Girls Names I've Used
- Bea
Origin:
English diminutive of Beatrice, LatinMeaning:
"she who brings happiness"Description:
Bea is a former old lady name that's cute again as a short form — and is now beginning to stand on its own. Bee is a variation that, like Bea, can work as a diminutive for any name that starts with the letter B, or in the middle. Bea actually stood alone on the popularity lists for four years at the beginning of the twentieth century — and it could happen again.
- Cassie
Origin:
Diminutive of Cassandra, GreekMeaning:
"prophetess"Description:
Though not much in use, still retains a cozy Little House on the Prairie-type pioneer feel.
- Ryan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
This ultrapopular boys' name is rapidly becoming a hot name for girls; admired for its buoyant Irish spirit.
- Sunny
Origin:
English nicknameDescription:
Upbeat nickname-name that can't help but make you smile. You might want to use it as a short form for a more "serious" name such as Sunniva, but Sunny is undeniably, well, sunny.
- Vega
Origin:
Arabic, SpanishMeaning:
"swooping eagle; meadow"Description:
Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.
- Una
Origin:
Latin, Irish, or Old NorseMeaning:
"one; lamb; happy"Description:
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in several European countries but less common in the US. The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but Una sleeker.
- Adira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strong"Description:
Adira is one of those names that feels familiar without being overused. Simple but with subtle flair, Adira crosses different languages easily and could provide an alternative option tor the likes of Ava, Ariana, Adeline, and Anna.
- Andie
Origin:
Diminutive of Andrea, GreekMeaning:
"strong and manly"Description:
Boyish nicknames for girls are all the rage — just look at the success of Charlie, Frankie, Stevie, Billie, and Scottie in recent years. Andie has history as a nickname for Andrea, popularized by actress Andie Macdowell. This name has major cool girl appeal through Kate Hudson's portrayal of Andie Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Molly Ringwald's of Andie Walsh in Pretty in Pink.
- Serenity
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peaceful"Description:
Peaceful, calm, and untroubled: these are qualities parents may be hoping for, either on their parenting journey or in their child’s life. The name Serenity encapsulates these hopes, conjuring up a sense of balance, composure, and ease.
- Eugenia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival.
- Daria
Origin:
Feminine variation of Darius, Persian or Latin from GreekMeaning:
"kingly or possess well"Description:
An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish. Which may be a positive, in terms of Daria not being in danger of overpopularity.
- Jessie
Origin:
Anglicized form of Teasagh or diminutive of Jessica, HebrewMeaning:
"behold or wealthy"Description:
Jessie has never been used as much as Jennie/Jenny, partly because it's a boys’ name as well (spelled Jesse), but it does have a friendly and unpretentious pioneer feel. In Scotland, it's found as an Anglicized form of Teasagh, itself a form of Jean, and is used as a full name. And in the rest of the world, Jessie may be short for Jessica or used on its own.
- Blaise
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one who stutters"Description:
Despite its modern sound, Blaise has plenty of history as a given name (for boys), from a Christian martyr to Arthurian legends. Today Blaise feels like the cool and edgy Blaze with a French accent.
- Petal
Origin:
English from GreekMeaning:
"leaf"Description:
Petal is the soft and sweet-smelling name of a character in the novel and film, The Shipping News. With the rise of such flower names as Poppy and Posy, we believe Petal — down-to-earth yet romantic — has its own appealingly distinctive style.
- Jinx
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"Description:
Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore be a playful nickname to Ginevra, Jessica, Genevieve, Gianna, Josephine, or Georgina, or a bold choice for those wanting some sparky and witchy.
- Catriona
Origin:
Scottish form of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr, Catherine of Alexandria. Its later popularity increased following the success of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1893 Catriona, the sequel to Kidnapped.
- Essie
Origin:
Diminutive of Esther, PersianMeaning:
"star"Description:
Cute short form of Esther, now associated with the iconic nail polish brand.
- Fauna
Origin:
Roman, English word name, from LatinMeaning:
"young deer; all the animals that live in a particular area"Description:
Fauna is the Roman goddess of the earth as well as one of the fairies who protected Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". It can also be considered a word name with a scientific, nature focused feel. Used to as a way to refer to all the animals in a particular area, habitat, or time period, many might think of the phrase "Flora and Fauna" on seeing the name.
- Kassia
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cassia, GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"Description:
Kassia is the k-styled spelling variation of rising star name Cassia, an obscure but attractive botanical choice drawn from the cassia tree, which produces a cinnamon-like spice. The biblical Keziah is related.
- Sandy
Origin:
Diminutive of Sandra or Alexandra, GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Nickname name in the era of Grease. Sandy fits well in the era of boyish nicknames for girls - a la Scottie and Stevie - or as an alternative to the rapidly rising Goldie. While it peaked in 1960, Sandy is still given to about 60 baby girls each year.