Want a girl name you won't hear at every playground? Every name on this list was given to fewer than 200 baby girls in the whole US in 2025. The top name, Olivia, went to more than 13,000. So these names are truly rare, not just rare sounding.
Each one also has a real, well documented meaning. We sorted all 100 into five vibes: soft and dreamy, celestial, nature and botanical, vintage, and short and striking. For each name you get its origin, meaning, how to say it, and two sister names that pair well.
Counts are from the US Social Security Administration's baby name data for 2025.
Soft and Dreamy Girl Names
These names feel like a lullaby. Many of them mean dream, love, sweet or beautiful.
- Aisling (Irish) means "dream" or "vision" · say it: ASH-ling · 39 baby girls in 2025. It sounds soft and a little magical. Irish families first started using it in the 1900s. Sister names: Roya and Aoife.
- Roya (Persian) means "dream" · say it: roo-YAH or ROY-uh · 76 baby girls in 2025. Short, warm and easy to spell. It shares its meaning with Aisling, so the two make a sweet sister pair. Sister names: Aisling and Shirin.
- Parisa (Persian) means "like a fairy" · say it: pah-REE-sah · 28 baby girls in 2025. It comes from pari, the Persian word for fairy. The sound is light and bright. Nickname: Pari. Sister names: Shirin and Roya.
- Calista (Greek) means "most beautiful" · say it: kuh-LIS-tuh · 131 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the old Greek name Kallistos. Few names carry a meaning this sweet. Nickname: Callie. Sister names: Anwen and Isadora.
- Carys (Welsh) means "love" · say it: KAR-iss · 32 baby girls in 2025. It comes from caru, the Welsh word for to love. Welsh families have used it since the mid 1900s. Sister names: Anwen and Seren.
- Liat (Hebrew) means "you are mine" · say it: lee-AHT · 15 baby girls in 2025. The meaning reads like a tiny love note from a parent. It is short, clear and easy to spell. Sister names: Shira and Tova.
- Shira (Hebrew) means "singing" · say it: SHEER-uh · 79 baby girls in 2025. A lovely pick for a family that fills the house with music. It is short and bright, yet still uncommon in the US. Sister names: Liat and Aviva.
- Anwen (Welsh) means "very beautiful" · say it: AN-wen · 9 baby girls in 2025. It joins a Welsh word for very with gwen, which means white or blessed. It is easy to say and hard to find. Sister names: Carys and Calista.
- Aoife (Irish) means "beauty" · say it: EE-fuh · 88 baby girls in 2025. It looks tricky but sounds simple. Several brave women in old Irish legends carried this name. Sister names: Aisling and Neve.
- Dulcie (Latin) means "sweet" · say it: DUL-see · 8 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin word dulcis. It was used in the Middle Ages and brought back in the 1800s. Sister names: Shirin and Lucinda.
- Shirin (Persian) means "sweet" · say it: shee-REEN · 15 baby girls in 2025. Shirin is the heroine of famous old Persian poems. Pair it with Dulcie and both sisters mean sweet. Sister names: Parisa and Dulcie.
- Lucienne (French) means "light" · say it: loo-see-EN · 24 baby girls in 2025. It is the French girl's form of Lucien, which goes back to lux, the Latin word for light. Think Lucy, only dressed up. Nickname: Lucie. Sister names: Aurelie and Lisette.
- Isadora (Greek) means "gift of Isis" · say it: iz-uh-DOR-uh · 177 baby girls in 2025. Isis was an Egyptian goddess, so the name has an ancient feel. The dancer Isadora Duncan carried it in the early 1900s. Nickname: Izzy. Sister names: Calista and Seraphine.
- Lisette (French) means "my God is an oath" · say it: lee-ZET · 29 baby girls in 2025. It is a little French form of Elisabeth. You get the classic roots with a lighter, sweeter sound. Sister names: Lucienne and Aurelie.
- Rosabel (English) means "beautiful rose" · say it: ROH-zuh-bel · 15 baby girls in 2025. It joins Rosa with the ending bel, from the Latin bella, beautiful. It was created in the 1700s. Nickname: Rosie. Sister names: Isadora and Primrose.
