Looking for Baby Name Ideas? You'll Love These Meaningful Girl Names
Choosing a name for your baby girl isn't easy. You want to pick a name that you like, of course, but also one you feel will fit your child. You can go with one of the most popular girl names of today, or look to baby names popular in the '50s. There are classic baby names, trendy baby names, traditional baby names from the Bible, and famous women from history to draw inspiration from. The unique girl names on this list cover all those categories and more, and each one is listed along with its meaning.
Maybe you prefer a common baby name with a meaning that's personal to you, like Elizabeth or Rachel. Perhaps you're looking for beautiful, rare girl names that are strong and commanding, like Cleopatra or Aurelia; or cool girl names like Willa or Rowan. If you plan to give your baby girl a middle name, you can play around with short unique girl names as well. Whatever your preferences, at least a few of these unique names with deep meaning for girls are sure to resonate with you.
Of course, no one can know for sure what children will think of their names when they’re grown. Many can relate to the experience of not liking a name at some point, only to appreciate it down the line. Plenty of people go by a nickname, middle name, or even another name entirely. With that in mind, here are 175 meaningful baby girl names to consider in 2023.
Cute and Classic Baby Girl Names
Catherine: This Greek name (which has a variety of spelling alternatives) means "pure," and it's been a popular pick from the time of Catherine of Aragon to current-day royal Catherine Middleton.
Elizabeth: Meaning "God is my oath," this Hebrew name was given royal status by Queens Elizabeth I and II of England.
Diana: Of Greek origin, this name means "divine," and it's associated with the former Princess of Wales.
Anastasia: Belonging to the daughter of the last czar of Russia, this Greek name means "resurrection."
Beatrice: This Latin name means "she who brings happiness" or "blessed," and it's also the name of one of Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughters.
Rachel: This cuddly name means "ewe," which is a female sheep.
Maria: This name is a different take on the Hebrew name "Mariam," which can mean rebellious.
Mia: The name Mia is a shorter variation of Maria and has the same meaning. It can also mean "beauty" and "beloved."
Julia: This name has Biblical roots but still feels modern. In the Bible, this means "dedicated to Jupiter."
Mackenzie: Meaning "born of fire or child of the wise leader," this name (which can be spelled Mckenzie or Makenzie, among other spellings) has Gaelic roots.
Phoebe: Known as the Greek goddess of the moon and of hunting, this name means "radiant or shining one."
Victoria: Meaning "victory," this Latin name is shared by Queen Victoria, for whom the Victorian Era is named.
Lois: Though it might have been more popular in past decades, this name is fairly uncommon now, and means superior and most beautiful, according to its Greek origins.
Eve: This classic name comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to live" or "to breathe."
Martha: Of Greek origin, this pretty name means "the lady."
Adelaide: Most often associated with Good Queen Adelaide, this German name means "noble or nobility."
Abigail: This Hebrew name, which means "her father's joy or fountain of joy," is the name of Nabal's wife in the Old Testament, who later became the third wife of King David.
Candace: Meaning "queen mother," this regal name is an ancient title belonging to a dynasty of Ethiopian queens in the New Testament.
Hannah: According to the Bible, the name Hannah is associated with "favor" and "grace."
Mary: Best known as the mother of Jesus, Mary is a name meaning "beloved."
Joanna: Meaning "gift of God," Joanna in the New Testament was the name of the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.
Shiloh: Meaning "peace or abundance," Shiloh is the name of a biblical place mentioned in Genesis and known as a place of rest.
Rebecca: She's Isaac's wife in the Bible and her moniker means "to bind."
Evergreen: Choose a name inspired by nature with Evergreen, a word that represents nature and growth.
Everleigh: Similarly, consider Everleigh, which has German and English origins.
Layla: This name (which can also be spelled Laila or Leila) is of Arabic origin and means "night."
Ruth: Meaning "compassionate friend," Ruth in the Bible is known for her unwavering faith in God.
Naomi: Naomi, which means "pleasantness" in Hebrew, was the name of the mother-in-law of Ruth in the Old Testament, who accompanied Ruth back to Bethlehem after her son (Ruth's husband) passed away.
Chloe: Chloe, which means "green herb" and suggests fruitfulness and growth, is mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in the New Testament as a Christian woman of Corinth who told Paul of the arguments within the local church.
Sarah: This Hebrew name, which means "princess," was the name of the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac in the Old Testament.
Anna: Meaning "grace," Anna was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher and a prophetess in Jerusalem who, as an old woman, recognized Jesus as the Messiah they'd been waiting for as soon as she saw him as a baby at the Temple.
