Unusual Girl Names

Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.

Pop princess Amerie is half Korean, half African-American. Her name may relate to Amelia, Emily, Emery, or Amory, though there's no exact equivalent among historical names. But doubtless there will be more Ameries, starting now.

An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.

Attractive place-name, of a beautiful resort region of Turkey.

Andromache is a name found scattered throughout ancient literature. She was Hector's long-suffering wife in The Iliad and The Odyssey, featured in The Trojan Women and Andromache by Euripides, then later appeared in Shakepeare's Troilus and Cressida, and Jean Racine's 1667 play Andromaque. It is not likely to make many appearances in the modern world.

An ancient Roman name that has never made it into the modern world.

A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late 19th century by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler, it was named in honor of the latter's daughter-in-law, Annie Tyler.

Antonella is a feminine form of Anthony growing in popularity throughout Latin America as well as in the US.

One of the new color names that is catching on, invoking a calm, blue-green-sea feeling.

This and two other female forms -- AQUILA and AQUILINA -- of the Roman family name Aquilius might live on in modern times.

A lot of parents claim to want a name that's different, but if you really do, Aquilina, modern-feeling but based on an ancient favorite, would be one good choice.

If you're looking for a really untouristed place name, Aquitaine could be it. Aquitaine is a region of France that includes both Bordeaux and Biarritz and is famous for such food and drink as its pates and cassoulets, Armagnac brandy and Bordeaux wines.

Fanciful, edging toward bizarre.

Aravis was the name of a female character in C.S. Lewis's A Horse and His Boy, and is also the name of a mountain range in southern France. With the rise of Ava, Avery, and indeed seemingly all names that start with A, Aravis may finally reach a wider audience.

Arcangela is a heavenly possibility if Angel or Angela isn't elevated enough for you.

An attractive Italian color and rock word name that doesn't sound anything like its meaning.

Ethereal combination of Arden and Edith, with a sweet naturey meaning.

Spelling variant of Arianwen. Note that in Welsh, the -wyn suffix is usually masculine.

A name that is either inspired by the classic Harriet - and by the character Arrietty in The Borrowers - or, a compound name, merging Aria or Ari with Etta.