50+ Rare Girl Names That Are Unique But Recognizable

In a sea of baby girl names, you want one that will be a standout … but not in a way that makes people say, “You named your daughter what?” If that middle ground is what you’re going for, we’ve got you covered. This list is made up of girl names that have a similar sound and feel to the most popular names, but are still rarely used. They’re unique enough to raise eyebrows in a good way.

1. Ezlynn

This name has a little bit of everything interesting, like the letter Z, the “-lynn” ending, and the proximity to popular names like Evely, yet you’ve probably never met anyone with this name in real life. You could also spell it with one N: Ezlyn.

2. Mavery

A Mae–Avery mashup, this one is gaining steam. And with names like Maeve, Navy, and even Maven becoming increasingly popular, it doesn’t come as a surprise.

3. Sasha

If recognizable but rare is your goal, you might like Sasha. It is rapidly falling down the popularity charts as of last year, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less gorgeous, just that U.S. parents are still riding the Sophia, Amelia, Olivia train pretty hard. If that doesn’t sell you, maybe the meaning “helper of mankind” will.

4. Jadis

Lovers of fantasy and fiction will know that the name Jadis has gotten a pop culture “bump” from two sources: First, Jadis the White Witch in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, and second, Jadis, the leader of a group called The Scavengers on the TV series The Walking Dead. It’s like Jade, Jada, or Jaden, which have all enjoyed a decent level of popularity, but with a more distinctive ending sound.

5. Coralena

With the name Coraline on the rise (from the 800s to the 500s in a five-year span), it’s no wonder that such a similar sound is also catching the attention of parents-to-be. Another similar name that’s moving up the ranks: The lovely Cordelia.

6. Fia

Parents who love the wildly popular Sophia (currently at number six on the charts) and its soundalike counterpart, Sofia, are looking for an alternative, and Fia is it. It’s short and simple — which is a favored trait these days — and sounds like the more popular names, but hasn’t even broken into the top 1,000.

7. Nolani

This name plays on people’s love of Hawaiian names like Kehlani and Kailani (both among the fastest-rising girl names on the charts) and its closeness to Nola (currently number 766 and getting rarer).

8. Aston

Gender-neutral names are big, and Aston is about as gender-neutral as you can get. Plus, it calls to mind names like Arden: Not only for its identical beginning and end but because luxury brand-names-turned-baby-names are definitely on the rise.

9. Imrie

One caveat about this name: It sounds a lot like Emery, Emory, Emerie, and Emmarie, which are all popular variations of the same name. But it could also be seen as a feminized version of the Hungarian boy name Imre, which means “power.” Imrie is, as yet, one of the rarest girl names, having been given to fewer than five babies per year at last count.

10. Yvaine

This lovely, romantic-sounding name has a more medieval, less 1950s-secretary vibe than Yvette or Yvonne.

11. Mileva

With the name Mila in the top 20 right now (number 33, to be exact), people are looking for alternatives. One is the Slavic name Mileva, for which Mila can actually be a nickname.

12. Winsley

This name doesn’t even appear in the top 1,000 most popular baby names, but given the popularity of names like Kinsley and Tinsley — and the adorable nickname Winnie — we wouldn’t be surprised if this one starts to climb.

13. Adaleyza

The name Daleyza, without the A in the front, burst onto the charts in 2013 and has been hanging around in the top 500 since 2020. Adaleyza is a spinoff to make an already-unique name even more unique and align it more closely with names like Addison and Adeline. Bonus: This one, too, leads to the cute nickname Addie.

14. Eloah

This one’s another unisex choice, but it echoes the sound of a very popular name: Noah. The “El-” prefix has been popular among girl names since… well, forever, and gives way to the diminutives Elle or Ellie.

15. Maiara

Maiara sounds like an appealing combination of Maya (currently number 51 on the charts) and Yara, which was one of the fastest-rising girl names a few years back thanks to the character Yara Greyjoy on Game of Thrones.

16. Fable

Word names are gaining popularity right now, but you can definitely still find some that are rare baby names. Fable is a gorgeous name for a girl born to parents who love reading, fantasy, and stories in all forms.

17. Alessia

This one’s rise can likely be attributed to singer Alessia Cara — but it doesn’t hurt that it’s similar to names like Alicia, which has been consistently in the top 500 since 1922. Also Alyssa, in the top 500 since 1972.

18. Arlo

From Harlow to Marlo, names with this sound have experienced a surge in popularity. Add in the appeal of a unisex name, and you’ve got a recipe for success. For an Arlo/Charlotte hybrid with a more distinctly feminine sound, try Arlette, or the similar Arleth.

19. Eisley

It’s like the ever-popular Paisley with an updated sound and was given to fewer than 200 baby girls in the United States last year.

20. Aurie

Naming trends are interesting, and this one is a perfect illustration of why. The name Aurelia gained popularity as an alternative to names like Amelia and Olivia. And now that it’s experiencing some popularity in its own right, people are looking for alternatives to Aurelia — via its diminutive, Aurie.

21. Shira

Shira is a variant of the Hebrew word for “poetry” or “song.” It is an extremely popular girl’s name in Israel, but pretty rare elsewhere.

22. Anais

Anais is a French and Catalan version of the name Anna. This stunning name means “graceful” or “merciful,” and just might be the perfect fit for your little lady. According to some sources, the name is rooted in the name Anahita, the name of the Persian goddess of fertility and healing.

23. Abriana

This feminine form of Abraham is very unique, but also lends itself to the very cute nickname “Abri.” For parents looking to honor a grandparent named Abraham or to choose a non-traditional biblical name for a girl, this Italian version might just be the one.