Grace: Derived from the Latin gratia, this name means "favor or thanks."
Morgan: This Welsh name means "sea-born."
Gabrielle: Another feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel, this name can also be spelled Gabriell or Gabriele and means "God is my strength."
Sophia: This classic name means "wisdom" in Greek.
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Rare and Unique Baby Girl Names
Raven: This Old English name means "dark-haired or wise."
Amber: Of Arabic, English, and Gaelic origin, this name can mean "jewel" or "fierce."
Ruby: This name is of Latin origin, meaning "deep red precious stone."
Cerise: Of French origin, this unique name means "cherry."
Hazel: Derived from the Hebrew name Hazael, this name means "God sees."
Giada: This name is of Italian origin and means "jade."
Ginger: This name is of English origin and means "pure or chaste."
Beryl: Of Greek origin, this uncommon name means "sea-green jewel."
Clementine: This name is of French and Latin origin and means "merciful."
Aurelia: This gorgeous name has Latin origins and means "the golden one."
Olive: This English name means "olive tree" and evokes an olive branch, which is a symbol of peace.
Gemma: Of Latin and Italian origin, this name means "precious stone."
Violet: This name is of Old French and Latin origin and is said to signify "modesty and faithfulness."
Gardenia: This English name is said to mean "garden's flower."
Rose: Meaning "a flower," this name is of Latin origin.
Lily: This name comes from the Latin word lilium and means "pure, passion, or rebirth."
Lilibet: Take a queue from Harry and Meghan with this name, which was famously Queen Elizabeth II's childhood nickname.
Dahlia: Also spelled Dalia, this Norse name means "from the valley." It's also the name of a famous flower, of course.
Nevaeh: This name — which is "Heaven" spelled backwards — is becoming increasingly popular for girls but is still unique.
Willa: This feminine variation of William is of German origin and means "resolute protection."
Belle: Shared by the bookish character in Beauty and the Beast, this French name means "beautiful."
Iris: Derived directly from the Greek word iris, this name means "rainbow."
Sunday: If you want something truly unique, go for a day of the week. It worked for Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, who named their daughter Sunday.
Poppy: A bright and cheery name you're sure to remember, Poppy is Latin for "from the flower."
Leilani: Meaning "heavenly lei or royal child of heaven," this name stems from Hawaii.
Marguerite: This French variation of Margaret means "pearl or daisy."
Daisy: This is a name of English origin, meaning "day's eye," and may remind you of Taylor Jenkins Reid's famous character Daisy Jones.
Jasmine: Meaning "gift of God," this name is of Persian origin.
Lavender: This name is of English origin, meaning "a purple flowering plant."
Rain: Meaning "abundant blessings from above," this name can also be spelled Rainn.
Sage: This Latin name (which can also be spelled Saige, Sange or Sayge) means "wise."
Willow: Of English origin, this name means "slender or graceful." It's also a perfect name for fan's of Taylor Swift's folklore album.
Fern: This Old English name means "bold voyager."
Tansy: Of Greek origin, this name means "immortality."
Calla: Meaning "beautiful," this is a name of Greek origin.
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Pretty and Creative Girl Names
Hermione: This name is of Greek origin, meaning "messenger or earthly," and it's perfect for Harry Potter fans.
Sansa: Meaning "praise or charm," this name of Sanskrit origin was made popular by Game of Thrones.
Arya: Another name of Sanskrit origin from Game of Thrones, this name is a modern variation of Aria and means "noble."
Eloise: Made popular by the Plaza Hotel's most famous resident, this French name means "healthy."
Scout: Meaning "to listen," this name is of Old French origin and is shared by the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Heidi: A pet name for Adalheidis or Adalheid, this German name (which is shared by Johanna Spyri's fictional character) means "of noble kin."
Imogen: Shared by the daughter of King Cymbeline, this Celtic name means "maiden."
Juliet: Most often associated with William Shakespeare's tragic character, this English name (which can also be spelled Juliette) means "youthful."
Ariel: Ariel, which means "lion of God" in Hebrew, is used as another name for the city of Jerusalem in the Old Testament. It's also, of course, the name of The Little Mermaid.
Matilda: Also spelled Mathilda and Mathilde, this Old German name means "mighty in battle" and was made popular by Roald Dahl's novel of the same name.
Ramona: Made popular by Beverly Cleary's character, this name is of Spanish origin and means "wise protector."
Bella: Meaning "beautiful," this Italian name (which is a diminutive version of Isabella) is a great pick for fans of Twilight.
Roxanne: Of Persian origin and meaning "dawn," this name is most often associated with the song by The Police.
