30 Sophisticated Baby Names for Girls That Fit Like a Little Black Dress

When it comes to choosing a name for your little one, you might be looking for something that exudes elegance, grace, and sophistication – a name that will stand the test of time, just like the classic little black dress in your closet. A name that not only sounds beautiful but carries a sense of refinement, a touch of class, and an aura of timeless charm.

In this blog post, we have curated a list of 30 such names for your baby girl. Like the quintessential LBD, these names will never go out of style. They are chic, they are classy, and they come with a certain je ne sais quoi that sets them apart. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of vintage names or the charm of more modern ones, you will find something that resonates with you in this carefully curated list of gorgeous options.

Adele

We have the superstar Grammy-winning songstress Adele to thank for the resurgence of this brilliant baby name. Adele is a French form of Adelaide, a name with a German root that means “noble.” This gentle name has vintage appeal while still sounding timeless.

Anais

Anais has ranked in the US top 1000 most popular baby names for girls since 2018, and we could not be more thrilled about it. Anais has been a popular option in Spain and France for decades, as it comes from a Catalan and Provencal form of Anna. The Hebrew root of this name means “grace.”

Astrid

Astrid is a Scandinavian classic that is more popular than ever in the US. Astrid’s root means “divinely beautiful.” Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century. That’s just rich!

Audrey

Audrey has been a cherished name in the US since we collected data about baby naming in the US in 1880. Audrey could be the ultimate little black dress name as it is associated with the glamor and style of icon Audrey Hepburn. Audrey comes from an English root that means “noble strength.”

Camille

Fun fact: the French name Camille is technically a unisex name. However, in the US, the name has only ever gone to more girls. Camille is more popular than ever in the US, ranking 236 in 2022. Camille means “young ceremonial attendant.”

Celeste

Celeste is a star-fueled name that is rising in the US today. This sparkling baby name comes from a Latin origin that means “heavenly.” Even the variant names stemming from Celeste are LBD chic. Also, consider Celestine, Celestia, and Celestina. Dreamy!

Cleo

Surprisingly, Cleo is a unisex name of Greek origin that means “glory.” In the US, Cleo has only ever gone to baby girls. Cleo has a unique history of use in the US. It was in the top 1000 from 1880 until 1956 and fell from favor until 2019. Now, it is tracking to hit its previous heights in the early twentieth century.

Daphne

Daphne is an ancient name that still lands nicely among contemporary parents. The name’s Greek root means “laurel tree” or “bay tree.” Daphne is as popular as it once was in the 1960s as parents see an opportunity to revisit this classic.

Diana

Diana is such an elegant classic that it’s a mystery why it is not used often today. In the latest tally, the appellation ranks 228. Diana is a name of Latin origin, meaning “divine.” This name is beloved in many countries around the world today.

Elle

Elle is a straightforward and chic baby name that has never cracked the top 100 in the US. The appellation is of French origin, meaning “she.”

Etta

Etta is a stunning jazz-infused baby name that fell out of the top 1000 from 1966 until 2018. We are thrilled that it’s making a comeback. This name is still used sparingly, ranking 932 in the latest tally. It’s one of our favorite names on this list! Etta is a short form of appellations like Henrietta and Loretta. Most take it to mean “poetry.”

Esme

Finally, Esme has begun to take hold in the US. It has ranked in the top 1000 since 2010. To nail the pronunciation of this name, say it like EZ-may. Our friends in the UK have been using this stylish option for decades. Esme comes from a French root that means “beloved.”

Eve

One of the oldest names in the Book is Eve. This name comes from a Hebrew origin that fittingly means “life.” Eve enjoyed its most popular years in the US in the early decades of the twentieth century, but it has been popular since the 1990s.

Greta

Greta is currently popular in Germany, Hungary, and especially Italy. It shows signs of a comeback in the US, likely due to the impression director Greta Gerwig has made on audiences. Greta marries retro glamor and timeless sophistication. It is a German short form of Margaret and means “pearl.”

Iris

Iris is a flower name from Greek that means “rainbow.” The name has been in the top 500 since 1895! Talk about staying power! Thankfully, this elegant name is more popular than ever in the US, ranking at 84.

