Animal Names for Girls

A mighty lion in sheep's clothing. Though Amandla looks, to the untrained eye, like a variant of milquetoast Amanda, it actually derives from the word for "power" in the Zulu and Xhosa languages, two of the major languages of South Africa. Anti-Apartheid activists often used the phrase "Amandla Awethu!", meaning "power to the people," as a rallying cry at protests. There was also a 2002 documentary about the role of music in the downfall of Apartheid called "Amandla."

A big, bold, ultra-rare virtue name. Could it follow in the footsteps of Justice and Liberty?

Adaluna is the ultra-stylish smoosh name that nobody's caught onto yet. It's a one-of-a-kind compromise if you're deciding between Ada or Adeline and Luna. But despite its modern appearance, Adaluna has ancient roots. The Roman name for England's River Lune was Adaluna, probably due to its crescent-like shape. The similar name Adeluna is believed to be a variation of Adelina.

This name is a great option for people looking for a name that is unique (literally), imbued with history and international. Closely connected to Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, Benazir is used in Pakistan, Bangladesh and some parts of India, as well as by migrant communities in America and Europe. Miss Netherlands, Benazir Charles, is another notable bearer of this lovely name.

Dacia is an ancient place-name -- it was in Eastern Europe -- as lacy as Dacey, but more substantial.

Youthful Kazakh name derived from the Turkic word for moon, ay.

Arce was the twin sister of the Greek rainbow goddess Iris. Arce is often associated with the seldom-seen, faded second rainbow. She had iridescent wings, which Zeus eventually took off her after she betrayed the Gods of Olympus. The character is lovely, but Arce is likely to be mispronounced in English in a very unhelpful way. If you fancy this name we suggest you go with the alternate spelling Arke.

An adorable nickname for a smiley baby, but not suggested as a legal name.

To some, Eloise will forever be the imperious little girl making mischief at the Plaza Hotel, while the original version Heloise recalls the beautiful and learned wife of the French philosopher Peter Abelard, admired for her fidelity and piety.