Unique Girl Names: Uncommon, Unusual, Cool

Long before the current place-name craze, a pair of the more daring pop singers of the Age of Aquarius picked this name for their daughters. Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick used the conventional spelling, the Mamas and the Papas's Michelle Phillips went further afield with Chynna (of the group Wilson Phillips).

This French name meaning goddess is a possible Gallic import in the Celine mode.

Most modern parents would drop the Jo, leaving the superpopular Ella.

Gertie has a certain homespun charm, summoning to mind butter-yellow braids and denim overalls, summoning mind the adorable character played by little Drew Barrymore in E.T. Is the world ready for the return of Gertie and Gertrude? Maybe?

The mother goddess Ishtar (also called, or identified with, Ashtoreth, Ashtoret, Astarte and Inanna) was worshipped by the Assyrians and Babylonians as the goddess of love, war, justice and fertility. While the original meaning is unknown, the name possibly derives from "Attar" meaning the morning star. She has been equated with the Greek Aphrodite.

More unusual than Tessa, this would make an interesting, meaningful and attractive choice for a third child.

This name of the mythological sister of Mars might be used for a girl born under one of the signs ruled by the planet Mars--Aries or Scorpio. She is the personification of the war cry.

The name of an ancient country located in South Asia Minor, perfect for someone looking for a rare and feminine name with history.

A pretty and intriguing elaboration of Gal — made internationally famous by Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use.

Amabella is an elaboration of Amabel, a popular medieval name. Neil Gaiman and Liane Moriarty used Amabella as a character name in their novels, The Graveyard Book and Big Little Lies, respectively.

Kyriaki is the feminine variation of Kyriakos, derived from the Greek word kyrios, meaning "lord." It is also the Greek word for Sunday, meaning it doubles up as a word name.

An old-lady name in Scandinavia today, but Eivor may get a fresh start in the US, where it is associated with Assassain's Creed character Eivor Varinsdottir. Interestingly, the video game inspired several sets of parents to use the name for their sons in 2021 — the first year Eivor was ever recorded — but it has never made the charts for girls.

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.

Duna refers the Hungarian word for the Danube River or to the Icelandic term for the down of a duck. Duna also bears a resemblance to both Dune and Djuna. In this era of word names and invented names, Duna may have a bright future.

An unknown, strong Scandinavian name related to Tor/Thor, the Norse god of thunder, that would fit in perfectly here.

There's only one: Emmylou Harris, the singer who gives dignity to an old-style combo name.

Attractive form still très Parisienne.

A beautiful Urdu name with a musical sound and a lovely celestial meaning. Sitara got a boost in 2022, potentially from the award-winning 2020 short film "Sitara: Let Girls Dream", bringing awareness to the issue of child marriage.

Resonant and unusual.