Girl Names Uncommon in the US

  1. Eline
    • Description:

      Eline is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. In the Scandinavian tradition, it functions as a variant of Helena or Ellen, while in French contexts, it may be considered a form of Aline. The name carries a gentle, refined quality with its soft sounds and simple structure. Eline is more common in Northern European countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, where it maintains steady popularity. The name's international versatility makes it appealing for multicultural families, as it translates well across language boundaries while remaining distinctive. With its elegant simplicity, Eline balances uniqueness with accessibility.
  2. Caterina
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Katherine
    • Description:

      If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
  3. Nuria
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "place between the valleys; light"
    • Description:

      Deriving from the Catalan title for the Virgin Mary, Nostra Senyora de Núria , meaning "Our Lady of Nuria", this distinctive name is a popular choice in Spain and Portugal.
  4. Meabh
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "she who intoxicates"
    • Description:

      Meabh, the native Irish spelling of Maeve, is in the Top 100 in Ireland and becoming more popular here in its Anglicized form. Outside of Ireland, life will be easier with the Maeve spelling of this lovely queen's name.
  5. Nerea
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "mine"
    • Description:

      A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.
  6. Aitana
    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name
    • Description:

      Aitana is the name of a Spanish mountain used by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter. He reportedly chose it because the mountain was his last glimpse of Spain when he went into exile after the Spanish Civil War. The name was popularized by Aitana Alberti's goddaughter and namesake, actress Aitana Sanchez-Gijan. It became one of the fastest-rising girls names in 2016, after entering the US Top 1000 in 2015, and is among the most popular Spanish names for girls in its native Spain and beyond.
  7. Victoire
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
  8. Bruna
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "brown"
    • Description:

      Possibility for a dark-haired babe.
  9. Lilja
    • Origin:

      Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"
    • Meaning:

      "lily"
    • Description:

      Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
  10. Cayetana
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "Person from Gaeta"
    • Description:

      A dramatic-sounding demonym for someone from the city of Gaeta, on the Mediterranean coast of Italy, with roots that stretch back to Ancient Rome, Cayetana is among the Top 100 Spanish baby names. It lends itself well to several sweet nicknames, such as Cay and Ana.
  11. Bia
    • Origin:

      Greek, Portuguese, Romanian
    • Meaning:

      "force; blessed; white"
    • Description:

      A bright and bouncy micro name, far rarer than Mia or Gia.
  12. Cato
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Catharina
    • Description:

      Cato may have risen to new prominence in the English speaking world as an ancient Roman boys' name, popularized by The Hunger Games. But in the Netherlands, it's most widely used as a short form for Catharina and other forms of Katherine, ranking close to the Top 100, higher than any formal variation of the name. Cato for a girl is a cute idea and a fresh way to shorten the ubiquitous Catherine.
  13. Karla
    • Origin:

      German variation of Carla
    • Description:

      Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
  14. Kaja
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian diminutive of Katarina, Polish variation of Gaia or Estonian
    • Meaning:

      "pure; earth mother; rejoice; echo"
    • Description:

      Short, sharp, and pretty, Kaja is an international choice with multiple origins. Favored in Slovenia, Norway, and Poland, the similar Kaia is currently popular more widely.
  15. Puck
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      Puck, the mischievous sprite of Shakespeare, is a unisex name given more often to girls in The Netherlands and is also the name of one of the moons of Uranus, discovered in 1985 and named Puck for the Shakespearean figure.
  16. Tyra
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, feminine variation of Tyr, an ancient Indo-European god
    • Description:

      High profile supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks has put this name in the spotlight, endowing it with her confident, superattractive image.
  17. Clemence
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Clement
    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"
    • Description:

      Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.
  18. Faustine
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine variation of Faust
    • Meaning:

      "fortunate one"
    • Description:

      Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.
  19. Safira
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Sapphira, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sapphire"
    • Description:

      The Portuguese word for sapphire was formerly a Top 100 name in Portugal.
  20. Leire
    • Origin:

      Basque place name
    • Description:

      Also spelled Leyre and taken from the name of a monastery fortress, the popular and lilting choice in Spain will pose pronunciation problems elsewhere. Among the Top 100 girls' names in Spain, Leire was given to only a handful of baby girls in the US last year.