Favorite Girl Names

A rich brown hue, but can be misheard as Amber, said with a pretentious accent.

The tale-spinning heroine of The Thousand and One Nights, Sheherazade is an extravagantly elaborate name for a little girl. Too extravagantly elaborate? It's lovely and beguiling, and with the rise of such evocative monikers as Persephone and Ophelia, Sheherazade may have a chance in the modern baby name world. Another accepted spelling is Scheherazade. While the origin of this name is Persian, there are also modern Arabic forms of the name.

This fabric word name would be a one-of-a-kind.

A traditionally masculine surname, denoting the head of a monastery, a priest, or someone who worked for a church official, Abbott may appeal as a fresh spin on Biblical Abigail. Quietly used for boys, it has seen very occasional use for girls since the 2000s.

Pronounced Beshette, this unfamiliar French appellation sounds fresh and feminine.

Orleanna was the young heroine of Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible.

Cadeau puts a decidedly French-ified twist on the word name trend, but don't be surprised if you encounter ponies and poodles with the same moniker.

Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.

Junot is an uncommon feminine name with French origins, possibly derived as a diminutive of 'June' or from the French surname Junot (notable from one of Napoleon's generals, Jean-Andoche Junot). The name has a delicate, sophisticated sound while maintaining brevity. As a first name, Junot remains quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. It features a modern, international feel with its crisp ending and elegant pronunciation. The name may appeal to parents seeking something uncommon with French flair. While not widely used, Junot's simplicity and subtle sophistication make it accessible despite its uniqueness.

Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it.

Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.