997+ Unique, Rare, and Unusual Girl Names

  1. Cricket
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Nickname name from the era of Father Knows Best, though we can see it making something of a comeback, a la Clover and Pippa. Cricket has new potential especially since it has recently been chosen by Busy Philipps. Still, it's one of the quirkier girl names starting with C.
  2. Eilish
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Eilis, Irish form of Hebrew Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar to English speakers. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers.
  3. Jessamine
    • Origin:

      English from Persian
    • Meaning:

      "jasmine"
    • Description:

      Jessamine, a charming name occasionally heard in England, is just beginning to be appreciated in the U.S. as a possible successor to all the Jess names of the past. It's also spelled Jessamyn, as in Quaker novelist Jessamyn West, author of Friendly Persuasion--who started life with Jessamyn as her middle name.
  4. Coral
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      First used during the Victorian craze for jewel names; it could rise again, along with Ruby and Pearl, though it doesn't have as much luster.
  5. Junia
    • Origin:

      Latin, Feminine variation of Junius
    • Meaning:

      "born in June"
    • Description:

      Juno is hot, June is showing signs of a comeback along with other month and day names, whereas Junia, the name of the the first century Christian referred to by the apostle Paul as an apostle (and who may have been male), is yet to be discovered.
  6. Geraldine
    • Origin:

      German and French, feminine variation of Gerald
    • Meaning:

      "ruler with the spear"
    • Description:

      Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie.
  7. Juna
    • Origin:

      English, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "June"
    • Description:

      Juna, a variation of the newly stylish month name June, goddess name Juno, or literary Djuna, is among the fresher-feeling girl names starting with J. While Juna has never been given to more than 50 baby girls per year in the US, it's a popular choice in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
  8. Joni
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Iconic folk singer Joni Mitchell (born Roberta Joan) lends this cute vintage nickname a cool, bohemian feel. This spelling feels more streamlined and modern than Mad Men-esque Joanie.
  9. Esmeray
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "dark moon"
    • Description:

      Lovers of Esme might also like this beautiful Turkish name, with its mysterious meaning. The last syllable sounds like "rye".
  10. Zipporah
    • Origin:

      Variation of Tziporah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      There are many variations of this name, with or without the initial T and the final h, with one p or two. In the Bible she was the wife of Moses.
  11. Deia
    • Origin:

      Place name; Latin
    • Meaning:

      "joy; goddess"
    • Description:

      Sam Branson (son of businessman Sir Richard Branson) and his wife put this pretty place name on the baby name map when they called their daughter Eva-Deia in 2015. Their inspiration was the beautiful bohemian village of Deià in Mallorca, where the Branson family has a luxury residence.
  12. Ismene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "knowledgeable"
    • Description:

      Sister of Antigone and daughter of Oedipus in Greek mythology, Ismene's name is unlikely to make it in modern times because of its teasability factor. Ismay or Esme would be better bets.
  13. Endellion
    • Origin:

      Cornish place and saint's name
    • Description:

      Endellion is the name of an early saint who was a daughter of King Brychan and goddaughter of King Arthur whose life is commemorated by the Cornish village of St. Endellion. This intriguing ancient name was brought into modern usage by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who used it as one of the middle names for his fourth child, a baby girl.
  14. Fiorella
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "little flower"
    • Description:

      Not only are individual flower names more popular (and out-there) than ever, but so too are the more generic names like Florence and Flora. While brother name Fiorello became known via long-term New York Mayor LaGuardia, the lovely Fiorella has never crossed cultures. She could join Arabella as a post-Isabella ella choice.
  15. Galatea
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "she who is milk-white"
    • Description:

      This name's meaning derives from the material from which the mythical sculptor Pygmalion chiselled his ideal woman - she was carved from ivory. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation and Aphrodite, taking pity on him, brought the sculpture to life. The woman was named Galatea due to her incredibly pale skin. The Pygmalion myth was the inspiration behind the story of "My Fair Lady" starring Julie Andrews on stage and Audrey Hepburn on screen.
  16. Esra
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "travel at night"
    • Description:

      This lovely Top 100 Turkish name is related to the Arabic Asra or Isra.
  17. Ever
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Ever is a name we first heard via the now grown-up Ever Carradine, daughter of Robert. It's a truly unusual and simple name with an evocative meaning. Milla Jovovich and Paul Anderson chose it for their daughter.
  18. Jubilee
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ram's horn"
    • Description:

      Jubilee has a joyous and jubilant aura, but it wouldn't be an easy name to carry, what with all that pressure to be a living, breathing, 24-7 party. Jubilee was the name selected by television's Duggars for their miscarried child.
  19. Hecate
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "willpower or far-reaching"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Hecate is associated with witchcraft and magic. The name may mean "willpower" or "far-reaching".
  20. Nephele
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cloudy"
    • Description:

      An enchanting ancient Greek name belonging to the Greek goddess who was created from a cloud by Zeus and so became goddess of the clouds and mother of the centaurs. The name Nephele is not widely known but as among modern parents become used to Phoebe, Penelope, and Persephone, it may become one of the ancient Greek goddess names that's back in the mix.