24. Aria

This name has roots in both Italy and Albania. It has many beautiful meanings that’ll make it your top pick. In Hebrew, it means “lioness,” and in Persian, it means “noble.” In Italian, it means “air,” and in Albanian, it means “treasure” or “gold.”

25. Greer

This Scottish name means “watchful” or “vigilant.” It’s a short and mature name, but also the kind of moniker your little one will grow into nicely. Greer feels like the main character, period.

26. Emerson

Emerson may mean “son of Emery” in German, but it also makes a sophisticated girl’s name. It’s a unisex name, which adds an extra layer of coolness.

27. Diem

Do you know the phrase, carpe diem? In this case, Diem is a beautiful Latin name that means “day.” So don’t be afraid to “seize the day,” and give your little one this uncommon title. This name just oozes cool girl vibes.

28. Elodie

Elodie sounds like music, doesn’t it? This beautiful French name means “foreign riches.” It is spelled like Élodie in France. It has roots in Spain and comes from the name Elodia. Elodia derives from the German name Alodia, which is the name of Saint Alodia, a child martyr in ninth-century Spain who died with her sister Nunilo.

29. Bexley

Bexley has an “X” in it, which automatically makes it a cool name. In addition to its snazzy spelling, it’s the name of a wealthy suburb in Columbus, Ohio. Bexley is also the name of a section in Greater London.

30. Ione

Think of Hermione from Harry Potter. It’s pronounced I-Oh-Nee. This name is of Greek origin and means “violet.” It is also the name of a sea nymph among the Nereids, as mentioned in the encyclopedia of Greek mythology, “The Library.”

31. Annalise

This name regally combines the names Anna and Lise. It means “graced with God’s bounty.” Plus, if you’re a fan of How to Get Away with Murder, you know Viola Davis gives this moniker a solid reputation.

32. Brigitta

This name may sound like Bridgette, but it has a much more unique tone. It means “exalted” or “lofty” and comes from German, Dutch, and Hungarian origins.

33. Constance

This name derives from the Roman emperor Constans, which means “constant” or “steadfast.” If you love a classic virtue name, like Grace or Faith, this one will appeal to you.

34. Geneviève

This three-syllable name has German, Gaulish, and Celtic roots. It means “tribe woman” or “woman of the race.”

35. Phoebe

Phoebe is more than your favorite character from Friends; it’s Greek for “bright” or “pure.” Phoebe is also the name of a titan in Greek mythology.

36. Fay

If you need a magical name for your little girl, look no further. This name means “fairy” and is short and cute, just like your little pixie!

37. Lorelei

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you probably don’t need any additional reasoning to consider this charming name! A moniker shared by the series’ fast-talking main character (although spelled Lorelai there), Lorelei means “alluring enchantress” and is of German origin.

38. Lucinda

Sometimes the meaning of a name carries just as much weight as the sound of it. Lucinda is one of those names — this variant of the name Lucia means “light.”

39. Tallula

This name sounds like something straight out of a storybook. This Gaelic name comes from the words tuile and flaith, which mean “abundance” and “princess.”

40. Harlow

Harlow derives from Old English and means “rock hill” or “army hill.” If your daughter is a tough cookie, this is the perfect name to symbolize her strength.

41. Paola

This name literally has the pronunciation “pow” in it! (So cool.) It derives from the Latin name Paula, which means “small.”

42. Cora

This Greek name means “heart” or “maiden.” It also has a connection to Greek mythology, as it’s an alternative name for none other than Persephone. Bonus: It comes with the cute nicknames Cor and Coco.

43. Fleur

Fleur is a fancy French moniker meaning “flower,” perfect for parents who love flower baby names but don’t want something literal like Poppy or Rose.

44. Esmé

A common French name for the word esteemed or beloved. In Spanish, it means “emerald.” And although traditionally feminine, it is considered a gender-neutral name.

45. Selene

How beautiful is this?! A Greek name that means “moon,” it’s especially perfect if you’re looking for something a little witchy.

46. Callista

This Greek name meaning “most beautiful” will probably forever be associated by millennials with Calista Flockhart, the star of the hit ‘90s series Ally McBeal. It’s also tied to Greek mythology, though, as Callisto was the name of an Arcadian nymph — a huntress of Artemis.

47. Thalassa

Did you know that a thalassophile is what you call someone who deeply loves and is drawn to the sea? It’s true. And, accordingly, this gorgeous Greek name means “sea.”

48. Vespera

This Latin name is thought to mean “evening star,” but could also come from Greek mythology’s Hesperus — the personification of Venus.

49. Seraphina

You may recognize this name from the pop culture sphere, as Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their middle child. Hebrew in origin, it means “fiery or angel.”

50. Liora

Here’s another strong Hebrew name with a powerful meaning: “light.” And how great is the nickname “Lio” for a little girl?

51. Soraya

I mean, you can’t get much more adorable than giving your daughter a name that means “princess”! And, honestly, this Persian moniker is just stunning.

52. Lyra

Derived from the Greek word “lyre,” and named after the constellation, this name means “harp.” It’s got a meaning similar to Harper’s but without being overused.

53. Anouk

A diminutive of Anna, the name Anouk bears the lovely meaning “favor” or “graciousness.” Plus, it just sounds so cute!

54. Maris

The Latin word for “of the sea,” and similar to names you may have heard more often, like Maren or Mavis (which is a basically-forgotten baby girl name that deserves a revival, too).