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  1. Aila

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Helga or Scottish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "from the strong place"

    • Description:

      Now that Isla Fisher has pushed her once-obscure name into the Top 150, some parents are looking for similar-sounding Scottish names for girls that are further off the beaten path. This one is especially promising, with its cross-cultural appeal. Ayla, a common name in Turkey, is also worth considering.
  2. Ana

    • Origin:

      Variation of Hannah

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Confident and compact, Ana is a widely used variation of the Biblical Hannah. Favored in Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia, Portugal, and Croatia, this shorter spelling has the same substance and versatility of its longer counterparts.
  3. Anya

    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Anna

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Anya is a Russian variation of Anna, which came from the Hebrew name Hannah. Anya is the form found most frequently in Russia, Poland, and other East European countries, while Anja is the spelling usually preferred in Germany Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. In the Hungarian language, Anya also means mother.
  4. Aria

    • Origin:

      Italian and Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "air; song or melody; lion"

    • Description:

      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.
  5. Asia

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      This still attractive place name was one of the first to gain popularity, though it now probably owes some of its favor to the similar Aisha. Asia ranked as high as Number 195 on the US baby names popularity list in 1997.
  6. Aura

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "soft breeze"

    • Description:

      Aura is a New Age-y word turned name turned contemporary slang for karm. In Greek and Roman mythology, Aura was the Titan of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning. But at odds with her peaceful, well, aura, the mythological Aura is a tragic figure, ultimately transformed into a fountain by Zeus.
  7. Ava

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Latin or Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "life; bird; water, island"

    • Description:

      Ava is one of the prime examples of a modern classic name, rising thought the course of a generation into the Top 10, where it has lingered for nearly 20 years.
  8. Aya

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Hebrew, Danish, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "colorful, design; honey buzzard, bird; rock, lull, happiness; sign, verse"

    • Description:

      Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.
  9. Cala

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "castle, fortess"

    • Description:

      Extremely simple and extremely distinctive -- a winning combination. Sound-alike Calla is a Greek (and botanical) name that means beautiful.
  10. Cara

    • Origin:

      Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "dear; friend; face"

    • Description:

      Cara is a simple, sweet, Italian endearment that enjoyed its greatest popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, reaching a high of Number 189 in 1977. Despite the rising celebrity of English model/actress Cara Delevingne, who played Enchantress in Suicide Squad, Cara dropped off the Top 1000 in the US in 2020, perhaps because it sounds too close to the dreaded Karen.
  11. Carla

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Carl

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent years have seen it re-enter the Top 1000.
  12. Chara

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "joy"

    • Description:

      Chara is the name of a star in a constellation that represents hunting dogs, recently named as one of the most likely to host extraterrestrial life. Also, Chara is a variation of both Sarah and Charlotte.
  13. Cora

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "maiden"

    • Description:

      Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
  14. Dana

    • Origin:

      English, Slavic, Persian, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "from Denmark, gift, or wise"

    • Description:

      This name found in both Celtic and Scandinavian mythology has gone from all-boy to almost all-girl, retaining a strong, unisex quality. However, it has dropped following its three-decade heyday from the 1960s to the 1990s.
  15. Dara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Slavic or Irish

    • Meaning:

      "pearl of wisdom; gift; or oak tree"

    • Description:

      Though Dara was an (extremely wise) male figure in the Bible, this name feels mostly feminine to modern Americans. The Irish Gaelic version, Darragh, is well-used in contemporary times for boys.
  16. Dasha

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dariya or Darya, Russian

    • Meaning:

      "possessing goodness"

    • Description:

      An energetic — dare we say dashing — Russian diminutive of Darya that hasn't caught on in the same way as Sasha has in the English speaking world.
  17. Dayanah

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Dayana
  18. Dinah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God will judge"

    • Description:

      As the song says, "Dinah, is there anyone finer?" Dinah is a charming, underused Old Testament name with a rich literary and musical resume.
  19. Edda

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "poetry"

    • Description:

      This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.
  20. Ela

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "terebinth tree"

    • Description:

      A sweet, simple mini-name that fits into many cultures. The only drawback is the potential for confusion with Ella, Ayla, and other similar names.
  21. Ella

    • Origin:

      German; English

    • Meaning:

      "all, completely; fairy maiden"

    • Description:

