Current favs

Most American parents would choose to use the more commonly seen variant, Axel, but .this form is preferred in Denmark and Norway, and also ranks in the French Top 400.

Anneliese is a German and Dutch combination of Anna and Liese (a form of Elizabeth) with an Old World feel but modern appeal. The Anglicized Annalise spelling in in the US Top 500, but this authentic German version has only ever broken into the US Top 1000 once, back in 2005.

Used primarily in Scotland, and represented here by singer Audra McDonald, the girls' name Audra has been overshadowed by the return of the classic Audrey. Audra may be to Audrey what Jenna is to Jennifer and Jessa is to Jessica: A variation that will rise as the original falls from favor, which may take another decade.

Brinna is a feminine name with Celtic and Hebrew roots. As a variation of Brenda, it stems from the Old Norse 'brandr' meaning 'sword' or 'flame.' In Hebrew contexts, it may be connected to the name Sabrina. Brinna has a lyrical quality with its soft ending, making it both distinctive and melodious. While less common than similar names like Briana or Brianna, Brinna offers a unique alternative that maintains familiar sounds. The name has remained relatively uncommon in the United States, giving it a distinctive quality for those who bear it. Parents often choose Brinna for its gentle sound combined with its strong etymological connections to concepts of strength and brightness.

Caius is classical and serious but also has a simple, joyful quality. There was a third century pope named Caius, as well as an early Christian writer, several Shakespearean characters, and a Twilight vampire. We would pronounce the name to rhyme with eye-us though at Cambridge University in England, where it's the name of a college, it's pronounced keys.

Demi appeared in the US as a baby name thanks to a single celebrity, actress Demi Moore, who put it on the Top 1000 throughout the 1990s. As her star faded, so did the visibility of the name, though now it is rising again on its own steam. It's popular in Europe, too, especially in The Netherlands. Demi may be that unusual name that's launched by a celebrity and then maintains its visibility all by itself.

This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.

This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in the playground, consider Devi.

Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.

This rhythmic last-name-first-name projects the creativity and inventiveness of Thomas Edison. It's an English surname deriving from either Adam or Eda, a medieval diminutive of Edith.

A common choice in Greece, Eleni is starting to rise in the US thanks to its bouncy rhythm and trendy I ending.

Eline is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. In the Scandinavian tradition, it functions as a variant of Helena or Ellen, while in French contexts, it may be considered a form of Aline. The name carries a gentle, refined quality with its soft sounds and simple structure. Eline is more common in Northern European countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, where it maintains steady popularity. The name's international versatility makes it appealing for multicultural families, as it translates well across language boundaries while remaining distinctive. With its elegant simplicity, Eline balances uniqueness with accessibility.

Ellerie is a feminine name with a modern, lyrical quality. It likely evolved as a variation of names like Ellery or as a feminine form of Ellery, which originated as an English surname derived from either the Old French name 'Hilaire' (meaning cheerful) or from 'elder tree wood.' The name has gained modest attention in recent years as parents seek fresh alternatives to popular 'Ella' and 'Ellie' names. Ellerie combines elegance with playfulness through its melodic three-syllable structure. While not traditionally common, it fits within contemporary naming trends that favor vintage sounds with modern twists. The '-erie' ending gives it a delicate, feminine quality that appeals to parents looking for something distinctive yet accessible.

The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. This once uncommon member of the El- family is a Top 100 name in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, while in the US, it was one of the fasted rising names of 2024 and now sits in the Top 400.

Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.