30 Greatest Baby Girl Names We’ve Ever Heard

Naming a baby is honestly one of the hardest parts about having a baby! There are so many sweet names to choose from. And the pressure of finding the right one is intense. Most people go through hundreds of names before landing on the perfect one. So if you’re struggling to come up with baby girl names, don’t worry! You’re not alone.

Check out some of these incredibly sweet baby girl names for inspiration.

Mabel

baby girl names
Image: iStock/romrodinka

We love old-fashioned names, and Mabel tops our list of favorites. It’s not super common, coming in at #451 on Nameberry’s list of popular baby names in 2017. And honestly that’s surprising! Mabel is a great name, and it goes well with so many middle names. Mabel Ray, Mabel Rose, Mabel Joy, and Mabel Sage are just some of the amazing ways we’ve seen this name paired up. The name Mabel is Latin in origin, meaning “lovable”, and is a diminutive of the same Amabel. Amabel was used a lot in the 19th century, but we see it mostly shortened to Mabel now.

Ivy Rose

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Finding inspiration in nature is a great way to go. How can you go wrong pairing beautiful Ivy with a lovely Rose?! Ivy is a popular English name meaning, literally, Ivy. Definitely botanical in nature, but so many of the sweetest names are! It’s soared in popularity, after Beyonce and Jay-Z chose it as the middle name for their oldest daughter, Blue. It also has an interesting history: ancient Greeks used to present newlyweds with wreaths of ivy as a symbol of fidelity. In plant form, it’s a climbing, clinging vine, and symbolizes faithfulness. Paired with Rose, the name evokes strength, beauty, and faith.

Ember Wren

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It’s not uncommon for variations of names to emerge when the original starts declining in popularity. Ember is a French variation of the name Amber, which has become less popular over the years. But Ember is coming up quick to take its place! The literal definition of Ember is the smoldering remains of a fire, so clearly this name has some heat. Seeing it paired with a classic name like Wren makes for such an interesting combo! Wren is a small brown songbird, but in Welsh it can also mean “ruler”. What makes this pairing so cool is that Ember and Wren can be girl’s name or boy’s names.

Mila Jane

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Image: iStock/Liudmila_Fadzeyeva

Sometimes short and sweet is the way to go! Mila and Jane are two of our favorite names, and paired together, they make one amazing little girl’s name. Doesn’t Mila Jane sound like a spunky little girl, all fire and spice? The name Mila is of Russian origin (actress Mila Kunis is one Russian beauty who bears the name), and means hardworking and industrious in Slavic. It’s an abbreviated version of names Milena, Ludmila, or Camila. Jane, on the other hand, is a classic English name meaning God is gracious. It’s a simple name, but there’s nothing plain about Jane. The name is big throughout literary history, from Jane Austen to Jane Eyre.

Also read: 10 Banned and Outlawed Baby Names

Charlotte River

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Oh, Charlotte is such a beautiful, classic name. Of course, we all know how royal of a name it is, with Prince William and Duchess Katherine choosing the name Charlotte for their first born daughter. Not a bad name for third in line for the throne, right? But even if you aren’t thinking of the royal family as inspiration for your baby girl’s name, you really can’t go wrong with Charlotte. It’s a very feminine name, so pairing with something more androgynous for a middle name, like River, really balances it out nicely. River is traditionally a boy’s name, but as a tranquil, calming water name, we think it works just as well for a girl.

Esme Amelia

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The list of what you look for in a baby girl name is probably pretty long. Some people want flowery, some want something that can be shortened into a cute nickname. But if short, sweet, and unique are on your list, then Esme is absolutely perfect. This French name means esteemed and beloved, which are two qualities we all want in our daughters, right? It’s not very common, coming in at #585 on Nameberry’s popularity list. But the fact that it’s pretty unique makes it even more appealing. Amelia is one of those names that’s perfect whether you use it as a first or middle name, and we just love the way they sounds together.

Darcey/Darcy (one of our fav baby girl names!)

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A Darcy is going to be an adventurous little girl, you can tell. Darcy is a kid who climbs trees in a dress, wears a cape with her princess crown, and keeps everyone on their toes. The name can be traced to French or Irish origins, and it means dark or from the fortress. We have to say, we know it’s just for entertainment, but we quite agree with how Urban Dictionary describes a Darcy: “She is different from other girls. She has her own style and personality that’ll make people fall in love with her. She is never mean unless they’re mean to her or someone she truly cares about. Super hilarious and her laugh is contagious, making everyone laugh along. When her friends don’t have her around, they’re just bored without her.”

