Rare and Uncommon Girl Names

Aviva

Hebrew

"springlike, fresh, dewy"

Aviva is vivacious and memorable, a fresh spin on the Vivian and Vivienne names that have been getting more popular since Angelina and Brad chose one for their twin daughter. Another A-beginning…

Viveca

Swedish, Nordic

"alive, life; place of refuge"

This is one of the most vibrant and feminine of the names meaning life , and it's sure to gain more attention as the whole sisterhood of Viv- names rise. Celebrated Swedish actress Viveca Lindfors,…

Rani

Hindi, Hebrew

"queen; she is singing"

Rani, alternatively spelled Ranee, is the female equivalent of Raja in Hindi. In many Indo-Aryan languages it can mean "queen" or "lady". The Hebrew version is used for both genders in modern Israel.…

Willemina

Willemina is a feminine name of Germanic origin, essentially the female form of Willem, which is the Dutch variant of William. It carries the meaning "resolute protection" or "determined guardian,"…

Rina

European diminutive of Catherine, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Japanese

"pure; joy, singing; melted; white jasmine"

One of those short, punchy names with its roots in a variety of different cultures and languages, Rina is sister to names like Mina, Mira, Lina, and Nina. Retro in feel, but never overused in the US,…

Jeanette

French, diminutive of Jeanne

Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.

Ziva

Hebrew

"life"

A zippy little international name. The Hebrew name relates to the month of Israeli independence, while the Slavic Ziva (also spelled Živa and Siva) is a goddess of love, life and fertility. The name…

Tova

Hebrew, Swedish

"good, pleasing; beautiful, beloved"

A lively feeling choice with multicultural origins, Tova is both a Hebrew name with a positive meaning and a Swedish variant of Tove, a modern Old Norse name meaning "beautiful, beloved". In Hebrew,…

Raisa

Russian; Yiddish; Arabic

"easygoing; rose; leader"

Known in America via the wife of Soviet head Mikhail Gorbachev; a possibility for parents of Eastern-European descent wanting to move beyond Natasha and Nadia or for parents from the Middle East…

Rosette

Rosette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Rose. It literally means 'little rose,' referring to the small, rose-shaped decoration or ribbon…

Zorina

Slavic

"golden dawn"

Both a first and last name, Zorina has a pretty, ballerina-like quality.

Vivia

Italian variation of Vivian

"life"

Vivia, the fresh Italian version of newly popular name, streamlines and even vivifies the original.