Girls names I enjoy

Lyra is a name with ancient and celestial roots that's finding new popularity thanks to its starring role in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, seen in the movie The Golden Compass. Simple yet unique, Lyra hits the sweet spot between too popular and too unusual.

Audrey is one of the girls' names that have been rising due to their connection to Old Hollywood glamour — in this case the eternally chic and radiant Audrey Hepburn. Audrey has another very different appeal as one of the elite group of girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful.

Elena is at its most popular point ever in the US, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and the overall popularity of El- names. It's more international than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible.

Portia is a perfect role-model name, relating to Shakespeare's brilliant and spirited lawyer in The Merchant of Venice, and is now also a Hunger Games name .

Mystical and intriguing, this vintage name has an unexpectedly modern feel. Conjuring up imagery of glowing evening light, Twyla could appeal as as alternative to Lila, as a nature-inspired option, or for the grown-up fans of the Stephanie Meyer's vampire series, Twilight.

Twyla — also spelled Twila — has a number of possible origins. On one hand, it could be simply inspired by the word "twilight", connecting it to the time of evening when the sun is below the horizon. Alternatively, it could come from the word "twill", a type of textile weave that creates a sturdy fabric, or, it could be inspired by the French Étoile (said EH-TWAL), meaning "star".

Associated with choreographer Twyla Tharp, a waitress in the television series Schitt's Creek, and a Monster High character Twyla Boogeyman, Twyla was also used by Toni Morrison in her short story, Recitatif, which was reissued in 2022.

Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".

A common choice in Greece, Eleni is starting to rise in the US too thanks to its bouncy rhythm and cool -i ending. Also familiar in England and Wales, Eleni was chosen for 255 girls in the US in 2024, placing it just outside the Top 1000.

Beguiling and lovely, Laila is one of the lilting variations of Leila and Layla. It's the name of the former-boxer daughter of Muhammad Ali and of actor Shawn Wayans. In Finland, the Sami people use this in place of the Scandinavian name Helga.

Brenna is a feminine form of the Irish surname Brennan, or perhaps a variation of Brenda or Brendan—all of which have different meanings. Whatever its derivation or authenticity, it's a modern sounding name which has steadily decreased in popularity since 1995 when it peaked at Number 235 in the United States.

The disgraced heroine of The Scarlet Letter's name, after long neglect, just might have a chance at revival, following in the wake of sister-name Esther. We've characterized her elsewhere as an eccentric aristocrat, much more accepted in the U.K. than she has been here.

Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.

A short, breezy name with a sophisticated yet upbeat image, that doesn't betray its Irish roots. Bree first came to notice here in 1971 via the complex prostitute character in the movie Klute, which earned Jane Fonda an Oscar. More recently, it was tied to the character of Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives.

This spelling variation of the classic Evelyn gives it a trendy makeover to fit in with the surge of names ending with -lynn suffixes. Recent counts have seen it given to around 1000 girls each year and it sits with the Top 400.

Jenica might work if you can't decide between Jennifer and Jessica. It's certainly a more distinctive option.

Tessia is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variation of Tessa, which is a diminutive of Teresa (meaning 'harvester' or 'to reap' from Greek), or it could be derived from Thessaly, an ancient region in Greece. The name has a lyrical, flowing quality that gives it a gentle and elegant feel. While not among the most common names, Tessia has seen occasional usage in various cultures, particularly in Europe and North America. The melodic sound and feminine quality make it appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible. Tessia carries an air of classical beauty combined with a modern sensibility, making it versatile across different cultural contexts.

Kiska is a Alaskan volcano island that has the sort of brisk sound to it that makes it fit in with both old names like Saskia and modern names like Pax.

Renie is a feminine name that serves as a diminutive form of Irene or Renata. Derived from Greek origins, Renie carries the beautiful meaning of 'peace' when connected to Irene. This charming nickname-style name offers a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a distinct identity. While never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Renie has maintained a consistent presence as a sweet, unpretentious choice. It enjoyed modest usage in the early to mid-20th century but has since become less common, giving it a vintage appeal that might appeal to parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon for their daughter.

Sweet and soft but outdoorsy too, Pasha could make an interesting alternative to Sasha. Typically used as a diminutive for Russian male names like Pavel, it has also been used for the feminine name Praskovya.

This feminine form of the Hebrew unisex name Erel, possibly a form of Ariel, is used in modern Israel. Also found as Erella and Erelah.