Girls Names
- Jae
Description:
Jae is a versatile name with multiple cultural origins, primarily used for females in Western contexts though it can be unisex. In Korean culture, it appears as a component in many names, meaning elements like 'respect,' 'wealth,' or 'talent' depending on the Chinese character used. In Western usage, Jae often functions as a shortened form of names beginning with 'J' such as Janet, Jane, or Jasmine. The name's brevity gives it a modern, streamlined appeal that works well in contemporary naming trends. Its cross-cultural presence and simplicity make it globally accessible, while its short length ensures easy pronunciation across languages. Jae has seen modest usage since the late 20th century, appreciated for its minimalist style and cultural flexibility.
- Leela
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"play"Description:
While Leela may be a spelling variation of Lila or Leila, it's also an Indian name in its own right with a playful meaning. And unlike it's more popular Western sisters, Leela does not create pronunciation confusion.
- Lorelei
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"alluring, temptress"Description:
The lovely Lorelei, a name from old German legend, was a beautiful Rhine River seductress whose haunting voice led sailors to hazardous rocks that would cause them to be shipwrecked. And this siren image clung to the name for ages.
- Marianna
Origin:
Italian, Polish, EnglishMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"Description:
While Marianna looks like a spelling variation of Mariana, the two names have different etymologies. While the one-N spelling derives from the Roman name Marianus, Marianna is a combination of two classics, Maria and Anna, used in many European languages.
- Marie
Origin:
French variation of MaryMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
The ubiquitous French version of Mary came into the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. In the United States, Marie was a huge hit at the turn of the last century and for the ensuing fifty years, becoming the seventh most popular name in the country for three years, from 1901 to 1904.
- Meadow
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Meadow's upward popularity trajectory certainly suggests that the name has transcended its connection to The Sopranos.. In the US, more than 750 baby girls were named Meadow last year, a number we expect to keep rising.
- Paige
Origin:
English, occupational nameMeaning:
"page to a lord"Description:
Paige is more name, and less word than the occupational Page. Paige is also sleek and sophisticated a la Brooke and Blair and reached as high as Number 47 in 2003, when there was a very popular television show, Trading Spaces, hosted by the energetic Paige Davis.
- Rae
Origin:
English, diminutive of Rachel, HebrewMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
All the old ae/ay middle names for girls are back--Kay, Fay, Mae/May, --and Rae is one of the coolest, used as such by celebrities as Mark Wahlberg and Daniel Baldwin.
- Raphaela
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine variation of RaphaelMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
- Rosalie
Origin:
French variation of Rosalia, LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Rylie
Origin:
Spelling variation of RileyMeaning:
"rye clearing"Description:
Rylie is a spelling variation of the more-popular traditional Riley. In the US Top 1000 since 1997, it has peaked in 2004, 2008, and 2016 when it nearly reached the Top 300. It fell significantly in 2023, however, its popularity has always been bumpy. Riley, Rylee, and Ryleigh all rank above Rylie but when you combine all the spellings, it feels like a Top 20 name.
- Shaye
Description:
Shaye is a unisex name that leans feminine in contemporary usage. It has multiple possible origins, including as a variant of Shea (Irish, meaning 'admirable'), Shai (Hebrew, meaning 'gift'), or as a modern adaptation of the English word 'shy.' The name gained modest recognition in the 1990s and early 2000s as parents sought short, distinctive names with international flair. Shaye appeals particularly to those looking for names that work well in multiple cultures and are gender-flexible. Its brevity makes it modern and straightforward, while its soft sound gives it a gentle quality. Though never extremely common, Shaye maintains steady usage, particularly appreciated for its combination of simplicity and uniqueness.
- Skye
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
The e-addition takes the name from slightly hippie-ish nature name to the place name of a picturesque island off the coast of Scotland, and for baby namers it's by far the more popular spelling.
- Sophia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Tabitha
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"gazelle"Description:
Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.
- Teah
Description:
Teah is a serene feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Thea, derived from the Greek word meaning 'goddess,' specifically connected to Theia, the Titan goddess of light. Alternatively, it could be related to Leah from Hebrew origins or represent a modern, simplified spelling of Tia. The name carries a gentle, flowing quality with its soft sounds. Though relatively uncommon, Teah has gained modest popularity since the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. Parents are drawn to its brevity and contemporary feel while appreciating its subtle connection to mythological or biblical roots. The name's simplicity makes it easily pronounceable across cultures, contributing to its growing appeal as a modern yet accessible choice.
- Vianna
Description:
Vianna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, primarily connected to Latin and Romance languages. It may derive from the ancient Roman name 'Viviana,' meaning 'alive' or 'full of life,' or relate to geographical locations like Vienna (Wien) in Austria or Viana in Spain and Portugal. The name combines melodic qualities of names like Vivian and Anna, creating a flowing, elegant sound. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Vianna has seen modest usage in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions. The name carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell. Vianna offers parents a distinctive alternative to more common names like Vivian, Brianna, or Gianna, sharing similar sounds while maintaining its own identity. Its cross-cultural nature makes it adaptable across linguistic boundaries.
- Willow
Origin:
English nature nameMeaning:
"willow tree"Description:
An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
- Zoé