Choosing a rare girl name sets your daughter apart with a distinctive identity that feels personal and uncommon. In the U.S., where the same dozen names dominate year after year, a rare name offers a meaningful alternative. According to recent naming data, the handful of names outside the top 500 are gaining appeal among parents seeking uniqueness.
With decades of experience writing about naming trends, I’ve curated a list of 100 rare girl names with strong meanings and echoes of timeless appeal. In this article, you will discover how to pick a rare name, its benefits, and a comprehensive alphabetical list of 100 standout rare girl names.
Why a rare girl name makes sense
-Opting for a rare name offers several powerful advantages:
- Distinct identity: In 2024, the top ten girl names still accounted for a large share of newborns. A rare name ensures your daughter won’t be one of many with the same name.
- Rich meaning: Many rare names come from global origins—Greek, Celtic, Arabic, Nordic—and bring depth beyond everyday names.
- Longevity: A rare name can age with your child and carry into adulthood without feeling trendy or outdated.
How we selected these names
Each of the following names meets these criteria:
- Not ranked in the top 300 U.S. names currently, ensuring low usage.
- Clearly defined meaning and origin, so the name isn’t purely invented without history.
- Usable in an English-speaking setting—in other words, pronounceable and spellable.
The list of 100 rare girl names
A – D
- Adia – meaning “noble,” with Germanic roots
- Aella – meaning “whirlwind” in Greek
- Alazne – meaning “miracle” in Basque/Spanish
- Aletta – meaning “winged one” in Latin
- Alohi – meaning “bright, shining” in Hawaiian
- Alora – meaning “dream, mythic” inspired by Latin-style roots
- Aminta – meaning “protector” in Greek
- Anara – meaning “pomegranate flower” in Kazakh
- Arianwen – meaning “silver fair” in Welsh
- Arlise – meaning “pledge to God” in a French/Latin blending
- Asteria – meaning “of the stars” in Greek
- Azaria – meaning “helped by God” in Hebrew
- Belphoebe – meaning “beautiful light” from Latin/Elizabethan use
- Calliope – meaning “beautiful voice” in Greek
- Caiomhe – meaning “gentle, beautiful” in Irish
- Danika – meaning “morning star” in Slavic origin
- Damaris – meaning “gentle” or “to tame” in Greek/Latin
- Dariel – meaning “gift of God” (modern construction)
