Unique Girl Names: Uncommon, Unusual, Cool

Appealing comedian Aidy Bryant -- born Aidan -- put this energetic nickname on the map when she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2012. Each of the years since then has seen a handful of baby girls given Aidy as a full name. Which makes sense: It combines the elegance and trendiness of the whole Ada/Adaline/Adelaide family with the retro (almost rockabilly?) appeal of names like Hattie. Expect to see it more going forward as Bryant's star continues to rise.

A nonbinary word name that could work perfectly in the middle, especially for a child born under a fire sign.

Diminutive of Ignatius or its female form Ignatia – or, if you're thinking outside the box, of Ingrid or even Indigo. British actor, presenter and comedian Noel Fielding named his second daughter Iggy in 2020.

Deren is a name that could easily cross borders — and who wouldn't love it, with that whimsical meaning?

With Arley, Remington, Kensigton, Arlo, and Arla on the rise, Arlington might just be heard a little more often in coming years. The surname style name could make a patriotic choice for those in the US, with its connections to Arlington National Cemetery. Given to 14 girls and 24 boys in 2023, it is making moves up the charts, albeit small ones.

A unisex surname familiarized by male actor Dabney Coleman, but with potential to carry over to the girl's side as well. Dabney feels in line with the Irish Darcy and Darby.

Fierce, bold, and very evocative, Warrior is not a name for the faint of heart. It's the latest in a slew of Magic Names, chosen for their incantatory power, added to the baby name lexicon. Parents may hope a name like Warrior will protect their child from some of the hardships of the world.

Popular choice among Millennial and Gen Z girls in Hawaii, following along the tails of Kalani.

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.

Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly.

Juliet sound-alike Joliet actually derives from the name Jolie, and was historically a term of endearment, later a surname. It's an attractive alternative to Juliet names and could work to honor a Joe or Joseph in your life.

Although the best-known Kehinde is the male painter Kehinde Wiley, this name is used for both genders in its native Nigeria and can be just as attractive for a girl.

Upbeat Scottish surname reminiscent of Kenzie. Kedzie Avenue is a major North-South street in Chicago, named after real estate developer John Hume Kedzie.

The name of a port town in Maine, named after the birthplace of one of its founders Alexander Shapleigh, of Kittery Court, Devon, England.

This Ethiopian girl's name feels in line with stylish Kalani, Kehlani and Kailani. Kuleni, pronounced "koo-LEH-nee", has the evocative meaning of "the one whose eyes are lined with mascara".

Feeney is an Irish surname found mostly in northwest Ireland. It may rise in the US as a first name for girls along with such Irish surnames as Riley and Kennedy. Feeney might also be considered an out-of-the-box short form of Josephine.

A preppy surname and place name derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Ælfweard "elf guardian" + the -by suffix, meaning "village, homestead". Ellerby feels like a quirkier Ellery or Emery.

As more parents look for unique alternatives to the popular Isabella — Isabeau and Isadora are two great examples — they may like the beautiful Gambian name Isatou. Isatou Ceesay is a Gambian activist who started a revolutionary recycling movement called "One Plastic Bag".

A snowy epithet of the goddess Pavarti.