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Favorite Names

  1. Zoya

    • Origin:

      Russian and Greek variation of Zoe, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.
  2. Giovanna

    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Giovanni

    • Description:

      Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
  3. Snow

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      There's definitely a cold front of names for winter babies moving in, with Summer, Spring and Autumn giving way to Winter--plus North, January, Frost--and Snow. This name feels brisk, fresh, pure, evocative -- and magical. A haunting middle name choice.
  4. Vittoria

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Victoria, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      An appealing Italianate alternative to the classic queenly Victoria, though in Anglophone countries it will be forever misunderstood as Victoria. Could be an appealing long form for a girl called not Vicky or Tory but Vita.
  5. Anaise

    • Origin:

      Variation of Anais

    • Description:

      Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
  6. Rhonwen

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "slender, fair"

    • Description:

      The delicate and haunting Welsh Rhonwen is still a rarity in the U.S., where her English version Rowena is better known, but would be a lovely choice for any parent in search of a name that was both unusual and traditional, classically feminine yet strong.
  7. Marcheline

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "warrior"

    • Description:

      Marcheline was the first name of Angelina Jolie's late mother, who was part French-Canadian, which Jolie and Brad Pitt used as the middle name for their twin daughter Vivienne. The name is related to the Latin Marcellus and Marcus, which come from Mars, the name of the God of War, and is often spelled Marceline. Jolie's mother's birth name was Marcia Lynne.
  8. Mirabella

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Mirabelle

    • Meaning:

      "wonderful"

    • Description:

      The short-lived magazine edited by former Vogue chief Grace Mirabella put this beautiful name off-limits for a while, but now it's perfectly fit to join the fashionable Bella pantheon. More distinctive than Isabella.
  9. Adalia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, German, "God is my refuge; noble one"

    • Meaning:

      "God is my refuge; noble one"

    • Description:

      Distinctive, elegant, and luxurious, Adalia can be a variation of Adele, or a Hebrew name with a Biblical background. Although it is given exclusively to girls in the US, in the Bible it is masculine. The similar Adlai might be easier to wear for boys in English speaking countries, while Adalia fits in with Adeline, Amelia, and Dahlia.
  10. Giuliana

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Juliana

    • Meaning:

      "youthful"

    • Description:

      Italian names like Gianna, Giovanna, Ginevra, Giulia, and Giuliana are being used increasingly by trendy baby namers — whether they have Italian roots or not. The Gi standing in for the more conventional J at the beginning seems to automatically make a name more appealing to some, perhaps because it gets you to nickname Gigi.
  11. Bijou

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "jewel"

    • Description:

      Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
  12. Calais

    • Origin:

      French place-name

    • Description:

      Undiscovered name of picturesque northern French port.
  13. Elisabetta

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      This version softens, feminizes, and glamorizes the long-time favorite. A fresh way to honor Grandma Betty. Elizabetta is a variation.
  14. Ophelie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Ophelia

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Though this name properly takes an accent over the first e, most Americans would probably have trouble pronouncing it with French elan.
  15. Tosca

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "from Tuscany"

    • Description:

      Tosca is one operatic heroine that has never taken off as a baby name -- there were no babies named Tosca in the US last year -- but it's the name of entrepreneur Elon Musk's sister so may benefit from some referred publicity.
  16. Ismay

    • Origin:

      Possible variation of Esme

    • Meaning:

      "esteemed, beloved"

    • Description:

      The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
  17. Boheme

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Description:

      "Girls Gone Child" blogger Rebecca Woolf made Boheme a first name when she gave it to one of her twin daughters (the other one's name is Reverie). La Boheme -- "The Bohemian" -- is a Puccini opera that was transmogrified into the modern play Rent. Boheme means a literary or artistic person who lives outside conventional society.
  18. Fiammetta

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "little fiery one"

    • Description:

      Fiammetta, from the Italian word for flame, has both femininity and fire. Fiammetta could make a good alternative to more conventional Italian girls' names like Giovanna.
  19. Marcelle

    • Description:

      Marcelle is the feminine form of Marcel, a name with Latin origins derived from 'Marcellus,' a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars,' the Roman god of war. Popular in France and other French-speaking regions, Marcelle carries an elegant, classic quality. The name has historical significance, having been borne by several saints and notable figures throughout European history. While more common in previous generations, Marcelle has the timeless sophistication that could appeal to parents seeking a name with French flair and historical depth. The name balances femininity with strength, and its familiar sound pattern makes it accessible despite being relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries today. Marcelle offers the appeal of vintage names while maintaining a distinctive international character.

  20. Victoire

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.