- Delphia – meaning “from Delphi” in Greek
- Delyth – meaning “pretty or neat” in Welsh
E – H
21. Eilidh – meaning “sun ray” in Scottish Gaelic
22. Elara – mythic moon-inspired name from Greek origin
23. Elix – ultra-modern rare name, invented variant
24. Eseld – meaning “fair siege” in Cornish
25. Eulalie – meaning “sweetly speaking” in French
26. Ffion – meaning “foxglove” in Welsh
27. Galilee – inspired by the biblical region, modern twist
28. Hesper – meaning “evening star” in Greek
29. Ianthe – meaning “purple flower” in Greek
30. Idony – meaning “joyous gift” in Scandinavian/Old Norse
31. Ione – meaning “violet stone” in Greek
32. Isolde – meaning “ice ruler” in Celtic myth
33. Jalila – meaning “exalted, grand” in Arabic
34. Junia – biblical rare name, Latin origin
35. Kaida – meaning “little dragon” in Japanese
36. Kerensa – meaning “love” in Cornish
37. Lissandra – meaning “defender of mankind” in Greek
38. Lysandra – meaning “liberator” in Greek
39. Maelys – meaning “chief, prince” in Breton
40. Marzanna – meaning “goddess of spring” in Slavic mythology
I – L
41. Nerys – meaning “lady” in Welsh
42. Odessa – meaning “wrathful” or inspired by city in Ukraine (Greek/Geographic)
43. Ophelia – meaning “help” in Greek (rare revival)
44. Ondine – meaning “little wave” in Latin/French myth
45. Orlaith – meaning “golden princess” in Irish
46. Peridot – gemstone name, ultra-rare usage in U.S.
47. Quenby – meaning “woman of the queen’s village” in Old Norse
48. Rhiannon – meaning “divine queen” in Welsh
49. Sabine – meaning “of the Sabines” in Latin
50. Sable – meaning “black, dark” in English origin
51. Soraya – meaning “the Pleiades” in Persian
52. Tassie – meaning “tea cup” (invented/English charm)
53. Tiria – meaning “land” in Hebrew origin
54. Ula – meaning “gem of the sea” in Irish
55. Vessa – meaning “winter” in Slavic root
56. Winslet – modern surname turned first name, rare
57. Xanthe – meaning “golden, yellow” in Greek
58. Yara – meaning “small butterfly” or “water lady” (Arabic/Brazilian)
59. Zinnia – meaning “flower” in Latin
60. Zephyrine – meaning “west wind” in Greek/French combined
M – P
61. Marcella – meaning “young warrior” in Latin, rarely used today
62. Melusine – meaning “sweet” or aquatic fairy name in French myth
63. Nery – short variant of Nerys, still very uncommon
64. Orelia – meaning “golden” in Latin-style origin
65. Paloma – meaning “dove” in Spanish, used sparingly in U.S.
66. Philomena – meaning “lover of strength” in Greek
67. Quinley – modern invented combining Quinn + Riley style
68. Rhoswen – meaning “fair rose” in Welsh
69. Safiya – meaning “pure” in Arabic
70. Talitha – meaning “little girl” in Aramaic, rare in modern U.S.
71. Ulalia – meaning “to sing” in Latin
72. Valora – meaning “valor, worth” in Latin
73. Waverly – meaning “meadow of quivering aspens” in English
74. Xylia – meaning “woodland” in Greek
75. Yvaine – meaning “evening star” in Scottish/Scottish-inspired
76. Zariah – meaning “princess, flower” in Hebrew/Slavic mix
77. Amaranthe – meaning “unfading” in Greek myth
78. Biondina – meaning “blond little one” in Italian
79. Cadence – meaning “rhythm” in English but still rare as a first name
80. Delphine – meaning “dolphin” in French origin
Q – U
81. Eirwen – meaning “white snow” in Welsh
82. Fiadh – meaning “wild, deer” in Irish Gaelic
83. Greer – meaning “watchful, alert” in Scottish
84. Hyacinth – meaning “flower” in Greek myth, ultra-rare usage
85. Illyria – meaning “from Illyria” (ancient region) in Latin/Greek mix
86. Jovana – meaning “God is gracious” in Slavic
87. Kaelen – meaning “mighty warrior” (Irish variant style)
88. Lucinda – meaning “light” in Latin, rarely used in modern U.S.
89. Mairead – meaning “pearl” in Irish Gaelic
90. Neoma – meaning “new moon” in Greek
91. Oriana – meaning “dawn” in Latin
92. Persephone – meaning “bringer of death” in Greek myth, bold rare choice
93. Quilla – meaning “goddess of the moon” in Incan origin
94. Riven – meaning “split, river” (modern invented)
95. Sinead – meaning “God is gracious” in Irish
96. Thalassa – meaning “sea” in Greek origin
97. Una – meaning “one, lamb” in Irish/Latin
98. Vespera – meaning “evening star” in Latin
99. Wendelin – meaning “wanderer” in German origin
100. Xandra – meaning “defender of mankind” (Greek variant)
Tips for choosing your rare girl name
Making a thoughtful choice today matters for tomorrow:
- Pick a name that feels right to say aloud at all ages—childhood, teen years, adulthood.
- Consider how initials, nicknames and surname pair. Rare names may spawn unusual combinations.
- Confirm the meaning resonates with your values—many rare names offer powerful symbolism.
- Avoid overly invented spellings that create constant correction. Rare doesn’t mean impractical.
- Think long term—some names may feel unique now but later become more common; balance with nuance.
Why rare names are trending in 2025
Recent U.S. baby-name data show a growing shift toward names outside the usual top 10. Parents increasingly search for distinct names while still wanting a name easy to pronounce and spell.
Rare names allow individuality without the eccentricity that comes from totally bespoke spellings. Many parents view rare names as a legacy to be proud of. The names above draw from mythology, global heritage and nature—key influences in today’s naming landscape.
Final thoughts
Choosing a rare girl name means giving your daughter a name that stands apart while still carrying meaning and usability. The list above offers 100 rare options with strong roots and low usage, perfect for parents seeking that sweet spot between uniqueness and elegance. From Aella to Xandra, each name reflects something special.
Trust your instincts, say the name aloud, imagine it at every life stage—then decide with confidence. By opting for a name outside the mainstream, you gift your daughter an identity all her own.