UK Girl Names

All the names ending in-lyn seem sadly dated.

More modern nickname for Victoria than Vicky. Better known as Tori spelling.

Palin has suddenly become a hot new surname-name given usually to girls. The inspiration can only be former Alaska governor Sarah, though the name Palin is her husband's -- her original surname is Heath. Palin herself is no stranger to the adventurous baby name, as the mother of daughters Bristol, Piper, and Willow, and sons Track and Trig.

Latter-day Ashley that comes in a range of spelling variations. Ansley and Ainsley have both hit the Top 1000 in recent years.

Twiggy was the working name of English international supermodel and original 'mod squad' girl Lesley Lawson. While the name conjures images of cool 60s parties and glamour, be warned that this could be a hard name to wear as a teenager, particularly if you're not stick thin. Perhaps best to keep this one as a middle name or nickname.

This trendy spelling of Emily may be benefiting from the rise of Emery.

Makes Ida more feminine but no more fashionable.

Chosen by Woody Allen for his son with Mia Farrow (now renamed Seamus), honoring the great old-time baseball player Satchel Paige, and by Spike Lee for his daughter, but far too eccentric for ordinary use.

Brings Jennifer into the twenty-first century.

Blakesley is the name of a village in England, also sometimes found as a surname along with Blakely and Blakeley, turned into a first name for their daughter by reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter. Blakesley joins other -ley ending names -- Hadley, Finley -- as one of the most popular forms of unisex names with a girlish spin.

Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.

Gwyladyss is an Old Welsh variation of the New Welsh Gladys, pronounced like the more familiar form, but modern English speakers can be forgiven for not knowing that. Gladys would be a difficult enough name for a 21st century child; with this spelling, it would be impossible.

Set apart from other once-male-only surnames because of its peaceful element. This is one of the newest and trendiest names that mean peace.

Bobbsey Twins-era nickname name that could find new life via Nan, heroine of The Nanny Diaries. Nan was also the nickname of Annabel St George, the protagonist of Edith Wharton's novel "The Buccaneers".

Unusual, serious, no-nonsense occupational surname that could be borrowed from the boys.

Santes Ffraid is the traditional Welsh name for St Bridget, the Irish national saint and legendary miracle worker. The connection becomes clearer through the Scottish form of the name, Bride. It's worth noting that it sounds like the English word "fried".