Juliette

Juliet originated in the Middle Ages as a short form of Julian; it was a masculine name at the time. It comes from the Latin name Julius, meaning “youthful.” The French got ahold of the name, and it became Juliette, meaning “little Julia.” This name is more popular than ever in the US, but it has never cracked the top 100.

Lana

Lana is an English diminutive form of Alana, meaning “rock” or “handsome.” Musician Lana Del Rey has brought so much visibility to this name in recent years. Lana ranks in the top 500 today, making it popular but not ubiquitous.

Luz

By all means, go with the name Lucy if it strikes your heart. However, we prefer the Spanish name Luz, pronounced exactly like LOOSE. This sleek appellation has had its ups and downs in popularity through the years, but it ranked 943 in the most recent tally. The root of this name means “light.” How bright!

Maeve

One of our all-time favorite Irish names for girls, Maeve projects an effortlessly cool vibe. The name belongs to two figures in Irish mythology: a queen of the fairies and a warrior queen. The root of the name means “she who intoxicates.” Parents in the US finally caught on to this gem in the late 1990s, and it’s tracking to break into the top 100 next year.

Margaux

Margaux is one of the French names that gets spelled several ways. You can also go with streamlined Margo and Margot. Either way, these names are all forms of Margaret, meaning “pearl.” Though popular in Europe, this name is rare in the US.

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Mina

Mina is a multicultural name found in countless naming traditions. In the West, it is most commonly associated with the German name Wilhelmina, meaning “will protect” or “helmet protection.” From 1944 until 2002, Mina was absent from the top 1000 and went virtually unused in the US. Thankfully, this name is on the rise again. However, it still has not re-entered the top 500.

Nadia

Since 1976, Nadia has mostly been a top-500 baby name for girls. The name is found in both Russian and Arabic naming traditions, meaning “hope” or “delicate.”

Noor

One of our favorite Arabic names for girls, Noor, means “light.” The appellation finally caught on in the US in 2015, ranking 773 today. Noor is such a special appellation with tons of character, and it deserves more attention from new parents.

Oona

If spelled Una, the name means “one.” However, the Irish form, Oona, means “lamb.” Popular in England, Belgium, and Finland today, we would love to hear more of this name in classrooms and on playgrounds. It goes virtually unused in the US!

Sabine

Sabine is a French form of the Latin name Sabina. The name references a tribe that went to war with the Romans. Thus, the name means “of Sabina.” This name has never been popular in the US, though it is beloved in France and Germany.

Simone

Simone is a French form of the Hebrew name Simon, meaning “hearkening” or “he has heard.” While this name has primarily gone to girls in the US, it is a unisex choice in France. Simone enjoyed its most popular year here in 1988. It currently ranks at 960.

Tess

Tess is an English diminutive form of Theresa, meaning “to harvest.” One of the names that is the epitome of sophistication, Tess was a popular choice in the US from 1983 until 2013, when it fell out of the top 1000. In the Netherlands, it is a top ten name for girls.

Thalia

Thalia was one of the Three Graces in Greek mythology and the Muse of comedy. The Greek root of this name means “to flourish.”
Thalia had a flash-in-the-pan appearance on the top 1000 list in 1932 and reentered it in 1992, reaching its height of 363 in 1993.

Vada

Vada is a name found in English, Sanskrit, and German naming traditions. It means “knowledge” or “rule.” It’s one of the retro names we are so pleased to see return to the top 1000. It currently ranks 851.

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Zara

Zara is a Semitic baby name in Arabic and Hebrew traditions, meaning “blooming flower” and “God remembers.” American parents began using Zara significantly in 2005, and it has dramatically climbed since then. It ranked 201 in the most recent tally.

In conclusion, naming your little princess is a significant task, one that requires careful thought and consideration. The 30 sophisticated names we’ve shared are timeless and elegant, much like the classic little black dress. They’re names that she’ll be proud to carry, ones that will age beautifully with her. Remember, a name is a lifelong gift that you give your child. Make it count. We hope this list has inspired you and helped you in your quest to find the perfect name for your baby girl. Happy baby naming!