In some circles, coming up with a baby name is basically an Olympic sport. I get it: We all want to choose a name that we love, that will suit our child, and hopefully that every other kid at preschool won't also be named. My husband and I went round after round while debating what to name our son, and we really only decided in the hospital after he was born.
On top of wanting to choose the best name for our kids, a lot of parents want to choose a name that is special. And some of us want to choose a name that is truly unconventional. For example, I asked my 10-year-old what he would name his own child if he has one. After contemplating for a few minutes, he landed on the perfect name: Gibo-gibo (pronounced "gee-bow gee-bow," in case you are curious about my far-in-the-future grandchild). We decided we can all call the kid Gigi or Bobo.
While I don't expect many others to choose a baby name that is quite that unconventional, I know that prioritizing being a little different is important to some. Here are 20 unconventional girl names for expectant parents.
20. Zora
Zora is a beautiful name that has Arabic, Slavic, and African roots. The name means "dawn." More famously, the name is also a nod to celebrated writer Zora Neale Hurston, one of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance.
Zora hit its most popular year back in 1885, when it ranked as the 293rd most popular baby name. The name was ranked as the 885th most popular baby name in 2020, making it a pretty great choice for parents who are hoping to find something a little different for their daughters.
Similar names: Zelda, Zara, Anya.
19. Fia
Fia finds its origin in Italian, Portuguese, and Irish names and means "wild" or "weaver." It's a pretty gorgeous name for a girl! Fia is heavily related to the Irish name Fiadh, which is rising in popularity in Ireland right now.
In the US, the name Fia is not even ranked on the charts, which gives you a pretty excellent opportunity to scoop it up.
Similar names: Nia, Minna, Neva.
18. Gem
Gem is a shortened version of Gemma, an Italian name that means "precious stone." While Gemma was pretty popular in England in the 1980s, the name didn't take hold in the United States until around 2008. Gem is an easy way to distinguish your daughter from the Gemmas she might encounter, but both names are still pretty original.
Similar names: Ruby, Gemi, Isla.
17. Cordelia
No one is quite sure how the name Cordelia originated, but we are pretty sure it's not often considered when parents are pondering what to name their daughters.
Cordelia is often associated with Latin, and it has also been connected to the Welsh name Creiddylad, which could lend it the meaning "jewel of the sea." Still others say that the name is actually rooted in the French "coeur de lion," which means "heart of a lion." Definitely a fierce choice!
Similar names: Cora, Celia, Flora.
16. Picabo
OK: Consensus says Picabo is pronounced like the popular baby game: peek-a-boo. However, when I read it, I thought it was pe-cah-bow, so to each their own. This name is distinctly American, and the American Indian meaning is "shining waters."
Picabo isn't ranked on American name lists (yet), but it's slowly gaining traction due to the popularity of US skier Picabo Street.
Similar names: You tell me!
15. Jolie
In French, the word jolie means pretty, and when you're talking baby names, that's definitely true. I love the way the name Jolie sounds as it rolls off the tongue. Of course, it is also the last name of a wildly famous actress!
Similar names: Joely, Joby, Chloe.
14. Dakota
Dakota is actually a unisex baby name, and I personally love it for girls. Fans of Melanie Griffith will recognize it as the first name of her daughter. The name has American Indian roots and means "the allies" in Sioux.
While it's still a fairly unique baby name, it is a little more popular than others on the list.
Similar names: Nakotah, Nakoma, Colorado.
13. Tulip
As many of the Lilys and Roses of the world can tell you, floral names for baby girls are nothing new, but the name Tulip definitely stands out. I came across it while researching this piece and couldn't find a ranking or even many examples of other people using the name. This means it could be all youuuuurs.
Similar names: Tulia, Julia, Lily.
12. Lottie
Lottie is a name that has an origin in England and simply means "free." The name is often associated with the name Charlotte, and in fact many a Charlotte is called Lottie all the time. But there's no rule saying you can't just go for the shorter version instead (think Archie instead of Archibald).
Similar names: Letty, Lola, Dotty.
11. Gia
Gia is another Italian name, and this one has a pretty religious meaning: "God is gracious." It's also a shortened version of the name Gianna, which is pretty popular.
Similar names: Jia, Dia, Mia (they rhyme!).
10. Alondra
Alondra is a Spanish form of Alejandra and is truly a beautiful name! Also, it's unlikely your little Alondra is going to run into many other children who have her name.
Similar names: Alejandra, Andrea, Vanessa.
9. Nova
Nova can be a name for a boy or a girl, but I extra love it for girls, so here we are. The word Nova is Latin and means "new." Nova was pretty popular about a century ago, but it's slowly making a comeback in the United States.
Similar names: Luna, Lux, Andromeda.
8. Ever
Ever is pronounced just like the word in English, which doesn't necessarily have a flowery meaning. On the other hand, if you're looking for a name that next to no one will have, this might be it! The name Ever was ranked at No. 2,894 in popularity in 2020.
Similar names: Everly, Ellie, Emery.
7. Calpurnia
Calpurnia also has Latin roots and means "chalice" or "cup." The name is definitely a little loaded: Many associate it with the third and final wife of Julius Caesar, and the housekeeper in To Kill a Mockingbird is also named Calpurnia.
Similar names: Anastasia, Lucia, Sandra.
6. Nyx
The name Nyx hails from Greek origin. Nyx was a powerful Greek goddess who was known for embodying the night. That's a pretty cool and mysterious source of inspiration for a baby name, for sure. The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 names in the US.
Similar names: Nia, Nyla, Onyx.
5. Ranya
I love names with a "ya" sound at the end (like Nadia), and I think Ranya is particularly lovely. It's also super rare, or at least it isn't even listed on a lot of baby name lists. It was ranked as No. 7,746 in 2019.
Similar names: Aanya, Vania, Hanya.
4. Anaya
Anaya is a Hebrew name that means "God answers." So there are certainly religious overtones, but the name itself is gorgeous. The name also has Sanskrit roots.
Similar names: Amaya, Inaya, Anya.
3. Echo
Echo is a name of Greek origin, meaning "a nymph" or "repeated voice." I am particularly infatuated with this name and think it has a really poetic quality to it that is gorgeous.
Similar names: Echoe, Necho, Zyranda.
2. Celyn
Celyn is another name that means "moon" and could be an option for anyone who is looking for a lunar-inspired name without using, you know, Luna. Celyn is super rare in the United States.
Similar names: Luna, Sophia, Kira.
1. Mireya
The name Mireya means "miraculous" and can also be interpreted to mean "admired." Mireya is also the name of Panama's first female president. A nickname could be Mira.
Similar names: Catalina, Anahi, Mia.
