Favorite Girl Names

No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.

Will this old-fashioned nickname make a comeback, now that Jane has shed her "plain" image? Janie is cute and approachable, and would stand as well on the birth certificate as Josie and Jessie do now.

Thanks to two cultural influences, January has joined March, April, June and August as a plausible month name.

Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.

Jessamine, a charming name occasionally heard in England, is just beginning to be appreciated in the U.S. as a possible successor to all the Jess names of the past. It's also spelled Jessamyn, as in Quaker novelist Jessamyn West, author of Friendly Persuasion--who started life with Jessamyn as her middle name.

Just like Flora is for botanicals, Jewel is the generic gemstone name, not used much since the early twentieth century, when it was seen as a symbol of how precious a daughter could be. The French version, Bijou, feels more modern, as do Pearl and Ruby.

The family of Kaylin names includes a wide variety of spellings—Kaylen, Kaelyn, and Kaylynn are a few—that enjoy varying degrees of popularity. This particular spelling plays on a couple contemporary trends, namely the ae vowel combination and the -lynn ending. While it's definitely a distinct spelling, it's likely to be misspelled more often than not.

A multicultural name, that's currently on style and fits right in with Kaia, Maya, Raya, and Mia. Currently in the Top 500 in both the UK and The Netherlands, it has several different origins and meanings.

Keelynn is a feminine name that represents a modern constructed name combining elements of traditional names like Kelly, Kailyn, and Lynn. The 'Kee-' prefix gives it a contemporary sound, while the '-lynn' suffix has been popular in girls' names since the mid-20th century. This name emerged primarily in the United States in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward unique spellings and combinations. Keelynn has a melodic quality and fits well with other compound names ending in '-lyn' or '-lynn.' While not among the most common given names, its usage has been steady in recent years. The name carries no specific historical meaning but evokes associations with other 'Kee-' names like Keely (meaning 'beautiful' or 'slender') and the widely-used Lynn (meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall').

This diminutive of Kimberley is gaining momentum as a standalone name. For our part, we're stumped by its rise.

Kimberly's heyday was in the 1960s and 70s, when it ranked among the Top 10. While it hasn't been stylish for decades, it's evidenced more staying power than some former hot girl names, remaining among the Top 300 girl names in the US, where it's stood for 70 years.

Kya, a variation of the popular Kaia, the feminine form of the also-popular gender-neutral name Kai, was one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2023.

Kye is a versatile, gender-neutral name that has historically been more common for boys but is increasingly used for girls. With origins spanning multiple cultures, it can be derived from the Chinese name meaning "victory," the Danish/Norwegian word for "cow," or as a shortened form of Kyle or Kylie. As a feminine name, Kye has a modern, minimalist appeal with its single syllable and straightforward spelling. The name's brevity gives it a contemporary edge while its soft sound maintains femininity. Though relatively uncommon for girls, Kye has seen modest usage in English-speaking countries in recent decades, appealing to parents seeking a simple, distinctive name that works well internationally and avoids traditional gender associations.