If you’re a lover of all things unique, you’ll adore this curated list of uncommon girl names. These names offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream choices, providing a way to express individuality and style. Whether it’s familiar favorites that have gracefully faded from the popularity charts or exciting newcomers, these uncommon girl names hold a broad appeal for parents seeking something special.
Some parents are drawn to uncommon girl names to stand out amidst a sea of popular choices like Sophia or Olivia, while others are simply captivated by the sound and feel of monikers they’ve never encountered before. The beauty is that there are more than enough uncommon girl names to go around, varying significantly in sound, style, origin, and meaning.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | Noble one | German | |
| Adalee | God is my refuge; noble one | Hebrew | |
| Adalia | God is my refuge; noble one | Hebrew | |
| Adelaide | Noble one | German | |
| Adelina | Noble kind; small winged one | Latin | |
| Ainsley | Solitary clearing | Scottish | Yes |
| Alessia | Help, aid; man’s defender | Greek | |
| Alexia | Man’s defender; defender, protector | Greek | |
| Alma | Nourishing, kind; soul; young woman; learned | Modern | Yes |
| Alora | My Dream | African | |
| Amalia | Industrious, striving; work; rival; laborious; eager | Latin | |
| Amari | Grace | American | Yes |
| Amaya | Night rain or the end | Japanese, Spanish | |
| Amelie | Industrious, striving; work; rival; laborious; eager | Latin | |
| Amira | Ruling princess | Arabic | |
| Amity | Friendship, harmony | Latin | |
| Anina | Answer my prayer | Aramaic | |
| Arden | Great forest | Latin | Yes |
| Arely | Golden | Latin | |
| Ariella | Lion of God | Hebrew | |
| Aspen | Aspen tree | English | Yes |
| Aviana | Birdlike | Latin | |
| Azalea | Dry | Greek | |
| Azariah | Helped by God | Hebrew | |
| Beatrice | Voyager (through life); blessed | Latin | |
| Belinda | "The beautiful river," from the Latin bella (beautiful) and Indus (a river in Asia) | German | |
| Bellamy | Beautiful friend | French | |
| Berkley | Birch tree meadow | Scottish | |
| Bexley | Woodland clearing | English | |
| Blakeley | Black, dark; pale | English | Yes |
| Bonnie | Fine, attractive, pretty | Scottish | |
| Brenna | Little drop of water; raven or black-haired | Gaelic | |
| Briar | Thorny bush of wild roses, brambles | English | |
| Calliope | Beautiful voice | Greek | |
| Camellia | Helper to the priest | Latin | |
| Cara | Beloved; friend | Latin | |
| Carys | Love | Welsh | |
| Cataleya | Orchid | Spanish | |
| Celeste | Heavenly | Latin | |
| Celine | Heaven | Latin | |
| Cherry | Cherry fruit | English | |
| Chiara | Bright, famous | Latin | |
| Claudia | Lame | Latin | |
| Clementine | Merciful | Latin | |
| Cleo | "The celebrated one," from the Greek kleo, make known or famous. | Greek | Yes |
| Clover | "She who clings lovingly." From a Germanic base meaning "to adhere." An allusion to the adhesive property of clover sap. | English | |
| Coraline | A variant form of Coral. | Latin | |
| Cordelia | Heart | Latin | |
| Cynthia | From Mount Kynthos | Greek | |
| Dahlia | Dahlia flower | Scandinavian | |
| Damaris | Calf; to tame; gentle | Latin | |
| Davina | Beloved | Scottish | |
| Dream | Unconscious vision or thought | English | |
| Edith | Strife for wealth | English | |
| Egypt | Home of the soul of Ptah | Greek | |
| Elaine | Sun ray, shining light | Greek | |
| Emberly | Created name | American | |
| Ensley | Solitary clearing | Scottish | |
| Esperanza | Hope | Spanish | |
| Estelle | Star | Latin | |
| Evangeline | Good news | English | |
| Evie | Life | English | |
| Ezra | Help | Hebrew | Yes |
| Feather | Feather | English | |
| Felia | Happy; Lucky | Greek | |
| Felicity | Happiness | Latin | |
| Fergie | Strength of Man | English | |
| Fernley | Fern meadow | English | Yes |
| Galilee | Country of Gentiles | English | Yes |
| Giselle | Pledge | French | |
| Guinevere | Fair one; white, smooth, soft | Welsh | |
| Haisley | Hazel Woods | Irish | |
| Hallie | A variant spelling of Hally. | Scandinavian | Yes |
| Harlow | Rock Hill | English | |
| Haven | Safe Place | English | Yes |
| Helena | Sun ray, shining light | Greek | |
| Holland | Land on the Ridge | American | |
| India | Of the Indus River | Indian (Sanskrit) | |
| Isabeau | God’s promise | Hebrew | |
| Ivory | Creamy-white color; hard tusk used for carving fine art, jewellery | Latin | Yes |
| Jette | Home ruler | Dutch | Yes |
| Jewel | Plaything, delight | French | Yes |
| Judith | From Judea; Jewish | Hebrew | |
| Kamilah | Perfect | Arabic | |
| Karina | Love | Scandinavian | |
| Keeley | Slender, pretty | Gaelic | Yes |
| Kehlani | Sea Heavens | Polynesian | |
| Kenna | Greatest champion | Welsh | |
| Kensley | Created Name | American | Yes |
| Kimber | Cyneburg’s field | English | |
| Kyla | Narrow Strait | English | |
| Leia | Weary one | Hebrew | |
| Leighton | From the town by the Meadow | English | |
| Lennon | Dear one | Irish | Yes |
| Leslie | Holly garden | Scottish | Yes |
| Liberty | Freedom | English | |
| Lorelei | "The enchantress," in allusion to the siren of German legend whose singing on reefs in the Rhine lured sailors to their doom. | German | |