- Ilaria (Italian) means "cheerful" · say it: ee-LAR-ee-uh · 60 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin word hilaris, the same root as hilarious. A happy name with a soft Italian sound. Sister names: Esperanza and Leonie.
- Leonie (German) means "lion" · say it: LAY-oh-nee · 80 baby girls in 2025. A gentle sound with a brave meaning. It comes from Leo, the Latin word for lion. Nickname: Leo. Sister names: Ilaria and Sigrid.
- Esperanza (Spanish) means "hope" · say it: es-peh-RAHN-sah · 188 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin word spero, I hope. It is long and lovely, with an easy nickname. Nickname: Espe. Sister names: Rocio and Lucero.
- Aurelie (French) means "golden" · say it: oh-reh-LEE · 37 baby girls in 2025. It is the French form of Aurelia, from the Latin word aureus, golden. The French spelling is still very rare in the US. Sister names: Lucienne and Seraphine.
- Seraphine (French) means "fiery ones" · say it: SAIR-uh-feen · 56 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the seraphim, a group of angels in the Bible. Seraphina is well known now, but this French form is still rare. Nickname: Sera. Sister names: Isadora and Celestine.
Celestial and Starry Girl Names
Stars, moons, dawn and heavenly light. These names are made for a baby who lights up the room.
- Seren (Welsh) means "star" · say it: SEH-ren · 50 baby girls in 2025. Welsh families created this name only recently. It is one of the simplest star names you can find. Sister names: Carys and Noelani.
- Sitara (Urdu) means "star" · say it: sih-TAR-uh · 78 baby girls in 2025. It has Persian roots and a bright, musical sound. Tara makes an easy everyday nickname. Nickname: Tara. Sister names: Najma and Sahar.
- Najma (Arabic) means "star" · say it: NAJ-mah · 21 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Najm, the Arabic word for star. Short, strong and still rare in the US. Sister names: Sitara and Hala.
- Citlali (Nahuatl) means "star" · say it: seet-LAH-lee · 159 baby girls in 2025. It comes from Nahuatl, a language still spoken in Mexico today. The sound is bright and full of rhythm. Nickname: Lali. Sister names: Lucero and Alba.
- Astraea (Greek) means "star" · say it: as-TREE-uh · 112 baby girls in 2025. In Greek myth, Astraea was a goddess of justice who left the earth and became the stars of Virgo. A name with a whole story inside it. Sister names: Celestine and Aster.
- Danica (Slavic) means "morning star" · say it: DAN-ih-kuh · 127 baby girls in 2025. In Slavic folk tales, Danica is the morning star come to life. It has been used in the US since the 1970s. Nickname: Dani. Sister names: Lucero and Solveig.
- Lucero (Spanish) means "bright star" or "morning star" · say it: loo-SEH-roh · 141 baby girls in 2025. It comes from luz, the Spanish word for light. It is most common in Mexico and Colombia. Nickname: Luci. Sister names: Citlali and Esperanza.
- Noga (Hebrew) means "brightness" · say it: NOH-gah · 21 baby girls in 2025. It is also the Hebrew name for the planet Venus, one of the brightest lights in the night sky. Sister names: Meira and Tova.
- Vega (Arabic) means "the swooping eagle" · say it: VAY-guh · 31 baby girls in 2025. Vega is one of the brightest stars in the sky, found in the constellation Lyra. This name comes from the star's old Arabic name. Sister names: Astraea and Lux.
- Mahina (Hawaiian) means "moon" · say it: mah-HEE-nah · 38 baby girls in 2025. In Hawaiian and Maori, the word also means month. A soft, round sound for a moon baby. Sister names: Noelani and Hokulani.
- Hala (Arabic) means "halo around the moon" · say it: HAH-lah · 57 baby girls in 2025. It is only four letters, yet it holds a whole night sky. A great pick if you want short and meaningful. Sister names: Najma and Sahar.
- Sahar (Arabic) means "dawn" · say it: sah-HAR · 43 baby girls in 2025. A sweet name for a baby who arrives with the morning. It is used in both Arabic and Persian families. Sister names: Hala and Sitara.
