Lovely names for baby girls

Gilly is a name that's popped up from time to time in different contexts: As a nickname for Gillian, for instance, and as the name of a town in Switzerland. But it's increasingly associated with Hannah Murray's character Gilly in HBO's Game of Thrones, whom Sam Tarly rescued from Craster's Keep.

More colorful than Blanche, but blanker than Bianca.

Ylva may look like it belongs with the Eva family of names, but it actually derives from Ulf, a name meaning "wolf." It's not a very intuitive name to English-speakers, and likely won't get picked up in the US anytime soon. At last count, it was only given to five American baby girls.

Starla is a feminine name that emerged in mid-20th century America as a creative elaboration of the word 'star.' This celestial-inspired name peaked in popularity during the 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting the era's interest in nature-themed and inventive names. With its glamorous connotations and cosmic imagery, Starla suggests brilliance, aspiration, and uniqueness. The name carries a distinctly Americana quality while evoking the beauty of the night sky. Though never extremely common, Starla developed a steady following, particularly in Southern states. The melodic combination of 'star' with the feminine 'la' ending creates a name that feels simultaneously familiar and distinctive.

If you're torn between Marissa and Alyssa.

A seriously classic name meaning love, Adelpha is also the name for a genus of butterflies.

There's only one Evita.

Carmina is a feminine name of Latin origin that derives from the word 'carmen,' meaning 'song,' 'poem,' or 'verse.' The plural form 'carmina' literally translates to 'songs' or 'poems,' giving the name artistic and musical associations. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has stronger usage in Italy, Spain, and Latin American countries. The name carries a lyrical quality and evokes the beauty of musical expression and poetic artistry. Carmina's classical roots connect it to ancient Roman culture, where poetry and songs were highly valued art forms. The name gained some recognition through Carl Orff's famous musical composition 'Carmina Burana.' For parents, Carmina offers a melodious choice with cultural depth, artistic associations, and a timeless, elegant quality.

A Slavic variation of Helen that might make an unusual update of that classic name.

Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either CatherineKatherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.

Ellamae was given to over 60 baby girls in the US last year, although the data doesn't record punctuation, so we don't know how many of those will actually go by Ella Mae or Ella-Mae. The fourth most popular compound name for girls in the US, It's a modern smoosh name with a sweet, old-timey feel.

Elyssa is a feminine name with ancient roots, representing a variation of Elissa, the legendary founder and queen of Carthage (also known as Dido in Virgil's Aeneid). The name has Phoenician origins and may be related to the Hebrew name Elizabeth, potentially sharing the meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God's promise'. Elyssa offers a more distinctive spelling of the classic Elissa while maintaining its mythological connections and elegant sound. The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s as parents sought alternatives to common names like Alyssa or Melissa. With its ancient heritage and melodic quality, Elyssa provides a balance between familiarity and uniqueness, giving it timeless appeal.

Lilting African name that translates perfectly into other cultures.