Favorite Girl Names

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.

Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.

All but unheard of today, Floy was a popular Florence nickname used on its own in a century ago: it was Number 448 in 1914. Charles Dickens uses Floy as a pet name for the character Florence Dombey in his novel Dombey and Son. It has a jaunty edge to it, that could make it appeal to those who enjoy less frilly girl names.

Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter. 

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

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.

Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.

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

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

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.

Associated with a vivid red-orange-colored lacquer, would make a more than distinctive color-related choice.