Great and unusual girl names

Melora

Greek

"golden apple"

Euphonic hybrid of the sounds of Melissa and Laura. Melora Hardin is an actress who was featured on The Office.

Meris

Meris is a delicate feminine name with classical origins. It likely derives from the Greek word 'meris' meaning 'part' or 'portion,' or possibly relates to Latin 'merus' meaning 'pure.' The name…

Mireia

Catalan form of Mireille

"to admire"

Popular name in Spain drawn from the Provencal Mireio, coined by the poet Frederic Mistral. Very pretty and, though difficult to spell and pronounce, simpler than the French version.

Mireya

Spanish from Latin

"admired"

A pretty and unusual path to the nickname Mira. Mira is the main character in Nobel Prize-winner Federico Mistral's poem of the same name. Mireya Moscoso was Panama's first female president.

Nera

Hebrew

"candle, light"

Because of its meaning, this is a symbolic name given to girls born on Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

Nyah

Nyah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, giving it rich multicultural significance. In Arabic, it's related to 'Nia' meaning 'purpose' or 'intention.' In Swahili traditions, it…

Nyssa

Greek

"goal"

A fairly common Greek name that would fit in well here.

Phaedra

Greek

"bright"

This name of a tragic figure in Greek mythology, the daughter of King Minos, sister of Ariadne and wife of Theseus, has a mysterious and intriguing appeal, and would make a dramatic choice. Phaedra…

Senara

Variation of Azenor, Breton

"light"

The origins of Senara, the name of a Cornish saint who is patron of the village of Zennor, are not so straightforward. Some say she was the same person as Azenor, a legendary Breton princess whose…

Tamsin

English, contracted form of Thomasina

"twin"

Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes , Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan…

Waverly

English

"meadow of quivering aspens"

Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Its upper-crusty surname feel places it among the new stylish…