- Alba (Italian) means "dawn" · say it: AHL-bah · 177 baby girls in 2025. Alba is the word for dawn in Italian, Spanish and Catalan. It also has old Latin roots meaning white. Sister names: Citlali and Paz.
- Sunniva (Norwegian) means "sun gift" · say it: soo-NEE-vah · 25 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Old English name Sunngifu. In legend, Saint Sunniva was an Irish princess who settled in Norway. Nickname: Sunny. Sister names: Solveig and Sigrid.
- Solveig (Norse) means "sun" and "strength" · say it: SOHL-vay · 17 baby girls in 2025. It is the name of the heroine in Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt. Pair it with Sunniva for two sunny sisters. Sister names: Sunniva and Thora.
- Celestine (Latin) means "heavenly" · say it: SEL-uh-steen · 49 baby girls in 2025. It comes from caelum, the Latin word for sky and heaven. Five popes used the boy's form of this name. Sister names: Seraphine and Astraea.
- Noelani (Hawaiian) means "heavenly mist" · say it: noh-eh-LAH-nee · 109 baby girls in 2025. It joins noe, mist, with lani, heaven or sky. It sounds like soft rain at sunrise. Nickname: Lani. Sister names: Mahina and Hokulani.
- Hokulani (Hawaiian) means "heavenly star" · say it: hoh-koo-LAH-nee · 7 baby girls in 2025. It joins hoku, star, with lani, heaven. It is the rarest name in this section. Nickname: Lani. Sister names: Noelani and Mahina.
- Meira (Hebrew) means "giving light" · say it: MAY-ruh · 93 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Meir, the name of a famous Jewish teacher from the 2nd century. Light and easy to say. Sister names: Noga and Ilana.
- Aster (Greek) means "star" · say it: AS-ter · 57 baby girls in 2025. It is also the name of a star-shaped flower. That makes it a nice bridge between sky names and garden names. Sister names: Astraea and Zinnia.
Nature and Botanical Girl Names
Flowers, trees and spring dew. These names bring the garden indoors.
- Calla (English) comes from the calla lily · say it: KAL-uh · 156 baby girls in 2025. The calla lily is a white flower that grows in wet places. The name may also echo kallos, the Greek word for beauty. Nickname: Callie. Sister names: Linnea and Ione.
- Linnea (Swedish) comes from the twinflower · say it: lih-NAY-uh · 149 baby girls in 2025. The twinflower was named after the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, and it was his favorite flower. Sister names: Calla and Sigrid.
- Ilana (Hebrew) means "tree" · say it: ee-LAH-nah · 71 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Ilan. A grounded meaning with a flowing sound. Nickname: Lana. Sister names: Alona and Aviva.
- Alona (Hebrew) means "oak tree" · say it: ah-LOH-nah · 43 baby girls in 2025. The oak stands for strength, and this name wears it gently. Strong meaning, soft sound. Sister names: Ilana and Tamar.
- Tamar (Hebrew) means "date palm" · say it: tah-MAR · 73 baby girls in 2025. It is an Old Testament name. A strong queen who ruled Georgia in the 1100s also carried it. Nickname: Tami. Sister names: Alona and Shoshana.
- Shoshana (Hebrew) means "lily" · say it: shoh-SHAH-nah · 123 baby girls in 2025. It is the Hebrew name behind Susanna and Susan. In modern Hebrew the same root can also mean rose. Nickname: Shana. Sister names: Tamar and Azucena.
- Laleh (Persian) means "tulip" · say it: lah-LEH · 10 baby girls in 2025. It is short, bright and fun to say. A sweet choice for a spring baby. Sister names: Shirin and Sakura.
- Azucena (Spanish) means "Madonna lily" · say it: ah-soo-SEH-nah · 41 baby girls in 2025. The Madonna lily is a tall, pure white flower. The name is long and graceful, with a lovely rhythm. Sister names: Rocio and Shoshana.
- Sakura (Japanese) means "cherry blossom" · say it: SAH-koo-rah · 58 baby girls in 2025. Cherry blossoms are a famous sign of spring in Japan. The name can be written a few different ways in Japanese. Sister names: Laleh and Linnea.
