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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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Liora

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      A beautiful Hebrew name that would work perfectly for a child today.
  11. Cerelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "relating to springtime"

    • Description:

      Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Ellison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Ellis"

    • Description:

      Updates Allison—which everyone will misunderstand it as. But it's definitely a fresh spin on the Ellie names, and a rising surname name choice for girls.
  15. Iva

    • Origin:

      Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Slovak, Czech, English

    • Meaning:

      "willow tree; God is gracious; yew tree; bow warrior"

    • Description:

      Short, sweet, and sharp, this multicultural choice is currently popular in Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While not in the charts elsewhere, it is familiar in English speaking countries, and in the Netherlands.
  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. 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.

  18. Aven

    • Origin:

      Botanical name or Irish

    • Meaning:

      "white flower, beautiful sheen"

    • Description:

      Variant of Eaven, an Anglicization of Aoibheann. As a botanical name, it refers to a type of pretty white flower which thrives in mountainous regions.
  19. Lucelia

    • Origin:

      English variation of Lucilia

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      A variant of the ancient roman Lucilia. Add an accent and Lucélia is a municipality in Brazil and the name of actress Lucélia Santos.
  20. Odilia

    • Origin:

      Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "wealth, fortune"

    • Description:

      Though it has never charted in the United States, this frilly name has the elements some brave, modern namers might find attractive—namely, the initial O and the -ia suffix.