Harlowe Rose

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We love the name Harlowe, and honestly, we’re surprised it’s not more popular! It’s one of those names you might not think to consider for your own baby girl, but then you hear it used or meet a little Harlowe and are like, “Oh god, it’s perfect, why didn’t we think of that?!” It’s traditionally a boy’s name (we’ve never met a boy Harlowe!), and it’s English in origin, meaning from the hills. And once again, Rose comes through as the perfect complementary middle name! Seriously, is there ANY name that Rose doesn’t work with? We’ve seen it used a lot, and we haven’t some across one yet.

Alexis Olympia

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Obviously, this one is very specific, and not many people could use it. Alexis after her dad, and Olympia because her mama is such a badass! Alexis has always been a pretty popular name, ranking at #144 in 2017 on Nameberry’s popularity list. But we have a feeling it’s going to jump up SEVERAL spaces in 2018, after the birth of Serena’s Alexis. It’s great because it can be used as the feminine Alexis or shortened into Alex for a cute androgynous nickname. Now, unless you’re Serena freaking Williams, it’ll be hard to pull off a middle name like Olympia. Alexis Olympia might be the perfect name for such a powerful mama and papa.

Elliette Jean

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There are few things we love more than flipping a traditionally male name on its head and turning into the most amazing girl’s name. We know plenty of little boys named Elliot, but we’d love to meet more Elliettes! When you think about it, it’s sort of a combination between Elliot and Juliette. And think of the nickname possibilities: Elle, Ellie, and Leti are all great options. Jean is an American name meaning gift from God, and it’s got such a classic, all-American feel, doesn’t it? Ugh, can’t you just picture a little Ellie Jean running around, all pigtails and skinned knees? Love this pairing.

Elouise

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Literature, and children’s books especially, are a great source of inspiration! If you recall, Eloise is the darling, mischievous girl little girl who spends her days in the Plaza Hotel. With her messy hair and adorable jumper, Eloise is pretty much a mixture of every little girl we’ve ever known. Oddly enough, the name Eloise isn’t particularly popular, and the variation Elouise is even more unique. The name has indeterminate origins, but it’s widely believed to be a French and English variation of Heloise. It’s classic, chic, and sophisticated, while still being playful and sweet. And the nickname potential is strong: Ella, Ello, Lou, Lulu, or even something fun like Wheeze!

Azalea

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Flora and fauna will rarely fail you when trying to find the perfect name. Bonus points if you pick one that looks good on bonnets and onesies! Azalea is one of those floral names that isn’t as common as a Rose or Lily, but is still just as beautiful. Unique flower names are growing in popularity (think Lilac, Zinnia, or Petunia), but we have to say, Azalea has to be one of our favorites. It’s very nature-inspired, but has a bit of an edge. What is it about names with a “z” that makes them so special? If you’re looking for a flowery name with a kick, Azalea should be on your list.

Selah Ines

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Selah is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from a term commonly used in the Book of Psalms. There’s some disagreement about what it means, but based on how it’s used in the bible, it most likely means “to praise” or to reflect on what’s been said. Literal meaning aside, it’s an absolutely lovely and unique name. If you’re looking for a name with biblical meaning, this is a good one. Pairing it with Ines really vibes with the religious inspiration. Ines is a variation of Agnes, and St. Agnes is one of only seven female saints commemorated in the Canon of the Holy Mass. It’s a very popular name in France and Spain, but isn’t super popular here.

Leonor Amalia

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Leonor is the Spanish and Portuguese version of Eleanor, but (as with most of the names on the list), there’s so much more to this name. The name Leonor was brought to Spain in the 12th century by Eleanor of England, who married Kind Alfonso III of Castile. So it’s definitely got some royal roots! Amalia is a German name that means “work”, but it’s common in many different parts of the world, like Italy, Romania, Germany, and Scandinavia. Interestingly enough, while we see plenty of Amelia’s here, Amalia isn’t a very popular name in the US. But it too has ties to royalty – the current heir to the Dutch throne is Princess Catharina-Amalia.

Reema Mashallah

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Oh goodness, what an absolutely beautiful name! Now, clearly, Reema Mashallah is not a name that is going to work for every family. Mashallah, after all, is an Arabic phrase commonly used in Islam, meaning “God has willed” or “as God willing”. It’s used to express appreciation, joy, or thankfulness for an event or person (the birth of a healthy baby girl, perhaps?). Reema is stunning, and has a couple of different meanings. In Arabic, Reema or Rima translates to a white gazelle. But in Hindu, Reema means Goddess Durga, who is a Warrior Goddess who fights evil forces. Big shoes to fill for a little Reema!

