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Girl Names That Deserve More Recognition

onomasticsnerd
By onomasticsnerd
Updated Tue Jun 17 2025
Lovely and usable girl names that are underused but have a similar feel to popular names.
  1. Tamsin

    • Origin:

      English, contracted form of Thomasina

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes, Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan Plowright and Sir Laurence Olivier..
  2. Fia

    • Origin:

      Irish, Portuguese, Italian

    • Meaning:

      "wild, weaver"

    • Description:

      Fia may be most notable at this moment as the Anglicized version of the Irish Fiadh, one of the fastest-rising names in the Republic of Ireland. The meaning of Fia or Fiadh is sometimes given as "deer" but that's in the sense of a wild deer, as the name relates to the ancient word for wild.
  3. Maven

    • Origin:

      Word name or Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "one who understands"

    • Description:

      In English, the word 'maven' refers to an expert or connoisseur, someone who possesses deep knowledge. Comedian Tracy Morgan brought this name into the spotlight when he chose it for his daughter, Maven Sonae, in 2013. Now, over 100 newborn girls in the US are given this name each year.
  4. Liora

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      A beautiful Hebrew name that would work perfectly for a child today.
  5. Eliora

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is my light"

    • Description:

      A pretty and melodic name of Hebrew origin that combines the elements el referring to God, li meaning "for me", and or meaning "light". The name entered the UK Top 1000 for the first time in 2023, and it's easy to understand why. With its rich vowel sounds and playful elegance, Eliora shares the sounds of other popular choices like Eleanor, Eliana, Aurora, and Elodie, while also remaining distinctive.
  6. Zella

    • Origin:

      African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella

    • Meaning:

      "lacking nothing, one who knows the way"

    • Description:

      Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.
  7. Aviva

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "springlike, fresh, dewy"

    • Description:

      Aviva is vivacious and memorable, a fresh spin on the Vivian and Vivienne names that have been getting more popular since Angelina and Brad chose one for their twin daughter. Another A-beginning palindrome name: Aziza.
  8. Alethea

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "truth"

    • Description:

      Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now as one of the goddess names stylish for baby girls.
  9. Giada

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "jade"

    • Description:

      Popular in its native Italy, Giada has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Television cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility — then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.
  10. Isabeau

    • Origin:

      French variation of Isabel

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.
  11. Euphemia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "fair speech"

    • Description:

      Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.
  12. Annora

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "honor"

    • Description:

      Annora is a noble name, a distinctive twist on its most essential form: Honor. Other variations to explore include Honora and Nora.
  13. Wrenna

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wren"

    • Description:

      The Old English word for a male wren has now become an elaboration of the bird name for girls. Rising up alongside Wrenley, Renli, Wrenn, Wrenlynn, and so on, in the US, Wrenna was given to 67 girls in a recent year — double the number it was chosen for the year prior. This number could rise, not only because Wren names are in vogue, but because Wrenna may feel more grounded, owing to its similarity to Jenna, Rowena, and Olenna.
  14. Adora

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "adored"

    • Description:

      A name that would lavish your child with adoration, a princess name--as in Princess Adora of She-Ra: Princess of Power.
  15. Fianna

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "band of warriors"

    • Description:

      Fianna, a virtually unknown Irish name in the US, combines the best elements of Fiona and Brianna. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Fianna were independent bands of warriors. It has ranked in Northern Ireland's Top 100 for girls several times over the past decade. The name also has potential political connotations: Fianna Fáil is a conservative Irish republican political party.
  16. Aziza

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "powerful and beloved"

    • Description:

      Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a Turkish variation is Azize. In African mythology, the Azizi are a supernatural race of forest dwellers who give practical and spiritual advice.
  17. Adelaine

    • Origin:

      Variation of Adeline or Adelaide, a compound name blending Adele and Elaine

    • Meaning:

      "noble; noble light"

    • Description:

      With Adelyn, Adelaide, Adeline, Ada, Lainey, Delaney, and Elena all in the charts, Adelaine remains surprisingly underused. Given to just 40 girls in the US in 2024, it makes a distinctive but familiar alternative to the other Ad- names in the charts and comes with the built in nicknames Lainey, Laine, Della, Addie and Ada. Beauty influencer and vlogger Adelaine Morin might draw more people's attention to the name in coming years, or perhaps it will be dismissed as it might feel more popular than it actually is.
  18. Carmilla

    • Description:

      Carmilla is a feminine name with literary origins, most famously associated with Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 Gothic novella featuring a female vampire character named Carmilla, predating even Bram Stoker's Dracula. The name likely derives from 'Carmela' or 'Carmel,' which has Hebrew origins meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard of God.' Carmilla has a flowing, romantic sound with its melodic syllables and gentle ending. While uncommon in most English-speaking countries, it offers an intriguing alternative to more familiar names like Camilla or Carmela. The Gothic literary connection gives it a mysterious, somewhat dramatic flair that might appeal to parents with an appreciation for classic literature or unconventional name choices that still maintain feminine elegance.

  19. Naiara

    • Origin:

      Basque place name

    • Description:

      Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
  20. Liviana

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "envious"

    • Description:

      Somehow sounds even posher than Lavinia. A lushly beautiful name, in the trendy ancient style, marred only by a negative meaning.