Queen and Princess Names Starting With A

Ayva is a new entry in the popular Ava and Eva cluster. Its only advantage over the original is that it clarifies pronunciation....but that's not much of a problem if you simply spell it Ava.

This spikier form of the Turkish Aysel has a poetic meaning and a familiar sound. A rising star in the UK, it fits in with the popular Ayla. Ayzal may also be a variation of the Arabic Aizal, a name with a variety of meanings including "noble" and "gift of God".

Ayşegül is a Turkish compound of the name Ayşe — derived from the Arabic Aisha, meaning "living" — and gül, the Persian word for "rose."

Aza is an excellent Arabic choice: elegant and simple. Too simple for you? Consider Aziza.

Azalea is one of the fresher flower names, along with Zinnia and Lilac, that are new to the name bouquet — in fact, it entered the Social Security list for the first time in 2012. So if Lily and Rose are too tame for you, consider this brilliant pink springtime blossom with a touch of the unusual that has been growing in popularity.

This variation of the up-and-coming quirky and offbeat flower name Azalea — the original spelling of which just cracked the Top 500 — adds the trendy "lei" element seen in popular names Leia and Leilani.

Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.

Simple yet unusual (to non-Iranians) is an excellent combination for a name, which the fiery Azar embodies perfectly.

Azari is a rising unisex name (although currently more popular among girls) invented as a variation of Azariah. With its I-ending and prominent Z, we see Azari going places — this is one to watch, especially with Azariah, Azaire, and Azair rising on the boys' side.

A Biblical name with a modern feel, Azaria is a spelling variation of the Hebrew name, Azariah. Used as a masculine name in the Bible, this spelling is now more commonly used on girls.