User-created list
By alyshadragonfriend · Updated July 2023
Across 45 pages
of 45
Mineral name
Jett is part of a growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Lou, Teddy, and co. With a cool girl image, this punkish nature name may appeal. Lisa Ling made Jett an option for girls when…
Diminutive of Joanna or Josephine, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
The name Jo still evokes the spunky image of the character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women . Its literary status makes Jo one of the OG boyish nicknames for girls, ala Frankie, Billie, and…
Latin
"fortunate one"
A name with several distinguished namesakes: the wife of ancient Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a famous Italian opera singer, and two Catholic saints--making it both substantial and unusual.
German, diminutive of Margarethe
"pearl"
Like Greta, Gretchen is a German Margaret diminutive that has become an American quasi-classic, though not much used today, having dropped off the list in 2009. She was at her high point in the…
Flower name, from Greek
"blue larkspur; precious stone"
Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unusual flower name. In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was…
Italian and Spanish from German Irmhild
"all-consuming fight, great battle"
Derived from the German Irmhild, Imelda is a warm and pretty name with a battle-worthy feel and meaning. A saintly choice, borne by Imelda Lambertini, a 14th-century Italian Catholic said to have…
Gizelle is a feminine name that serves as a variant of Giselle, which derives from the Germanic word 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' (in the ancient sense of a peace treaty). This elegant name…
Spanish for Greek flower name
"hyacinth"
Jacinta, the Spanish word for hyacinth, is a lot softer and sweeter than the English version. The correct Spanish pronunciation is ha-SEEN-ta, though many English speakers would say ja-SIN-ta.…
Greek
"lover of singing"
See PHILOMENA.
Color name
Grey is the more common spelling in Britain and Australia. This color name has a softness and ambiguity which makes it equally lovely for a boy or a girl.
Mande from Arabic
"captivating, a woman who abstains"
A West African version of the Arabic name Fatima, also used by diaspora communities, e.g. in France. The name of the fruit soda brand was created by the German branch of Coca-Cola in 1940. It derives…
Word name
Talk about pressure! Too much name for any little girl to bear.
Finnish place name; Japanese
"loaded with rice"
A unisex cultural crossover that has seen a little use from the 1990s onwards. In Japanese mythology, Inari is an androgynous deity associated with rice, tea and foxes. In Finland, it is the name of…
Arabic
"beloved, sweetheart"
A name whose sweet sound matches with its meaning, Habiba is popular in Somalia and North Africa. It comes from the Arabic habib meaning "dear, beloved", making it a bright and endearing choice.
Arabic, Basque, Hausa
"shawl; star; section of tree"
Attractive, rhythmic choice with roots in several languages and cultures. It's a lesser-known a celestial name, meaning "star" in Basque and referring to a star in the constellation Boötes in Arabic.
"the sea"
Another culture's take on the Hailey/Halle phenomenon.
Latin from Greek
"cheerful, happy"
Hilary (also spelled with two 'l's) is a hot potato of a name, so closely identified with Sen. Clinton that it's hard for most parents to see it as a baby name. A pity, really, as it's got so much…
Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian variation of Isadora, Greek
"gift of Isis"
The Isidora spelling, though equally legitimate, is about 90 percent less common than Isadora.
French, diminutive of Jeanne
"God is gracious"
Jeannette is a feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive of Jeanne (the French form of Jane/Joan). Ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, the root of John meaning 'God…
Diminutive of Jennifer, variation of Gina, English, Arabic, "white wave; paradise"
"white wave; paradise"
Jena is a succinct name with a number of different roots, making it a versatile choice. On one hand, it might be used as a diminutive for the 70s favorite Jennifer, a name of Cornish origin that was…
