According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), more than 3.7 million babies were born in the United States last year (2023) – and nearly half of them were baby girls.
That means more than 1.8 million baby girls were born in the US in 2023.
Of course, that also means there were several million parents faced with the difficult task of giving their daughter a name – knowing that it’ll likely be the name their daughter keeps for the rest of her life.
That might seem like a lot of pressure, and it usually is, but don’t worry – there’s no such thing as a wrong answer when naming your child. Whatever name you go with will be the perfect name for your little girl.
If you’re looking for something easy, just go with whatever’s popular at that time.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the five most popular baby girl names in 2023 were Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, Amelia, and Sophia – each topping the list for the second straight year.
Unique Baby Names for Your Special, One-of-a-Kind Baby Girl
If there’s one thing we’ve learned after years of scouring our Answers by Mamas Uncut online forum, it’s that most parents today aren’t interested in commonly-used, cookie-cutter names that we see so often.
That’s right, unique baby names are in – and we’re totally here for it.
Many parents prefer unique baby names because they help children stand out, while emphasizing the importance of individuality and giving parents an opportunity to express themselves in a memorable way.
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Since our Answers by Mamas Uncut community is often flooded with requests for unique baby names, we’re going to share with you 20 of the cutest, most unique baby names we came across in the mentions.
20. Danae
Origin: Greek
Meaning: parched or thirsty
The name Danae (pronounced “da-NA-ee”) is believed to be derived from the Greek word ‘danaos,’ which is often interpreted as ‘parched’ or ‘thirsty’ – but it also has its origins in Greek mythology and culture.
Danae was the daughter of King Acrisius, who, upon receiving a prophecy that he would be killed by his grandson, locked Danae in a bronze tower to prevent her from conceiving a child. However, Zeus visited her in the form of a golden shower, and she gave birth to Perseus, who would later fulfill the prophecy.
19. Isadora
Origin: Greek
Meaning: gift of Isis
The name Isadore is the feminine form of Isadore, and is derived from the Greek word ‘Isidoros,’ which is a combination of the words ‘Isis’ (an ancient Egyptian goddess) and ‘doron’ (which translates to ‘gift’).
Isis is an ancient Egyptian goddess who was worshipped as the ideal mother, wife, and the patroness of nature. She is also associated with the ankh, a symbol of life, and is believed to have magical powers.
18. Nova
Origin: Latin
Meaning: new
The word ‘nova’ is of Latin origin and translates to ‘new’ or ‘newly arrived,’ but it’s also commonly used in astrology – where it refers to a strong, rapid increase in the brightness of a star, before fading out again.
Also known as a ‘new star,’ a nova symbolizes a burst of new light and energy, making the name Nova associated with ideas of renewal, brightness, and fresh beginnings – perfect for your newborn baby girl!
17. Zara
Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Slavic
Meaning: blooming flower, flowering, princess, lady, sunrise, dawn
The name Zara has a variety of origins and meanings. For example, in the Arabic language, Zara (زارة) translates to ‘blooming flower’ or ‘flowering,’ and is often associated with beauty, grace, and elegance.
In Hebrew, Zara (זָרָה) can mean ‘princess’ or ‘lady,’ reflecting nobility and high status, and in some Slavic languages, it’s a variant of Zora, which means ‘dawn’ or ‘sunrise,’ symbolizing new beginnings and hope.
16. Oriana
Origin: Latin
Meaning: golden or dawn
The name Orianais is derived from the Latin word ‘aurum,’ which translates to ‘gold,’ but it can also be linked to the concept of dawn or sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings, light, brightness, and hope.
Oriana is a character often found in medieval and Renaissance romance literature. She is often depicted as a beautiful and noble princess – like in the 14th century Spanish chivalric romance Amadis de Gaula.
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15. Elowyn
Origin: Cornish
Meaning: elm tree
The name Elowyn (more commonly spelled Elowen) is derived from the Cornish word ‘elowen,’ which means ‘elm tree,’ and is associated with strength, resilience, grace, growth, stability, and nature.
