As an expectant parent, one of the hardest decisions you have to make is not what kind of car seat to buy, or which crib to put in the nursery. Nope. The hardest decision will be what the heck are you going to call the baby?!? You are selecting a name that your child will have forever!
For some parents, bestowing a trendy moniker on their little princess is just as important as pushing her around in the most popular stroller on the market. But if you are a mom or dad who wants your daughter to stand out in the crowd of Olivias, Emmas, and Harpers that will undoubtedly be in her preschool class a few years from now, you are likely considering choosing a name for your little girl that isn’t too highly ranked on the Social Security Administration’s database of baby names.
To help make that decision a little easier for you, we have put together a list of 100 rare girl names and their meanings. This collection of unique and rare names for girls includes monikers from around the globe, alternatives to trendy three-letter or flower names for girls, and unique variations of some popular names. Hopefully, you will find something you think is as special as your little pink bundle of joy!
100 Rare Girl Names
1. Adia
This German name means “noble.”
2. Aella
In Greek, this pretty name means “whirlwind.”
3. Alazne
Spanish in origin, this name is derived from alatz, the Basque word for “miracle.”
4. Aletta
The meaning behind this Latin name is “winged one.”
5. Alohi
With Hawaiian origins, meaning “brilliant” or “shining.”
6. Alora
This beautiful name, which means “dream” or “dreamer,” has roots in both Latin and the Bantu language of Botswana, Africa.
7. Aneira
Perfect for a baby girl born in the winter, as it is a Welsh name meaning “much snow.”
8. Annika
This name means “sweet-faced” in Hebrew and “gracious” in German.
9. Aoife
“Beautiful” and “radiant” are the meanings of this name (pronounced EE-fa) which is quite common in Ireland, but not so much in America.
10. Arwen
Meaning “noble maiden,” this Welsh name was used for the princess of the elves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
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11. Axelle
The French feminine form of the Scandanavian male name Axel, which means “my father is peace.”
12. Baylin
A name that has been used for boys and girls, it means “mighty warrior” in Hindi, and is also a variation on the Ashkenazik Jewish name Bailin.
13. Belleann
A blend of the names Belle (which means “beautiful” in French) and Ann (a religious name of Hebrew origins meaning “grace” or “God has favored me).
14. Beryl
Originating from the Greek word berylis, this cousin of Jade means “light green semiprecious gemstone.”
15. Bronwyn
Of Welsh origin, meaning “fair-breasted” or pure of heart.
16. Caitronia
Pronounced Katrina, this Gaelic variation of Katherine means “pure, clear, chaste.”
17. Calista
Meaning “most beautiful,” it’s the feminine form of the Greek name Callistus.
18. Carys
This Welsh name means “love.”
19. Casiane
Meaning “cinnamon,” it is a variation of the ancient Greek name Kassiani, who was a Byzantine musical composer and hymnographer.
20. Ceinwen
A combination of the Welsh words cain (fair) and gwen (white).
21. Clover
This Old English flower name is a sweet alternative to Lily or Rose.
22. Dallis
This Scottish name means “from the dales, the valley meadows.”
23. Damaris
Of Greek and Latin origin, this girl’s name means “calf” or “to tame” or “gentle.”
24. Darcy
Derived from the French surname D’Arcy, meaning “one from Arcy” or “dark one,” this name is fitting for fans of Jane Austen’s aloof Pride & Prejudice hero.
25. Darya
If you want your daughter to be a strong boss babe one day, this Russian name means “good ruler.”
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26. Echo
After the mountain nymph in Greek mythology whom Zeus often visited.
27. Eilish
The Gaelic form of the Hebrew name Elizabeth means “pledged to God.”
28. Ellasandra
It’s all the rage to combine names (Ella + Sandra) for a unique moniker for your darling daughter, but this one is also a twist on the name Alessandra.
29. Ellery
Gender-neutral, this English name means “cheerful” and is also a surname meaning “descendant of Hilary.”
