Miss Randriana's Random Name Mix

Long common in Europe, the elegant and regal Juliana, also spelled with two n's, has invaded these shores, in tandem with the more classic Julia. Together with Julian, the name derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".

Immortal through its association with the ancient Caesar (it was his clan name), Julius may still lag behind Julian, but is definitely starting to make a comeback, and in fact feels more cutting edge, in line with the current trend for Latin -us endings.

Juniper is a fresh-feeling nature name -- it's a small evergreen shrub -- with lots of energy. A new favorite of fashionable parents, Juniper joins such other tree and shrub names as Hazel, Acacia, and Willow.

Juno is an ancient name that feels as fresh as if it had been minted, well, not yesterday, but in 2007. Since the release of the popular indie film Juno, this lively but strong Roman goddess name has held new potential as a baby name. Currently in the UK Top 500 and used in The Netherlands too, Juno is on the rise in the US - and is 15 times more popular than it was before the release of the film.

Justina was the pre-Justine feminization of Justin, now a possible alternative to Christina. Oddly, while Justine feels like a name unto itself, Justina feels like a pinned-together feminization in the mold of Richarda or Benjamina. Still, it may appeal as one of the unusual-yet-familiar girl names starting with J.

Kalika derives from the name of Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. It appears in the book series The Last Vampire.

Kaliya is a feminine name with multiple possible origins across different cultures. In Sanskrit traditions, Kaliya (कालिय) refers to a serpent in Hindu mythology defeated by Krishna. In Slavic languages, variations of the name can be derived from 'kal' meaning 'black.' The name also has possible connections to Greek origins, potentially related to 'kallos' meaning 'beauty.' Kaliya emerged in broader American usage primarily in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The name has a melodic three-syllable structure with a flowing quality that likely contributes to its appeal. While not among the most common names, it has shown increased usage in recent decades. Its international character, with recognizable roots in multiple linguistic traditions, makes it appealing to diverse families looking for names with both distinctive sound and potential cultural significance.

Kessa is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Tessa (short for Theresa), a diminutive of Jessica, or derived from the Irish name Cessa (a form of Caitlin). In some cases, it might be a modern invention inspired by these more traditional names. Kessa has a bright, contemporary sound while maintaining a classic feel. The name's brevity gives it a modern appeal, fitting well with the trend toward shorter names that are easy to pronounce and spell. Though relatively uncommon, Kessa has a friendly, approachable quality that works well across different ages. Its rarity makes it distinctive without seeming too unusual or difficult to pronounce.

Although this surname name is closely related to the more common Irish name Kieran, Kiernan is also a well used family name, tied to thirty-three ancient chieftains. It has on a few occasions been used for girls.

Kiki is one of the Coco-Gigi-Fifi-Lulu bohemian-type French nickname names from the turn of the last century, which have endless energy and sparkle. Artist Kiki Smith is its most well-known contemporary representative, and Kiki was the inspiring heroine of Zadie Smith's On Beauty. Kiki can be a nickname for any name beginning with the K sound, from Katherine to Christina to Kayla.

A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero".

The great African-American Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes put this one on the map, while actor Laurence Fishburne adopted it for his now grown son, born in 1987. Despite these popular associations, the name didn't make it into the US Top 1000 until 2013, and while it has remained in the charts, it has stayed towards the latter end.

This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago, and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft.

Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lila, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers along with other adventurous nature names like Clementine and Marigold.

The most popular variation of this name for baby girls is Leighton, as in Leighton Meester, the actress who introduced her name to the mainstream when she rose to fame on Gossip Girl.

Leandro is a variation of the Ancient Greek name Leander, created by combining the Latin words leo and Andro together, to get a meaning that suggests strength, power, and bravery. The Hero and Leander myth lends the name a romantic, poetical feel, while it's association to Bishop Leander of Seville gives it a more saintly quality.