      Ella is a sweet, simple name that owes much of its current popularity to the popularity of other names, from Emma to Bella to Emily to Ellie.
  22. Elsa

    • Origin:

      German diminutive of Elisabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.
  23. Emma

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "universal"

    • Description:

      Emma has now been among the top girl names in the United States for several years, claiming the Number 1 crown in 2008 and again from 2015 to 2018 before dropping back to second place.
  24. Enya

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fire"

    • Description:

      This phonetic Anglicization of the Irish name Eithne was made familiar by the single-named Irish singer and composer. St. Eithne was the daughter of a king and an early Irish convert to Christianity.
  25. Eva

    • Origin:

      Latin form of Eve, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular sister Eve, Eva is one of the elite group of girl names that mean life.
  26. Gaia

    • Origin:

      Greek and Latin

    • Meaning:

      "earth mother; rejoicing"

    • Description:

      Floral, bright, and subtly powerful, Gaia is a name with two separate origins. In Greek mythology, it is the name of the earth goddess and the universal mother, who takes her epithet from the Ancient Greek word for land or ground. It was this ecological element that led actress Emma Thompson to choose it for her daughter back in 1999, and it could hold similar appeal to green minded parents today.
  27. Gala

    • Origin:

      Russian and Slavic feminine form of Galina

    • Description:

      Festive name of the wife of Salvador Dali. In Spanish, Gala comes from the Roman name Galla, a feminine form of Gallus meaning "rooster" or "a person from Gaul".
  28. Gemma

    • Origin:

      Italian, Catalonian, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"

    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  29. Gena

    • Origin:

      Variation of Gina

    • Description:

      Actress Gena Rowlands publicized this name, which she pronounces with a soft e.
  30. Gia

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Gia is a cute if slight name that calls to mind stylish sisters Mia, Lea, Pia, Tia, and Nia. One of the most familiar Italian baby names in the US, Gia is a short form of Gianna, which in turn is a diminutive of Giovanna, the feminine form of Giovanni, the Italian equivalent of John—all of them meaning "God is gracious."
  31. Giana

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Gianna

    • Description:

      This variant of Gianna has been in the US Top 1000 for most of the 21st century and hit a peak in 2010 at Number 568. The original spelling outranks the trimmed down version by far.
  32. Gina

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Regina, Angelina, Luigina, Georgina, Eugenia, Virginia and similar

    • Description:

      A short form for a whole variety of names, this short form has been used across Europe as a stand-alone since the 1920s. It spiked in popularity in the 1950s, owing to the fame of Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida but faded out of use in the 2000s. A sweet and sparky name akin to Nina and Mina, some parents in English speaking countries may be concerned about teasing potential, though it was still given to around 115 girls in the US in a recent year. Popular in Spain, it is borne by martial artist Gina Carano, and actresses Gina Gershon, Gina Rodriguez, Gina Torres, and Gina McKee.
  33. Hana

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "grace, work, glow, flower"

    • Description:

      Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.
  34. Haya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "life; universal feathers"

    • Description:

      Appealing crosscultural choice.
  35. Heda

    • Description:

      Heda is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly found in Czech and Slovak cultures. It's often considered a diminutive of Hedvika, the Slavic form of Hedwig, which means 'combat' or 'battle' combined with 'refuge' in Germanic origins. In some contexts, Heda may also be linked to the Old Norse name meaning 'brightness' or 'light.' While not widely used internationally, it maintains a steady presence in Eastern European countries, appreciated for its brevity and soft sound. The name carries connotations of strength and brightness, with a delicate femininity that makes it distinctive yet accessible.
  36. Hedda

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, diminutive of Hedvig

    • Description:

      Hedda is a card-carrying member of the league of older, slightly bohemian urban names like Nedda, Andra, and Petra; also linked to Ibsen heroine Hedda Gabler, as well as being the basis of cruel joke names like Hedda Hare.
  37. Ida

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "industrious one"

    • Description:

      Many vowel names stylish a century ago are coming back, and Ida seems like a possible, logical successor to Ada and Ava.
  38. Inga

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "guarded by Ing"

    • Description:

      Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice.
  39. Isla

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name or Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
  40. Iga
    • Jada

      • Origin:

        Spanish

      • Meaning:

        "jade"

      • Description:

        Long used in Spanish-speaking countries, this strong but feminine name was jump-started here by the rise of actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The Italian Giada is a popular variation. In the Bible, the name Jada was borne by a man and has a different root and meaning: It's Hebrew and means "he knows".
    • Jena

