Unusual Girl Names

The name of an area in northern Greece, known in the era of Homer's Odyssey as Aeolia, Thessaly makes a spirited and pretty place name. Reminiscent of Tessa, Rosalie, and Thea, the name likely derives from that of an ancient tribe, though the exact meaning isn't known.

Like Verity and Amity, this inclusive virtue name used by the colorful British literary Mitford family is ready to join its more popular peers Hope, Faith, and Grace.

This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.

A natural phenomenon that makes a stylish baby name. Teen Mom's Kailyn Lowry used it for her daughter, twin to Verse.

An ancient Roman name rarely heard in modern times, though the related VARINA appears in Slavic families.

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

Vela is one of those rare names that is at once simple, straightforward, authentic, and unusual, at least in the Western World. Besides being an Indian girls' name, Vela is a Southern sky constellation whose name is Latin for sail – originally part of the Argo Navis constellation.

Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.

Veneta is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from "venetus" meaning "sea-blue" or possibly connected to Venice (Venezia) in Italy. The name has historical usage across several European cultures but has always remained relatively uncommon. In the United States, Veneta saw modest usage in the early to mid-20th century, peaking around the 1920s-1940s before declining in popularity. The name carries a vintage elegance with its melodic sound and European flair. While rare today, Veneta appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with classical roots and a gentle, feminine quality. The name's connection to Venice may also attract those with Italian heritage or an affinity for Italian culture.

The name of a heavenly planet and the Roman goddess of beauty and love was an intimidating no-no until tennis champ Venus Williams put an athletic, modern spin on it.

Vera was the height of fashion in 1910, then was for a long time difficult to picture embroidered on a baby blanket. Now, though, it has come back into style along with other old-fashioned simple names such as Ada and Iris.

If you love Puritan virtue names and want to move beyond Hope and Faith and Grace, this is a wonderful choice, both for its meaning and its sound. A rare find here, though occasionally heard in England. It was used in Winston Graham's Poldark novels, was Madonna's name as James Bond's fencing instructor in Die Another Day, and made a brief appearance in Harry Potter. Not to mention being a fixture on British and Australian soaps. Verity also appears in one of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries.

Veruca is a name Roald Dahl made up for the horrid little girl Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A modern rock band adopted the name, though few parents familiar with the original namesake and meaning would choose to pass it on to an innocent child. Verruca is another spelling, but don't use that one either.

A vivacious Latin alternative to the superpopular Sierra.

This name of a famous Parisian fashion designer known for her sophisticated 1920s and 30s style could translate into a pretty American baby name.

Vitoria is a feminine name of Latin and Portuguese origin, being the Portuguese and Galician spelling of Victoria. Derived from the Latin 'victoria' meaning 'victory' or 'conqueror,' it carries strong connotations of triumph and success. This spelling variant is particularly common in Portugal, Brazil, and Spain (especially in the Basque Country, where Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital city). While less familiar than Victoria in English-speaking countries, Vitoria offers a slightly exotic alternative that maintains the name's regal and powerful associations. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowels, and despite its foreign spelling, remains relatively intuitive to pronounce for English speakers. Potential nicknames include Viti, Tori, or Vita.

Vivie is a charming feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Vivian or Vivienne. It derives from Latin roots meaning "alive" or "lively," perfectly capturing a sense of energy and vitality. With its concise two-syllable structure and friendly ending sound, Vivie creates an impression of cheerfulness and approachability. The name has a vintage quality that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet uncommon. Though not widely used in most English-speaking countries, Vivie occasionally appears in France and other European regions. Its simplicity makes it easily pronounced across cultures while maintaining its distinctively feminine character. For those seeking a name with inherent brightness and warmth, Vivie offers substance in a compact, memorable form.

Embroidered lace hankie of a name, used in a Thomas Hardy novel. That literary cred lends some gravitas.