Cool Unusual Baby Girl Names

Unique names that you won't find on the top 100 list

© Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Mar 12, 2007
A baby girl with a pacifier., http://www.sxc.hu/photo/728087
Choosing a name for your child is often a challenge. If you're tired of all the 'normal' ones why not consider something a little different?

Unusual baby girl names can be hard to find. It seems that as soon an uncommon and unique name gets discovered, it quickly becomes trendy and finds its way to the Top 100 baby name list! So how do find a great name that's unique but not too weird? Here's a list of some uncommon baby girl name gems that haven't cracked the Top 100 list.

Rhiannon. This stunning name has never cracked the U.S. top 500, despite the Fleetwood Mac song of this name that hit the charts in the 1970s. In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon was a horse goddess, and the name is derived from a phrase that means "great queen." This name may be hard for some to spell and pronounce (they may mistake it for "Brianna") but it's quite the name gem.

Gwendolyn. This melodic old Welsh name means "white circle," which probably refers to a moon goddess. Gwendolyn hasn't ever cracked the U.S. Top 100; it peaked around 135 in the 1950s. Gwen and Wendy are cute built-in nicknames. Similar uncommon name gems include Gwyneth, Gwynn, Genevieve, and Guinevere (the origin of the ultra-popular name Jennifer).

Marnie. This pretty and simple name isn't even on the U.S. Top 1000 list and hasn't been around much since the 1964 Alfred Hitchcock movie with this name. Marnie is derived from the Scandinavian "Marna,' which means 'from the sea," and is similar to the Scandinavian name Maren. Marnie is also a Hebrew name which means "rejoice."

Taryn. Taryn seems like it would be popular name, but it's nowhere near the top 100. The meaning of this lovely name is disputed and has origins in many cultures. It's a great name if you want something unusual that blends in with trendy names like Ashlyn or Caden. (Names ending with the -en sound are all the rage.) The similar name Tara is more common, but also not trendy.

Clarity. Clarity is a great variation of the pretty but popular name Claire (which is a terrific built-in nickname). It's also a unique take on "virtue" names like Hope and Faith.

Harmony. Speaking of "virtue" names, Harmony is a beautiful and uncommon one.

Shayna. Shayna means "pretty" or 'beautiful" in Yiddish, and is part of the common Yiddish phrase sheine maidele, which means "pretty girl." If you're looking for a classic Jewish name that stands out among all the Sarahs and Rachels, why not Shayna? A similar Yiddish name is Reina, which means "clean or pure."

Willow. This beautiful name has yet to crack the Top 100, despite the uber-cool Buffy the Vampire Slayer character with this name. The willow tree is such a peaceful image in nature; why not give it to a little girl?

Anya. Speaking of Buffy, here's another great name from that TV series! (Deal or No Deal fans know the other famous popular culture Anya; she's the spunky blonde model who carries case #10.) Anya is a Russian variation of Ann and a nickname for Anastasia, another great uncommon name. Anya could be a less trendy alternative to Maya, a similarly exotic name that's climbing the charts fast.

Similar articles:

Choosing a baby girl name

Baby names: Unusual or popular?

Old-fashioned baby names for girls

Unusual names for girls

Baby names for twin girls


The copyright of the article Cool Unusual Baby Girl Names in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Cool Unusual Baby Girl Names in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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Comments
May 6, 2008 6:39 PM
Guest :
someone's been watching a bit of buffy the vampire slayer!

