first and middle names for girls
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- Aine
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"brightness, splendor"Description:
More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.
- Anya
Origin:
Russian diminutive of AnnaMeaning:
"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.
- Aivan
- Aoivin
- Bria
Origin:
Diminutive of Briana or GabriellaMeaning:
"hill, high; God is my strong man"Description:
Sweet and sparky but maybe a little bit stuck in the 90s, Bria is a nickname-y style choice with various origins.
- Cecilia
Origin:
Feminine form of Cecil, LatinMeaning:
"blind"Description:
Cecilia is a lovely classic name deservedly enjoying a new turn in the sun. Always among the Top 500 girls' names in the US, Cecilia is now at its highest point ever.
- Charlotte
Origin:
French, feminine diminutive of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
- Colette
Origin:
French, short form of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, GreekMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Like the French author with whom the name is most closely associated, Colette is a chic and charming name that is being rediscovered. After disappearing for nearly 30 years, Colette rejoined the Top 1000 in 2012 at Number 659 and has continued to rise since then.
- Elara
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"hazelnut, spear"Description:
In Greek mythology, Elara was a lover of Zeus who gave birth to a giant son (ouch); it's also the name of one of the moons of Jupiter, giving it a celestial feel. Possibly derived from the Greek alara meaning "hazelnut" or "spear", it combines that favorite El- beginning with the popular -ara ending of Clara, Lara, and Amara, making it an all round appealing choice. Currently in the UK Top 1000, and on the rise in the US, it could be a fresher or less popular alternative to Ella, Lyra, or Laura.
- Elia
Origin:
Italian variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Though the most famous Elia, screenwriter Kazan, was male, this name sounds like a spin on many popular girls' names, from Ella to Ellie to Isla and Leah. While the Italian pronunciation has the middle syllable as LEE, making it closer to the original Elijah would give the middle syllable a long I sound -- eh-LYE-ah.
- Elliot
Origin:
Anglicization of Elijah or EliasMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Elliot is another traditional boy name used for girls", a trend led by political commentator George Stephanopoulos and his actress wife Ali Wentworth.
- Elysia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from Elysium"Description:
This version stands out from the pack of Alyssas, Elissas et al, as Elysia relates to Elysian Fields, the mythological home of the blessed.
- Eris
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"strife, discord"Description:
Eris was the goddess of strife and discord, turned fairy tale and then popular culture figure Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty. Ironic, as her name sounds so much like that of Eros, the god of love.
- Ezri
Origin:
Variation of Ezra, HebrewMeaning:
"help"Description:
Ezri is one of the cool new unisex names starting with E, except as a Biblical name, it's not so new. Used for both genders in Israel, in the US it's currently running five to one in favor of girls, surprisingly. Its deviation from the better known and more traditional Ezra makes it feel like one of the more truly gender neutral names.
- Gemma
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"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.
- Harper
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"harp player"Description:
You might think of Harper as the hottest name of the last decade, jumping from obscurity to the Top 10, where it remained until last year.
- Iavan
- Katia
Origin:
Russian diminutive of EkaterinaMeaning:
"pure"Description:
One of the warm and earthy Russian nickname names now coming into style. Denzel Washington is the father of a Katia.
- Keeva
Origin:
Irish, phonetic spelling of CaoimheMeaning:
"gentle, beautiful, precious"Description:
Keeva, the name chosen by "How I Met Your Mother" star Alyson Hannigan for her daughter, has recently been a Top 20 name in Ireland, using the authentic spelling Caoimhe. The male version is Caomhin--anglicized as Kevin.
- Monroe
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"mouth of the Roe river"Description:
Monroe is a presidential name which, thanks to the immortal beauty of Marilyn Monroe, is catching on fast for baby girls. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon chose it for their twin daughter, honoring Marilyn Monroe. Their use of Monroe as a girls’ name did much to revive this Old Man name, a la Sydney, as a newly fashionable choice for girls.