Animal Names for Girls

With Arley, Remington, Kensigton, Arlo, and Arla on the rise, Arlington might just be heard a little more often in coming years. The surname style name could make a patriotic choice for those in the US, with its connections to Arlington National Cemetery. Given to 14 girls and 24 boys in 2023, it is making moves up the charts, albeit small ones.

It's a nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls. But also a dishwashing detergent.

Ambrette is the name of a French dessert pear, and also a West Indian hibiscus seed.

Andarta was a warrior goddess thought to have been associated with victory.

Dairin, or Dáirín, is a female version of Dáire, and the origin of Doreen. In fact, it sounds almost the same, but the spelling freshens it up for 21st-century tastes.

Annalise and Anneliese are more commonly used, but this spelling was Anne Frank's full first name.

This title name has not taken off yet in the naming world as others like Duke, King, Royal, and Reign have. Duchess was the name of the elegant and sophisticated cat in the classic Disney film, The Aristocats.

The short form Shira is more manageable.

Just one letter separates Alohi from the famous Hawaiian greeting "aloha," but that one letter makes all the difference.

Appealing comedian Aidy Bryant -- born Aidan -- put this energetic nickname on the map when she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2012. Each of the years since then has seen a handful of baby girls given Aidy as a full name. Which makes sense: It combines the elegance and trendiness of the whole Ada/Adaline/Adelaide family with the retro (almost rockabilly?) appeal of names like Hattie. Expect to see it more going forward as Bryant's star continues to rise.