Taryn (Tara),
Willow,
Harmony,
Anya.

it's very cute.
May 9, 2008 6:23 PM
Guest :
or lacia i luv my name
Aug 17, 2008 11:40 PM
Guest :
How about Edelyn? That's my name and I was named after the white flower Edelwise..(snow queen legend) I think my name is very lovely and unusual :)
Nov 29, 2008 5:02 PM
Guest :
I like Anya, it's a nice name
Dec 1, 2008 10:37 AM
Guest :
omg!! these are so cool seeing that my name is jayden blynne
Dec 4, 2008 2:21 PM
Guest :
Utopia
Taitum
Teegan
Sage
Monroe
Alabama
Dec 7, 2008 1:18 PM
Guest :
Very cool! I used a name for my Language Arts Student Choice Writing! This is very helpful!
Dec 15, 2008 3:20 PM
Guest :
my name is Sashya pronounced like Sasha but my parents wanted to mix it up :)
Dec 15, 2008 7:13 PM
Guest :
My name is Courtney Paige so kinda common. My favorite name is Annabella.
Dec 18, 2008 1:20 PM
Guest :
Faye, Rosalie, Arabella, Renata, Zafrina, and Zenna are my favorite names. They all have to do with the Twilight series, except Faye, but I want tot name my baby girl Rosalie Faye. (:
Dec 20, 2008 2:56 PM
Guest :
My son's name is Colby Blaine and my daughter is Kaileigh Ra'Nay. It's pronounced Kylee but everyone says kaylee. I like the name Tandelayah tho and Uriah which if I have another boy will be named that.
Apr 23, 2009 1:18 AM
Guest :
I think the name Kaileigh is really cool plus a may at the end like this:
Kaileigh-May
COOL
Apr 23, 2009 10:04 AM
Guest :
i luv the name adelaide, my daughter has the name (shes three) and people always admire it. My son is 1, his name is Chandler
Apr 26, 2009 2:48 AM
Guest :
If I may run this one by all of you. I'm trying to convince my wife to use her maiden name as our daughter's first name-Turner. Uncommon and unique, I think it would work.
May 1, 2009 6:27 PM
Guest :
my friend is named willow!
May 4, 2009 2:23 PM
Guest :
I like Thalia or Delia (pronounced DEELEEAH, not delyah)
May 6, 2009 5:30 AM
Guest :
I love Arabella its such a beautiful name. And un-common
plus if i had a daughter and her nick name would be Bella ;D
Jennifer is one of my fave's 2 :D
May 7, 2009 3:34 AM
Guest :
I love how theirs so many names from BTVS. If I ever have kids I'm naming my son Alexander (Xander) and my daughter Willow
May 11, 2009 5:05 PM
Guest :
My name is Ahsharah and is a very uncommon name. Its Hebrew for "I am happy." I swear, every time that i type my name in the computer it is always wrong. they also mix my name up with the holiday, Rosh Hashanah."
May 13, 2009 8:43 PM
Guest :
meryn is a pretty name, pronounced (mare-in)
May 14, 2009 9:01 AM
Guest :
My daughters name is Rhiannon Ava. I love the song Rhiannon and the magical meaning. My name is Stevi. My mother claims it isn't after Stevie Nicks but I don't know... :) So, people think my family is obsessed with Fleetwood Mac since I am Stevi Richelle and my daughter is Rhiannon Ava. I also have two sons, Sterling Jaxon & Dylan Chase. What do you think about my kids names?
May 21, 2009 10:48 PM
Guest :
this girl i used to baby sit her name is Rain and her mom just recently had a boy bout a year ago and named him cloud now thats unusal yet creative names
May 24, 2009 9:12 PM
Guest :
My daughters name is Alayna and her nick name is Laynie.
May 28, 2009 5:51 AM
Guest :
well my name is DARLING DEI.. haha. nothing cooler and sweeter:D
Jun 2, 2009 5:25 PM
Guest :
My name is Anay...It is from India...and I dont know ANYONE who has my name...
Jun 6, 2009 9:29 AM
Guest :
I have some cool names