- Roisin (Irish) means "little rose" · say it: roh-SHEEN · 64 baby girls in 2025. In Irish it is spelled Róisín. It appears in a famous Irish song from the 1600s, Róisín Dubh. Nickname: Rosie. Sister names: Aoife and Primrose.
- Kalina (Slavic) means "viburnum tree" · say it: kah-LEE-nah · 135 baby girls in 2025. The viburnum is a shrub with white flowers and red berries. The name is used in Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Poland. Sister names: Iva and Linnea.
- Ione (Greek) means "violet flower" · say it: eye-OH-nee · 15 baby girls in 2025. In Greek myth, Ione was a sea nymph. It has been used as a given name since the 1800s. Sister names: Calla and Anthea.
- Amaryllis (Greek) means "to sparkle" · say it: am-uh-RIL-iss · 73 baby girls in 2025. It first appeared in the poems of the Roman poet Virgil. The amaryllis flower was later named after her. Sister names: Camellia and Wisteria.
- Anthea (Greek) means "flower" or "blossom" · say it: AN-thee-uh · 9 baby girls in 2025. It was a title of the Greek goddess Hera. A rare name with a sweet, simple meaning. Nickname: Thea. Sister names: Ione and Zinnia.
- Zinnia (English) comes from the zinnia flower · say it: ZIN-ee-uh · 174 baby girls in 2025. The flower was named after the German botanist Johann Zinn. Zinnias come in bright, happy colors. Sister names: Aster and Anthea.
- Wisteria (English) comes from the wisteria vine · say it: wis-TEER-ee-uh · 19 baby girls in 2025. The vine was named after Caspar Wistar, an American scientist. Picture long purple blooms hanging over a garden gate. Sister names: Amaryllis and Camellia.
- Primrose (English) means "first rose" · say it: PRIM-rohz · 69 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin prima rosa. Primroses are among the first flowers to bloom in spring. Nickname: Prim. Sister names: Rosabel and Roisin.
- Camellia (English) comes from the camellia flower · say it: kuh-MEEL-ee-uh · 123 baby girls in 2025. The shrub was named after Georg Josef Kamel, a botanist and missionary. Camellias bloom in winter and early spring. Nickname: Cami. Sister names: Wisteria and Amaryllis.
- Rocio (Spanish) means "dew" · say it: roh-SEE-oh · 46 baby girls in 2025. It comes from a title of the Virgin Mary, María del Rocío, which means Mary of the Dew. Nickname: Ro. Sister names: Azucena and Esperanza.
- Aviva (Hebrew) means "spring" · say it: ah-VEE-vah · 131 baby girls in 2025. It is a girl's form of Aviv, the Hebrew word for spring. Fun fact: it reads the same forward and backward. Nickname: Viv. Sister names: Ilana and Shira.
Vintage Girl Names Coming Back
Great-grandma names with real charm. They feel classic, but almost nobody is using them yet.
- Cosima (Italian) means "order, world, universe" · say it: KOH-zee-muh · 19 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Cosimo, a name carried by the Medici family of Renaissance Florence. Sister names: Ottilie and Eulalia.
- Dorothea (Greek) means "gift of God" · say it: dor-uh-THEE-uh · 113 baby girls in 2025. It has the same Greek parts as Theodore, just in reverse order. A longer, softer cousin of Dorothy. Nickname: Thea. Sister names: Theodosia and Henrietta.
- Philippa (Greek) means "friend of horses" · say it: FIL-ih-puh · 61 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Philip and is mostly used in Britain. Pippa is the classic nickname. Nickname: Pippa. Sister names: Henrietta and Constance.
- Henrietta (German) means "home ruler" · say it: hen-ree-ET-uh · 65 baby girls in 2025. A French-born queen brought it to England in the 1600s. It feels grand, but the nickname keeps it cozy. Nickname: Hettie. Sister names: Philippa and Wilhelmina.
- Ottilie (German) means "heritage" or "wealth" · say it: OT-ih-lee · 57 baby girls in 2025. It is the German form of Odilia, the patron saint of Alsace. It sounds sweet and a little storybook. Nickname: Tillie. Sister names: Cosima and Marguerite.
