First name?

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.

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.

Mirabel is one of those names that's not on the Top 1000 but ought to be, and undoubtedly will be soon following the release of Disney's 2021 Encanto. Mirabel is the film's quirky and highly relatable heroine. Mirabel had a significant rise in 2022, going from 34 births in 2021 to 153 births in 2022. Read more about Mirabel and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Mia, Gia, and now Sia!

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.

In the ancient Hindu religion, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, though in modern America, this might make a better girls' than boys' name. You can spell it Indre, like the French river, if you prefer.

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.

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.

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

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.

Resonant and unusual.

See LORRAINE.

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.