Girl Names Ending in Consonants
- Neve
Origin:
Anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh or Italian and PortugueseMeaning:
"snow"Description:
Introduced to the American public by actress Neve Campbell; it was her Dutch-born mother's maiden name. Neve is an interesting and fresh new possibility, one which Conan O'Brien chose for his daughter.
- Rosamund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"horse protection"Description:
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation.
- Adele
Origin:
French diminutive of AdelaideMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Credit the award-winning single-named British singer for taking the girls’ name Adele from a quiet semi-retirement back into currency. Adele reentered the US Top 1000 popular baby names in 2011 and has remained there ever since.
- Isobel
Origin:
Scottish variation of IsabelMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
The Scottish spelling of Isabel has a definite character of her own, the 'o' giving her an extra infusion of strength but also an element of confusion. How do you pronounce that? Answer: Exactly like Isabel or Isabelle.
- Mireille
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"to admire"Description:
A pretty name that may pose pronunciation problems for non-French speakers or those who've never encountered it, but it is worth the effort. Pronounced meer-AY (or closer to MEE-RAY in French), it comes from the Occitan word mirar meaning "to admire".
- Haven
Origin:
Word name, EnglishMeaning:
"a place of safety"Description:
Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
- Love
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"love"Description:
Love makes an endearing middle name, as in Jennifer Love Hewitt. However, more parents are considering Love as a first name — enough for it to enter the charts for the first time in 2022 as one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Other love-related alternatives include Juliet, Valentina, and Amor.
- Maud
Origin:
English and French diminutive of Matilda, GermanMeaning:
"battle-mighty"Description:
Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude is another spelling, associated with actress Maude Apatow.
- Vale
Origin:
Geographical nameDescription:
Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie put this name of a geographical feature on the baby name map when she chose it for her newborn daughter, Vale Guthrie Feldman. Vale might be considered part nature name, part place name: A vale is a kind of valley, often used in poetry. This truly unique choice doesn't even register on the US extended list of names given to five babies or more, but we expect Vale to register as parents are inspired by Guthrie and husband Mike Feldman's creative choice. More prosaicly, Vale might be a short form of Valerie or Valentina.
- Anaïs
Description:
Anaïs is a feminine name of Provençal origin, derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' The distinctive dieresis over the 'i' creates its characteristic pronunciation (ah-nah-EES). The name gained international recognition through notable bearers like author Anaïs Nin. Popular in France and French-speaking regions for generations, it has seen increased usage in English-speaking countries since the 1990s, appealing to parents seeking an elegant name with European sophistication. Anaïs combines melodic beauty with literary associations, making it both cultured and accessible while remaining relatively distinctive in most Western countries.
- Geneviève
Description:
Geneviève is a feminine name of French origin with deep historical roots. Derived from the Germanic name Genovefa, it combines elements meaning 'tribe' or 'race' and 'woman.' The name is most famously associated with Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, who lived in the 5th century and is credited with saving the city through prayer during Attila the Hun's invasion. The name carries an air of elegance and sophistication, particularly with the French spelling featuring the accent mark. Geneviève has remained consistently present in French-speaking regions and has gained international recognition for its melodic quality and historical significance. The name exudes classical femininity with a touch of strength, making it appealing to parents drawn to names with both cultural depth and graceful sounds.
- Thais
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"beloved, bandage"Description:
A paramour of Alexander the Great and the heroine of a Jules Massenet opera based on the life of a fourth century Egyptian saint, this name is nothing if not dramatic. Often spelled with a diaeresis or umlaut -- aka two dots -- over the letter i, Thais is a Top 100 girls' name in France and is also popular in Spain.
- Lake
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
This body of water runs deep; the best of a group of new possibilities that includes Bay, Ocean, River, and the more established Brook. It has received attention via the actress Lake Bell. Lake would make a particularly cool and refreshing middle name, as Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady did for daughter Vivian.
- Beryl
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sea-green jewel"Description:
Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
- Plum
Origin:
Fruit nameDescription:
British-born novelist Plum Sykes has taken this rich, fruity name out of the produce section and put it into the baby name basket. It's more appealing than Apple, more presentable than Peaches. The French equivalent, Prune, is very fashionable there but would not fly with English speakers.
- Ottoline
Origin:
French and English, diminutive of OttolieMeaning:
"prospers in battle"Description:
Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter Marlowe.
- Elinor
Origin:
Spelling variation of EleanorDescription:
Slimmed down spelling is well-established and makes an old name more modern, for better and worse. Katie Couric spells her Elinor's name this way.
- Amandine
Origin:
French, diminutive of AmandaMeaning:
"much-loved"Description:
This fragrant, almond-scented name has hardly been heard in this country, which is a pity--we've loved it since John Malkovich used it for his now grown daughter.
- Mathilde
Origin:
French; Norwegian; Danish; Dutch; German, variation of MatildaMeaning:
"battle-mighty"Description:
Mathilde is even more popular in France than Matilda, a hipster favorite thanks to Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger, is here. And the French pronunciation, while confusing to English speakers, makes it softer and prettier than the version we're more familiar with. It's also very popular in Denmark and Noway, pronounced closer to the English variant.
- Vivien
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Vivien (Scarlett O'Hara) Leigh was born Vivian. Some sources give Vivien as a relative of the Irish goddess name Bebinn and a literary name invented by Tennyson. Others say it's related to the Latin-based Viviana, meaning life. This spelling of the name is as legitimate as many others.