Rhiannon
Letitia
Amelia-Jayde
Carmel
Kendall
Lorrett
Lorraine
Randy
Dee
Jun 7, 2009 9:16 PM
Guest :
alivia
livey
kingston
jazzabel
starr
crystal
julia max
andrea
alexis
diamond
alisa
mary
maria
nikki
janet
noah
your kids wud love these names when u grow up
Jun 11, 2009 2:02 PM
Guest :
Hahaha. My name is Willow. My father wanted to name me something unusual. He was thinking of the name 'Patience' or 'Constance'. And my mother is very into nature and recycling, etc. One day, I think my dad saw a street sign that said 'Willow' on it and decided that, that was perfect for both of my parents. Obtaining the name Willow, my mother was both happy and disappointed. Because she very much liked Chloë for her daughter. So my parents decided on naming me Willow Chloë.
Jun 12, 2009 8:51 PM
Guest :
always loved
alorah
amara
skye
axton
xander
zaiden
lexis
Jun 13, 2009 4:36 PM
Guest :
My parents had quite the unusual names for me!(girl)Meredith,Emily,Kate,Abigail,or Ashlyn.What i`m named is Meredith Ashlyn and I love it!(boy)Connor,Scott,Jared,or Heath.Connor,Scott,And Jared are common but never have I known a boy named Heath!
Jun 14, 2009 3:02 AM
Guest :
My name is Asher, it means "happy" & "light". I never had anyone with the same name at school!
Jun 19, 2009 10:28 PM
Guest :
My name is Mardi Raven. I've never meant another girl with either names. It's not very common at all. I don't really care for Mardi (it reminds me too much of an older lady) and I've always been called Raven. Besides the obvious reference to the bird, it means magic and represents good fortune on the battlefield. Haha, there's also a legend that if there are no ravens in the tower of london, England will fall. It's really underestimated.
Jun 20, 2009 6:20 PM
Guest :
my friends dogs name is buffy and we got a dog just like her so all these buffy names are great
Jun 22, 2009 12:12 PM
Guest :
My 19 yr old daughter's name is Rhiannon. I got it from the song, but used to read alot of King Arthur stuff,(blame it on "The Mists of Avalon")and would frequently come across the name in many books. Of course everyone automatically assumes I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan!
Jun 22, 2009 6:31 PM
Guest :
im having a hard time, my lastname is Klompmaker... so its hard to mix because its such a long name but i found one, my dad's name is Harley and my mans dad's name is Gerben so together we have Harlen, but i need more names, and dones Harlen Klompmaker sound stupid,, HONSTLY! lol
Jun 23, 2009 1:57 PM
Guest :
my mom has 6 kids, 3 with normal names....KAYLA MARIE (me), JOSEPH NEIL, and ELIZABETH SCHARON, then she has 3 with unusual names.... AMBRYANNE MAY, KATERIA JOLYNN (pronounced ka-tear-ah), and LAKIMBRA CHARISS. my daughters names are AMARIAH KAY, and MELINA DEMETRIUS, i am 6 months pregnant with another girl that will be named SHANIA MARIE. i wanted to name my daughters something unique but not to strange.
Jun 24, 2009 10:41 AM
Guest :
sadie!!!! its not one of the most un-common, but its sweet, and mostly an animal name, so i laugh everytime i go to someones house, and a dog is called, i always turn my head in confusion. (:
Jul 1, 2009 1:30 AM
Guest :
a cute name for a girl no matter what background she comes from is:
-Lara,Eva or Kimberly
Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM
Guest :
My name is Annabeth & my sisters name is Ruthieanne. I like the girl names Marina, Clarity, Blaire, Harmony, & Hazel. For boy names i like Leo, Waverly, Pilar, and Keegan. I'm naming my daughter Oliviajane, it's unusual but i like it.
Jul 2, 2009 7:40 PM
Guest :
I've always liked the name "Sky". It's a beautiful name, and is fairly safe of being made fun of.
Jul 6, 2009 8:25 PM
Guest :
kerrison is a cool name
Jul 9, 2009 9:24 PM
Guest :
my name is kimberly but my favorite names are kiera and kassy. i also love anya and melrose.:)
Jul 10, 2009 5:46 AM
Guest :
My name is Sara-Rose
my name thought it was cute and because the princesse in a story was named sara and rose for my grnadmother
Jul 11, 2009 12:47 AM
Guest :
Hey what do u think of the name Ylva (Yil-vah) is it too weird? Plz i need someone to reply. I like the names, Crystal, Diamond, Rain, Clarity and also my name is Chloe i love my name i think it sounds sweet but can also be Chlo or Clo to sound as a cool nickname.
Jul 12, 2009 5:45 AM
Guest :
my name is kaarianna.(car.e.onna)
Jul 18, 2009 10:16 AM
Guest :
GIRLS
-DORINDA
-JORDAN
-JORLYN
-CATHALYNA
-NAISHKA
-ALEXANDRA
-LOLA
Jul 20, 2009 4:10 AM
Guest :
i dont know much ppl with my name :) ... Eurwen i love it xD
Jul 20, 2009 4:17 AM
Guest :
i love the name autumn rose. its beaautiful and special. i alsso like isabella juliette rosalie crystal luca chantal and rain ... :)