Athena: Often associated with the daughter of Zeus, this Greek name means "wise."
Luna: Directly derived from the Latin luna, which means "moon," Luna is known as the Roman mythological goddess of the moon.
Louella: This name sounds classic, but has a unique and uncommon air to it as well. Its German origins mean "famous warrior."
Aurora: Associated with the Roman goddess of sunrise, this Latin name means "dawn."
Elsa: This German name means "pledged to God" and is shared with the eldest sister in Frozen.
Minnie: Meaning "of the mind or intellect," your daughter could share this name with Minnie Mouse.
Eugenie: Made popular by Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter, this Greek name means "well-born or noble."
Helena: Made popular by the daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this Greek name means "shining light."
Heloise: Like Helena and Eloise but want something more unique? This is it.
Daphne: Meaning "laurel tree," this Greek name originates from a mythological water nymph.
Zillah: The name Zillah is featured in the Bible's Old Testament. It means "shade" or "protection."
Penelope: This name might be a little more popular in recent years, but you still might not know that it means "weaver," and is a Greek name is often associated with Odysseus' wife.
Noa: In the Bible, Noa is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, and this name means "movement."
Maeve: A warrior queen in Irish mythology, this name means "she who intoxicates."
Cassandra: Shared by a Trojan princess, this Greek name means "shining or excelling man."
Tiana: Of Slavic origin and meaning "fairy queen," Tiana gained popularity after Disney gave this name to its first African-American princess.
Gaia: Considered the creator of the earth and the universe in Greek mythology, this name means "earth mother." An alternate spelling is Gaya.
Calliope: The most prominent of the Muses in Greek mythology, this name means "beautiful voice." It would also be an easy name to shorten to a nickname with "Callie."
Cleopatra: This name is of Greek origin, meaning "glory of the father," and it was made popular by the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
Clarabelle: A name that sounds as classic as it does unique, Clarabelle is perfect for those who love classic, royal-sounding names like Charlotte, Isabelle, or Clarice.
Valencia: Meaning "strong or healthy," this Latin name is shared by a city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
Abilene: Like the city in Texas, this Hebrew name means "land of meadows."
Emaline: Latin in origin, and related to the German Emeline, this name means "peaceful home."
Cool Baby Girl Names
Adele: This German name means "noble or kind," but odds are your future child won't mind being associated withe famous singer either.
Aaliyah: Another name often associated with the late R&B singer, this name is of Arabic and Hebrew origin, meaning "rising or exalted."
Jolene: A feminine form of Joseph, this name means "He (God) will increase" and was made popular by Dolly Parton's song of the same name.
Kehlani: This Polynesian name means "sea heavens" and was made popular by the singer and songwriter who shares the name. It's still far from common, though.
James: This classic moniker means "supplanter," which means someone who is a strong ruler. It's also the name of one of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold's daughters.
Georgia: Made popular by artist Georgia O'Keeffe, this feminine form of the Greek name George is of English origin and means "farmer."
Georganna: Not quite Georgia or Georgina, Georganna is a quintessentially British-sounding name.
Delilah. Inspiring the Plain White T's song, "Hey There, Delilah," this Hebrew name means "delicate."
Amal: This gender-neutral name is mentioned in the Book of Chronicles. In Hebrew, it means "toil" or "labor," though you might know it from Amal Clooney.
Ariana: Of Italian origin, this name (which is also spelled Arianna) means "most holy" and is often associated with pop princess Ariana Grande.
Selena: Shared by Selena Gomez and the late Selena Quintanilla, this Latin name (which can also be spelled Selina) means "moon goddess."
Gabourey: Made popular by actress Gabourey Sidibe, this Hebrew name means "the power from the God."
Reese: This Welsh name (which is shared by actress Reese Witherspoon) means "ardor," and is a great example of a gender neutral name that's also unique.
Nala: Also spelled Nahla, this African name means "successful" and is perfect for fans of The Lion King.
Genevieve: Derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, this name is of French origin and means "woman of the family.
Esmerelda: Whether it makes you think of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' daughter or that character in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Esmerelda is a gorgeous and unique name.
Rosario: Made popular by actress Rosario Dawson, this Spanish name translates to "rosary."
Gisele: Associated with model Gisele Bündchen, this French and German name (which has a variety of spellings, including Giselle, Gisselle, Gizelle, and Gissel) is derived from the Germanic gisil, which means "to pledge."
Gwyneth: Also spelled Gwenyth or Gweyneth, this Welsh name means "fortunate or blessed" and is often associated with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Audrey: Often associated with Audrey Hepburn, this English name means "noble strength."