- Marguerite (French) means "pearl" · say it: mar-guh-REET · 71 baby girls in 2025. It is the French form of Margaret, and it is also the French word for the daisy flower. Nickname: Daisy. Sister names: Ottilie and Lucinda.
- Lucinda (Spanish) means "light" · say it: loo-SIN-duh · 116 baby girls in 2025. The writer Cervantes created it for his novel Don Quixote in 1605. It is a longer, fancier take on Lucia. Nickname: Lucy. Sister names: Marguerite and Rosalind.
- Rosalind (German) means "horse" and "soft, tender" · say it: ROZ-uh-lind · 140 baby girls in 2025. In the Middle Ages people linked it to the Latin rosa linda, beautiful rose. Shakespeare gave it to the heroine of As You Like It. Nickname: Roz. Sister names: Lucinda and Prudence.
- Wilhelmina (Dutch) means "will" and "protection" · say it: wil-uh-MEE-nuh · 141 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Wilhelm, the German William. A queen of the Netherlands carried it. Nickname: Mina. Sister names: Henrietta and Augusta.
- Prudence (Latin) means "wise" · say it: PROO-dense · 89 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin word prudens. The Puritans loved it as a virtue name in the 1600s. Nickname: Pru. Sister names: Verity and Constance.
- Verity (English) means "truth" · say it: VAIR-ih-tee · 145 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Latin verus, true. Like Prudence, it was a Puritan virtue name. Sister names: Prudence and Constance.
- Constance (Latin) means "constant, steadfast" · say it: KON-stunce · 142 baby girls in 2025. The Normans brought it to England. One of William the Conqueror's daughters was named Constance. Nickname: Connie. Sister names: Verity and Philippa.
- Augusta (Latin) means "exalted, venerable" · say it: aw-GUS-tuh · 49 baby girls in 2025. It comes from Augustus, the title of the first Roman emperor. King George III gave it to his second daughter in 1768. Nickname: Gussie. Sister names: Wilhelmina and Theodosia.
- Millicent (Germanic) means "brave" and "strong" · say it: MIL-ih-sent · 103 baby girls in 2025. It comes from an old Gothic name carried by a queen in the 500s. Millie makes it friendly for every day. Nickname: Millie. Sister names: Agatha and Eudora.
- Theodosia (Greek) means "giving to God" · say it: thee-uh-DOH-shuh · 35 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Theodosius, a name of Roman emperors. Theo makes a fresh nickname. Nickname: Theo. Sister names: Dorothea and Augusta.
- Eulalia (Greek) means "sweetly speaking" · say it: yoo-LAY-lee-uh · 57 baby girls in 2025. An early saint named Eulalia is a patron saint of Barcelona. It has a pretty, singsong sound. Sister names: Cosima and Philomena.
- Sybil (Greek) means "prophetess" · say it: SIB-ul · 152 baby girls in 2025. In old legends, sibyls were wise women who could see the future. It has a crisp, old-fashioned charm. Sister names: Agatha and Verity.
- Agatha (Greek) means "good" · say it: AG-uh-thuh · 120 baby girls in 2025. The mystery writer Agatha Christie is its most famous bearer. Aggie is a fun nickname. Nickname: Aggie. Sister names: Sybil and Millicent.
- Eudora (Greek) means "good gift" · say it: yoo-DOR-uh · 25 baby girls in 2025. In Greek myth, Eudora was one of the Hyades, a group of nymphs. Dora is an easy nickname. Nickname: Dora. Sister names: Millicent and Dorothea.
- Philomena (Greek) means "to be loved" · say it: fil-uh-MEE-nuh · 101 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Greek word phileo, to love. It is also the name of an early saint. Sister names: Eulalia and Ottilie.
Short and Striking Girl Names
Three, four or five letters with a lot of personality. Short names stand out with long last names.
- Neve (Irish) means "bright" · say it: NEEV · 51 baby girls in 2025. It is the easy English spelling of the Irish name Niamh. In legend, Niamh was the daughter of a sea god. Sister names: Orla and Aoife.
