American Girl Names
- Kailani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea and sky"Description:
This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
- Miley
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
One-time overnight success name, thanks to Hannah Montana actress and singer Miley Cyrus, Miley fell just as quickly from her peak of Number 127 in 2008 as the star entered her rebellious era.
- Apple
Origin:
English nature nameMeaning:
"apple"Description:
When people talk about unique baby names, Apple is often one of the first examples they mention. Apple made international headlines when Gwyneth Paltrow chose this wholesome fruit name for her daughter. Many have called it ridiculous, but we have to admit, we find it appealing enough to list as one of our top cute baby names. Rocker Bob Geldof named one of his daughters Peaches; Banana Yoshimoto is a hipster writer. Another choice in this genre is the luscious Plum, though for different reasons, neither Prune nor Cherry will fly.
- Talullah
Origin:
Irish, Anglicized variation of TuilelaithMeaning:
"lady of abundance"Description:
Talullah or Talulla, the old Irish name of two early saints, is almost identical to the Native-American Tallulah. A modern hipster favorite, however it's spelled.
- Yona
Origin:
Cherokee or variation of Jonah, HebrewMeaning:
"bear; dove"Description:
A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in 2021.
- Rebel
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"rebel"Description:
Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is a hilarious Australian actress who puts a female spin on this contemporary badass baby name. Still, we think this name is truly gender neutral – though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest girls' names starting with the letter R.
- Sequoia
Origin:
Native American, CherokeeMeaning:
"sparrow"Description:
This name of a giant tree, itself named for a nineteenth-century Cherokee who invented a way to write his tribe's language, makes a strong, stately statement.
- Nita
Origin:
Hindi, Hebrew, and ChoctawMeaning:
"friendly, to plant, and bear"Description:
One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.
- Anniston
Origin:
English surname and American place nameMeaning:
"Anis' town; Annie's town"Description:
A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late 19th century by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler, it was named in honor of the latter's daughter-in-law, Annie Tyler.
- Ama
Origin:
Ewe, Akan, Ghanaian, CherokeeMeaning:
"born on Saturday; water"Description:
Ama is a day name used by the Akan people of Ghana for girls born on Saturday. Names that reference a baby's birth by day of the week, time of day, or season of the year are common in many African cultures. Ama is one that can be used happily by parents who live in English-speaking countries.
- Dream
Origin:
Word name, EnglishMeaning:
"cherished ambition or hope; thoughts and images experienced during sleep; ideal"Description:
A whimsical and serene feeling word name, bestowed to reflect the joy and perfection parents might find in their children and the ambitions they have for them. Once a fantastical and celebrity-only feeling option, Dream came into popular usage after Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna chose it for their daughter in 2016.
- Holiday
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"holy day"Description:
Free and fun name if you don't want to be pinned down to Noelle, Pasqua, or Valentine.
- Imala
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"strong-minded"Description:
Distinctive Native-American choice with forceful meaning.
- America
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
- Topanga
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"where the mountain meets the sea"Description:
Used for a free-spirited character on a 1990s sitcom, this name of a beautiful Southern California canyon does have an unconventional aura.
- Kadence
Origin:
Variation of Cadence, word nameDescription:
K-beginnings are often substituted for Cs, and this spelling is definitely finding favor with many parents, among them skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. However, sometimes the original is the best - we suggest sticking to the still unusual Cadence.
- Talulah
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"leaping water"
- Kinta
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"deer"
- Inola
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"black fox"Description:
One of three Cherokee names with the same meaning, along with Inali and Enoli, both male names.
- Issi
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"deer"Description:
The double S is pronounced with a pause between like in "dress suit."