Animal Names for Girls

Better saved for a doll.

As with many other names, the y seems to make this name more girl-appropriate for some parents. About three-quarters of the babies named Austyn are female.

Modern variant spelling of Anniston

A word name that's appealing when applied to a person boogying or doing ballet; a different story in the context of Santa's reindeer.

A mighty lion in sheep's clothing. Though Amandla looks, to the untrained eye, like a variant of milquetoast Amanda, it actually derives from the word for "power" in the Zulu and Xhosa languages, two of the major languages of South Africa. Anti-Apartheid activists often used the phrase "Amandla Awethu!", meaning "power to the people," as a rallying cry at protests. There was also a 2002 documentary about the role of music in the downfall of Apartheid called "Amandla."

Ante is the equivalent to Antony in Croatia, Bosnia, and other Balkan countries. Antea is the feminine equivalent, and would make a sweet, modern-sounding alternative to dusty Antonia.

Dosia is rare but not foreign, especially since the antiquated name Theodosia was highlighted in the play Hamilton.

Barb is a midcentury nickname name that, like Deb and Sue, feels terminally dates now. But with the revival of Barbie, Barb may not be far behind.

Unusual and attention-grabbing, but this unusual spelling also could make your child's life more complicated than it has to be.

A beautiful A-heavy choice with international appeal.

Norwegian city name heard much more often as a last name than a first.