Jul 24, 2009 11:01 AM
Guest :
My name (or names)
I have two sets of names as I have two families (its complicated)
Lillie-Maii Phoenix Snow - thats the acting family
Lindsey Katie Pettit - thats the normal one
xxxxxxx i love my first one btw Lillie-Maii Snow
Jul 28, 2009 4:30 PM
Guest :
My name is Zoe(: There's no "y" at the end but there's two dots above the "e" :D It's pronounced Zoey but some people are retarded and think it's Zo. haha.
Jul 30, 2009 9:27 AM
Guest :
riley and scout are my absolute favorite girl names.
Jul 30, 2009 12:00 PM
Guest :
My daughters names are Maii-Leynne Brooke and Hayden Marie. I Like As Ive never met someone with the name Maii-Leynne and ive never heard another girl with the name Hayden (besides the actresses).
Jul 31, 2009 11:44 PM
Guest :
my sisters name is kylanne its pronouced kyle ann but ive never met anyone with her name
and my best friends name is rhiannon Lorraine
i think theyre both pretty crafty haha
Aug 1, 2009 1:55 PM
Guest :
Kezia is a nice, sweet, unique name. I love it(:
Aug 1, 2009 2:44 PM
Guest :
For a girl I love the names
-Piper
-Opal
-Violet or Violeta
-Trinity
-Robynn
-Grace (My name I really like it haha)
-Venus
-Raven
-Kenadie
-Ryn
-Ollie
-Jade
-Aqua
-Kairi
-Rouge
-Topaz
-Agatha
-Esther
-Brooke
-Wendy
-Unique
-Kellesar Pronounced like (Kellehser)

Boy's name

-Corey
-Travis
-Cole
-Tes
-Sheen
-Colby
-Angelo
-Chester
-Tey
Aug 2, 2009 3:17 PM
Guest :
My name is Vanessa and I get comments on it all the time! I love it.
Boys:
Miles
Jayden David
Stellar
Grayson Parker
Kayden Joseph
Eric Steven
Austin Neil
Cameron
Girls:
Kelisha (Kel-lee-sha)
Joslyn Rose
Kelly Ondrea
Kya Stelise Stel-(rhymes with bell,and then lease)
Linnea
Aug 2, 2009 3:18 PM
Guest :
My friends name is kaylene (kay-lean) and i love it!
Aug 3, 2009 5:24 AM
Guest :
My name is Sharlette, pronounced as in Charlotte.
My kids names are:
Mariah Crystal Jayde,
Shannon Rhianna Skye, and
Brayden Jay Kyle.