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Jennifer, variation of Gina, English, Arabic, "white wave; paradise"

      • Meaning:

        "white wave; paradise"

      • Description:

        Jena is a succinct name with a number of different roots, making it a versatile choice. On one hand, it might be used as a diminutive for the 70s favorite Jennifer, a name of Cornish origin that was hugely popular in a number of countries in the latter half of the 20th century. Jena might feel sleeker and more contemporary to some than the long form.
    • Joya

      • Description:

        Joya is a feminine name with multicultural origins. In Spanish, it means 'jewel' or 'gem,' reflecting something precious and valuable. The name also has connections to French origins where 'joie' means joy or happiness. In some South Asian cultures, particularly in India, Joya can be a variant of Jaya, meaning 'victory' or 'conquering.' The name has maintained a consistent but uncommon presence in the United States, appreciated for its short, melodic sound and positive connotations. Joya offers a distinctive alternative to more common gem-inspired names like Ruby or Pearl, with its exotic flair and joyful essence making it an appealing choice for parents seeking something both meaningful and uncommon.

    • Kaia

      • Origin:

        Latin, Scandinavian, or Hawaiian

      • Meaning:

        "to rejoice or sea"

      • Description:

        The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
    • Katia

      • Origin:

        Russian diminutive of Ekaterina

      • Meaning:

        "pure"

      • Description:

        One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington is the father of a Katia.
    • Kaya

      • Origin:

        Scandinavian, English, Literature, Japanese

      • Meaning:

        "pure; one who arranges rocks; perfume, incense; fruit, reward"

      • Description:

        A multicultural name, that's currently on style and fits right in with Kaia, Maya, Raya, and Mia. Currently in the Top 500 in both the UK and The Netherlands, it has several different origins and meanings.
    • Kiera

      • Origin:

        Irish

      • Meaning:

        "little dark one"

      • Description:

        Kiera entered the American popularity list in 1988, though it lags behind the alternate spelling Keira, largely due to the fame of actress Keira Knightley.
    • Kyra

      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Cyrus, Persian

      • Meaning:

        "throne"

      • Description:

        The girls' name Kyra sounds like the also popular Keira/Kiera, but has a different root. There are twice as many baby girls named Keira as Kyra, with Kiera in third place. Kyra now ranks at #590 and is most familiar via actress Kyra Sedgwick.
    • Lana

      • Origin:

        English diminutive of Alana

      • Meaning:

        "rock or handsome"

      • Description:

        Popularized in the 1940s by Lana (born Judy) Turner, today Lana is synonymous with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Although it has been rising steadily since the early 2000s, Lana still sits in the popularity "sweet spot" – familiar, but not overused. Simple, sleek and seamlessly international, it makes a great choice.
    • Lara

      • Origin:

        Russian, diminutive of Larissa or Larisa

      • Meaning:

        "citadel"

      • Description:

        This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago, and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft.
    • Laura

      • Origin:

        English from Latin

      • Meaning:

        "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

      • Description:

        Laura is a hauntingly evocative perennial, never trendy, never dated, feminine without being fussy, with literary links stretching back to Dante. All this makes Laura a more solid choice than any of its more decorative counterparts and one of the most classic girl names starting with L.
    • Lea

      • Origin:

        Variation of Lee or Leah

      • Meaning:

        "meadow; weary"

      • Description:

        While traditionally pronounced as a homonym for Lee, Glee actress Lea Michele pronounces her name like Leah, and it may also rhyme with Freya. Regardless of your preferred pronunciation, it's interesting to note that Lea has always charted in the US Top 1000, despite coming close to the bottom a few times, making it one of the girl names starting with L that both fits in and stands out.
    • Leah

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "weary"

      • Description:

        Strong but sweet, Leah is a classic name that doesn’t feel dull or dusty. It’s got plenty of dignity, grace, and pluck, making it a solid choice in the 21st century.
    • Lena

      • Origin:

        English, Scottish, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian, diminutive of various names ending in -lena

      • Description:

        This pet form of Helena and other ena-ending names, long used as an independent name, is attracting notice again as an option both multicultural and simple. Lena was a Top 100 name from 1880 to 1920.
    • Leya

      • Origin:

        Spanish; Hindi

      • Meaning:

