Favorite Girls Names

  1. Adaire
    • Clementine
      • Origin:

        French feminine version of Clement, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "mild, merciful"
      • Description:

        Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.
    • Cora
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "maiden"
      • Description:

        Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
    • Delilah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew or Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "delicate"
      • Description:

        Melodic and lively, Delilah has cut itself (mostly) free from its treacherous past to become a contemporary favorite.
    • Elisabeth
      • Origin:

        German, Dutch, Danish, English, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        This spelling of the classic name is found in France, Germany, Greece, and other cultures, and is worn by such notables as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth Shue, Elisabeth Moss, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The name's pronunciation is usually just like the Z version, but some parents choose this because they want to discourage the Liz or Lizzie short forms and so pronounce it as if it has Lisa in the middle.
    • Eloise
      • Origin:

        French and English variation of Heloise
      • Meaning:

        "healthy; wide"
      • Description:

        Well balanced between sleek, sweet, strong, and vintage, newly chic Eloise re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2009, following a 50 year absence. In 2022, it broke into the Top 100 in the US and across the pond in the UK. Given to nearly 3000 babies each year, Eloise is showing no sign of stepping out of the spotlight.
    • Evangeline
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "bearer of good news"
      • Description:

        Evangeline is a romantic old name enjoying a major comeback, thanks to its religious overtones, Eva's popularity, and the star of the TV megahit Lost, Evangeline Lilly. Evangelia and Evangelina — two variants of Evangeline — are sure to tag along for the ride.
    • Flora
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "flower"
      • Description:

        Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names we think is due for a comeback— alongside cousins Cora and Dora. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all.
    • Francesca
      • Origin:

        Italian variation of Frances
      • Meaning:

        "from France or free man"
      • Description:

        Francesca is a lighter and much more feminine choice than the classic Frances, and one that is increasingly popular with upscale parents.
    • Genevieve
      • Origin:

        English from French
      • Meaning:

        "tribe woman"
      • Description:

        Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
    • Indigo
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "Indian dye"
      • Description:

        Indigo is one of the most appealing and evocative of the new generation of color names. Color names have joined flower and jewel names -- in a big way -- and Indigo, a deep blue-purple dye from plants native to India, is particularly striking for both girls and boys. Indigo is the name of a character in the Ntozake Shange novel Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, and was used for his daughter by Lou Diamond Phillips.
    • Katherine
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "pure"
      • Description:

        Katherine is one of the oldest, most diverse, and all-around best names: it's powerful, feminine, royal, saintly, classic, popular, and adaptable. Long one of the top girls' names starting with K, Katherine has now been unseated on the popularity list by upstarts Kennedy and Kinsley, but a dip in popularity only adds to its charm.
    • Lilia
      • Origin:

        Spanish, Italian and Russian
      • Meaning:

        "lily"
      • Description:

        Lilia is pretty double L name that makes for sparkly, floral choice with plenty of international flair. More distinctive that Lily, less popular than Liliana, Lia, and Lilian, Lilia was a new entry to the US Top 1000 in 2023.
    • Louisa
      • Origin:

        Latinate feminine variation of Louis
      • Meaning:

        "renowned warrior"
      • Description:

        Louisa, a quaint but strongvintage name, is an example of the idea that these days, old-style girls’ names are more fashionable when they end with an a rather than with an e, as in Julie/Julia, Diane/Diana. So for the next generation, Louisa may rise again, especially with the growing popularity of other Lou/Lu-starting names, like Lucy and Luna. Louisa reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 45 year absence.
    • Magdalena
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "from Magdala"
      • Description:

        Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with Magdalene and the unrelated but similar-sounding Marguerite.
    • Margaret
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "pearl"
      • Description:

        Margaret is derived from the French Marguerite, which in turn came from Margarita, the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. Margarites was based on the Old Persian word margārīta, meaning "pearl."
    • Marigold
      • Origin:

        Flower name, from English
      • Meaning:

        "golden flower"
      • Description:

        Marigold, once found almost exclusively in English novels and aristocratic nurseries, is beginning to be talked about and considered here. It has a sweet, sunny, quirky feel. The marigold was the symbol of the Virgin Mary.
    • May
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Margaret and Mary; month name
      • Description:

        May is a sweet old-fashioned name that hasn't been on the national charts in several decades, but is definitely sounding fresh and springlike. Parents are beginning to see it once more as one of the prettiest middle name options. May was as high on the list as Number 57 in the 1880s; it's now 228 on Nameberry.
    • Nevada
      • Origin:

        Spanish place-name
      • Meaning:

        "covered in snow"
      • Description:

        Named for its snowcapped mountains, Nevada is a state name which, unlike Carolina, Montana, and Dakota, has been relatively undiscovered. Warning: today's unvisited place-name could become tomorrow's trampled tourist attraction.
    • Oceane
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "ocean"
      • Description:

        Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.