Puerto Rican Girl names beginning with A

Alaina, part Alana and part Elena and maybe also a little bit Elaine, is one of the many feminine forms of Alan (or its French form Alain) that have grown in popularity over recent decades, surpassing the male original. Not quite fashionable but also not quite un, Alaina is a choice that may feel more distinctive than it really is.

One of the many liquid, vowel-heavy names that are so fashionable right now.

Alaiyah is a modern variation of the name Aliya. The Aaliyah spelling ranks in the U.S. Top 100, while Alaiyah is unranked. Alaiyah has seen increasing use in the U.S., and was used over 200 times in 2021. This reflects trends toward unique and contemporary adaptations of traditional names.

Alana, in all its various spellings, was at one time reserved for daughters of dads named Alan, but is now much more widespread. It came into prominence via model/actress/celeb spouse Alana Hamilton Stewart.

Alanah is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Alana, which itself developed as a feminine form of Alan. With ancient Celtic roots, the original name Alan is thought to mean 'handsome,' 'cheerful,' or 'harmony' in its Breton origins. The 'h' ending in Alanah adds a distinctive touch while maintaining the melodic quality of the name. This spelling variation gained some popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, appealing to parents seeking a slightly more unique version of the classic Alana. Alanah combines traditional roots with contemporary styling, offering a name that feels both familiar and individually distinctive.

One of those names you may not even be aware of if you haven't been paying attention to recent naming trends, Alani was given to more than 700 baby girls in the US in one recent year, to be the second most popular feminization of Alan after Alana. It's certainly the most modern-sounding female version of Alan.

Singer Alanis Morissette made this twist famous. She was named for her father Alan, who is said to have spotted this version in a Greek newspaper. So far it has been pretty much a one-person name, but could make a distinctive update of Alana — especially with s-ending names making a comeback. Alanis is a Top 100 choice in Puerto Rico.

The extra n makes it feel less like an feminization of Alan and more like a name unto itself. Alanna is more common in Puerto Rico than the original Alana.

This form of Alannah was derived directly from the Gaelic term a leanbh, meaning "child." Though not as popular as the more traditional Alana spelling, it has consistently charted in the US since 2007. Alannah Myles is popularizing this spelling of Alana.

Singer Alanis Morisette may have made the one-n version of this name more famous, but like the other Alan feminization Alana or Alanna, the spelling can go either way.

Alany is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a modern variation of Alana (feminine form of Alan, meaning 'handsome' or 'cheerful' from Celtic roots) or could relate to the ethnic term 'Alan,' referring to an ancient Iranian nomadic group. The name might also be a creative spelling of 'Eleni' (Greek for 'bright, shining light') or a modern invention combining the popular 'Alan' sound with a feminine 'y' ending. Alany has a contemporary, melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking names that sound familiar yet distinctive. While uncommon in traditional naming statistics, Alany follows current trends favoring names with flowing sounds and unique spellings. Its international feel makes it adaptable across cultural contexts.

Alanys is a feminine name that appears to be a modern variant of Alanis or Alana. It likely shares roots with the masculine name Alan, which has Celtic and Germanic origins meaning "handsome" or "cheerful." The distinctive spelling with a 'y' gives this name a contemporary feel while maintaining its melodic quality. Alanys gained some recognition following the popularity of Canadian singer Alanis Morissette in the 1990s, though this specific spelling remains uncommon. Parents might choose Alanys for its pleasing sound, subtle uniqueness, and connection to more established names while offering a fresh spelling variation.

Alaya has connections as a Buddhist term, and it could be a creative coinage, based on similarities to names like Alayna and Layla. In Buddhism, Alaya refers to the base consciousness—all of our memories, ideas, and desires. It's a lofty concept, and an attractive name, slowly on the rise since entering the US Top 1000 in 2009.

A modern English variant of the Arabic name Aaliyah, Alayah was likely inspired by the names Amaia, Amaya and Alannah. It could also be an alternative spelling of the Basque name, Alaia, which means "joyful", and it coincides with Alaya, a type of consciousness in Buddhism.

Alayla is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant spelling of Alaila or Alayah, which themselves are contemporary elaborations of Alaya, meaning 'highborn' or 'exalted' in Arabic. Alternatively, it could be a creative spelling of Aleila, with Hebrew roots meaning 'to ascend.' The name has gained modest popularity in the 21st century, fitting with the trend toward melodic names with the popular 'ayla' sound, similar to Kayla, Layla, and Makayla. Alayla has a flowing, musical quality with its three syllables and alternating consonants and vowels. Its exotic feel combined with relatively straightforward pronunciation makes it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible for their daughters.

Blending classic with contemporary elements, Alayna is considered a spin on the name Alana, which also draws inspiration from Elaine and Elena. An obscure choice until the 80s, it began to climb the charts after fencer Alayna Snell took part in the 1984 Olympics.

Alaysha is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in the United States during the late 20th century. The name appears to be a creative variant of names like Alisha, Alysha, or Alicia, incorporating the popular 'ay' sound and spelling pattern seen in many modern names. Linguistically, it may relate to the Hebrew name Alisha (meaning "protected by God") or could connect to the Greek Alice/Alicia family of names meaning "truth" or "noble." Alaysha gained modest usage beginning in the 1990s, representing the trend toward melodic, multi-syllabic feminine names with distinctive spellings. The name demonstrates phonetic creativity while maintaining connections to more traditional naming patterns. Usage data shows it remains relatively uncommon, making it a distinctive choice that balances uniqueness with familiar sounds.

Alba is quietly making a behind-the-scenes comeback, perhaps thanks to actress turned baby-product mogul Jessica Alba. Last on the Top 1000 a century ago, the name was given to nearly 200 baby girls in the US last year. Alba might be tomorrow's successor to Ava and Ella. In Spain, Alba ranks among the Top 20 girls' names. Alba is the name of a character in The Time Traveler's Wife.

Simple and melodic, this spelling offers an alternative to the more-popular Aliyah or Aaliyah -- the name of the late R&B singer who propelled the name into the US Top 100.