Leo Names

This Hebrew name deserves consideration by parents looking for a traditional by underused girls name with a gorgeous meaning.

Most things Jul-related – from the month of July to popular modern names Julia and Julian – originate with Roman emperor Julius Caesar, and the month name July is no exception. Fifteen girls and seven boys were named July in 2013, putting this month name into the class of gender neutral names.

Shortened form of Zarin / Zareen.

Commonly heard in Hispanic cultures, a rhythmic possibility here.

Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.

Similarity to the English name Jean could be a plus in a Japanese-American or Chinese-American family.

Pretty Victorian-feeling cousin of Ariel; also, more prosaically, a kind of bay window.

Has a nice fresh, early morning meaning, but not the most mellifluous of sounds. Also spelled Arpineh.

An epithet of the sun and the Hindu god Shiva, also borne by a 12th century Indian astronomer. Bhaskar, a common Indian surname, is related.

Diminutive of the Italian Giovanna, or sometimes Vanessa or Ivanna.

Overly ambitious choice, recently borne by the hapless hero of cult movie hit Napoleon Dynamite.

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.

If you like Dylan but find it too popular, Quillan could be a distinctive alternative.

Pele is a female name in Hawaiian culture that could make a provocative choice for a modern girls. Others might think you named your daughter after the all-time great soccer player, but the simple, rare, and lovely name Pele has mythological roots.

Traditional African name made cartoonish by the Disney character in The Lion King. In Shona it means "strength".

An elegant and fluid Arabic name that casts a brilliant light. Mashal is most commonly used among Muslim families in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, but has hopped in and out of the US charts since 1990. At peak usage, Mashal was given to 12 American baby girls in 1995.

The more dignified and attractive Hebrew equivalent of Golda or Goldie.

Euston is best known as a London railway station, which got its name from a stately home and village in the English county of Suffolk. Ultimately it is thought to mean "settlement of a person called Efe". Unlike its Top 1000 soundalike Houston (as in Texas), Euston has never been recording on the charts.

A Gallic twist on a word or nature name, which has a nice lemony feel. 

The bright yellow weed lends itself to a creative baby name, although we don't recommend the nickname Dandy.