Girl Names Uncommon in the US

  1. Luise
    • Origin:

      German variation of Louise
    • Description:

      See LOUISE.
  2. Lovis
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lovisa, Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"
    • Description:

      Lovis is Lovisa's quirkier counterpart — if you're searching for a name that combines Scandinavian style with retro darlings Avis and Mavis, Lovis could be your girl.
  3. Noemie
    • Tiril
      • Origin:

        Norwegian
      • Description:

        The exact origins of Tiril remain a mystery, but it is generally considered to be a name from Norwegian poetry. The heroine of Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer’s fantastical poem "Lokkende Toner" is Tirilil Tove.
    • Malak
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "angel"
      • Description:

        Although Malak can be used for both sexes, it's much more widely-used for girls in the US and throughout Europe, where it ranks on several popularity lists.
    • Ellinor
      • Katla
        • Origin:

          Feminization of Ketil, Norwegian
        • Meaning:

          "kettle; cauldron; helmet"
        • Description:

          A Top 10 name in Iceland, where it is also the name of an active volcano.
      • Vilde
        • Aoibhin
          • Origin:

            Irish
          • Meaning:

            "beautiful sheen"
          • Description:

            A slimmed down spelling of the more traditional Aiobheann. It's a beautiful name, but the spelling might throw some non-Irish natives off.
        • Veerle
          • Origin:

            Dutch
          • Meaning:

            "travel to battle"
          • Description:

            This Dutch name derives from the old Germanic name, Farahild. It is quite common in the Netherlands.
        • Leyre
          • Origin:

            Basque place name
          • Description:

            Leyre is an important name in Navarre, Spain, as it is both the name of a mountain and an ancient monastery. It is derived from the Basque Leire, of uncertain origins. Both spellings currently rank among the Top 100 baby names in Spain.
        • Mille
          • Berta
            • Origin:

              Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Slovene, Scandinavian variation of Bertha
            • Meaning:

              "bright"
            • Description:

              A pan-European variant of Bertha and nickname for -berta ending names, such as Alberta and Roberta. It's certainly much more appealing than its predecessor, but unlikely to become a hit in the US anytime soon.
          • Hilma
            • Origin:

              German
            • Meaning:

              "protective helmet"
            • Description:

              Hilma is heard in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and sometimes used as a shortening of Wilhelmina--though there are more appealing German names for girls. to be found. Hilma Wolitzer is an American novelist and the mother of author Meg Wolitzer.
          • Roxane
            • Origin:

              Persian
            • Meaning:

              "dawn"
            • Description:

              Alternative (rarer) spelling of Roxanne.
          • Joana
            • Vilma
              • Origin:

                Russian, diminutive of Vilhelmina; a Polish place-name
              • Description:

                Not much to recommend this relative of Wilma; consider Willa or Willow instead.
            • Oline
              • Origin:

                Scandinavian, feminine short form of Ole or Olaf
              • Description:

                Oline is an old school feminization of the classic Scandinavian Ole or Olaf that is still popular enough to rank among the Top 100 girl names in Norway.
            • Iben
              • Origin:

                German and Scandinavian form of Ivo
              • Meaning:

                "yew wood"
              • Description:

                This unisex nature name ranks among the most popular girl names in Norway.
            • Meja
              • Origin:

                German, Swedish diminutive of names beginning with Mein- or Magn-
              • Meaning:

                "strong"
              • Description:

                The names from which Meja derived, including Meinhild and Magnhild, are long gone, but a Swedish singer called Meja (born Anna Pernilla Torndahl) has piqued interest in this modern derivative. Meja is now a Top 100 name in Sweden.