User-created list
By helenwhite · Updated January 2024
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of 34
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…
Color name
"deep reddish-brown"
With its rich aural relation to names like Aubrey and Audrey, this color name could be the next Amber, or Scarlett.
English nature name
"small stream"
Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous 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.…
Diminutive of Amanda, Latin
"she must be loved"
A seventies favorite, Mandy once appeared in the US Top 100, joined by the likes of Brandi, Kristy, Nancy, Lori, and Misty. By the mid-2000s, it had fallen out of favor, and while long form Amanda…
Ori is a delicate feminine name with multicultural roots. In Hebrew, it means "my light" derived from "or" (light), symbolizing enlightenment and hope. In Finnish mythology, Ori refers to a majestic…
Sanskrit
"awakening; enlightenment"
Bodhi relates to the Buddhist concept of enlightenment and has been a hot baby name in recent years, most notably for boys. Sunny yet calm, Bodhi conveys a state of being free from hatred and greed…
English word name or diminutive of Candace, Latin
"white, pure, sincere"
Too sugary sweet and inconsequential for a modern girl.
French and English from Latin
"bright, clear"
This simplified spelling of Claire does not improve on the more popular version.
English from Italian
"nightshade, beautiful lady"
Literally meaning "beautiful lady" in Italian, Belladonna is the name of a poisonous flower also known as nightshade. This connection gives an otherwise flowery name a darker, more dramatic edge.
"rich deep red"
Crimson could be a possible competitor for Scarlett's success, though it's lacking that Johansson charm. Crimson tends to be disproportionately popular in Alabama — the University of Alabama's…
Zaelynn is a contemporary feminine name that exemplifies modern naming trends with its distinctive 'Z' beginning and popular '-lynn' ending. This creative combination gives the name a unique quality…
Hebrew
"garden"
Carmel is a biblical place-name that is often used by Catholic parents around the world. It is given in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is the name of a mountain ridge on the Mediterranean near…
English
"lynx glade"
An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an…
"god has heard"
Short for Samantha or long for Sam, Sammy is a sweet midcentury nickname name that we can see coming back.
English diminutive of Deborah, Hebrew
"bee"
The quintessential friendly fifties name, nearly epidemic in its day. Now many grownup Debbies have reverted to the full and lovely form of their name, which modern parents often avoid because of the…
Diminutive of Samantha
"told by God"
Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were…
Greek
"royal"
This ancient Greek male name, well-used in Britain, also has an herbal quality that may explain its increasing use for girls. While as a name it rhymes with dazzle, the herb has a long a, making the…
"beautiful"
The Hebrew equivalent to the Yiddish Shayna, Yaffa is derived from the word yafe meaning "beautiful". Also written as Yafa, it is used as both a given name for girls and more generally as last name.…
English word name
"tenth month"
Cooler than April, May, or June, but also a tad icy. December gets its name from the number ten as the old Roman calendar only had ten months, and as now, December was the last.