If you like Mia . . .
- Miley
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
One-time overnight success name, thanks to Hannah Montana actress and singer Miley Cyrus, Miley fell just as quickly from her peak of Number 127 in 2008 as the star entered her rebellious era.
- Millie
Origin:
Diminutive of Mildred or MillicentMeaning:
"gentle strength; strong in work"Description:
Millie is back. It's a Top 100 name throughout much of the English-speaking world, though not yet in the US. Millicent would be an appealing long form, but many people are using Millie all by its cute self -- so many, in fact, that it returned to the Top 500 in 2015 for the first time since World War 2 and continues to climb.
- Mira
Origin:
Latin, Slavic, Arabic, SanskritMeaning:
"admirable; peace; female ruler; ocean"Description:
This name owes its present life to actress Sorvino. Mira and Mirra have an arty aura.
- Miri
- Miu
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"better heart; beautiful feather"Description:
Short and sweet Japanese name that could easily cross cultures.
- Molly
Origin:
Diminutive of Mary, HebrewMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Molly is one of the original nickname names, ALWAYS ranking among the US Top 500 girl names since statistics began, in 1880. Molly peaked in 1991 only to rise just as high again in 2011, and though softening retains a good measure of popularity and charm.
- Myla
Origin:
Spelling variation of Mila or feminine variation of MiloMeaning:
"soldier or merciful"Description:
Myla can be seen as a female variation of Milo or a different spelling for popular Mila. Though frequently unnecessary in alternate spellings, the "y" here does connote a specific pronunciation.
- Myra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sweet-smelling oil"Description:
As with many grandmother-y names, this choice may be coming back into style.
- Mia Rose
- Nia
Origin:
Swahili; Welsh form of the Irish NiamhMeaning:
"resolve; brilliance"Description:
Short but energetic and substantial, Nia has special meaning for African-American parents, as it's one of the days of Kwanza. Nia also benefits by its similarity to (yet differentness from) the megapopular Mia.
- Nina
Origin:
Short form of names that end in -ninaDescription:
Nina is as multiethnic as you can get: Nina is a common nickname name in Spain and Russia, a Babylonian goddess of the oceans, and an Incan goddess of fire. Here and now, it's a stylish possibility that's been underused. "Weird Al" Yankovic chose this decidedly nonweird name for his daughter.
- Noa
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"motion"Description:
This Old Testament female name has been one of the most popular girls’ names in Israel over the last decade. Also highly popular in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, and a new entrant to the US Top 1000, it may be misunderstood here as an attempt to streamline and feminize the more familiar Noah – although it's a separate name with a separate derivation.
- Nya
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"tenacity"Description:
A relatively new name on the scene, increasing in popularity since 1999.
- Pia
Origin:
Latin or diminutive of OlympiaMeaning:
"pious; from Mount Olympus"Description:
Soft name in the Mia-Nia-Tia family, Pia is heard in both European and Hindi languages.
- Rhea
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"a flowing stream"Description:
Old-style creative name of the Greek mythological earth mother of all the gods. A lot better than the Roman equivalent: Ops. Rhea reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015. Its only previous appearance on the list since 1968 was 2004.
- Ria
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"small river"Description:
Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.
- Sia
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"Victory"Description:
Mia, Gia, and now Sia!
- Sofia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Sofia is a variation of the Greek name Sophia, which was derived directly from sophia, the Greek word for wisdom. It was the name of a Roman saint—the mother of Faith, Hope, and Charity—and queens of Russia and Spain.
- Thea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"goddess, godly"Description:
Thea is a diminutive of names ending in -thea, including Dorothea, Althea, and Anthea. It is also the Anglicized spelling of Theia, the Titan of sight, goddess of light, and mother of the moon. She was the consort of Hyperion, and mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos.
- Una
Origin:
Latin, Irish, or Old NorseMeaning:
"one; lamb; happy"Description:
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in several European countries but less common in the US. The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but Una sleeker.