30. Elowynne
A variation on the spelling of Elowen, a Cornish name that means “elm.”
31. Enola
A Native American name meaning “solitary.”
32. Eudora
The name of a minor goddess in Greek mythology, meaning “generous gift.”
33. Fable
Gender-neutral, this name is derived from the Latin fabula, meaning “to talk” or “tale, legend.”
34. Fia
Short and sweet with Irish, Portuguese, and Italian origins, meaning “wild or weaver.’
35. Gaia
The name of the mother goddess or mother earth in Greek mythology, means “rejoicing.”
36. Giustina
The Italian form of Justine, meaning “fair and just.”
37. Grier
Meaning “alert, watchful,” this is the Scottish variation of the more commonly spelled Greer.
38. Haisley
Adapted from the English and Irish surname Hazley, which means “near the hazel tree.”
39. Honey
Nothing could be sweeter for your little girl than bestowing this term of endearment as her given name.
40. Ilaria
This Italian name is perfect for a smiling baby girl, as it means “cheerful.”
41. Ione
From the ancient Greek word ion, meaning “violet flower.”
42. Irie
Jamaican in origin, it is derived from the Rastafarian term that translates to “carefree” or “happy.”
43. Isabeau
A variation of Isabel, with French origins meaning “pledged to God” or “God’s promise” in Hebrew.
44. Jara
The Spanish origins mean “rockrose,” but this was also the name of the Hindu goddess of the household and happiness.
45. Jessamine
As Jessalynn, Jessa, and Jasmine all grow in popularity, this name of Old Persian and French origin meaning “jasmine flower” is a sweet alternative.
46. Juni
A German name meaning “lovable,” it is also the Scandinavian word for the month of June.
47. Katana
If you want your little girl to be a fierce warrior, this Japanese name means “sword.”
48. Kelilah
In Hebrew, this name means “victorious” or “crown”—fitting for your little princess.
49. Kerensa
A cousin of Karen, stemming from the Cornish word for “love.”
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50. Kiko
Meaning “brave one” or “the warrior” in Hawaiian culture, Keiko is also a common Japanese name for little girls, meaning “happy child.”
51. Layana
Persian in origin, this name means “shining,” “glowing,” “radiant,” and “beautiful.”
52. Lissandra
If Alexandra is too common for your taste, consider this version of the Greek name which means “defender of men.”
53. Lulee
If Lucie or Lola are too commonplace for your taste, consider this name with Latin origins meaning “one whose birth was illuminated by daybreak” and German origins meaning “warrior maiden.”
54. Madrigal
Derived from the Latin matricalis, musicians might like this name which means “song for unaccompanied voices.”
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55. Meara
This Irish name means “pool” or “lake”—a great choice for parents who love the sea!
56. Mercer
A common occupational surname in France, England, and Scotland, taken from the French mercier, meaning “merchant” or “shopkeeper.”
57. Miya
A Japanese name that means “sacred house,” this name is similar to Mia or Maya.
58. Nathalia
This is the Spanish spelling of the more traditional name Natalia, which means “birthday of Christ” or “born on Christmas Day.”
59. Nelle
An old-fashioned English name meaning “bright, shining one,” this name can stand on its own or be a shortened nickname.
60. Nefeli
Meaning “like a cloud,” it is a variation on Nephele, the ancient Greek goddess created from a cloud by Zeus who became the mother of the Centaurs.
61. Nemy
Derived from the African Mende language, this sweet name actually means “sweet.”
62. Nerissa
Another cute option for water-loving parents, this name has Greek origins and means “from the sea.”
63. Novalie
Derived from the Latin word novus, meaning “new” or “new one.”
64. Oona
A variation of the Irish name Una, which itself comes from uan, the Gaelic word for “lamb.”
65. Orenda
This Native American word means “great spirit” or “magical power” in the Iroquois nation.
