Uncommon and cute girl names

Sasha

Russian diminutive of Alexander

"defending men"

The energetic Russian nickname name Sasha is being used increasingly on its own, though since the prominence of the First Daughter, more than 90% of the American babies named Sasha are girls. Sacha…

Shelby

English

"estate on the ledge"

Southern name still occasionally heard in a male context (author Shelby Foote and the son of singer/sitcom star Reba McEntire), but it's much more associated with girls.

Jody

Variation or diminutive of Joseph

"Jehovah increases"

Quintessentially sweet and innocent unisex name of the 1960s and 70s, now gone the way of hot pants and disco balls.

Kelsey

English surname

"Cenel's island"

Kelsey (ex-Frasier) Grammer is a famous male bearer, although most modern Kelseys are female (in the US at least). It derives from several English place names, possibly meaning "Cenel's island", from…

Bristol

British place-name

"site of the bridge"

This name of a busy British port city -- as well as of several places in America -- has a brisk and bustling air. It will now--and for years to come--be identified as a Sarah Palin name, chosen for…

Lindsey

Lindsey as a masculine name has Anglo-Saxon origins, originally derived from the Old English place name 'Lindesege,' meaning 'island of linden trees' or 'Lincoln's marsh.' While now more commonly…

Meredith

Welsh

"great ruler"

Meredith has been considered primarily a girl's name since the fifties, before which it was more commonly used for boys. Comic actor Jay Mohr recently named his son Meredith, which might help it…