Choosing the perfect name for your little girl can be both exciting and difficult - not only are there so many options out there to choose from, but it's an important decision to make.
A name becomes a part of a child's identity and connects them to their individuality. Some even believe a name can influence personality, behaviour, and how we are perceived by society. Selecting a baby's name is a major celebratory milestone in a parents' journey - you'll know the name is right when you see it.
If you're struggling to find the perfect name, take a look at our handy guide, where we list the top 15 popular baby girl names, which is a great place to start!
Top 15 Baby Girl Names
Grace
Grace is of Latin origin and an elegant and simple name for a baby girl. Derived from the popular Latin phrase 'Dei Gratia' meaning 'by the grace of God', the name Grace suggests goodwill, gratitude, and admiration.
It's tied to Greek mythology; the name references the Three Graces, also known as Charites in Greek - goddesses of nature, beauty, and charm. It can also mean 'love', and 'thanks' - its first recorded use was in the 17th century when the Puritans adopted it as a Christian virtue name.
Grace is one of the most historically rich girl names and is the perfect choice for your beautiful little bundle of joy.
Emily
Emily is a feminine name derived from the patrician Roman surname Aemilia- from the Latin word 'aemulus', meaning 'eager', 'rival', and 'hardworking'.
It's a lovely and popular baby girl name to consider; classic and pretty, often associated with headstrong literary namesakes.
Luna
Luna is a modern and unique baby girl name of Latin origin - simply 'moon' in Italian and Spanish. In Greek mythology, the moon was personified as a goddess known as Selene, and Luna is her Roman counterpart.
Her symbol is the crescent moon and the two-yoke chariot she is often depicted driving across the heavens. She is a protectress, and as the embodiment of the moon, she represents phases, cycles, and the constant changes in life.
Celestial names like Luna have grown in popularity over the past few years. While uncommon, it can still be considered a gender-neutral name.
Olivia
Olivia comes from the Latin 'oliva', relating to 'olive' or 'olive tree.' Although the name does date back to 13th century England, it was largely popularised by the wealthy and beautiful literary Olivia in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
The Olive tree is a symbol of wisdom, fertility, and stability. Deeply rooted in ancient Greek mythology, the olive branch is also depicted to be carried by a dove as a poignant symbol of peace - likely the origin of the popular idiom 'to extend an olive branch.' It is also associated with victory as Olympic game winners received olive wreaths.
Olivia is a beautiful sweet-sounding name, both antiquely elegant and modern.
Mia
The name Mia has a layered origin, meaning 'mine' and 'bitter', its Scandinavian meaning also translating to 'Star of the sea.'
Mia is said to originate as a diminutive form of the name Maria and its variations: the Hebrew Miriam, its Aramaic form Maryam, and its English form Mary. It is also believed to originate from the ancient Egyptian word 'Mr', meaning 'beloved' but is more popularly associated with the Italian and Spanish word 'mia', which means mine.
It is often used as a nickname for other girl names, including Amelia, Amalia, and Emilia but can stand on its own as a sweet and feminine girl's name.
Amelia
Amelia is a lovely baby name of Latin and Germanic origin. It's the English form of the name Amalia which is derived from the root word 'amal', meaning 'work' - its Germanic context connoting fertility, industriousness, and productivity.
It's one of the trendiest baby girl names, yet still has a unique charm - often associated with the American pioneer Amelia Earhart and Kings George II's and III's daughters.
Chloe
Chloe is a popular and sweet girl's name of Greek origin, which refers to young green shoots that bloom in Spring - simply meaning 'blooming' and 'fertility.' Demeter, the goddess of harvest and agriculture, had many epithets, including Chloe as the name alludes to growth and foliage.
The name Chloe is a perfect romantic choice for a Spring baby!
Abigail
Abigail is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Avigail which means 'my father is joy.' Its biblical roots - the name of David's wife in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Samuel, described as intelligent, beautiful, and loyal - adds a classic charm to the name.
Abigail is popular yet unique, often shortened to Abby as a cute nickname.
Emma
Emma is one of the top names for girls, a simple but beautiful choice to consider. Originating from the Germanic' ermen', meaning 'whole' and 'universal', Emma is a strong and pleasant-sounding name.
Its popularity is often associated with Emma of Normandy - Queen of England, Norway, and Denmark - as well as Jane Austen's very own matchmaker protagonist Emma from her eponymous 1816 novel. Some of the most famous Hollywood stars also share the name, including Emma Watson and Emma Thompson.
Emma is a perfect, popular name for the little queen in your life.
Lucy
Lucy is one of the most popular baby girl names of English and French origin - the English form of the Latin Lucius (masculine) and Lucia (feminine), stemming from Lux, meaning 'light.'
It's a fashionable, short and sweet, mellifluous choice to consider; a saint's name, the star of The Beatles' classic song, and associated with many literary namesakes, including C.S Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia.
