A - Girls' Names

Aeronwy is a feminine Welsh name pronounced roughly as "air-ON-wee." It gained recognition as the name of Dylan Thomas's daughter, Aeronwy Thomas-Ellis, who became a poet and writer herself. The name has roots in Welsh geography, as Afon Rhonwy is a river in Wales, with "afon" meaning "river" in Welsh. Aeronwy embodies the lyrical quality characteristic of Welsh names, with its flowing sounds and unique letter combinations. Though rare outside Wales, it represents an authentic piece of Welsh heritage and carries poetic associations through its connection to the Thomas literary legacy. The name may appeal to parents with Welsh ancestry or those drawn to names with authentic Celtic origins. Despite its unfamiliarity to many English speakers, Aeronwy has a musical quality that can transcend cultural boundaries.

An early day name worthy of consideration today for someone seeking a truly unusual name.

Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.

Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."

The brightest star in Ursa Major, this is one of the major navigational stars used by ships.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple has opened the world of botanical names beyond flowers to trees, herbs, fruits, and — why not — nuts. Cayley and Brandon Jenner have a daughter named Joan Almond.

Amaranta is the unusual and intriguing Latinate form of the Greek botanical name Amarantha, which connects to an eternal mythical figure. An excellent choice for the parent who wants an A name but wishes to move beyond the usual complement of names from Amelia to Annabel.

Amargo is an uncommon feminine name with Latin roots, derived from the Spanish word meaning 'bitter' or 'sour.' Despite this literal meaning, the name has a melodic, intriguing quality with its flowing syllables and distinctive ending. In some contexts, Amargo might be interpreted more positively as representing strength through adversity or a person with complexity and depth. The name has literary and poetic qualities, making it appeal to parents seeking something truly distinctive. While rare in most naming traditions, Amargo might appeal to families with Spanish-language heritage or those drawn to names with unusual linguistic origins. The bold character of this name suggests a strong, independent personality who forges her own path.

If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you.

This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.

Amparo is a medieval name related to the Virgin Mary most closely associated with the city of Valencia, in Spain. Although it does not appear at all on the most recent US name roster, meaning it was used for fewer than five babies last year, it was used in the US throughout the 20th century.