Anna Banana's List of Girl Names

Skylar

Spelling variation of Schuyler, Dutch

"scholar"

Skylar is a name with a hint of both edginess and whimsy and it makes for a nature-inspired choice that is neither too wordy nor too floral. Popular since the 90s, Skylar has remained in the US Top…

Amaya

Spanish version of Amaia or Japanese

"mother city; the end; night rain"

The Spanish form of Amaya is both a given name and a surname, originating from the Spanish mountain and village of Amaya. In this context it means "mother city" or "the capital." Amaya can also be…

Kiara

English variation of Chiara, Italian, Ciara, Irish, or Aboriginal Australian, Korean

"light, clear; little dark one; cockatoo; first ray of sun"

Kiara can be considered a variation of both the Italian name Chiara and the Irish name Ciara. Chiara is the Italian form of Clara, meaning "bright" or "clear," while Ciara is the feminine form of…

Brooke

English

"small stream"

Brooke has long projected an aura of sleek sophistication, and can also be seen as a stylish water name. It was Brooke Shields (born Christa) who took it from quietly fashionable to ultra trendy when…

Marlowe

Variation of Marlow, English

"driftwood"

Marlowe is very much in the air, with its lovely -o ending and the modern twist it offers on the likes of Margaret, Margot, Martha, and Marlene. But is it Marlowe, Marlow, or Marlo? Well, for a girl…

Aleena

Arabic

"soft, delicate"

A twist on Alina or Alena, this name popped into the Top 500 for the first time in 2014. Also an Arabic name, meaning "soft, pliable, delicate".

Coraline

Variation of Coralie, French from Latin

"coral"

Coraline may not be original to Neil Gaiman's wonderful book of the same name, but it might as well be. Gaiman's young heroine Coraline Jones is constantly called Caroline but as a name Coraline is…

Keilani

Hawaiian

"heaven, sky, glorious chief"

Keilani is among the fastest rising girls' names in some US states, a once- unusual name perhaps popularized by its similarity to both Leilani and Kayla. Its rhythmic appeal cannot be denied.

Guinevere

Welsh

"white shadow, white wave"

Guinevere was the name of the beautiful but ill-fated queen of Camelot, for so many years eclipsed by its modern Cornish form Jennifer. Today, Guinevere could be a cool possibility for adventurous…

Ashlyn

Variation of Aislinn, Irish

"dream"

Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been…

Isadora

Greek

"gift of Isis"

For a long time, Isadora has been overlooked in favor of Isabella, owing perhaps to its association with the tragic modern dancer, Isadora Duncan, or because parents would rather their daughter be a…

Atlas

Greek

"bearer of the heavens"

While Atlas is a decidedly male god and this name is in the US Top 300 for boys, it is used for an increasingly significant number of baby girls in the US. And undeniably, it's a name that imparts…

Larissa

English, German, and Portuguese variation of Larisa, Greek and Russian

"citadel"

Daintily pretty without being frilly, Larissa is familiar but more quietly used than its sound-alikes Melissa and Alyssa. Though this is the more common variation in the Western World, the original…

Marissa

Variation of Maris or a combination of Maria + Louisa

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"

Pretty feminissima name that never became as overused as cousin Melissa. The more streamlined Maris is a more modern sounding option. Namesakes include Marissa Mayer, the former CEO of Yahoo!. The…

Coral

English word name

"a rock like substance formed by sea creatures; pinkish-red; gemstone"

A color name, a gemstone name, and an ocean-inspired choice, Coral has a lot going for it with its sharp C sounds yet sweet vintage feel. Unlike Scarlett or Violet, however, it is only quietly used…

Marin

Latin

"of the sea"

Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina. As a place-name, Marin is pronounced with the…

Galia

Galia is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'wave of God' or 'God will redeem,' while in Russian and Slavic languages, it serves as a diminutive of Galina, meaning…

Alysia

Alysia is a feminine name that represents a variation of Alicia, which itself derives from the Greek name Alice meaning 'noble' or 'of noble kind.' This elegant spelling variant emerged in the…

Leonna

Leonna is a feminine name that evolved as a variant of Leona, which derives from the Latin word "leo" meaning "lion." It carries connotations of strength, courage, and nobility. The added double 'n'…

Angelie

Angelie is a feminine name derived from 'angel,' ultimately from Greek 'angelos' meaning 'messenger.' This variation adds a soft, feminine ending to the traditional Angela or Angelica. Popular in the…