Charlotte
Charlotte is a gentle and traditional baby name - of French origin, it's the feminine form of Charles which stems from the French Charlot, meaning 'free man', 'petite', and 'vigorous.' It's a quaint and elegant choice to consider, dating back to the 14th century, Charlotte was the given name of many noblewomen.
Likely popularised by the famous literary namesake Charlotte Bronte and the hardworking protagonist of E.B White's children's classic Charlotte's Web. With a fun nickname like Charlie, Charlotte is a vibrant and dynamic option for your daughter.
Willow
If you're looking for a nature-themed name, Willow is the perfect fit! Of English origin, it simply means 'willow tree' - stemming from the Old English term for willow, which is 'welig.' The willow tree is a symbol of hope, safety, and stability; it evokes a deep sense of serenity and resilience.
Willow is a graceful and unique choice, dating back to the 19th century when floral names became more popular, and it has continued to flourish.
Eleanor
Eleanor is the perfect blend of elegance and sophistication, one of the most beautiful names for baby girls.
It is believed to originally be of Old French origin, from the phrase 'Alia Aenor', meaning 'the other Aenor'- the name Aenor is considered an older form, meaning 'famous wealth.'
The first record of its Old Provencial form Alienor was likely Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine - one of the most powerful female figures in history. It is also thought to be connected to the Greek Helen, meaning 'light' or 'torch of light.'
Charming nicknames include Ellie, Nell, and Nellie.
Sophia
Sophia is classically beautiful - from the Greek Sophía, meaning 'wisdom.' It's a common name in Eastern Orthodox countries. It was largely popularised by St. Sophia, who the Greek Orthodox Church revered.
It's timeless and romantically elegant, making Sophia one of the top baby girl names.
Maya
Maya has a rich and complex origin - in Sanskrit, it means 'magic', 'dream', or 'illusion'. It is an alternate name for Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth, fortune, beauty, joy, and prosperity.
It is also a form of the Greek Maia which means 'good mother.' Maya was the nurturing mother of the Greek god Hermes and the eldest daughter (of 7) of the titan Atlas known as the Pleiades - Artemis's companions.
In ancient Roman mythology, it was believed that Maia personified growth and was connected to the month of May as well as the term 'maius' or 'maior', meaning 'larger' or 'greater.' It means 'generous' in Old Persian and has two possible meanings in Hebrew: a form of Miya which means 'from God' and 'water' stemming from Mayim.
Maya is a simple and sweet choice to consider for your little girl.
FAQs
What are the most popular baby girl names?
Some of the most popular baby names for girls include Emma, Chloe, and Sophia. They're popular for a reason - often short, sweet-sounding, and simple, with interesting and beautiful meanings attached to them that will fit your little girl perfectly.
Trends are constantly changing, so keep an eye out for the latest baby girl names, and check out our handy guide for inspiration!
How do you pick a good baby girl name?
Inspiration can come from anywhere, but there are a few things you can contemplate when searching for the right name:
Consider looking into the meaning of different names - either by looking up certain words such as 'love' or 'fearless' to find a name attached to them or research names that have meanings personal to you.
Maybe you want to name your daughter Hope - a more literal name - or Amy, which means 'beloved.' In a similar vein, you could take inspiration from the seasons - for example, Noelle is a beautiful choice for a baby girl born in December as it means 'Christmas' and floral names such as Lily and Rose are perfect for Spring babies.
Perhaps you might want to search baby names by origin, particularly if your family has ties to a certain country - you could discover new names and get inspiration!
If tradition is important to you, looking at the names in your family tree is a lovely and special option to consider. Perhaps there is a name that has been passed down to the women in your family for generations, or maybe an archaic name sounds interesting to you which you can breathe new life into - either as a first name or simply a middle name as a homage.
Should I pick a unique baby girl name?
Choosing a unique name is a popular choice amongst parents, but before making a decision, it's best to examine the possible benefits and drawbacks.
A unique name is memorable and special to your child - it gives you a chance to celebrate your child's uniqueness. It often prompts interesting and fun conversation starters to explain the backstory of why your child was given that name as well as the unique meaning.
You can also express individuality and independence in giving a unique name to your child, and no one will likely share the same name.
However, unique names can prove difficult to spell for your child and adults alike - a similar issue happens with unique spellings of popular names - which can be particularly frustrating and lead to repetitive corrections and possible simplified nicknames, which diminishes its uniqueness.
If a name is too obscure and outlandish, people might have trouble pronouncing it, which can be an issue for your child at school. It could also make your child the target of teasing and bullying at school - kids can be cruel, and a different name might set them apart for the wrong reasons.
It can also be difficult to find personalised items and gifts, and it's possible that your child won't be taken seriously as they grow up, depending on how unique the name is.
Check out our guide on gender neutral names and old English names.
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