Animal Names for Girls

This variation of the up-and-coming quirky and offbeat flower name Azalea — the original spelling of which just cracked the Top 500 — adds the trendy "lei" element seen in popular names Leia and Leilani.

Variant of Alafair

Amaranta is the unusual and intriguing Latinate form of the Greek botanical name Amarantha, which connects to an eternal mythical figure. An excellent choice for the parent who wants an A name but wishes to move beyond the usual complement of names from Amelia to Annabel.

Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.

Variant of Ayda and Aida, found especially in French-speaking Muslim communities. The trema indicates that the name is pronounced with three syllables: ah-EE-da.

This Scottish surname and Scottish and Australian place name has a pleasant airy and breezy sound to it. Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak chose the name for her daughter born in 2016.

When the once-popular Barbara makes a comeback, so might Baba.

Dacia is an ancient place-name -- it was in Eastern Europe -- as lacy as Dacey, but more substantial.

The Latin word for "goddess" makes for a rarer, but equally stylish, spin on Thea. It may also be a short form of names such as Medea, Amadea, Dorotea or Andrea.

One of the many gorgeous names originally used for children born on a specific day of the week, popular in West African culture. Effia is Akan in origin — the Akan people originate in southern Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Sweet and retro, Cherilyn peaked in 1972, when Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) rose to fame. Possibly not quite ready for a comeback, though perhaps fun nickname Cherry might swing it.

A small number of girls are given this Irish surname as a first name each year.

Nein.

Baby is rarely seen as a given name — or even nickname — these days, although it did rank in the Top 1000 from 1989 to 2003. These instances can be accounted for in two ways. Firstly, infants whose birth certificates are not filled out on time are given generic placeholders for registration, such as Infant, Unknown, or Baby. But more influential during this decade was the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, starring Jennifer Grey as Frances "Baby" Houseman. It's the origin of the famed line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

If Caroline is too classic and Callie too cutesy, Cal might work as a cool alternative. Well established and currently in the Top 1000 for boys, it has potential as a gender neutral option too.

An adorable nickname for a smiley baby, but not suggested as a legal name.