66. Oriana
With Latin, Italian, and Spanish origins, this name means “sunrise” or “dawn” and is a sweet alternative to Aurora.
67. Ottiline
The diminutive form of Ottilie, a name with German and French origins that means “prosperous in battle.”
68. Peony
As floral names like Poppy, Daisy, and Posey grow in popularity, this less common flower name has Greek origins meaning “praise giving” and symbolize wealth and honor in Chinese culture.
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69. Petra
A feminine form of Peter, which comes from the Greek word for “stone” or “rock,” this name is popular in Slavic countries.
70. Qiana
An alternate spelling of Kiana, this Persian name means “gracious” or “soft” or “silky.”
71. Quinlan
A common Irish surname meaning “fit, shapely, strong,” this cousin of Quinn has several spelling variations for you to customize it further.
72. Raisa
Arabic in origin, this name means “leader” or “chief” or “princess.” It also has Hebrew ties, meaning “rose” in Yiddish.
73. Rehema
“Compassion” and “forgiveness” are the meaning of this name of Egyptian origin.
74. Rowan
A surname with Scottish and Irish roots meaning “little redhead,” it also has an Arabic origin meaning “a river in paradise.”
75. Samira
“Entertaining companion” is the meaning behind this Arabic name.
76. Seira
This Muslim name (also spelled Siara) means “holy” and “pure.”
77. Seona
“God is gracious” is the meaning of this pretty Scottish name.
78. Sia
It could be used as a nickname for a longer moniker, but this Old Norse name meaning “victory” can join Fia and stand up next to the trendy Gia, Lia, and Mia!
79. Signy
A Scandinavian name meaning “new victory” and a variation of Signe, the twin sister of Sigmund in the epic Norse mythology story, Saga of the Volsungs.
80. Solana
“Sunshine” is the meaning behind this Spanish name.
81. Sonnet
Meaning “little song,” literature lovers might appreciate bestowing their baby girl with this name, derived from the Italian word sonetto.
82. Sunniva
The patron saint of Western Norway, meaning “sun gift.”
83. Taja
This pretty name has Slavic roots as a short form of Tatjana and also means “to mention” or “to name” in Arabic.
84. Tamsyn
Meaning “twin,” this name is a shortened form of the Hebrew Thomasina.
85. Thalia
The Goddess of comedy in Greek mythology, meaning “to flourish.”
86. Theodosia
Thanks to the Hamilton song “Dear Theodosia,” this Greek name meaning “giving to God” has been gaining popularity as an alternative to Theodora for a girl nicknamed Teddi.
87. Ula
A Celtic name that means “gem of the sea.”
88. Verity
A virtue name among Hope, Faith, or Grace, derived from the Latin word veritas, meaning “truth.”
89. Vienne
A variation of the name Vienna, which itself was inspired by the Austrian capital city, this name is also a shortened version of Vivienne.
90. Vietta
Meaning “small town,” a variation of the French name Vilette.
91. Wynna
“Blessed peace” is the meaning behind this name of Welsh origin.
92. Xanthe
Of Greek origins, meaning “golden or yellow.”
93. Xoey
A different spelling for Zoe, meaning “life.”
94. Yamileth
A name with Spanish and Arabic origins meaning “beautiful.”
95. Yara
This name means “small butterfly” in Arabic, and “seagull” in Aborigine.
96. Yimmi
From the Native American Choctaw Nation, meaning “believes.”
97. Zadie
An alternate spelling to Sadie—which means “princess” in Hebrew—this name also has Arabic origins and means “prosperous.”
98. Zarela
Of Spanish origin, this beautiful name means “princess” and has a similar sound to the more popular Graciela.
99. Zendaya
This African name—which means “to give thanks”—has grown in popularity thanks to the singer-actress.
100. Zosia
Of Polish origin meaning “wisdom” and closely related to the Greek name Sophia.
Next, check out this list of 350+ popular names for boys and girls!
