not so common names I love

An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.

Aisa is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'loved one' or 'one who is cherished,' while in Swahili traditions, it relates to 'life' or 'living.' The name also appears as a variant of Aisha, an Arabic name meaning 'alive' or 'prosperous.' This multicultural background gives Aisa global appeal and versatility. Though not widely common in Western countries, the name has seen occasional use throughout different periods and regions. Its brevity makes it distinctive yet easy to pronounce across languages. Aisa carries positive connotations in its various cultural contexts, typically relating to concepts of life, love, and vitality. The name's simple elegance and cross-cultural significance make it appealing to parents seeking something meaningful yet uncommon.

Aitana is the name of a Spanish mountain used by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter. He reportedly chose it because the mountain was his last glimpse of Spain when he went into exile after the Spanish Civil War. The name was popularized by Aitana Alberti's goddaughter and namesake, actress Aitana Sanchez-Gijan. It became one of the fastest-rising girls names in 2016, after entering the US Top 1000 in 2015, and is among the most popular Spanish names for girls in its native Spain and beyond.

Alida had a brief flurry of popularity a hundred years ago but is rarely used today. But given the rise of so many names related to Adelaide and Adeline, Alida might be rediscovered.

Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie; it entered the American popularity list in 2002 and is now solidly established in the Top 1000.

Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.

Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.

Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.

Arli is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, including as a diminutive of Arlene or as a modern, simplified spelling of Arlie. This concise, playful name carries a contemporary feel while maintaining connections to more traditional naming patterns. Arli has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents seek shorter, gender-flexible names with a friendly quality. The name's brevity makes it cross-culturally accessible, while its soft sounds create a gentle impression. Arli combines modern minimalism with a touch of vintage charm, particularly in its connection to early 20th century names. Its simplicity makes it work well internationally, and its unusual status ensures distinctiveness without complexity.

A pretty, dainty name for one of the little characters in the children's book series The Borrowers. It was the basis for a later Studio Ghible animated film, The Secret World of Arrietty. While the connection to Harriet is tenuous, you might want to consider Arrietty as an honorific for an ancestral Harriet, Harry, or even Henry or Henrietta.

Availia is a contemporary feminine name with a melodic quality. While uncommon in traditional naming records, it appears to be a modern creation possibly derived from the word 'available' or as a variant of names like Avalia. The name conveys a sense of accessibility and presence. Availia has a rhythmic sound with its flowing vowels and soft consonants, giving it an elegant and distinctive quality. Though rare in usage, it fits with current naming trends favoring unique names with multiple syllables and vowel-rich sounds. The name may appeal to parents seeking something original that still has a feminine, lyrical quality without ties to specific cultural traditions.

Avia is one of those multi-cultural, vowel-heavy girls' names so popular today, along with such choices as Ayla and Aya.

This variation of Aviana adds a second n, possibly to make the connection to Anna clearer. On the popularity charts, it first entered the US Top 1000 in 2011 and was one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, entering the Top 500 for the first time.

Aviela is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, created as a modern variation combining elements of names like Avi (meaning 'my father' or 'father of') and the popular '-ela' suffix that adds a melodic quality. This relatively rare name carries a contemporary feel while maintaining connections to traditional Hebrew naming practices. Though uncommon on global popularity charts, Aviela has gained modest appreciation among parents seeking distinctive names with spiritual or cultural significance. The name's flowing sound and relatively straightforward pronunciation make it accessible despite its uniqueness. Aviela offers a beautiful alternative to more common biblical names while maintaining cultural authenticity. The name may also appeal to parents drawn to other popular 'Avi-' prefix names while wanting something more distinctive for their daughter.