Favorite Girl Names
- Bronwen
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white breast"Description:
Bronwen is widespread in Wales, but still rare enough here to sound somewhat international — we think Bronwen is a real winner. (Note: the Bronwyn spelling is an Anglicization, since the -wyn ending is masculine in Welsh).
- Callaway
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"pebbly place"Description:
Another animated Irish surname, this one with jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway.
- Channing
Origin:
English or IrishMeaning:
"people of Cana or wolf cub"Description:
While the most famous Channing is the very male Channing Tatum, the name is now given about a third of the time for girls. It makes an attractive surname-name for either gender.
- Coralie
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"coral"Description:
Coralie is a French name not often heard here, though she's gaining some recognition via Neil Gaiman's similar sounding spooky and lovely children's book, Coraline. Other literary appearances: Coralie is the stage name of an actress in Balzac's Lost Illusions, and a French girl in an 1850 Thackeray novel.Coralie is currently very popular in French-speaking Quebec, and there is a contemporary French singer named Coralie Clement.
- Cymbre
Description:
Cymbre is an unusual feminine name with Celtic or Welsh influences. It may be a variant spelling of Kimbra or Cymbra, possibly related to the Welsh word 'cymru' (Wales) or the ancient Celtic word for warrior. The distinctive 'y' and unexpected consonant combination create a name that's visually striking and phonetically interesting. Cymbre carries an ethereal, mystical quality that evokes images of ancient Celtic traditions and landscapes. Very rare in usage, the name offers a unique alternative for parents seeking something with authentic Celtic roots but a contemporary feel. The name's unfamiliarity may require occasional spelling clarification, but its brevity and pronounceability (similar to 'timber' with a soft 'c') make it accessible despite its uniqueness.
- Cypress
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Juniper, Maple, and Willow. Nearly 200 babies were named Cypress in the US last year, about 40 percent of them female.
- Flynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of the red-haired one"Description:
A winning last-name-first Celtic choice, Flynn is still mostly used for boys, such as the son of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr. Though Flynn is definitely one of the Irish surname names, from Quinn to Flannery to Makenna, that makes one of the trendy boy names for girls".
- Haven
Origin:
Word name, EnglishMeaning:
"a place of safety"Description:
Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
- Jersey
Origin:
English place name, Old NorseMeaning:
"Geirr's island"Description:
An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.
-ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".
- Journey
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"passage from one place to another"Description:
One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
- Juno
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"queen of the heavens; young"Description:
Juno is an ancient name that feels as fresh as if it had been minted, well, not yesterday, but in 2007. Since the release of the popular indie film Juno, this lively but strong Roman goddess name has held new potential as a baby name. Currently in the UK Top 500 and used in The Netherlands too, Juno is on the rise in the US - and is 15 times more popular than it was before the release of the film.
- LANDEN
- LEELAND
- Leighton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow town"Description:
One of those names that's suddenly on the map because of a celebrity's influence, Leighton Meester of the TV show Gossip Girl. She pronounces it LAY-ton but some will intuitively say LEE-ton.
- Leonora
Origin:
Italian diminutive of Eleonora or Eleanor, meaning unknownDescription:
Its mellifluous sound makes Leonora--which has a rich history and a tie to the popular Leo names-- a keen possibility for revival. Though it's been hiding below the Top 1000 since the 1940s, Leonora is being rediscovered by stylish parents in the US and Europe.
- Luca
Origin:
Italian variation of Luke and LucasMeaning:
"light or man from Lucania"Description:
Very much a boy's name in Italy, it's beginning to be seen as a unisex possibility here: actress Jennie Garth used it for her daughter. When spelled Lucca as in the Italian city, it can also be considered one of the place names along with Venezia, Roma, and Milana that make great Italian names for girls.
- Marline
Description:
Marline is a feminine name that emerged as a variant of Marlene, which itself is derived from the combination of 'Mary' and 'Magdalene.' The name carries a melodic quality with its flowing sound. Though less common than its source name, Marline has maintained a quiet presence throughout the 20th century, particularly in North America. Some may associate it with maritime terminology (a 'marline' is a small cord used on ships), giving it a subtle nautical connection. The name conveys a sense of classic femininity with a unique twist, making it distinctive without being overly unusual. Those named Marline often appreciate the balance between familiarity and individuality their name provides.
- Nyla
Origin:
Arabic, Sanskrit, Irish, modern inventionMeaning:
"winner, one who achieves; hero; cloud; wind, air; dark blue"Description:
Bright, spirited, and playful, Nyla shares sounds with the popular Isla, Lila, Layla, and Delilah, making it feel fresh and in style. A name with a number of possible origins, it made a brief, anomalous appearance on the US charts in 1941, before disappearing again for the next 60 years. It has been back in the US Top 1000 since 2001, and is currently on the rise, given to around 1230 girls each year.
- Saphira
Origin:
English and Norman variation of Sapphira, Greek, Hebrew, literaryMeaning:
"lapis lazuli, sapphire"Description:
A gemstone name that doesn't sound as wordy as Sapphire or Lazuli do, this is a streamlined spelling of the Biblical name. It was also used in by Christopher Paolini in his dragon series, Eragon, though in this case, the pronunciation would be slightly different, a little more like Sophia or Sufiya, but still associated with the gemstone.
- Saphire
Description:
Saphire is a feminine name derived from the precious gemstone sapphire, known for its deep blue color. This alternate spelling omits one 'p' from the traditional 'sapphire,' giving it a unique touch while maintaining the same pronunciation. The name originates from the Greek 'sappheiros' and Hebrew 'sappir,' both referring to the beautiful blue stone. Sapphires have historically symbolized wisdom, loyalty, nobility, and divine favor. As a name, Saphire conveys elegance, value, and natural beauty. While less common than other gemstone names like Ruby or Amber, Saphire has maintained steady usage, appealing to parents seeking a name that suggests both precious uniqueness and timeless beauty.