User-created list
Beautiful and unusual girls' names
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Malou
Combination of Mary and Lou
"bitter; renowned warrior"
This charming name, popular in France and the Netherlands, has not traveled to the U.S. yet but would make a modern way to honor grandma Mary or Louise, or as a perfect short form of Mary Louise. Or,…
Maris
Latin
"of the sea"
Maris is an unusual and appealing name that has never appeared in the U.S. Top 1000, overshadowed by its twentieth century elaboration, Marisa/Marissa. It derives from the phrase "Stella Maris," star…
Marla
Variation of Marlene
"Mary Magdalene; beloved, bitter, drop of the sea + high tower"
Marla might have dropped out of style in the US back in the 90s, but it has seen a resurgence in the UK in recent years. With a little dated charm about it, this variation of Marlene, itself a…
Marnie
English
"of the sea"
A retro short form of Marina, dated to the era of the Hitchcock movie that made it famous, Marnie is beginning to feel fresh again — or rather, it is in the UK. Appearing in the Top 100 there in a…
Meara
Irish
"pool, lake"
A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.
Merel
Dutch
"blackbird"
Merel is a soundalike of Meryl and may be thought of as a variation of that name, but it's also the Dutch word for blackbird and so you can make it more stylish as one of the flock of cool new bird…
Merla
Merla is a feminine name with varied origins and meanings across cultures. In Spanish, it derives from "merlo" meaning "blackbird," symbolizing beauty and grace. It can also be considered a variation…
Naia
Hawaiian, Greek, Basque
"dolphin; to flow; wave, sea foam"
A multicultural option that's equally intriguing but more unusual than Maia. Connected to water and the ocean, it is a Top 100 choice in Spain and Puerto Rico and has been rising up the charts in…
Oona
Irish, variation of Una
"lamb"
Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own…
Osa
Osa is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Finnish, it means 'part' or 'portion,' while in Japanese it can mean 'chief' or 'ruler.' The name also has roots in certain African languages…
Oonagh
Romola
Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of Rome
Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal…
Romula
Romula is a feminine name with ancient Roman roots, derived from the masculine Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome. The name carries connections to Roman mythology and history, with its etymology…
Rudha
Tanis
Variation of Tanith, Phoenician, Native American, Cree
"daughter"
This obscure name found in Sinclair Lewis's 1923 novel Babbitt is a bit hipper than most other is-ending names like Janis and Doris. Some sources consider it a variation of Tanith, who is a…
Thora
Norse
"thunder goddess"
Thora, related to Thor, is the ancient Norse thunder goddess name that's much softer and gentler than its meaning suggests. A noted bearer is actress Thora Birch.
Toril
Norwegian
"Thor's battle"
Also spelled Torill, Torril and Torrill, this refined variation is derived from the Old Norse name Þórhildr and its more modern Norwegian form, Torhild. Stylish in Norway in the 50s and 60s, this…
Tullia
Feminine from of Tullius, Roman
"meaning unknown"
The unusual and intriguing Tullia has been used since Roman times and may appeal to parents who like Tallulah, Julia, and Lillia but want something that's very rarely heard. A feminine form the…
Tuva
Swedish and Norwegian variation of Tove
"beautiful"
Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
Ula
Celtic
"gem of the sea"
Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name…