Waverly LoLue

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Now, THIS is a unique baby name! You don’t meet a lot of Waverly’s, that’s for sure. But really, we’re surprised it isn’t more popular, it’s so pretty! It’s an English baby name, meaning a meadow of quivering aspens. Doesn’t that just conjure up the most lovely and serene image in your mind? In numerology, the name Waverly is expression number 7, and according to SheKnows, people with this name “tend to be mystics, philosophers, scholars, and teachers. Because they live so much in the mind, they tend to be quiet and introspective, and are usually introverts.” Absolutely darling and definitely needs a spot on your baby girl names list!

Indi and Ivy

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The name Indi is interesting because it’s sort of mysterious. Is it a full name? Nickname? Is it a variation of India, or Indira, or Indigo? All fantastic names, by the way, for which you could use Indi as a nickname! It’s got a romantic, bohemian vibe, which we really dig. And we love how it sounds paired with Ivy for twin girls. We’ve talked a bit about Ivy and the significance of the name. Ivy is a climbing, clinging vine that symbolizes faithfulness. So when you think about it, it’s the perfect name for a twin! These sisters are bonded for life (and not just because of their cool names).

Emma (classic and always beautiful)

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Now, this is one of the baby girl names on the list that we are quite familiar with! EVERYONE knows at least one Emma, right? Well, there’s a reason for that: it’s an absolutely gorgeous name. The origin of Emma is German, and it means “universal”. Which is funny, because it’s a universal name and works for pretty much anyone, anywhere. It’s classic, but incredibly popular – Nameberry puts it in the very top spot on their popularity list! There are so many famous Emma’s: Emma Watson, Emma Stone, and of course, Ross and Rachel’s baby girl! It’s also got some pretty hefty literary roots (Jane Austen wrote a novel by the same name).

Freya Morgan

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OK, now THIS is a cool name. If you’re looking for a name that says, “Don’t mess with me”, look no further than Freya. This Norse name means “noble woman”, and is the name of an actual Norse goddess! Goddess Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. It’s been a popular name in England and Scandinavian countries, but hasn’t really caught on here. We sense that changing pretty soon, because it’s awesome. Morgan is another one of those amazing androgynous names that works for girls, boys, as a first name, or as a middle name. Excellent pairing, solid name.

Savvina

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We’re not sure what we’re swooning over more: that gorgeous name or that amazing swaddle! Our goal in life is to have a blanket with our name on it, but we don’t think our names are nearly beautiful enough. Savvina, however, is perfect. The name is Italian in origin, and is believed to be a variation of the Latin name Sabina. The history of the name is pretty cool – Saint Savina of Milan gave comfort to prisoners. So maybe your Savvina/Savina will be a nurturer, too? It’s not super popular in this country, but other variations have gotten more popular over the years (like Sabrina or Sabina).

Ruby Gladys Louise

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Welp, this is three of our favorites names used together, and we are swooning. Ruby is of Latin origin, meaning deep red precious stone (bonus points if they’re born in July!). It’s a name that just screams sass, so pairing it with two more old-fashioned, classical names is such a good idea. Gladys isn’t a name you see much anymore, but this Welsh name meaning land or nation is pretty timeless. And of course, Louise is just the icing on the perfect name cake. For such a sweet sounding name, this French name meaning warrior sure packs a punch. This is like the classic name trifecta, and we’re big fans.

Margaux Elise

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Oooh la la, comme c’est joli! If you’re going to go with a French name, then go big or go home. Margeaux is a French name, and variation of the more common American Margo or Margot. But never pass up an opportunity to have an “x” in your name, it just looks cool. This is sort of a Six Degrees of Separation name: Margeaux comes from Margo, which comes from Margaret. Now, Elise is unmistakably French. It means “pledged to God”, and of course is the name of one of Beethoven’s most popular piano pieces, Fur Elise. Gorgeous names in the own right, amazing together.

