Haley GIRL names

Aisling is currently a very popular Irish name for girls. Pronounced variously as ASH-ling, ASH-lin or ash-LEEN, it was part of the revival of authentic Irish names in the twentieth century, and is now being sparingly used by U.S. parents in place of the dated Ashley--though often spelled phonetically as Ashlyn or Ashlynn.

Anwen is one of the simplest and best of the classic Welsh girls' names, more unusual than Bronwen but with the same serene feel.

Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."

Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name's only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann.

If you like soft, lispy Welsh names like Gwyneth, or want an alternative to Delilah, Adele, or Edith, consider this out-of-the-ordinary option.

This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.

Edenia is a feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly derived from Eden, the biblical paradise garden, combined with a feminine ending. It might also relate to the Latin 'edenia' referring to something edible or pleasurable. Some consider it a creative modern formation inspired by names like Edina or Edna. The name has an ethereal, dreamy quality with its flowing sounds and mythical resonance. Edenia remains quite rare, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive with pleasant phonetics and positive connotations. Its connection to Eden gives it subtle biblical undertones without being overtly religious. The name has occasionally appeared in fantasy literature and games, adding to its otherworldly associations.

Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. Back in the US Top 1000 as of 2023 and rising rapidly up the UK charts, where it sits in the Top 200, Etta is a snappy, smart and sparky choice.

Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the Middle Ages, there are some modern women named Ferelith, including actress Ferelith Young and Princess of Denmark Anne Ferelith Fenella Bowes-Lyon.

This unusual (to non-Welsh speakers) is near the top of the charts in Wales, carried by the recent taste for native Welsh names. Those in Wales say it's already on the way down, but for outsiders wanting to honor their Welsh heritage, it still makes an intriguing choice.

This phonetic version of the Welsh Cerys might be easier for Americans, certainly, to understand, but it does lose some poetry in translation.

A bit of a tongue-twister.

If you're looking for an unusual alternative to all those Rose names, Rhoswen might be a good choice. This name has the soft sounds we've come to love from the Welsh language but is still not as familiar as Bronwen and Rhiannon.

Wendolyn is a feminine name that appears to be a variant of Gwendolyn, a name with Welsh origins meaning 'white ring' or 'blessed ring.' By dropping the initial 'G,' Wendolyn creates a slightly more distinctive version while maintaining the melodic quality of the original. Though significantly less common than Gwendolyn, it shares the same medieval charm and literary associations. Wendolyn has a gentle strength in its sound, with the softened beginning giving it a slightly different cadence than its more popular counterpart. The name might appeal to parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon, with connections to Celtic heritage. While rare in contemporary usage, Wendolyn wouldn't seem out of place alongside other traditional names experiencing revival, offering uniqueness without being completely unfamiliar.