Cornish is a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, a region located in the southwestern part of England. It’s a major part of the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages, which also includes Welsh and Breton.
14. Tallulah
Origin: Native American and Irish
Meaning: leaping water, jumping water, lady of abundance
In the Choctaw language, Tallulah (also spelled Talula, Tallula, or Talulla) means ‘leaping water’ or ‘jumping water,’ which evokes images of lively, flowing water that symbolizes movement, energy, and life.
In Irish, Tallulah (often spelled Talulla) is derived from the Gaelic name Tuilelaith, which means ‘lady of abundance’ or ‘princess of abundance,’ and is associated with wealth, prosperity, and affluence.
13. Solana
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: sunlight or sunshine
The name Solana is derived from the Spanish word ‘sol,’ which means ‘sunlight’ or ‘sunshine.’ It would be a great name for your daughter if you plan on singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to her while she sleeps.
A similar name, Solene, is derived from the Latin word ‘sollemnis,’ which means ‘solemn’ or ‘dignified,’ and carries connotations of seriousness, formality, and grace. It is also spelled Solène in French.
12. Cielo
Origin: Italian and Spanish
Meaning: sky and heaven
Cielo is a Spanish and Italian word that translates to ‘sky,’ but can also be related to ‘heaven’ and clouds. It’s also similar to ‘cello,’ which is a string instrument in the violin family – known for its deep, rich sound.
The name Cielo evokes imagery of the vast, open, and boundless sky, which is a symbol of freedom, nature, and expansiveness – though it can also be a symbol of divinity, peace, and a celestial beauty.
11. Kimora
Origin: American
Meaning: golden meadow, prayer
The name Kimora is a combination of the names ‘Kimberly,’ which means ‘from the meadow of the royal fortress,’ and ‘Ora,’ meaning ‘prayer.’ It could also be influenced by Japanese names ending in ‘-mora.’
The name Kimora became well-known in the United States due to Kimora Lee Simmons, an American fashion model, designer, and entrepreneur. She launched the lifestyle brand Baby Phat back in 1999.
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10. Meilani
Origin: Hawaiian, Chinese
Meaning: heavenly flower, heavenly beauty, royal beauty
The name Meilani is a combination of the Chinese word ‘mei,’ which can mean ‘beautiful,’ ‘plum,’ or refer to the month of May, and the Hawaiian word ‘lani,’ which translates to ‘heaven,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘royal.’
When combined, Meilani is interpreted as ‘heavenly flower,’ ‘heavenly beauty,’ or ‘royal flower.’ The exact interpretation can vary, but it generally carries a sense of beauty, grace, and a connection to the heavens.
9. Calliope
Origin: Greek
Meaning: beautiful voice, beautiful face
The name Calliope (pronounced kuh-LY-oh-pee or kuh-LIE-oh-pee) is derived from the Greek words ‘kallos,’ which means ‘beauty,’ and ‘ops,’ which means ‘voice’ or ‘face.’ A nickname would be Callie.
In Greek mythology, Calliope is associated with epic poetry and is often considered the muse who inspired famous poets such as Homer. She represents eloquence, beauty, and artistic inspiration.
8. Tovianna
Meaning: good, grace, pleasant, favor
The name Tovianna is believed to be a combination of the Hebrew word ‘Tov,’ which means ‘good,’ or ‘Tovah,’ which means‘pleasant,’ and the Hebrew name ‘Anna,’ which translates to ‘grace’ or ‘favor.’
In some Scandinavian countries, ‘Tovi’ or ‘Tove’ is derived from ‘Thor,’ the Norse god of thunder, or as a standalone name meaning ‘beautiful.’ In that sense, it could translate to the ‘calm before the storm.’
7. Arynessa
Origin: varied
Meaning: noble, honorable, miracle, wonder, pure, holy, air, melody
The name Arynessa doesn’t have a singular origin, but is a unique name that brings together a wide range of cultures and languages – including Sanskrit, Italian, Arabic, Scottish Gaelic, and Hebrew.