Olive June

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Sometimes the most perfect name pairs two words that we normally attribute to other things. Olive is such a sweet nature name. It has Latin origins, and yes, it pretty means olive or olive tree. But the symbolism of the olive and olive tree is something special. We’ve all heard the saying, “extend an olive branch”, right? Olive trees are symbols of peace. Plus Olive’s are round and sometimes squishy, and babies are round and sometimes squishy. Personally, we love the idea of using months as names, and June is just so bright and clean. The name has Latin origins, and the month was actually named for the goddess Juno who was the protector of women and marriage. Makes sense that June is the wedding month!

Harper Lee

baby girl names
Image: iStock/LightFieldStudios

Obviously, if you’re a book lover, this name will hold special meaning for you. And what a name to give a little girl! Harper Lee wrote one of the greatest American novels of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird. But aside from the literary and historical relevance of the name, it’s just plain adorable. Harper is an English name meaning, literally, harp player. Lee, on the other hand, is traditionally a boy’s name, especially with this spelling. It has a few different meanings (in Irish, it means poetic, but in Latin it’s lion and in Celtic, it means healer). But this one syllable name makes a punchy middle name.

Avianna

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Maybe you’re having trouble narrowing down your favorite baby girl names, or can’t decide between two different (yet similar) names. Why not blend your favorites into one beautiful name? Avianna sounds like a blend of Avi and Ana, or maybe a play on Eliana or Ariana. Whatever it’s origins, it’s absolutely beautiful. And even though it’s not a long name that necessarily needs a nickname, it’s always nice to have one. Avianna has a lot of possibilities: Ani, Ana, Ani, and even Viv could all work! If you want a really unique name, sometimes that means coming with your own name and making your kid stand out in a crowd, right from the get-go.

Alexandra Rae

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Alexandra has been a pretty popular name for some time, and we can certainly see why. It’s such a powerful, feminine name. And for good reason – Alexandra literally means defender of men! This Greek name is the female version of the name Alexander. Urban Dictionary says Alexandra is, “She’s one of the strongest people you’ll ever meet. She is the most patient and caring person you could ever meet.” We know a few Alexandra’s, and this definitely checks out! We love it paired with Rae, which is another traditionally male name, but with a slightly more feminine spelling. Alex Rae would be one tough cookie.

Everly Francis

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So, for such a pretty name, Everly has some … interesting origins. It’s an Old English name meaning, literally, “wild boar in the woodland clearing” or “from the boar meadow”. It was traditionally a male name, with Saxon origins. Of course, we know it here from the Everly Brothers, and also as the name Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum chose for their daughter. Francis is a French name meaning “from France or free man”. It’s a classic name and hasn’t been popular in quite some time, but we think it’s due for a revival! It can be used for boys or girls, so it’s definitely versatile.

Peony Rose Violet

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What’s better than one flower name for your baby girl? Three flower names, of course! It’s hard to choose just one beautiful name, but there’s definitely room in the bouquet for all three of these flora-inspired names. Peony is a Latin name meaning “healing”, which makes it even more lovely. Plus, it’s quite possibly one of the most beautiful flowers. Again, we love Rose, in and every time it’s used. But Violet makes an appearance on our list of baby girl names for the first time here, which is surprising! It has Latin origins, and means “purple”. And while it peaked in popularity about a hundred years ago, it’s definitely making a comeback.

Iliana

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Iliana isn’t a very popular name (it was #909 on Nameberry’s popular list in 2017), but we genuinely don’t understand why! It’s pretty, unique, and let’s face it, pretty fun to say. It’s a Greek name, and it means “from Ilium or Troy”. Ilium was the poetic name of the city of Troy, which gives Iliana a sort of bohemian vibe. There are a few different spellings: Iliana, like we see here, or Illeana, or even Ilyana. We happen to love every spelling, and hope to see Iliana make a jump in popularity soon! You can always do Illi or Lily as a nickname.

Genevieve

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If you’re tired of Jennifer, but still like the idea of using Jen or Jenny as a nickname, then Genevieve is perfect. This name has a few different origins (German, French, and Celtic), and translates to “tribe woman” or “of the race of women”. So points for being a strong feminist name! It’s also got religious roots. Genevieve is the Patron Saint of Paris. If you’d like a name that incorporates your faith, names of saints are great for inspiration, and Genevieve is an excellent choice.

Before you settle on a name, you’ll likely go through list after list after list, just waiting for “The One” to jump out at you. The great thing is, you can find inspiration anywhere! We hope this list made your decision a bit easier (sorry if we added more names to your list!)!

What do you think of these baby girl names? Did we include your favorite, or introduce you to something new? Let us know in the comments!

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(Image: iStock / eurobanks)

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