These are just names that I love and wish would be used more. The boys are coming up in the next post. #'s based on lists on U.S. social security administration website
Girls
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] - who would have thought that [name_u]Allie[/name_u]'s real name was [name_f]Alice[/name_f]? #86 in 2015, #76 in 2016!
[name_f]Anne[/name_f] - we have plenty of [name_f]Anna[/name_f]'s, but where have all the [name_f]Anne[/name_f]'s gone? #566 in 2015, #554 in 2016!
[name_f]Aveline[/name_f] - with all the [name_f]Ava[/name_f]'s out there, wouldn’tit be cool if one was really an [name_f]Aveline[/name_f]? Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Bala[/name_f] - with all of the [name_f]Bella[/name_f]'s out there, this one might be tricky, but it really is its own name. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] - I’m very surprised that this name isn’t more popular. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Davida[/name_f] - call me crazy, but I think this is a beautiful name. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] - with a pleasant sound, and cute nicknames, this Cornish name is perfect. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] - with all the [name_f]Emma[/name_f]'s out there, wouldn’t it be nice if one was actually an [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f]? #810 in 2015, #896 in 2016.
[name_f]Estelle[/name_f] - a lot of people think this name is too old fashioned, but, I have to tell you, that’s just the kind I like! #819 in 2015, #838 in 2016.
[name_f]Esther[/name_f] - another hard sell, I’m afraid. With the nickname possibility of [name_f]Essie[/name_f], this name also means star. #203 in 2015, #183 in 2016!
[name_f]Florence[/name_f] - don’t let the age fool you, [name_f]Florence[/name_f] is still hip. The name of a city in [name_f]Italy[/name_f] and a popular singer, this name also has a very nice meaning. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Francine[/name_f] - [name_f]Francie[/name_f] is an adorable nickname! [name_f]Gidget[/name_f], anyone? Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] - a beautiful name for your precious stone, [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is actually slowly gaining popularity. #269 in 2015, #247 in 2016!
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f] - a beautiful name, and a great pick for [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u] fans who don’t want to be too obvious. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Geraldine[/name_f] - ok, this one is all mine, a guilty pleasure. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Greta[/name_f] - with Scandinavian names gaining popularity, hopefully we’ll see more [name_f]Greta[/name_f]'s out there. It’s a form of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], and it means pearl. Who doesn’t love a gemstone name (even though pearls aren’t technically gemstones, they’re often considered to be). [name_u]June[/name_u]'s birthstone is pearl, so wouldn’t a name that meant pearl be perfect for a [name_u]June[/name_u] baby? #573 in 2015, #632 in 2016.
[name_f]Hadassah[/name_f] - the original name of [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Esther[/name_f] in the Bible, [name_f]Hadassah[/name_f] is Hebrew and means [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] tree. [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] trees are beautiful, and very significant in Hebrew culture even today. But i think this name would be tough to live with. Though it would make an intriguing middle name. #707 in 2015, #660 in 2016!
[name_f]Henrietta[/name_f] - this name means ruler of the home, and let’s face it, she probably will be. And with a cute nickname like [name_f]Etta[/name_f], she’s good to go! Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Hephzibah[/name_f] - a Hebrew name that means “my delight is in her”. Beautiful name, beautiful meaning, hard to live with. Again, it would make an interesting middle name. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Hester[/name_f] - The [name_f]Scarlet[/name_f] Letter may have ruined this name for a long time, but it’s time to reclaim this beautiful variation of [name_f]Esther[/name_f]. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] - this name is beautiful, and has a lovely meaning. #959 in 2015, #871 in 2016!
[name_f]Jamesina[/name_f] - a feminine version of James. This name hasn’t been popular in a long time, but it should be. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Jemima[/name_f] - I know, the syrup lady kinda ruined this name for a while, but, isn’t it time we take this beautiful name back? It means dove, and the dove is a symbol of peace, how beautiful is that? Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] - the English form of [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f], of course meaning jasmine. [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] is almost unheard of, but great nicknames like [name_u]Jess[/name_u], [name_f]Jessa[/name_f], [name_f]Mina[/name_f], and [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] make it a great pick! Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Johanna[/name_f] - pronounced yoh-HAH-nah, [name_f]Johanna[/name_f] is a great update to [name_f]Joanna[/name_f]. And this is a name from a popular book series and movie adaptation, and I can’t believe it isn’t more popular. #541 in 2015, #555 in 2016.
Johna - virtually unheard of. But it means God is gracious, and is a beautiful tribute to a relative named [name_m]John[/name_m]. Not on the 2015 or the 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f] - yes, it’s long, but it gives you so many nicknames to choose from, from [name_u]Jo[/name_u] to [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to [name_u]Jojo[/name_u] to [name_u]Joey[/name_u] to [name_f]Fifi[/name_f]. Please don’t call your daughter [name_f]Fifi[/name_f]. #131 in 2015, #114 in 2016!
[name_f]Leta[/name_f] - short but sweet, an L name yet to be discovered by modern parents. [name_f]Leta[/name_f] isn’t on the top 1000 list of baby names for 2015 or 2016 in the U.S.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - an adorable name, with nicknames like [name_u]Lou[/name_u] or [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], Louisa can grow with a little girl into adulthood quite easily. #907 in 2015, #897 in 2016!
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] - an intriguing whole name for a [name_f]Maggie[/name_f]. #634 in 2015, #509 in 2016!
[name_f]Maida[/name_f] - a throwback to a time when women were called maidens, this name means maiden. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_u]Malin[/name_u] - a variation of [name_f]Magdalene[/name_f], and some sources say [name_f]Madeline[/name_f], which I can see. [name_u]Malin[/name_u] is fresh, simple, and has an exotic edge. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Mame[/name_f]/[name_f]Mamie[/name_f] - variations of the names [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], [name_f]Mame[/name_f] is the quirky girl who marches to her own beat. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_u]Marlow[/name_u] - unfortunately, she’d spend her whole life saying, “no, not [name_f]Harlow[/name_f], [name_u]Marlow[/name_u]!” And that’s too bad, because [name_u]Marlow[/name_u] is actually a pretty cute name. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f] - no, hear me out! This one can be so cute! With a nickname like [name_f]Millie[/name_f], [name_f]Millicent[/name_f] could be one cool gal, if we could only look at it with fresh eyes! Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Myrna[/name_f] - [name_f]Myrna[/name_f] is so ready for revival. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] - this name is so beautiful! Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Olga[/name_f] - a name that’s considered beautiful everywhere but the U.S., it seems. This name is gorgeous! Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Opal[/name_f] - one of the lesser used jewel names, for some reason. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Philomina[/name_f] - a beautiful name with a cool meaning, and cool nicknames like [name_f]Mena[/name_f] or even [name_u]Phil[/name_u]. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] - [name_u]Rowen[/name_u] has gained popularity, why not [name_f]Rowena[/name_f]? Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Selah[/name_f] - a Hebrew word used in the book of Psalms, whose meaning is still debated. But most sources say it means to pause, meditate on what was just said or sung in the psalm, and give praise to God. #468 in 2015, #470 in 2016.
[name_f]Tamsin[/name_f] - an English name that is feminine of [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], I first heard this name was in an old English novel. With the popularity of English names, why haven’t we heard [name_f]Tamsin[/name_f] yet? Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] - with nicknames like [name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_f]Mena[/name_f], or [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], it’s a beautiful name. Not on the 2015 or 2016 list of the top 1000 baby names in the U.S.