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Uncommon Place Names for Girls

Asphodel
By Asphodel
Updated Mon May 08 2023
Because your daughter shouldn't have to be known by her last initial in a sea of Brooklyns, Camdens, Sydneys, and Finlays for the first two decades of her life.
  1. Aberdeen

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name

    • Description:

      This undiscovered Scottish port city name has a nice, upbeat feel and lots of good nickname possibilities.
  2. Abilene

    • Origin:

      English from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "grass"

    • Description:

      Abilene is a rarely used place name, mentioned as such in the New Testament, that combines the cowboy spunk of the Texas city with the midwestern morality of the Kansas town where Dwight D. Eisenhower spent his boyhood. Abilene is a much more untrodden path to the nickname Abbie/Abbie than the Top 10 Abigail.
  3. Acadia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "idyllic place"

    • Description:

      Acadia, the French name for Nova Scotia and the name of a gorgeous national park in Maine makes a fresh, rhythmic choice for your little girl. Acadia is an original yet accessible member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
  4. 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.
  5. Adelaide

    • Origin:

      Variant of Adelheidis, German

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"

    • Description:

      Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.
  6. Africa

    • Origin:

      Place name, various meanings

    • Description:

      Most Africas today would be named for the continent, but the name actually existed in Scotland in medieval times, where there was a Celtic queen named Affrica. Africa has also been a Spanish name for girls since 1421. The church of the Virgin "Nuestra Senora de Africa" is in Ceuta, the Spanish city she is Patron of, in North Africa.
  7. Ailsa

    • Origin:

      Scottish from Norse

    • Meaning:

      "elf victory"

    • Description:

      Ailsa is a traditional Scottish name for girls related to a rocky island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. It might make an interesting alternative to the outdated Ashley or overly popular Ella, and could also be thought of as a relative of Elizabeth or Elsa.
  8. Akita

    • Origin:

      Japanese place name

    • Meaning:

      "field of rice"

    • Description:

      Also a dog breed
  9. Alaska

    • Origin:

      Native American

    • Meaning:

      "great land"

    • Description:

      State name Alaska stems from an Aleutian word for the land mass itself. The number of baby girls named Alaska has doubled in the past five years, and is sure to continue increasing as more place names are annexed as baby names. Wilder but as habitable as Dakota or Cheyenne, Alaska is a girls' name choice for the future.
  10. Albany

    • Origin:

      Scottish place name

    • Description:

      Not yet on the place-name map, this name has Shakespearean ties via the Duke Of Albany character in King Lear.
  11. Aldan

    • Description:

      Aldan is a feminine name with Celtic and Gaelic origins, though it's also used as a masculine name in some traditions. The name is thought to derive from elements meaning 'old' or 'wise' combined with 'river' or 'water,' suggesting ancient wisdom flowing like a stream. In Scottish geography, the River Aldan may have influenced the name's usage. As a feminine name, Aldan carries a distinctive quality that balances strength with fluidity. The name remains relatively uncommon, offering a unique alternative to more popular Celtic-inspired names. Its gentle sound combined with strong consonants gives it a balanced quality that works well across cultures. Aldan appeals to parents seeking a name with natural elements and Celtic heritage while avoiding more mainstream options.

  12. Alhambra

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      The Alhambra, which means "red city," is in Granada, Spain. British writer Ali Smith used it for a character in her novel The Accidental.
  13. Amara

    • Origin:

      Igbo, Sanskrit, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "grace, immortal, tribe"

    • Description:

      Strong, attractive, and stylish, Amara is a true multicultural choice enjoying some popularity in both the US and the UK. In the US Top 1000 since the turn of this century, Amara has been holding steady in the rankings between overly popular and obscure.
  14. America

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
  15. Arizona

    • Origin:

      Place-name from Papago Indian

    • Meaning:

      "little springs"

    • Description:

      We usually think of place-names as a modern invention, but in fact Arizona ranked on the US Top 1000 from its inception in 1880 until 1911, when it vanished below the surface. It peaked at Number 510 in 1882, before Arizona became a state. One notorious vintage bearer: criminal "Ma" Barker, born Arizona Clark.
  16. Asia

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      This still attractive place name was one of the first to gain popularity, though it now probably owes some of its favor to the similar Aisha. Asia ranked as high as Number 195 on the US baby names popularity list in 1997.
  17. Asmara

    • Description:

      Asmara is a feminine name with beautiful cultural significance. It shares its name with the capital city of Eritrea in East Africa, giving it geographical importance. The name has origins in Arabic and Ethiopian languages, where it can mean 'love' or 'she who is loved.' In Sanskrit traditions, Asmara can relate to romantic love or desire. The name flows melodically with its three syllables and gentle ending, giving it a soft yet distinctive quality. Asmara remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth and uniqueness while carrying warm, affectionate meanings.
  18. Auburn

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Meaning:

      "deep reddish-brown"

    • Description:

      With its rich aural relation to names like Aubrey and Audrey, this color name could be the next Amber, or Scarlett.
  19. Avalon

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "island of apples"

    • Description:

      Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
  20. Avila

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"

    • Description:

      An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired, wished for" and "water, island".