- Greer (Scottish) means "watchful, alert" · say it: GREER · 108 baby girls in 2025. It comes from a Scottish surname based on the name Gregor. Just one sound, but it feels bold. Sister names: Thora and Sigrid.
- Thora (Norse) means "thunder" · say it: THOR-uh · 20 baby girls in 2025. It is a girl's form of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. In Norse legend, Thora was the wife of King Ragnar. Sister names: Sigrid and Solveig.
- Pia (Latin) means "pious, dutiful" · say it: PEE-uh · 148 baby girls in 2025. Three letters and one big smile. It is used in Italy, Germany and all over Scandinavia. Sister names: Paz and Iva.
- Paz (Spanish) means "peace" · say it: PAHS · 15 baby girls in 2025. It comes from a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace. In Hebrew, the same name means gold. Sister names: Pia and Alba.
- Tova (Hebrew) means "good" · say it: TOH-vah · 66 baby girls in 2025. Simple to spell and easy to say. It is also used in Sweden. Sister names: Liat and Yaffa.
- Sigrid (Norse) means "victory" and "beautiful, beloved" · say it: SIG-rid · 32 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Old Norse name Sigríðr. Strong and pretty at the same time. Sister names: Thora and Solveig.
- Orla (Irish) means "golden princess" · say it: OR-luh · 70 baby girls in 2025. It is the English spelling of the Irish Órlaith. A sister of the Irish king Brian Boru carried it. Sister names: Neve and Roisin.
- Amal (Arabic) means "hope" · say it: AH-mahl · 181 baby girls in 2025. It comes from an Arabic root that means to hope for. A short name with a big heart. Sister names: Asha and Hala.
- Asha (Hindi) means "wish, desire, hope" · say it: AH-shah · 160 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Sanskrit word asha. Pair it with Amal and both sisters mean hope. Sister names: Amal and Sitara.
- Lux (Latin) means "light" · say it: LUKS · 58 baby girls in 2025. Three letters and a whole lot of shine. It feels modern even though it is pure Latin. Sister names: Vega and Ora.
- Ora (Hebrew) means "light" · say it: OR-uh · 40 baby girls in 2025. It is the girl's form of Or, the Hebrew word for light. Americans also used Ora as a name back in the 1800s. Sister names: Lux and Meira.
- Astra (Greek) means "star" · say it: AS-truh · 66 baby girls in 2025. It traces back to aster, the Greek word for star. Few names sound this crisp and bright. Sister names: Seren and Lumi.
- Iva (Slavic) means "willow tree" · say it: EE-vuh · 117 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the South Slavic word for willow. Just three letters, and easy for everyone. Sister names: Kalina and Pia.
- Eira (Welsh) means "snow" · say it: AY-ruh · 116 baby girls in 2025. It is a fairly new Welsh name. Pair it with Lumi and you have two snow sisters. Sister names: Lumi and Seren.
- Lumi (Finnish) means "snow" · say it: LOO-mee · 99 baby girls in 2025. Lumi is the Finnish word for snow. A sweet pick for a winter baby. Sister names: Eira and Astra.
- Lark (English) means "lark," a songbird · say it: LARK · 32 baby girls in 2025. Larks are known for singing while they fly. A cheerful choice for a nature lover. Sister names: Fern and Fleur.
- Fern (English) comes from the fern plant · say it: FURN · 186 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Old English word fearn and has been a name since the late 1800s. Green, calm and easy. Sister names: Lark and Fleur.
- Fleur (French) means "flower" · say it: FLUR · 11 baby girls in 2025. It is the French word for flower. A saint named Fleur lived in France in the 1300s. Sister names: Lark and Fern.
- Yaffa (Hebrew) means "beautiful" · say it: YAH-fah · 23 baby girls in 2025. It comes from the Hebrew word yafe, which means beautiful or pleasant. It is also spelled Yafa. Sister names: Tova and Liat.
Found a favorite? Pin it so you can find it again later. If you are stuck between two, say each one out loud with your last name a few times. The one that makes you smile is usually the one. Rare names stand out, and every name here comes with a story.