Favorite Girl Names

Lillian

English from Latin

"lily; pledged to God"

Lillian has ranked among the US Top 100 for the past 20 years, making it Lily's less popular but more grown-up cousin. A Top 10 name at the turn of the last century, the heyday of Lillian Gish and…

Michelle

French variation of Michael

"who is like God"

Michelle is the feminine form of Michel, the French variation of Michael. Michael was derived from the Hebrew name Mihka’el, meaning "who is like God." The alternate spelling Michele, with one "L,"…

Rebekah

Hebrew

"to tie, bind"

Many parents prefer this spelling of Rebecca, used in some versions of the Bible. Still, it's slipped considerably since its heyday in the eighties and nineties and fell off the US Top 1000…

Roselyn

Combination name of Rose and Lynn

Roselyn was a frequent member of the US Top 1000 in the early twentieth century until it dropped off the charts in 1954. It didn't return until 2003. This name takes Rosalind and makes it rosier. As…

Katrina

German variation of Katherine

"pure"

The hurricane blew this one out of the realm of possibility.

Kaylin

American variation of Kayla

Kaylin is a variation of Kayla and Katelyn that had several years of chart climbing before reaching a peak of Number 372 in 2009. Cailin and Kailyn are two other spellings.

Karen

Danish variation of Katherine, Japanese

"pure; lotus flower"

Karen, a once sweet Danish import, was so popular during the baby boom (Karen was Number 3 in 1960) that it's become a mem in recent years, representing a hostile white woman—one who usually wants to…

Susannah

Hebrew

"lily"

Susannah is by far the most stylish form of the classic name now that Susan and Suzanne have retired. Susannah has biblical and musical pedigrees, is impervious to trends, and has an irresistible,…

Lillianna

Spelling variation of Liliana

A variant of the more popular Liliana, Lillianna is an elaboration of the name "Lily". The multiple double letters could be appealing or confusing, depending on who you ask, but Liliana is the deemed…

Natalya

Russian from Latin

"natal day, Christmas"

Perfect name for a little girl born at Christmas . Its many variations and pet forms include Natalia, Nataliya, Natalie, Nataly, Natascha, Talya, Talia, Tasha and Tasya.

Ekaterina

Russian; Macedonian; Bulgarian, variation of Catherine

"pure"

This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.

Sahara

Arabic

"deserts"

A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use, Sahara brings to mind deserts and heat. Derived from Arabic, it is the name of the world's largest hot desert, located across the North…