despite appearances, Rosemary is not a "smoosh" name, not even a traditional one. The name derives from two Latin terms "Ros" meaning ‘dew’ and "Marinus" "meaning "of the sea". The plant was termed ‘dew of the sea’ due to its salty texture and its ability to thrive in coastal climes. Only after the Middle Ages did the English names of Rose and Mary become interchanged with the name Rosmarinus and give us the modern name we use today.
  9. Sabine

    • Origin:

      French and German form of Sabina, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "Sabine"

    • Description:

      This slightly more compact version of Sabina has ties to France and Germany. Unlike its sister name, Sabine has never charted in the United States Top 1000. Today, both names are given to roughly the same number of baby girls in the US, about 70 each year.
  10. Ruth

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "compassionate friend"

    • Description:

      Ruth, with its air of calm and compassion, was the third most popular name in the 1890s, remaining in the Top 10 through the 1920s. It's still in use today as some parents tiring of Rachel and Rebecca are giving Ruth a second thought. Some see such Old Testament girls’ names as Ruth and Esther rising on the heels of boy equivalents Abel and Moses.
  11. Verity

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "truth"

    • Description:

      If you love Puritan virtue names and want to move beyond Hope and Faith and Grace, this is a wonderful choice, both for its meaning and its sound. A rare find here, though occasionally heard in England. It was used in Winston Graham's Poldark novels, was Madonna's name as James Bond's fencing instructor in Die Another Day, and made a brief appearance in Harry Potter. Not to mention being a fixture on British and Australian soaps. Verity also appears in one of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries.
  12. Valentina

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Effortlessly stylish, with plenty of sweetness and strength, Valentina feels like a fresh alternative to Valerie, Victoria, or Vanessa.
  13. Romilly

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "citizen of Rome"

    • Description:

      Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world as a first name by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly John became Admiral of the Fleet in England.
  14. Tara

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rocky hill"

    • Description:

      Despite a rich history in Irish myth preceding its plantation appearance in Gone with the Wind, widespread use in the seventies caused Tara to lose its Irish accent.
  15. Tamara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "date palm tree"

    • Description:

      Adding a final a to Tamar lends it a more sensual Slavic tone, making it a more popular choice than the original.
  16. Sapphire

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Greek, and Latin jewel name

    • Meaning:

      "blue"

    • Description:

      Sapphire goes waaaaay beyond Ruby and Pearl. This September birthstone, occasionally used a century ago, might be worth a reappraisal, perhaps as a Sophie/Sophia alternative. Sapphire is the pseudonym of Romona Lofton, who wrote the book Push, which was turned into the movie Precious. Sapphire entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, and is proving to be one of the freshest gem names for girls. Another intriguing variation is the lovely Sapphira.
  17. Sara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Sara, the streamlined form of Sarah, makes this ancient name feel more modern, but perhaps a bit lighter weight.
  18. Sequoia

    • Origin:

      Native American, Cherokee

    • Meaning:

      "sparrow"

    • Description:

      This name of a giant tree, itself named for a nineteenth-century Cherokee who invented a way to write his tribe's language, makes a strong, stately statement.
  19. Samia

    • Description:

      Samia is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Arabic, it means 'elevated' or 'sublime,' while in Swahili traditions, it carries the meaning of 'one who is friendly.' The name also appears in Indian and Eastern European cultures. Samia features a pleasing rhythm with its three syllables and melodic flow. The name has gained modest popularity in diverse communities worldwide, appreciated for its international appeal and positive connotations. Its connection to qualities of friendship and elevation makes it meaningful while remaining accessible in pronunciation across different languages. Samia offers a beautiful option for parents seeking a name with cross-cultural resonance.

  20. Roxanna

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "little star"

    • Description:

      Spelled with one 'n', this was the name of the wife of Alexander the Great, and is more attractive than the better-known Roxanne.