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NOLA Names

  1. Ada

    • Origin:

      German or Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility, or island"

    • Description:

      Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
  2. Amelia

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Amelia is one of the hottest girls' names, a successor to the megapopular Emma and Emily. Amelia, which spent several years at Number 1 in England, is now comfortably ensconced in the US Top 10.
  3. Annette

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Annette is a French diminutive of Ann which was among the first wave of widely-used girls' names from France, now neglected for so long that it's almost starting to feel stylish again.
  4. Antonine

    • Origin:

      Feminine diminutive of Antoine, French form of Anthony

    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"

    • Description:

      The roles of vintage French girl names are filled with now-rare feminizations, such as Antonine. More usual forms today are Antonia or even Antoinette.
  5. Arabella

    • Origin:

      Latin, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "yielding to prayer; lovable"

    • Description:

      Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.
  6. Aurora

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dawn"

    • Description:

      The goddess name Aurora has consistently been on the US popularity list since the nineteenth century, but has really taken off in the past 30 years. Aurora also enjoys remarkable international popularity, ranking in the Top 100 throughout the English-speaking world as well as in Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries.
  7. Avalon
    • Banks

      • Origin:

        English surname

      • Meaning:

        "one who lives on the hillside or riverbank"

      • Description:

        Banks is a topographical surname that refers not to those places where people keep their money but to riverbanks or hillsides, and specifically the people who live and work on them. A name with two very different connotations then, Banks manages to sound smart, preppy, and upwardly-mobile, with a touch of rugged, outdoorsy charm too.
    • Clara

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "bright, clear"

      • Description:

        Clara is a strong, lovely girls' name that's always ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names but has been climbing since the turn of this century. It now ranks right around Number 100, making it a modern classic that's neither too popular nor unfamiliar.
    • Claude

      • Origin:

        French from Latin

      • Meaning:

        "lame; enclosure"

      • Description:

        Claude is a soft-spoken French name that conjures up the pastel colors of Monet and harmonies of Debussy. In France, it is used for girls as well, in fact in the Tracy Chevalier novel Lady and the Unicorn, the protagonist is a female Claude.
    • Calumet
      • Carrollton
        • Crescent
          • Delphine

            • Origin:

              French from Greek

            • Meaning:

              "of Delphi; womb"

            • Description:

              Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
          • Dixon

            • Origin:

              Scottish

            • Meaning:

              "son of Dick"

            • Description:

              A relatively common surname, Dixon would be an inventive way to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick, the X form a lot livelier than the Dickson spelling, just as Dix is a more modern short form than Dick; it would be right at home alongside Dax and Jax.
          • Duke

            • Origin:

              English rank of nobility

            • Description:

              While John Wayne and Duke Ellington are worthy role models, the reason Duke is currently enjoying a revival and returned to the Top 1000 in 2013 as one of the year's fastest-rising boys’ names is more likely due to the name given to high-profile TV couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic. Christened Edward Duke, he has always been called by his middle name, just as Edward Duke Ellington was. Duke is just one of several aristocratic titles being increasingly used by ordinary citizens.
          • Eden

            • Origin:

              Hebrew

            • Meaning:

              "place of pleasure, delight"

            • Description:

              Eden is an attractive, serene name with obvious intimations of Paradise, one of several place names drawn from the Bible by the Puritans in the seventeenth century.
          • Evangaline
            • Felicity

              • Origin:

                Latin

              • Meaning:

                "good fortune, happy"

              • Description:

                Felicity is as accessible a virtue name as Hope and Faith, but much more feminine -- and dare we say, happier. The hit TV show did a lot to soften and modernize the once buttoned-up image of Felicity, and it got further notice as the red-haired Colonial doll, Felicity Merriman, in the American Girl series. A current bearer is actress Felicity Huffman.
            • Harmony

              • Origin:

                Word name

              • Meaning:

                "harmony"

              • Description:

                If Melody and Lyric are on your style sheet, the peaceful Harmony, popularized by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, should be too. Girls names starting with the "Har" sound like Harper, Harley, and Harlow have been trending in recent years. This musical choice fits right in, and it is no wonder that Harmony has been in the Top 200 since 2014.
            • Hurst

              • Origin:

                English

              • Meaning:

                "wooded hill"

              • Description:

                 As a surname, it's most familiar as Hearst -- publishing magnate William Randolph and kidnapped granddaughter Patty. Few would use it if it wasn't their own family name.
            • Jena

              • Origin:

                Diminutive of Jennifer, variation of Gina, English, Arabic, "white wave; paradise"

              • Meaning:

                "white wave; paradise"

              • Description:

                Jena is a succinct name with a number of different roots, making it a versatile choice. On one hand, it might be used as a diminutive for the 70s favorite Jennifer, a name of Cornish origin that was hugely popular in a number of countries in the latter half of the 20th century. Jena might feel sleeker and more contemporary to some than the long form.
            • Josephine

              • Origin:

                French feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew

              • Meaning:

                "Jehovah increases"

              • Description:

                Josephine, with its large measure of class and character and a gently offbeat quality, has been on a gentle uphill climb in the US for over 30 years, now ranking in the Top 100. With an intriguing number of vivacious nicknames, from Jo to Josie to Fifi to Posy, Josephine is a Nameberry favorite.
            • Jules

              • Origin:

                Latin; Greek

              • Meaning:

                "youthful; soft, downy"

              • Description:

                Jules is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls. It's rarer than Billie, with a cool and casual feel. It's use in the popular TV series Euphoria - where the character of Jules Vaughn was portrayed by Hunter Schafer - brought this name into the spotlight.
            • Joliet
              • King

                • Origin:

                  English

                • Meaning:

                  "monarch"

                • Description:

                  King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.

