One-of-a-Kind Names for Girls

This name has been in the Chilean popularity charts for a while. Millaray makes a good choice for those looking for a feminine floral name that manages to look and sound fresh and modern.

Coralia was the name of a dancing mermaid in a 19th century ballet. As Cora -- which has another root and means maiden -- rises, so may elaborations and related names such as Coralie, Coraline, and Coralia.

Mignonette is kind of a diminutive of a diminutive. Mignon is the French word for cute, so Mignonette is more or less cutie.

Imani has rested comfortably in the middle off the US popularity list for 30 years now. Spelling it Imonie makes it more rare, but potentially more confusing.

Ulyssia is an ultra-rare feminization of the stately presidential name Ulysses. It has only made the American charts one time — in 2003 when it was given to five baby girls.

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

An attractive, one-of-a-kind girl name with the covetable X initial.

Zabelle and Zabel are fresh (to us) and ancient forms of Isabel, making zippy variations for modern lovers of that ancient name who feel the original is overexposed.

McCarthy is one of the most common Irish surnames, all fair game as first names for American babies, especially baby girls!

Aldine and the related Alda are ocean-related names that are highly unusual in the US. No babies were given these names, though hundreds of baby boys were named Aldo or Alden. There were even a few dozen baby girls named Alden.

Evocative of the beautiful South Pacific islands; we've also heard Samoan used as a name.

Sigrún was a valkyrie of Norse mythology. She marries Helgi and dies of sadness after he is slain by her brother, Dagr.

Love Quinn but find it too popular? Quinby is a rare spin on names in the Quinn and Quincy constellation, familiar as a surname and a fresh nonbinary choice.

Indu is truly unusual, but shares sounds with more popular choices like Indie and Indigo. Other moon names to consider: Luna, Serena, Io.

Although Thaddeus has long been used in this country, Thaddea is almost unknown and, with its air of mystery, could make a distinctive choice.

One African choice that might be easier to understand if spelled phonetically: it's pronounced TAH-shee.

Strong meaning, sweet but strong sound, fresh and earthy: a winner.

The name of the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream; could work just as well for your little sprite.

Phillida is a "Masterpiece Theatre" appellation, proper to an almost comical degree yet might make an original way to honor an ancestral Phyliis. Actress Phyllida Law is the mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson.

As surname names for girls become more popular, we could see Catesby catching on among style-conscious parents. Bonus: it easily shortens to the girlish nickname Cate.