Great and unusual girl names

Anara

Kazakh, Persian, and Hindi

"pomegranate flower"

Anara is a name that strikes a perfect balance between simple and unusual. It's easy to understand and pronounce for a Westerner, and yet it's highly distinctive, used for only 24 girls in the US in…

Annora

Latin

"honor"

Annora is a noble name, a distinctive twist on its most essential form: Honor. Other variations to explore include Honora and Nora.

Arianwen

Welsh

"silver, white, fair, blessed"

Rarely heard outside of Wales, Arianwen combines the pretty Welsh element gwen with the silvery arian , giving it a metallic and shining meaning. The name is sometimes listed as one of the daughters…

Atara

Hebrew

"crown"

Also written as Atarah, this regal name appears in the Old Testament, borne by the wife of Jerahmeel. With its confident air and concise appearance, it was given to just under 50 girls in the US in a…

Audra

English, Lithuanian

"noble strength; storm"

Used primarily in Scotland, and represented here by singer Audra McDonald, the girls' name Audra has been overshadowed by the return of the classic Audrey. Audra may be to Audrey what Jenna is to…

Avalyn

Variation of Aveline or Avalon, combination of Ava and Lyn

"desired; island of apples; life, water or bird + lake or beautiful"

Part Ava, part Evelyn, this name made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2013 when it was one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Joining Gracelyn, Raelynn, and Emmalyn in the charts,…

Brighton

English place-name

Out-of-the-way place name (it's an antiquated holiday spot on England's south coast) that might make a brilliant choice. Actor/director Jon Favreau named his daughter Brighton Rose.

Caia

Latin, feminine variation of Caius

"to rejoice"

Caia Caecilia was the Roman Goddess of fire and women. The name Caia would make a truly fresh alternative to the flagging Maya, with which it rhymes.

Caitria

Caitria is a feminine name with Irish and Gaelic origins. It represents a unique variation of Katherine or Catherine, ultimately derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, meaning "pure." Caitria…

Callista

Greek

"most beautiful"

Calista Flockhart spotlighted this lovely Greek name that has a long future in the English-speaking world. Kallista is another spelling; Calixta and Calixto are related.

Cressida

Greek

"gold"

Cressida is a golden, mythological, and Shakespearean name, much better known in Britain than it is in the US. Given to just 11 American girls in a recent year — though still the highest number on…

Demeter

Greek

"earth mother"

Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain, agriculture, and the harvest, growth and nourishment, was Zeus's sister and Persephone's mother. Variation Demetria is the full name of actress Demi Moore. Though…

Edeline

Variation of Adeline, French from German

"noble, nobility"

An Old French variation of the popular Adeline and Adelina, Edeline may appeal to those who want something rare-but-familiar, to anyone looking to honor and Edward or Edith, or to those who want…

Emmaline

English variation of Emmeline, French

"work"

This iteration of the name makes the link to the ultra-popular Emma even more obvious. It lags behind alternate spelling Emmeline on the US Top 1000 list. Emmaline Henry was an American actress, best…

Evaline

Variation of Evelyn or Aveline

Evaline may be unusual, but there are so many stylish names around right now that sound like it, from Eva to Evelyn to Adeline, that it will feel less distinctive than it is.

Eyla

Eyla is a short, melodic feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Isla (Scottish for 'island'), Ayla (Turkish for 'moonlight' or Hebrew for 'oak tree'), or Ella (Germanic…

Hadleigh

Spelling variation of Hadley, English

"heathery field"

Hadley, an old surname-name best known as the name of author Ernest Hemingway's "Paris Wife," only recently broke onto the scene in a big way. While Hadley has considerable appeal, spelling…

Indira

Sanskrit

"beauty"

A striking and feminine possibility associated with a modern hero — long-time Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi. It is also a significant choice within Hinduism, as it is used as an alternative…

Kallista

Greek

"most beautiful"

Actress Flockhart popularized the C version, but this works, too.