                  King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.

                  If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
              • Kingman
                • Lark

                  • Origin:

                    English bird name

                  • Description:

                    Lark is getting some new and well-deserved attention as a post-Robin and Raven bird name. Although it was first recorded as a name in the 1830's, it has never appeared on the Social Security list.
                • Laurel

                  • Origin:

                    Latin

                  • Meaning:

                    "laurel tree"

                  • Description:

                    Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Greece and Rome.
                • Leontine

                  • Origin:

                    French female form of Leontios, Greek

                  • Meaning:

                    "lion"

                  • Description:

                    Leontine is the French form of a name that's more familiar by its spelling variation Leontyne, the name made famous by opera diva Price. An obscure choice, Leontine nevertheless feels right for our lion-name-crazed moment.
                • Lyons

                  • Origin:

                    English surname, French variation of Leon

                  • Meaning:

                    "person from Lyon, the hill fort of Lugus; lion"

                  • Description:

                    With Leon and Leo both popular options, Lionel on the rise, and other lion-inspired names such as Ariel and Leandro gathering attention, Lyons might work for a contemporary baby.
                • Lauricella
                  • Magnolia

                    • Origin:

                      Flower name, from French surname

                    • Meaning:

                      "Magnol's flower"

                    • Description:

                      Magnolia, a sweet-smelling Southern belle of a name made famous via the iconic Edna Ferber novel and musical Showboat, is one of the latest wave of botanical names, along with unexpected blossoms Azalea and Zinnia. It is named for French botanist Pierre Magnol.
                  • Mandolin
                    • Marais
                      • Marigny
                        • Marquette
                          • Miro
                            • Napolean

                              • Description:

                                Napolean is a variant spelling of Napoleon, a masculine name with Greek origins meaning 'lion of the valley' (from 'napos' meaning valley and 'leon' meaning lion). This name is forever associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. The Napolean spelling variation is significantly less common than the standard Napoleon. The name conveys strength, ambition, and leadership qualities through both its meaning and historical associations. Despite its powerful connotations, the name has remained relatively rare in modern usage, likely due to the strong historical association with Bonaparte. Parents choosing this spelling variant might appreciate the historical connection while enjoying the slightly distinctive orthography.

                            • O Keefe
                              • Pershing

                                • Description:

                                  Pershing is a masculine name with American historical roots, deriving from General John J. Pershing, the commander of American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The surname-turned-first-name gained modest popularity in the early 20th century as a patriotic tribute to the military leader. Pershing itself has Germanic origins from the name 'Pfirsich,' meaning 'peach.' As a given name, it represents strength, leadership, and military excellence. While never extremely common, Pershing experienced a small surge following WWI but has remained rare in contemporary usage. Today, it might appeal to parents with military connections or those looking for a distinguished, uncommon name with historical significance.

                              • Palmetto
                                • Pointsetta
                                  • Pomona
                                    • Poplar
                                      • Rex

                                        • Origin:

                                          Latin

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "king"

                                        • Description:

                                          Now that many dogs are named Max, it's safe to use this sleek, solid, regal name again for your child. And with the charm of its final x, its regal meaning, and its offbeat simplicity, Rex is definitely one to consider.
                                      • Royal

                                        • Origin:

                                          English word name

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "royal"

                                        • Description:

                                          Even less subtle than Duke or Earl, this name shot up the popularity charts in 2013, the same year young Prince George was born and the craze for all things royal (and Royal) began. Today, it's a leading boys' name on Nameberry's own popularity charts.
                                      • Sable

                                        • Origin:

                                          English animal name

                                        • Description:

                                          Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both associations carry hints of luxury.
                                      • Sena

                                        • Origin:

                                          Korean; Hindi; Turkish; Arabic; Ewe

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"

                                        • Description:

                                          Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna (with a soft e) or Sienna.
                                      • Tupelo

                                        • Origin:

                                          Native American place-name and tree name

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "swamp tree"

                                        • Description:

                                          Tupelo, the name of a Mississippi city as well as a tree with soft, light wood that grows in the swamps of the south, attracted some attention as a first name via author Tupelo Hassman. The song Tupelo Honey also brought it some notoriety.
                                      • Washington

                                        • Origin:

                                          English

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "home of the Wassa people"

                                        • Description:

                                          Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
                                      • Willow

                                        • Origin:

                                          English nature name

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "willow tree"

                                        • Description:

                                          An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
                                      • Wisteria

                                        • Origin:

                                          Flower name, from English surname

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "Wister's flower"

                                        • Description:

                                          A frilly southern-accented flower name yet to be planted on many birth certificates. In the language of flowers, the wisteria is a symbol of devotion. It is named for American horticulturalist John Caspar Wister.
                                      • York

                                        • Origin:

                                          English

                                        • Meaning:

                                          "from the yew estate"

                                        • Description:

                                          Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and State were named after the Duke of York.