Saki's Top Girls Names 2015

Tansy is a flower name rarer than Rose, livelier than Lily and a lot less teasable than Pansy.

With related choices such as Lark and Phoenix gaining popularity, why not Sparrow? Though it's usually thought of as a female name, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their son.

Kalea is a Top 100 name for girls in Hawaii, that may also be spelled as Kale'a. Sources differ on the meaning of the name, but the most authoritative land on "joy or happiness", with other suggestions being "clear", "call, voice", "the bright one" or a combination of other Hawaiian names, such as Kalani and Leilani.

Smart and preppy, but with plenty of heart, Hartley is a surname style name that could work as an alternative to the popular Harley, Harlowe, Harper, and Hadley. Quietly used for boys throughout the 20th century, Hartley took off for girls in 2010 after both Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath and baseball player Matt Cain used the name for their daughters.

Ebba, the feminine version of Ebbe (a diminutive of Eberhard or Asbjorn) and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity.

This rarified Greek name -- in classical mythology Pallas Athena was the goddess of wisdom and the arts -- might appeal to literary-minded parents. Among the raft of stylish girl names that start with P, Pallas is one rare choice that is often overlooked....but shouldn't be.

A trendy and fashionable-sounding Romanian name with rich history. There was a mythical Romanian princess with the name, and it was also a name used by real-life Romanian royalty.

Averell is a feminine name with Anglo-Norman origins, though it can also be used for males in some contexts. Derived from the Germanic elements 'eber' (wild boar) and 'hard' (brave, strong), it evolved through French influence into its current form. Historically more common as a surname, Averell gained limited use as a first name among aristocratic families. The name carries connotations of strength and resilience, with a sophisticated, somewhat aristocratic air. While never achieving widespread popularity, Averell has maintained a consistent presence among families seeking distinctive names with historical depth. Its unusual sound and spelling give it a memorable quality while still being pronounceable. In the United States, the name may be associated with notable bearers like diplomat Averell Harriman.

Most modern parents would probably prefer the cooler Rowan.