Modern Baby Girl Names
- Marleigh
Origin:
Spelling variation of MarleyDescription:
This variation of Marley is gaining momentum due to the popular -leigh suffix, which is all over the US popularity lists. This name in particular reentered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
- Oak
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Ten times as many boys are named Oak as girls: about 50 boys last year to five girls. Of course, nature names don't have any traditional gender identification the way names like John and Mary do, so Oak works well for all babies. Oakley is the most popular Oak name for babies of all genders.
- Hensley
Origin:
American invented nameDescription:
With Henley and Kinsley two of the most popular new ley-ending baby names for girls, why not Hensley? We can think of several reasons, but if you like this style of name, Hensley is as attractive as any.
- Cartier
Origin:
French variation of Carter, EnglishMeaning:
"transporter of goods by cart"Description:
Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.
- Gracen
Origin:
Elaboration of Grace, virtue nameDescription:
Grace, meet Grayson. The stylish classic girls' name Grace -- it's in the Top 20 -- and the trendy boys' name Grayson or Greyson, a member of the Jason-Mason-Cason club, combine to create the girls' name Gracen. For a little girl, we'd stop at Grace.
- Tai
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"great extreme"Description:
Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."
- Bryar
Origin:
Variation of Briar, EnglishMeaning:
"a thorny patch"Description:
Bryar is a respelling of Briar, a trendy botanical name that is used nearly equally for girls and boys. About 50 baby girls were named Bryar last year, compared with about 500 named Briar.
- Daleyza
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
The invented Daleyza was the fastest-rising girls' name in the US in 2013, thanks to the adorable young daughter of Larry Hernandez, star of Larrymania. If you've been out of the world of baby names for a while, you may be surprised to learn that Daleyza is now one of the most popular girl names starting with D.
- Melani
Origin:
Variation of Melanie, GreekMeaning:
"black, dark"Description:
Lobbing off the final E makes Melanie more modern.
- Quarry
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Strong meaning, sweet but strong sound, fresh and earthy: a winner.
- Rilynn
Origin:
Modern Invented NameDescription:
A variation of Riley with an added -lynn suffix, this girl name is bubbling right underneath the Top 1000.
- Karter
Origin:
Spelling variation of CarterMeaning:
"transporter of goods by cart"Description:
The K-spelling of Carter has been in the boys' Top 1000 since 2005. In 2014, Karter cracked the girls' Top 1000, too. Karter joins the plethora of surnames turned boys' names that are now entering the world of girls' names as well. This particular one also has the trendy Kardashian-Esque "K" beginning. The Carter spelling entered the Top 1000 for girls around the same time but currently sits higher up in the charts, hovering just around the Top 500.
- Tru
Origin:
Variation of True, English word nameMeaning:
"true"Description:
Short and sweet but edgy too, Tru is fresh feeling virtue name that's currently in the US Top 1000 for boys and girls. Given to around 270 girls in 2023, the longer form True also on the rise. Rarely used before the 2000s, Tru caught on in 2004 when it was used for the heroine in the television series, "Tru Calling".
- Brixley
Description:
Brixley is a modern feminine name that has emerged as part of the contemporary trend toward surname-inspired and location-based names with the popular '-ley' suffix. Likely derived from Brix (possibly referring to Brixham, a town in Devon, England) or Brixton (a London district), combined with the trendy '-ley' ending seen in names like Kinsley and Paisley. This recently created name has gained modest attention in the United States in the past decade, particularly among parents seeking distinctive, contemporary-sounding names. Brixley has a preppy, crisp sound that fits current naming trends while remaining uncommon enough to feel special. The name carries a modern, English countryside aesthetic without strong historical or cultural associations.
- Kaci
Description:
Kaci is a feminine name with multiple origins. It can be an Irish variant of Casey, derived from 'Cathasaigh' meaning 'vigilant' or 'watchful.' It's also seen as a diminutive of Katherine or a modern spelling variation of Kasey. The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, reaching its peak in the early 1990s. Kaci is appreciated for its friendly, approachable sound while maintaining a distinctive quality. The name carries a youthful, energetic connotation and has remained a modest choice for parents seeking something familiar yet not overly common.
- Malaysia
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
This evocative place-name is rising in popularity -- despite (or perhaps because of) the unfortunate association with an airplane that went missing in March 2014.
- Malani
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Girl names ending in lani are one of the hottest trends of recent years, thanks to the lilting and lyrical Hawaiian name Leilani. Leilani has inspired a number of offshoots, including Kehlani and Meilani.
- Jaden
Origin:
Spelling variation of JadonMeaning:
"God has heard"Description:
From obscure male biblical boy's name to unisex favorite, Jadon/Jaden, in all its variations, has had a meteoric rise in popularity, building on Jade and Jada, plus the trendy en ending.
- Amen
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
One of the new literalist religious names, like Blessing, Heavenly and Neveah. More male than female, but essentially unisex.
- Devony
Origin:
Variation of place-name Devon or invented nameDescription:
Devony is a highly unusual girls' name that is occasionally found. While there were no baby girls named Devony on record in recent years, the name has been used over time for a handful of females. It may be a variation of the British county name Devon or a made-up name. Pronunciation follows the same rhythm as Stephanie.