The Sanskrit word ‘Arya’ translates to ‘noble’ or ‘honorable,’ while the Italian word ‘Aria’ means ‘air’ or ‘melody.’ Meanwhile, the name Nessa is of Hebrew origin and translates to ‘miracle’ or ‘wonder.’
6. Xiomara
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: battle-ready, ready for battle
The name Xiomara is of Spanish origin, specifically from the region of the Canary Islands, and it has connections to the Basque language – where it’s interpreted to mean ‘battle ready’ or ‘ready for battle.’
Two of the most famous people with this name include Xiomara Alfaro, a well-known Cuban singer known as “The Nightingale of Cuba,” and Xiomara Castro, the first-ever female president of Honduras.
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5. Rhea
Origin: Greek, Roman
Meaning: flowing, to flow, to stream
The name Rhea is derived from the Greek word ‘rheo’ (ῥέω), which means ‘to flow’ or ‘to stream,’ and is a reflection of natural elements like rivers and streams – ultimately symbolizing movement and continuity.
In Greek mythology, Rhea is the daughter of Uranus (sky god) and Gaia (earth goddess). Rhea is also a prominent figure in Roman mythology, and is associated with the goddess Ops, the wife of Saturn.
4. Taelyn
Origin: varied
Meaning: great lake, great waterfall
The name Taelyn appears to be a modern, invented name and does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning – but it can be broken down to include meanings from a variety of languages and cultures.
For example, the Korean word ‘Tae’ translates to ‘great’ or ‘big,’ while the Welsh word ‘Lyn’ translates to ‘waterfall’ or ‘lake.’ It’s unclear when or where it became popular, but -lyn is a common suffix for girls.
3. Jacinta
Origin: Greek, Spanish, Portuguese
Meaning: hyacinth flower
The name Jacinta is derived from the Greek name ‘Hyacinthus’ (Ὑάκινθος), which is associated with the beautiful hyacinth flower – known for their distinctive fragrance and waxy, colorful bell-shaped flowers.
In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth loved by the god Apollo. After Hyacinthus’s tragic death, a flower (the hyacinth) sprang up from his blood, symbolizing the themes of beauty and transience.
2. Arabella
Origin: Latin
Meaning: yielding to prayer, beautiful altar
The name Arabella is derived from the Latin name ‘Orabilis,’ which translates to ‘yielding to prayer’ or ‘invokable.’ It was popularized in medieval England and Scotland, where it was used by the aristocracy.
Another possible interpretation of Arabella combines ‘Ara,’ meaning ‘altar,’ and ‘Bella,’ meaning ‘beautiful’ in both Italian and Latin. Common nicknames for Arabella would include Bella, Ara, Ari, and Ellie.
1. Zinnia
Origin: German
Meaning: name of a flower
The zinnia flower is named after the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who is credited with bringing the flower to Europe in the 18th century. Its botanical name is “Zinnia elegans,” reflecting its Latin origin.
Zinnia flowers are known for their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms, symbolizing lasting affection, remembrance, and endurance. The flowers can be a bright yellow, red, or pink, depending on the bloom.
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Do You Have Any Unique Baby Names to Add?
Choosing the perfect name for your little one is an exciting and meaningful journey, and we believe that sharing ideas can make it that much more special – not just for you, but for all the other parents out there.
In fact, that’s the exact reason why we’ve gathered here today.
The 20 baby girl names listed above are some of the most unique baby names we could think of, but we can only imagine some of the incredible names our readers have nestled away in their memory banks.
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That said, we welcome you to join the conversation at Answers by Mamas Uncut – where mothers come together to support one another through what many consider life’s greatest, most challenging journey.
Contents
- 1 Unique Baby Names for Your Special, One-of-a-Kind Baby Girl
- 2 Do You Have Any Unique Baby Names to Add?
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Baby Name Generator
No baby name sounding good? Want a quick way to generate unique baby name ideas? Try our baby name generator below!
Set your terms (sex of the baby, number of letters, popularity, etc.) and then get a list of names that meet your criteria. Maybe the perfect name is just waiting to be generated for you.