100+ Unique Girl Names

If a unique baby girl name is on your wish list, look no further. From cute to masculine, hipster to classic, we've rounded up our favorite unique baby girl names destined to be added to your favorites—and no, Olivia is not on the list.

<p>Illustration by Yurle Villegas</p>

Illustration by Yurle Villegas

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

One of the great joys (and challenges) of early parenthood is finding the perfect name for your baby. Many parents are looking for unique girl names—and there are so many wonderful, unusual choices to pick from. Even better, parents don't need to be limited by sex or gender when looking for names, a welcome reality that opens up the naming possibilities even more.

In fact, unique names for girls can be just about anything that strikes your fancy and feels right for your baby. You can use forgotten classics (think Ethel or Myrna), "boy" names like Charlie or Danny, or words you love, such as Sparkle, Rainbow, or Free. Consider familial names, favorite places, seasons, foods, colors, or names related to your cultural heritage to unlock inspiration. To help you get started, here are some of our favorite unique girl names.



Editor's Note

While this article uses the terms "gender" and "boy" vs. "girl," it's important to note that gender is a personal identity that exists on a spectrum, can change throughout a person's lifetime, and—most importantly—is something that a person defines for themselves. Sex, on the other hand, is assigned at birth based on the appearance of a baby's genitalia. While sex assigned at birth often matches a person's gender (called cisgender), sometimes it does not.



Strong Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Zora

Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston (her claim to fame is the classic Their Eyes Were Watching God) had a relatively popular name back when she was born, but is rare and unique today.

Runners-up

  • Bette

  • Briella

  • Leia

  • Rey

Related: 50 Strong Female Names

Unique "Boy" Names for Girls

Top pick: Billie

Many names have traditionally been associated with boys or girls, but that doesn't mean a "boy" name won't be perfect for your baby girl. In fact, unisex names are all the rage—and if the past is destined to repeat itself, this one is definitely making a comeback. Billie hit peak popularity in the 1930s when it almost broke into the top 100, and we have a feeling it may do it again thanks to Billie Eilish.

Runners-up

  • Bobbie

  • Drew

  • Elliot

  • Frankie

  • Noah (or Noa)

  • Roy

Short Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Fia

Meaning "wild" or "weaver," this name has been predicted to spike. If you're looking for a unique short-yet-sweet girl name that isn't the super popular Mia, this could be your new favorite.

Runners-up

  • Dee

  • Gem

  • Iai

  • Mira

  • Quinn

  • Uma

Related: 91 Short Baby Names for Boys and Girls

Long Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Theodora

The feminine version of Theodore, Theodora is nowhere near as popular as its counterpart, but it's just as cool. It has not ranked on the Social Security Administration's name list for a century, but it's creeping up in searches.

Runners-up

  • Cordelia

  • Emmanuelle

  • Genevieve

  • Henrietta

  • Josephine

Unique Sporty Girl Names

Top pick: Picabo

It's spunky, quirky, athletic—and unique. Olympic skier Picabo Street was named after a town in Idaho near where she was born. Sporty names capture a positive, can-do energy.

Runners-up

  • Annika

  • Dara

  • Lolo

  • Misty

  • Serena

  • Tia

  • Venus

Classic Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Beatrice

Beatrice, which means "she who brings happiness," ranked well out of the top 100 at #565 in 2021 making it a Shakespearean classic that's far from overused. The nickname Bea is also equal parts vintage and unique.

Runners-up

  • Agnes

  • Belle

  • Clara

  • Dorothy

  • Scarlett

  • Yvette

Unique Girl Names That Mean "Pretty"

Top pick: Jolie

You may think Angelina when you hear this name, but kids in your child's kindergarten class definitely won't. This classic French name means cheerful or pretty and it's due for a comeback.

Runners-up

  • Alanis

  • Amara

  • Anwen

  • Bella

  • Bonnie

  • Ingrid

Unique Sassy Girl Names

Top pick: Dakota

This fun girls' name means "friend" when translated in the Dakota language, and it's become a fashionable girls name thanks to stars like Dakota Fanning (who's birth name is Hannah Dakota Fanning).

Runners-up

  • Gemma

  • Kiara

  • Piper

  • Zoe

Unique Last Names for Girls

Top pick: Parker

Surname baby names are becoming more popular by the day, but while Parker is a unisex favorite, it's still outside the top 100 for girls. Actress Parker Posey is one of the most famous bearers of the name. Choose a last name from your family history—or any last name that resonates as a name for your baby.

Runners-up

  • Carson

  • Delaney

  • Ellison

  • Monroe

  • Sawyer

  • Tyler

Related: 15 Gender-Neutral Last Names That Make Cool First Names

Unique Flower Girl Names

Top pick: Poppy

Pretty sure it's impossible not to have a happy disposition with a nature name like Poppy. Take a queue from trendsetter Jamie Oliver who named all of his daughters flower names, including Petal Blossom, Daisy Boo, and Poppy Honey.

