Guilty Pleasures

Translating to "star", but used to refer to the leading female artist in a cabaret show, for French speakers, this would be like naming your child "Showgirl".

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.

Veniamin is a masculine name of Russian and Eastern European origin, serving as the Slavic form of Benjamin. The name derives from Hebrew roots, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south,' with implications of favor and strength. Veniamin has been particularly prevalent in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern Orthodox countries, where it has historical and religious significance. While less common globally than its Western counterpart Benjamin, Veniamin maintains steady usage in Slavic regions and diaspora communities. The name carries prestigious associations in Russian literature and history, with notable bearers including writers and scientists. Parents might choose Veniamin for its rich cultural heritage, distinguished sound, and meaningful etymology, appreciating how it connects to biblical tradition while maintaining a distinctive Slavic character.

This name of one of the most romantic cities in the world could easily find its way onto an American baby girl's birth certificate.

Victorie is a feminine name derived from Latin roots meaning "victory" or "conqueror." It represents a French variation of Victoria, carrying the same triumphant connotations with a distinctly French flair. The name evokes qualities of success, achievement, and overcoming challenges. While less common than Victoria internationally, Victorie enjoys some usage in French-speaking regions including France, Belgium, and parts of Canada. The name has historical connections to victory in battle, but in modern usage, it more often represents personal triumph and accomplishment. Its elegant sound combines strength with feminine grace. For parents seeking a name with positive associations and French cultural connections, Victorie offers a beautiful alternative to the more widely used Victoria.

Vienna is one of the more popular of the European place-names, with a particularly pleasant sound, evoking elegant images of the Blue Danube, of castles and cafes, sweets and sausages and Strauss waltzes—and Sigmund Freud. It could be a possible substitute for the popular Sienna, although Vienna has been climbing the charts herself. Vienna was one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023.

Whimsy is a new entry to the ever-expanding word name lexicon, sister for Pixie and Bliss. While it has an undeniable offbeat English aristocratic charm (maybe we're thinking of Dorothy Sayers' fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey, whose middle name was Death?), we see this as more fitting for a middle than a first name.

With Willow and Willa becoming more popular for girls, surname-name Willoughby could be a more unusual alternative. Its full form sounds appropriate for both genders, but can be shortened for girls to Willow, Willa, or even Bee.

Fresher, brisker and, yes, cooler than Summer or Autumn or Spring, Winter is now a full-fledged female choice, especially since Nicole Richie and Joel Madden used it for daughter Harlow's middle name, and Gretchen Mol picked it as her daughter's first, as did media mogul Sean Parker. Winter continues to be the preferred spelling and has risen in popularity significantly over the past few years.

A bit too self-congratulatory and, understandably, exceedingly rare. Still, if you're looking for a modern virtue name for your daughter, this may be one of the best qualities to exemplify.

Chef Wolfgang Puck has helped soften this thunderous Germanic name; music-lovers will appreciate its association with Mozart, though the composer's middle name Amadeus is more appealing. With Wolf on the rise, however, and parents looking for bolder options, Wolfgang might just intrigue people with its historical feel .

A yellowish chemical compound that produces fluorescent dyes ranging from bright yellow to hot pink to flaming red -- but as a name sounds glaringly sci-fi.

Xochitl is a Nahuatl or Aztec floral name used in southern Mexico and pronounced SO-chee-tl or SHO-chee-tl, although sometimes the "tl" at the end is not pronounced. Internet entrepreneur Xochi Birch is probably the best-known bearer in the US – except for the Xochitl brand tortilla chips. Definitely among the most intriguing international flower names and a beautiful choice for those looking to honor Nahuatl heritage.

Too close to yenta.

The evocative name of one of our most beautiful national parks -- yes, but also the bombastic cartoon character, Yosemite Sam.

Yoshiko is a traditional Japanese feminine name combining elements that typically mean 'good' (yoshi) and 'child' (ko), though the meaning can vary depending on the specific kanji characters used to write it. Popular throughout the 20th century in Japan, Yoshiko was particularly common among women born in the early to mid-1900s. The name reflects traditional Japanese naming patterns where 'ko' (child) was frequently used as a suffix for girls' names. While maintaining strong cultural connections to Japan, Yoshiko has gained some international recognition through Japanese diaspora communities. The name carries a gentle rhythm and authentic cultural significance, appealing to parents seeking a name with clear Japanese heritage and a graceful sound.

Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.

Funky choice with za-za-zoom. Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.

Zendaya has propelled her unusual African name into the spotlight and up the popularity charts. Zendaya is one of the major baby name influencers of our era.