UK Girl Names

Not time yet for Thyme.

Jagger, made famous as the surname of Rolling Stone Mick, gets an entry in the girls' column thanks to Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross, who chose it for their daughter. For either gender, this name rocks...but a bit jaggedly. Currently, there are nearly 20 times as many baby boys than girls are given the name Jagger. That balance may shift, making Jagger a more truly gender neutral name.

An alternative to the highly popular Aubrey.

Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, updating the 80s darlings Blake and Ashley.

Selby, a rarely heard British surname, feels sleeker and more distinctive than Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.

Cute nickname name used by Woody Harrelson for his daughter, but does have possible association with Denny's.

Much more upscale and modern for a girl than a boy.

One in the currently modish aden family of boys' names beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. The name Brayden was given to 15 baby girls in the US last year....and over 5000 baby boys, so it can hardly be considered gender neutral, but rather a boys' name occasionally used for girls.

Part Cameron, part Amber, Camber may be a new name but it feels right for our times. As a word, camber means a slightly arched surface.

A diminutive diminutive, too tease-worthy.

An old-man name that sounds cute when used for a little girl, and is starting to seem cool again for boys too.

One of the bird names that's more appropriate for a boy, though it works for a girl too.

And her sisters, Stormy and Sunny.

Lorelei would make a cooler choice.

Dimity is fairly common in Australia, but unheard of outside of it, which is surprising given its similarity to names like Amity, Verity, and Cassidy.

Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.

If you like lispy Celtic and Gaelic names, you may fall for Lynneth. Lynneth has a similar sound to Gwyneth, Elspeth and Meredith and might, therefore, find popularity among those who are looking for an alternative to the rather dated Lynette.

The feminine version of the common Welsh name Glyn became somewhat known in this country via the charming Welsh actress Glynis Johns. Variations include Glenys and Glynys. With other Welsh names--Gwyneth, Bronwyn, Bryn, Griffith--now on the American table, Glynis could make a distinctive tribute to an Uncle Glenn.