        "the law; lion"

      • Description:

        Leya is a simple, attractive multicultural choice, but with some teasing peril. The "Star Wars" princess spelled her name Leia.
    • Lia

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of names ending in -lia or Italian, Portuguese and Greek variation of Leah

      • Meaning:

        "weary"

      • Description:

        Short, sweet, and clear, Lia is used throughout Europe, across America, and in some areas of Asia and Africa, making it a truly international and versatile choice.
    • Lisa

      • Origin:

        English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian

      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"

      • Description:

        Elvis naming his daughter Lisa Marie and Nat King Cole's hit song "Mona Lisa" conspired to catapult one of Elizabeth's many offshoots to a high of #4 in 1970.
    • Luca

      • Origin:

        Italian variation of Luke and Lucas

      • Meaning:

        "light or man from Lucania"

      • Description:

        Very much a boy's name in Italy, it's beginning to be seen as a unisex possibility here: actress Jennie Garth used it for her daughter. When spelled Lucca as in the Italian city, it can also be considered one of the place names along with Venezia, Roma, and Milana that make great Italian names for girls.
    • Luna

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "moon"

      • Description:

        The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon, luna. Luna may be the name most likely to surprise someone from an older generation by its Top 10 status in the US and its widespread international popularity.
    • Mara

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "bitter"

      • Description:

        Mara is the evocative ancient root of Mary, appearing in the Book of Ruth, in which Naomi, devastated after the death of her two sons, says "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." It's one of the girl names starting with M that both fits in and stands out.
    • Maya

      • Origin:

        Sanskrit, English, Hebrew, Estonian

      • Meaning:

        "illusion, magic; mother; water; beloved, bitter, drop of the sea"

      • Description:

        Maya, which has an almost mystical image, has been steadily climbing in popularity in the US and the English-speaking world, along with a range of other countries, including France, Germany, Israel, and Brazil. It's ranked in the US Top 100 since the turn of this century, but has never risen to the top of the list, which you may consider a good thing.
    • Mia

      • Origin:

        Italian word name or Scandinavian short form of Maria

      • Meaning:

        "mine or bitter"

      • Description:

        Mia is an appealingly unfussy multicultural name that has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the charts and is now firmly among the ten top girl names. Mia has surpassed its mother name Maria as the Number 1 girls' name starting with M.
    • Nela

      • Origin:

        Variation of Nell or short form of Cornelia or any name ending in -nela

      • Description:

        Nela is a pretty if slight name that ranks among the Top 1000 for girls in the UK. It is commonly used throughout Europe as a short form for any range of names ending in -nela including Cornelia and Fenella, though it is widely used on its own.
    • Nia

      • Origin:

        Swahili; Welsh form of the Irish Niamh

      • Meaning:

        "resolve; brilliance"

      • Description:

        Short but energetic and substantial, Nia has special meaning for African-American parents, as it's one of the days of Kwanza. Nia also benefits by its similarity to (yet differentness from) the megapopular Mia.
    • Nora

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Honora or Eleonora, Latin

      • Meaning:

        "honor or meaning unknown"

      • Description:

        Nora is a lovely, refined name that conjures up images of Belle Epoch ladies in fur-trimmed coats skating in Central Park. Long seen as a quintessentially Irish name though its roots are not in Ireland, Nora is a quietly stylish favorite that's tiptoed to the top of the popularity ladder.
    • Norah

      • Origin:

        English, Arabic

      • Meaning:

        "woman of honor, light"

      • Description:

        The skyrocketing success of singer Norah Jones brought this spelling of the name onto the pop charts in 2003. As well as being a spelling variant of Nora in English, it's also an alternative transcription of the Arabic name Nura, from Nur/Noor "light".
    • Olga

      • Origin:

        Slavic variation of Helga, Norse

      • Meaning:

        "holy"

      • Description:

        This Slavic form of the Norse name Helga is a classic in many Slavic countries, including Russia and Poland, where it currently ranks within the Top 100 girl names. It has historically ranked among the most popular names in countries including Ukraine, Latvia, Spain, France, Serbia, Greece, the US, and many more. Olga is a common name even in Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, despite Helga being a more traditional choice. Olha is the uniquely Ukrainian variation.
    • Oona

      • Origin:

        Irish, variation of Una

      • Meaning:

        "lamb"

      • Description:

        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 right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.
    • Paula