I am now having my fourth and am busy hunting for that perfect unique combination. All my kids have 2 middle names. My baby's middle names will be Lilly and Bri-Ann. Now to find the perfect first name!!!
Aug 3, 2009 8:52 PM
Guest :
Scout+Chiller =]
Aug 3, 2009 8:54 PM
Guest :
Scout+Chiller =]
Aug 7, 2009 10:54 AM
Guest :
My name is Danielle. I like it but it's plain. I have a friend called Danielle too. My nickname is Dani or Dana, because my middle name is Lee my grandma insists on calling me Dani-Lee. My brother's name is Luke. He is named after Luke Skywalker. I was lucky not to be named Chewy or Princess Laya. My cousin's name's are unusal my auntie loves unusual names they are:
Jordan
London
Paris
Brittany
Porscha
Also my other cousin's name is Rhys and it is prounounced Reece but spelt the Welsh way.My mother's name is Sian (also Welsh) it's prounounced Sharn though. My grandad is Welsh...
I have twins a girl and a boy named Aayliah Charni (A-lee-a Sh-ar-ni) and Nolan Thomas. They are both 5. My son is 1 and named Benson Evan. I am now about a month pregnant and am soon going to findout te gender. I have no clue what to name them!!! I need something unique!
Aug 7, 2009 5:19 PM
Guest :
Some of these names are really nice! but I'm afraid I prefer my name and I find it quite unique and has already been mentioned above. My name is Harmony Alexandra :)
Aug 11, 2009 9:12 AM
Guest :
My name is Tera Renee.
Not a huge fan of it... people constantly misspell it.
my sister Isa (eye-suh) is pregnant, so i'm looking at baby names for her.
we're thinking of:
Girls-
Emma
Belle
Azazel (uh-zay-zuhl)
Lorelai (lor-uh-lie)
Aurora
Josephine (Joey)
Bennett (Benny)
Willow
Jane
Boys-
Sawyer
Noah
Hezekiah
Azariah
Ezra
Laurence (Laury)
Orion
Cooper
Kai
So hard to pick!
Aug 11, 2009 6:16 PM
Guest :
What does anybody think of the names: Alexis, Gabriella, and Margo.
Aug 11, 2009 7:22 PM
Guest :
Gracelyn faith
Paige victoria
Rachael lauren
Kylie Channel
Caiden riley
Braelie sky
Leah lorain
Aug 14, 2009 11:23 PM
Guest :
I love the name Chastity.It's uncommon and pretty.Hazel is another awesome and uncommon name!Then there's always Tatum , Raina , Sky ,Lucianna , Shaina , and Ladonne.I hope this helps!
Aug 16, 2009 1:05 PM
Guest :
my name is lilly-may i have a friend called thecla and elia
i like the name jodie and scarlet ooooooh and lela i also like taylor
like:
roseetta
jaminiaa
cortney
mia
callrissa
kiaza
aqua
ebony
neve
erren
lorrienia (rare gem)
sunny



Aug 22, 2009 4:39 AM
Guest :
Evelyn or Evelyna is a nice name.
Aug 25, 2009 8:12 PM
Guest :
i did this because i have one on its way and i now have the perfect name for a baby girl Ezra its so cute
Aug 27, 2009 2:14 AM
Guest :
well my name is purdy and my best frend is called pagan and my other best friend is called Maisie so were all unusual i like shayla,crystal,willow,skye,rhona and odim
Aug 29, 2009 12:37 PM
Guest :
how about zifferna
Aug 31, 2009 12:26 PM
Guest :
i'm Sapphire so i'm pretty uncommon.
Aug 31, 2009 5:36 PM
Guest :
It's hard to decide on girl names!
Miralee
Myla
Sienna
Janessa
Braelyn
Amaris
Thea
Saida
Saige
Dejah
Maysa/Maseh
Sep 2, 2009 12:12 AM
Guest :
My name is Lenida Mae (len-ee-dah) which I have never found in any baby name books but is the name of a female lion tamer in an old Tarzan comic strip (according to Google anyway). Im not that keen on it as I always to have to explain how to say and spell it out so I use Leni as my nickname. But I have always received comments as to how unusual and lovely my name is.
My daughter's name is Aliyah Mae (alee-yah). I am having my second child now and trying to find another unusual name for this bub, so far I like Luka, Zaide, Kain, Deakon, Lekaia, Jhada, Thorie.
By the way I have really enjoyed reading all your comments and name suggestions :)
74 Comments