Marilyn: Most often associated with Marilyn Monroe, this Hebrew name means "wished-for child."
Eartha: Meaning "earth," this name is often associated with Eartha Kitt. It's still a very uncommon name, though.
Ava: Shared with Ava Gardner, this Latin variant of Eve means "to live."
Sparrow: For those who are looking for a more bohemian-sounding name, consider Sparrow, which could represent the freedom and beauty of a bird.
Dorothy: Shared with Dorothy Dandridge, this name is the English variation of Greek Dorothea, meaning "gift of God."
Greta: This diminutive form of Margarethe is of German origin, meaning "pearl," and it was made popular by Greta Garbo. It can also be spelled Gretta, Grete, or Grette.
Gloria: This Latin name (which is shared with Gloria Swanson) was derived from the Latin glōria, meaning "glory."
Mariana: This Spanish name means "grace or drop of the sea."
Joan: Meaning "God is gracious," this Hebrew name is associated with Joan Crawford, Joan of Arc, or Joan Didion.
Vivien: Made popular by Vivien Leigh, this Latin name (which can also be spelled Vivienne, Vivian, or Vivianne) means "life."
Ingrid: Meaning "fair or beautiful," this Norse name was made popular by Ingrid Bergman.
Gwendolyn: This Welsh name (also spelled Gwendolen) is said to mean "blessed ring."
Kezia: This beautiful name of Hebrew origin means "cassia tree."
Carolina: Of German origin, this name means "free or beautiful woman" and is an interesting variation of a more traditional name in 'Caroline.'
Brooklyn: Meaning "pretty brook," this name can also be spelled Brooklynn or Brooklyne.
Unusual Baby Girl Names
Cassidy: This Irish name means "curly-headed."
Dakota: This name originates from the Native American Sioux tribe and means "friendly one."
Quinn: This name is of Gaelic origin, meaning "intelligent or wise."
Peyton: Also spelled Payton, this Irish name means "patrician or noble." This is also a great gender neutral name.
Finley: Meaning "fair warrior or hero," this name is of Scottish origin.
Gillian: A feminine variant of Julian, this name is of English origin and means "youthful."
Micah: Also spelled Mica, Mikah, or Myka, this is a Hebrew name meaning "Who is like God?" It was also the name on a contestant on Netflix's Love is Blind in 2023.
Reagan: Of Irish origin, this name means "little ruler."
Emery: This name is of German origin and means "industrious."
Fila: As well as being a sportswear company, Fila is a Greek name meaning "loving."
Guinevere: Derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, this name (which can also be spelled Guenevere or Guenever) means "the fair one."
Fallon: Meaning "of a ruling family," this name is of Irish origin.
Trinity: This Latin name means "triad" and refers to the Holy Trinity.
Elora: In Hebrew, the name Elora means "my God is my light."
Charity: Of English origin, this name means "giving or kindness."
Faith: This English name means "complete trust or devotion."
Feyre: You might know this one from a famous book series, the name actually is based on an old English word for fair and beautiful.
Fallon: Fallon is a name that comes from Ireland and means descended from a great ruler.
Verity: Of Latin origin, this name means "truth." You also might know it from the famous Colleen Hoover book of the same title.
Honor: Meaning "dignity or reputation," this name is of English origin. Jessica Alba also used it for her daughter.
Sutton: An English name meaning "from the southern homestead," this name was made popular as a first name by actress Sutton Foster.
Gila: This Hebrew name (also spelled Geela, Gilla, Gilah, or Gillah) means "joy of the Lord."
Gia: This name of Italian origins means "God is gracious."
Hope: This English name means "desire of fulfillment."
Prudence: Derived from the Latin prudentia, this name means "caution."
Amity: This name is of Latin origin, meaning "friendship or harmony."
Tabitha: She's known for being a charitable person in the Bible, and her moniker means "beauty" or "grace."
Rowan: Shared by actress Rowan Blanchard, this Gaelic name means "little redhead."
Greer: Also spelled Grier, this name is of Scottish origin, meaning "watchful or guardian."
Chastity: This is an English name meaning "purity."
Gianna: A feminine version of Gianni, this Italian name (which can also be spelled Giana or Geonna) means "God is gracious."
Allegra: Allegra is an Italian name meaning "joyous," and even though it was the name of a supporting character in the famous romantic comedy Hitch, it's still fairly uncommon.
Genesis: Meaning "the beginning," this name is of Greek origin and can also be spelled Genesiss.
Kia: This African name means "season's beginning."
Zara: Of Arabic origin, this name means "radiance."
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