      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Paul

      • Meaning:

        "small"

      • Description:

        Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."
    • Pola

      • Origin:

        Short form of Amapola, Arabic

      • Meaning:

        "poppy"

      • Description:

        Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.
    • Rea

      • Origin:

        Variation of Rhea

      • Description:

        Short but substantial.
    • Rita

      • Origin:

        Spanish, Hindi

      • Meaning:

        "pearl; truth, order"

      • Description:

        One of the glamour girl names of the Rita Hayworth 1940s, Rita was once a Top 50 name and stayed on the SSA list until 2002.
    • Rosa

      • Origin:

        Latinate variation of Rose

      • Meaning:

        "rose, a flower"

      • Description:

        As sweet-smelling as Rose but with an international flavour, Rosa is one of the most classic Portuguese, Spanish and Italian names, which is also favored by upper-class Brits, having an ample measure of vintage charm. Rosa has been on the popularity charts for every year that's been counted, especially popular from the 1880s through the beginning of the twentieth century.
    • Sana

      • Origin:

        Arabic

      • Meaning:

        "mountaintop, splendid, brilliant"

      • Description:

        One of the most easily imported Arabic names.
    • Sansa

      • Origin:

        Sanskrit

      • Meaning:

        "praise, charm"

      • Description:

        Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is a master namer, and this unusual choice from India is beginning to be heard in nurseries as well as on television. Sansa was perhaps slower to catch on than other names such as Arya and Khaleesi as Sansa Stark was in the first seasons of the show a weak and compromised character.
    • Sanya

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Aleksandra, Russian from Greek

      • Meaning:

        "defending men"

      • Description:

        An alternative to Sasha, another common Russian nickname for Aleksandra.
    • Sara

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "princess"

      • Description:

        Sara, the streamlined form of Sarah, makes this ancient name feel more modern, but perhaps a bit lighter weight.
    • Sonia

      • Origin:

        Russian and Scandinavian variation of Sophia

      • Meaning:

        "wisdom"

      • Description:

        Early European import, well known in the 1940s via Norwegian skating movie star Sonja Henie, that has sailed back across the Atlantic, despite the rising popularity of other Russian names.
    • Tara

      • Origin:

        Irish

      • Meaning:

        "rocky hill"

      • Description:

        Despite a rich history in Irish myth preceding its plantation appearance in Gone with the Wind, widespread use in the seventies caused Tara to lose its Irish accent.
    • Taya

      • Origin:

        Japanese

      • Meaning:

        "young"

      • Description:

        Taya has recently jumped into the mainstream name pool, perhaps because of kinship with Maya and Kaya. After five years outside the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2015.
    • Tessa

      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Theresa

      • Meaning:

        "to reap, to gather"

      • Description:

        Tessa is one of those golden names that's been popular but not TOO popular for several decades now. Tessa has ranked in the Top 500 in the US since 1981 but has risen only once above Number 200.
    • Thea

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "goddess, godly"

      • Description:

        Thea is a diminutive of names ending in -thea, including Dorothea, Althea, and Anthea. It is also the Anglicized spelling of Theia, the Titan of sight, goddess of light, and mother of the moon. She was the consort of Hyperion, and mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos.
    • Uma

      • Origin:

        Sanskrit, Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "light, peace, nation"

      • Description:

        Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity.
    • Una

      • Origin:

        Latin, Irish, or Old Norse

      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Vada

      • Origin:

        English, Sanskrit, German

      • Meaning:

        "knowledge, rule"

      • Description:

        Vada is a feisty retro choice that feels like a fresh spin on the likes of Ava and Ada. Its bold V initial is bang on trend, although Vada remains very uncommon in the US. It is perhaps best known as the heroine of the 1991 cult classic coming-of-age movie My Girl, Vada Sultenfuss, played by Anna Chlumsky.
    • Yara

      • Origin:

        Arabic, Persian, Brazilian, Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "friend, helper; strength; water nymph; honeycomb"

      • Description:

        The multicultural Yara is a sweet but substantial choice that could make a more unusual take on Sara and also work in multiple languages Popular in Portugal, The Netherlands, and Switzerland, familiar in the UK and France, it entered the US Top 1000 in 2017 and has been climbing the charts ever since.
    • Zoya

      • Origin:

        Russian and Greek variation of Zoe, Greek

      • Meaning:

        "life"

      • Description:

        Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.