| Louise | Famous Warrior | German | |
| Lucia | Of the Light | Italian | |
| Luella | A variant form of Louella. | English | |
| Maeve | Intoxicating | Irish | |
| Maisie | "A little pearl." A diminutive form of Margaret. | Scottish | |
| Mallory | Unlucky | French | Yes |
| Mariana | Of the sea | Spanish | |
| Mariella | Star of the sea | Latin | |
| Marissa | Of the sea | Latin | |
| Mavis | Song Thrush | French | |
| Maxine | Greatest | Latin | |
| Meadow | Clearing | English | |
| Mercy | Compassion, Forebearance | English | |
| Mira | Wonderful; peace; prosperous | Spanish | |
| Nala | Successful | African | |
| Nalani | Serenity of the skies | Polynesian | |
| Naya | Renewal | Indian (Sanskrit) | |
| Nayeli | I love you | Native American | |
| Nerissa | Black-haired | Italian | |
| Nina | Little girl | Spanish | |
| Noemi | Pleasant | Hebrew | |
| Oakley | From the oak tree field | English | |
| Oaklynn | Created name | American | |
| Olenna | Torch | Slavic | |
| Olexa | Defender of man | European | Yes |
| Olympia | From Mount Olympus | Greek | |
| Opal | Gem, jewel | Indian (Sanskrit) | |
| Palmer | Palm tree | Latin | Yes |
| Paloma | Dove | Latin | |
| Pearl | Pearl | Latin | |
| Perla | Pearl | Latin | |
| Pia | Pious, reverent | Latin | |
| Poppy | "The milk of happiness," from the Latin papaver, the name of a plant having thick, milky juice, on the basis of papa, thick milk. | Latin | |
| Portia | The symbol of a beautiful, wealthy, and brilliant woman, in allusion to the heroine of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. | Latin | |
| Promise | One’s word | English | |
| Queen | Queen | English | |
| Quincy | Counsel; estate of the fifth son | Irish | Yes |
| Ramona | Protecting hands | Spanish | |
| Reign | Rule, Sovereign | English | Yes |
| Rhea | Flowing | Greek | |
| Roxana | Dawn | Persian | |
| Rubina | See, a son; the red gemstone | Hebrew | |
| Salma | Peace; helmet of God; safe | Hebrew | |
| Sandra | A short form of Alexandra. | Italian | |
| Saoirse | Freedom | Irish | |
| Selah | Rock | Hebrew | |
| Selyse | Created name | American | |
| Shiloh | His gift | Hebrew | Yes |
| Skyla | Fugitive | English | |
| Sutton | From the south town | English | |
| Sylvia | Woods, forest | Latin | |
| Talia | Heaven’s dew | Hebrew | |
| Tenley | Burned meadow | English | |
| Teresa | Late summer | Greek | |
| Tinsley | Tynni’s hill | English | |
| Twyla | Twilight | American | |
| Una | One | Latin | |
| Unity | Oneness | English | |
| Valora | Brave, courageous | Latin | |
| Veda | Knowledge, wisdom | Indian (Sanskrit) | |
| Veronica | True image | Latin | |
| Vienna | Forest stream | Latin | |
| Violeta | Purple | Latin | |
| Viviana | Alive | Italian | |
| Waverly | Meadow of quivering aspens | English | |
| Wendy | Friend | English | |
| Winnie | Fair one; white and smooth, soft; happiness; holy, blessed reconciliation; joy and peace; first-born daughter; fair, pure | Welsh | Yes |
| Xandria | Defender of man | Greek | |
| Xanthia | Yellow, blonde | Greek | |
| Xavia | Bright, splendid; new house | Spanish | |
| Yara | Water lady; small butterfly | Arabic | Yes |
| Yelena | Sun ray, shining light | Russian | |
| Yuna | Kindness | Japanese | |
| Zaniyah | Forever, Always | Aztec (Nahuatl) | |
| Zola | Lump of earth | Italian | |
| Zuna | To be sweet | African | |
| Zuri | Beautiful | African |
Uncommon girl names are a fantastic source for discovering the next rising stars in baby naming. Names like Adalee and Oaklynn perfectly exemplify this trend, as they are steadily climbing the charts but haven’t yet reached mainstream popularity. They represent a sweet spot for parents seeking something fresh and distinctive.
The list also highlights the growing appeal of word names, such as Dream, Reign, and Promise. These evocative names have gained traction, particularly within celebrity circles, and are increasingly resonating with parents beyond Hollywood.
Don’t be misled into thinking that these uncommon girl names lack style. Many of these less-used options align seamlessly with current naming trends. Arden and Ezra, for example, are traditionally masculine names that have transitioned into the popular unisex category, offering a modern and versatile feel. Place names are also a notable trend, with Vienna and Holland serving as stunning examples of geographical-inspired choices. The appeal of place names lies in their ability to evoke a sense of wanderlust, culture, or natural beauty.
You’ll also discover a selection of vintage sweethearts like Winnie and Judith. These names offer a charming alternative to more common vintage revivals such as Sadie and Evelyn, providing a sense of nostalgia and timelessness without sounding overly familiar. Each of these names fits beautifully alongside today’s most fashionable choices.
Exploring uncommon girl names provides a path to finding a name that you simply won’t encounter in every classroom or playgroup. Perhaps you’re looking to add flair to a common family surname or simply desire a name that sets your child apart. Whatever your inspiration, our list of beautiful and uncommon girl names provides a comprehensive starting point for your search.
