First name?

Because of Gwyneth Paltrow, this has almost become a one-person name, but not in the prohibitive there's-only-one-Oprah sense. Also seen as Gwenyth and Gweneth, this mellifluous appellation is definitely becoming more and more appreciated by American parents-- enough to land it on this year's Top 1000.

Soft, simple, and far more unusual than Tara or Farrah. As a Japanese place name, it's been used occasionally as a surname and is beginning to be used as a first. Nara is also the name of a Hindu (male) God and the name means "man" in Hindi.

Mia, Gia, and now Sia!

Lisette, also spelled Lizette, is a dainty,, if somewhat dated, Gallic offshoot of Elizabeth. It reached its U.S. peak of popularity in 1999, then fell off the list in 2001.

With its surname-style, literary feel, and similarity in sound to Finley, Juniper, Pippa, Riley, and Presley, Ripley is an unexpected choice that was given to more than 200 girls in each recent year. First used back in the 80s, thanks to the powerful character played by Sigourney Weaver in the Alien films, it began to be used more substantially in the 2000s, after it was chosen by actress Thandiwe Newton for her daughter.

Bryn is an up-and-coming gentle, yet substantial, Welsh name that would also be effective in the middle spot. In Wales it's a traditional boys' name, but it's far more popular for girls now in the US.

Milou and her near-identical twin Malou are adorable names popular throughout Europe; they're contractions of Marie or Mary and Lou or Louise. The Malou spelling will probably be easier for English speakers to pronounce; Milou may be conflated with Milo.

The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.

It's a futuristic name in Solaris, but it is also related to Rhea, the name of Zeus's mother and wife of Cronus.

This could make a hauntingly evocative name for an American child, striking the perfect balance of the unusual and the familiar. Imara's meaning adds further appeal placing it among the special class of girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful.

Calista Flockhart may have made her variation of this beautiful Greek name familiar to modern Americans, but the even-edgier x version was the name of an earlier feminist heroine: a character in Kate Chopin's The Storm.

Resonant and unusual.

In Hindu tradition, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, whose name is often used as element of other names, such as Jaswinder or Rajendra. Its use as a feminine name may come from the Western world hearing it as feminine (thanks to Alexandra, Indira, or similar), or simply as a shortening of Indrani (meaning "wife of Indra").

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.

An unusual possibility; Zea would fit right in with schoolmates named Tea and Leya.

Tecla is a feminine name with ancient roots, derived from the Greek name Thekla, which means 'glory of God.' It gained prominence through Saint Thecla, a legendary early Christian saint and follower of Paul the Apostle, making it historically significant in Christian traditions. The name has been particularly popular in Spain, Italy, and Latin American countries, where it's pronounced 'TEH-klah.' While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Tecla has maintained steady usage in Mediterranean and Hispanic communities. The name has a distinctive, crisp sound with its strong consonants balanced by open vowels. Its ancient heritage combined with its relative rarity gives it an exotic yet classic appeal for parents seeking a name with historical depth.

See LORRAINE.

Cally is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the name Calliope, which means "beautiful voice" in Greek mythology. It can also be a diminutive form of names like Caroline, Callista, or Calista. Cally has a friendly, approachable quality with its soft sounds and playful ending. While not among the most common names, it has maintained steady usage throughout the years, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name carries connotations of creativity and artistic expression, reflecting its connection to Calliope, the muse of epic poetry in Greek mythology. Cally combines sweetness with a certain casual charm that makes it appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name.