Baby girl names

Sidda

Literary name

Sidda is a name made famous by the heroine of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood; it probably started life as a nickname.

Carlyle

Variation of Carlisle, English

"from the walled city"

Might Carlyle (or Carlisle) be the next Carly, which of course was the update on Carla? In 2015, 14 girls were given the Carlisle spelling (vs. 35 boys) but the Carlyle version did not make the SSA…

Poet

English word name

A recently entered name on the roster, Poet was used for her daughter by Soleil Moon (Punky Brewster) Frye, who obviously appreciates the advantages of an unusual name. This is a possible middle name…

Merida

Latin

"one who has achieved a high place of honor"

You'll probably be hearing more of this name thanks to the newest Pixar film, featuring Princess Merida, the first Pixar princess--a feisty, athletic, independent medieval Scottish girl with wild red…

Tess

English, diminutive of Theresa

"to harvest"

Cosy and warm but with plenty of substance and strength, Tess is a literary diminutive that works perfectly well as a stand-alone name. Stylish in the Netherlands, it currently sits outside the Top…

Story

English word name

"an account of incidents or events"

An imaginative choice with an uptempo Cory/Rory/Tori sound, perfect for the child of a writer — or anyone with a good story to tell. Story has been finding some appreciation among celebs like…

Meryl

Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish

"of the bright sea"

Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique…

Grier

Scottish, spelling variation of Greer

"alert, watchful"

The spelling variation Greer may be much more popular, but this one might appeal to fans of Bryer and Brier. Given to 18 girls (and 8 boys) in the US in a recent year, Greer is used about five times…

Cybil

Cybil is a feminine name that represents a modern spelling variation of Sibyl or Sybil, derived from the Greek word 'sibylla,' meaning 'prophetess' or 'oracle.' In ancient Greek and Roman culture,…

Kalypso

Kalypso is a feminine name derived from Greek mythology, an alternative spelling of Calypso. In Homer's Odyssey, Calypso was a nymph who detained Odysseus on her island for seven years. The name…

Lux

Latin

"light"

This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides , originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in…

Tierneigh

Tierneigh is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative spelling variation of Tierney. The traditional Tierney originates as an Irish surname derived from 'Tighearnach,' meaning 'lord' or…