Animal Names for Girls

Ayva is a new entry in the popular Ava and Eva cluster. Its only advantage over the original is that it clarifies pronunciation....but that's not much of a problem if you simply spell it Ava.

As Ashley becomes one of today's "mom names" thanks to its popularity amongst millennial-borns, Ashton is a fresh alternative. This particular spelling is nearly completely equally split between girls and boys in 2022.

The name of an American cosmetics company which was inspired by the ancient traditional medicine practices known as Ayurveda, literally "knowledge of longevity" in Sanskrit. Unfortunately, when shortened to Aveda, the literal meaning in Sanskrit becomes "not knowledge" – no doubt not what the company's founder intended. If you can get past this, a pretty and evocative name associated with holistic health and beauty.

Anima is a name that could work in so many languages, blessed as it is with easy spelling and pronunciation. It works equally well in the East and in the West, as its roots can either come from Latin, where it means "soul", or from Sanskrit, where it means "minute, tiny".

A snug word name that may appeal to hygge-minded parents. It reappeared on the US charts in both 2020 and 2022 after a gap of 55 years. It can be short for Cosima or Cosette/Cozette.

There aren't many characters in the notoriously amoral world of Game of Thrones with a spotless record of moral righteousness -- but Brienne of Tarth comes close. She's one of the most accomplished, ferocious fighters in the entire series -- she was one of the few people ever to best The Hound in one and one combat. And yet she always tries to use her power for good.

Auden is increasing in use for girls each year, and the feminized spelling Audyn is beginning to follow along. Parents are loving the gentle but unisex sound of this surname, associated with poet W.H., Auden.

Form of Eleanor found in the Pacific Islands, such as Fiji and Tonga. Other sources say it is used in Hawaii, but Elenoa has never been recorded as a name in the state.

Corona was once an improbable choice due to the beer brand. After the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, its firmly cemented its status as a nonviable baby name.

A modern Cornish word name with a sturdy natural namesake. Derwa is a related Cornish saint's name.

Americans use Asani for their sons and daughters, but it originated as a Swahili masculine given name.

Not, as you may be inclined to think, a variation of Eleanor. Elanur is a modern Turkish compound of the names Ela (meaning "hazel") and Nur ("light.")

Portuguese feminine form of Gaetan/Gaetano.

The name of a woman who played a dramatic role in ancient Roman legend, it seems quite slight for modern use. Variation: ARIA

There are several better Cal- names that don't simply echo a male form.

Aleksandra is the preferred spelling in many Eastern European languages and cultures, but for English-speakers it's ironically more confusing if also perfectly phonetically clear.