997+ Unique, Rare, and Unusual Girl Names
- Ursuline
Origin:
Diminutive of UrsulaMeaning:
"little bear"Description:
Ursula, while beautiful, still carries a whiff of the Disney sea witch. Perhaps Ursuline smells a bit sweeter?
- Iana
Origin:
Latin, Slavic variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
In Roman mythology, Iana was an epithet of Diana, goddess of the moon.
- Lalage
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"to chatter"Description:
An interesting name despite the pronunciation challenge. It has literary roots, both in the classical poetry of Horace, and as a character in John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman. Appealing nicknames are Lalla and Lally.
- Yardley
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"wood clearing"Description:
Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly.
- Finja
Origin:
German, short form of JosephineDescription:
Finja Is a Josephine nickname that ranks among the Top 100 girl names in Germany.
- Gemella
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"twin"Description:
A pretty possibility for a Gemini girl.
- Belize
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"muddy waters"Description:
This Central American place-name would make a unique alternative to Bella or Belle. The name Belize comes from the Mayan word Balix, meaning "muddy waters" — a reference to the Belize River.
- Dimity
Origin:
Type of cotton clothDescription:
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.
- Audyn
Origin:
English, variation of AudenMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
Auden is increasing in use for girls each year, and the feminized spelling Audyn is beginning to follow along. Parents are loving the gentle but unisex sound of this surname, associated with poet W.H., Auden.
- Bethia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"daughter of Jehovah"Description:
Long forgotten Old Testament name with modern potential.
- Seville
Origin:
Spanish from PhoenicianMeaning:
"plain, valley"Description:
A rare and evocative place name for a girl. Seville is the capital of Andalusia, an autonomous community in Spain. The Spanish name, Sevilla, derived from the Phoenician word sefela, meaning "plain" or "valley."
- Enzi
Origin:
African, SwahiliMeaning:
"powerful"Description:
This short and strong Swahili name shares lots of sounds with trending Ezra and Enzo, and has a great meaning too. This name is considered unisex in East Africa.
- Etheline
Origin:
Variation of Ethel, EnglishMeaning:
"noble maiden"Description:
Ethel is one of.those vintage names that will always will be out...or will it? A generation ago we might have said the same for now-fashionable names like Florence and Ida. Even if Ethel rises, Etheline might sound too much like a chemical compound.
- Ibby
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.
- Season
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"time of sowing"Description:
A generic possibility if you don't want to specify Spring or Summer.
- Haviva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"well loved"Description:
An alternative to the more familiar Aviva.
- Ariza
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"cedar panels"Description:
Its meaning refers to the rich wood that lined the walls of King Solomon's temple. Well used in modern Israel, it's pronouced ah-REE-zuh.
- Atlanta
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"Atlantic Ocean"Description:
The capital of Georgia is far from the ocean, but got its name from the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran through the city. Best known as a hub of industry and transport, and for its roles in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, it has never been popular as a baby name despite sounding like one. Its peak popularity was in 1995, the year before Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.
- Yulisa
Origin:
Spanish variation of Julisa or JuliaMeaning:
"youthful or sky father"Description:
Yulisa is a spelling variation of the Latin American Julissa or Julisa. Yulisa clarifies the pronunciation of the name for English speakers.
- Girasol
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"sunflower"Description:
Girasol is a Spanish nature name, meaning "sunflower." As sun-related names — such as Soleil, Sol, and Sunny — heat up, we may see more of Girasol.