Runners-up

  • Daisy

  • Iris

  • Lilac

  • Rosemary

  • Tulip

  • Zinnia

Related: 82 Spring Baby Names We Love

Unique British Girl Names

Top pick: Lottie

Even before Princess Charlotte joined the royal family in 2015, this short form of Charlotte was in the top 100 names in the U.K. By 2021, Charlotte broke into the top 3 girl names in the states. Its adorable nickname, however, is still a unique choice.

Runners-up

  • Amber

  • Chloe

  • Florence

  • Freya

  • Ivy

  • Thea

Related: Nicknames for Girls That Are Cute Yet Classic

Unique Rainbow Baby Girl Names

Top pick: Iris

Looking for a name full of love after experiencing loss? Iris, the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow and depicted as a lovely young woman with golden wings, is a unique way to honor a miracle baby due to arrive after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

Runners-up

  • Aisling, which means "dream"

  • Blythe, which means "happiness"

  • Gia, which means "gift from god"

  • Mireille, which means "blessing"

Related: 100+ Rainbow Baby Names With Miraculous Meanings

Unique French Girl Names

Top pick: Coco

Despite this sweet French girl name making an appearance in celebrity circles over the last few decades, Coco still hasn't yet cracked the top 1000 in the U.S., so this chic French name is sure to stand out.

Runners-up

  • Arielle

  • Colette

  • Cosette

  • Desiree

  • Helene

  • Lucie

  • Violette

Unique Spanish Girl Names

Top pick: Catalina

The lovely island retreat off the coast of L.A. may come to mind first, but Catalina is also an exotic alternative to the more traditional Catherine that brings to mind sunny days and a firey spirit.

Runners-up

  • Alondra

  • Antonia

  • Ella

  • Eliana

  • Emanuel

  • Isla

Unique Christian Girl Names

Top pick: Magdalene

Looking for an interesting way to get to that Maggie nickname? Magdalene, which is connected to one of the more interesting women in the New Testament, a follower of Jesus, means "tower."

Runners-up

  • Agnes

  • Cana

  • Clare

  • Delilah

  • Iana

  • Josie

  • Jovelle

Related: 81 Easter Baby Names Inspired by the Spring Holiday

Cute Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Paisley

This name has admittedly climbed into the top 100, but it's still a unique choice for parents looking for a cute-yet-classic name that isn't anything close to ordinary.

Runners-up

  • Amaya

  • Clover

  • Larissa

  • Luna

  • Primrose

Badass Unique Girl Names

Top pick: Arya

Arya aka the fierce sword fighter from the Stark clan in Game of Thrones is about as badass as it gets. A baby named Arya is sure to have a fierce, tenacious, noble spirit.

Runners-up

  • Prudence

  • Joplin

  • Athena

Related:

Unique Bohemian Girl Names

Top pick: Magnolia

The Grateful Dead song "Sugar Magnolia" may inspire some bohemian parents to pick this for their daughters. Think natural beauty imbued with a free spirit and a touch of chic.

Runners-up

  • Briar

  • Hazel

  • Laurel

  • Meadow

  • Nova

  • Indigo

  • Ever

Related: 100+ Sweet Southern Baby Names for Boys and Girls

Unique Southern Girl Names

Top pick: Oakley

Southern names capture the essence of sipping homemade lemonade on a sunny day. Inspired by famous and fierce sharpshooter Annie Oakley, this girl name pick is far from the top 100 but could see it rising as Olivia makes its departure.

Runners-up

  • Calpurnia

  • Clementine

  • Daphne

  • Flannery

  • Raleigh

  • Scout

  • Tulane

Related: 100+ Sweet Southern Baby Names for Boys and Girls

Unique Hipster Girl Names

Top pick: Olive

Another fun "O" name option, Olive is one of only four girl names starting with the vowel on the U.S. top 1000 list according to Nameberry. This name embodies a stylish, bookish, artsy vibe.

Runners-up

  • Farrah

  • Harlow

  • Pandora

  • Romy

  • Willow

  • Wren

Related: New Survey Reveals the 50 Most Cringeworthy Baby Names of 2021

Unique Royal Girl Names

Top pick: Octavia

Latin for "eighth," Octavia is a great alternative to the ever-popular Olivia but with a far more fascinating history. In the Roman Empire, Octavia was the sister of Octavian and the wife of Mark Antony.

Runners-up

  • Adelaide

  • Anastasia

  • Avalon

  • Diana

  • Rania

  • Sonja

Unique Girl Names From Greek Mythology

Top pick: Nyx

Greek mythology names have been having a moment and Nyx in particular has been rising in popularity. Associated with "night," this name packs a powerful goddess punch.

Runners-up

  • Andromeda

  • Daphne

  • Maia

  • Rhea

Related: 80 Cottagecore Names for Bucolic Babies

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