Girls Names You'd See In The Hunger Games

A twist on Alina or Alena, this name popped into the Top 500 for the first time in 2014. Also an Arabic name, meaning "soft, pliable, delicate".

A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.

Azure is a colorful gender-neutral choice, currently used equally for baby girls and boys in the US. It refers to a specific shade of blue seen in a cloudless sky. Elon Musk recently revealed Azure to be the name of his daughter with Shivon Zilis, twin sister to Strider. While X and Y didn't stand a chance at greater popularity, parents may be inspired to use the name Azure following this celebrity endorsement.

Derived from the language of the Nahua people of Mexico and Central America, Citalli is a sparkly name meaning "star". The Hispanized form spelling Xitlali may be more familiar.

Danyelle is a feminine name that represents a French-influenced spelling variation of Danielle, the feminine form of Daniel, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my judge.' This particular spelling with the 'y' adds a distinctive touch while maintaining the name's recognizable sound. Danyelle emerged in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s when alternative spellings of traditional names became fashionable in the United States. The name carries an elegant, sophisticated quality while still feeling approachable. Though less common than Danielle, Danyelle offers familiarity with a unique twist. This makes it appealing to parents seeking a name with established roots but a slightly unconventional presentation. The name continues to be used, though not as frequently as in past decades.

Elexys is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative variation of Alexis or Alexia. This contemporary spelling began appearing in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as parents sought distinctive ways to personalize traditional names. The original name Alexis comes from Greek roots meaning 'defender' or 'helper.' Elexys maintains these powerful associations while offering a unique spelling. The name has never ranked among the top 1000 names in the U.S., making it a rare choice. Its distinctive 'x' and 'y' combination gives it a modern, stylish appeal for parents seeking something recognizable but uncommon for their daughters.

Bright and vibrant but elegant too, Estrella is a rising star among Hispanic families that would make a good cross-cultural choice too. A Spanish word name that literally means "star", it is similar to other popular names with the same stellar meaning such as Esther and Stella.

The luminous Ingrid Bergman's appeal was strong enough to lend universal charisma to this classic Scandinavian name, which has been somewhat neglected in the US. Even today, a child named Ingrid would be assumed to be of Scandinavian ancestry, signaling the name has never been fully integrated into the English lexicon the way other European choices from the same era like Danielle or Kathleen have.

With the rise of many once-dated leonine names, from Leona to Lionel to Leonora, Leandra is an unusual choice that might be looking at a comeback..

Noemi is a charming Latin spin on Naomi; another twist is Neomi. A quiet mainstay on the US Top 1000 since 1957, Noemi was one of the fastest rising names in 2023.

As with the more popular variant Odalys, this is a name which should be avoided due to its connection to Ottoman Empire harems and concubines. May we suggest Odette, Odelie, Odessa or Lyssa as better alternatives?

A saint's name with a noteworthy literary background, including uses by Shakespeare in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing, by Ben Johnson, Walter Scott, Longfellow, D. H. Lawrence and Neil Gaiman. In real life, her two most well known representatives are writer Ursula Le Guin and actress Ursula Andress. In literature, there is also Ursula Iguaran, a key, long-lived character in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's major work, One Hundred Years of Solitude.

A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor.