Animal Names for Girls

Amabella is an elaboration of Amabel, a popular medieval name. Neil Gaiman and Liane Moriarty used Amabella as a character name in their novels, The Graveyard Book and Big Little Lies, respectively.

You say Bryn, he says Bryana -- here's a name you might agree on.

The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday). Efia (also Afua) is the name for girls born on a Friday. (The male variant is Kofi)

An interesting cousin of Natalie (the 'h' is silent) found in the Louisiana Cajun community, Athalie is the name of a tragedy by classic French playwright Racine.

Callirrhoe is a Greek mythological nymph and companion of Persephone. It offers nicknames Calli, Ro, Clio, and Coco.

Feminine of Aidan, but now girls would prefer to use the original.

This beautiful Hindi name made the US Top 1000 in 2016, and 2017, and has now re-entered again in 2022. Aadhya is one of the many names for the Goddess Durga in Hinduism.

Bernie is an old school unisex nickname name, on the order of Bobbie or Willie. But with Billie and her tomboyish crew coming back, it's time to get Bernie on your radar! Bernie has a certain vintage charm and is boosted by the funky clunky Bernadette long form.

This and two other female forms -- AQUILA and AQUILINA -- of the Roman family name Aquilius might live on in modern times.

An early day name worthy of consideration today for someone seeking a truly unusual name.

Adessa may be a Scandinavian variation of the place name Odessa.

A multicultural choice, Aleyna entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2023. It is also a familiar name in Turkey, and notably in France where it's on the rise.

Artie is usually short for Arthur, but with boyish nicknames like Billie and Frankie rising it may be time to consider Artie for a girl too. Artie works as a sweet retro tomboy name, a possible nickname for Artemis or Arlette, and a way to honor Grandpa Arthur.

Dovie was a fairly popular nickname name a century or more ago, dropping off the Top 1000 in the 1940s only to be heading straight back uphill now.

Like its parent name Elijah and the related Elliot, this has potential for girls. It shares sounds with Eliza, Delilah, and Iris, along with established unisex choices, like Ellis, Emery, and Eden. Given to only a small handful of girls every year, it is not a popular choice just yet. If you do enjoy the idea, Lilias, Eirlys, Clovis, Micah, or Micaiah might appeal too.

A variant spelling of Charis or Carys, relatively popular in the Netherlands.

Ashley substitute with a slightly more unisex feel; it was picked for her daughter by TV host Nancy O'Dell.

Arcelia is an undiscovered Spanish treasure worth considering.