If you like melodic girls' names with a classic but individualistic style, you're in good company today. From Emily to Olivia, pretty sounds and vintage vibes are especially prized. But that doesn't mean all the good names are taken — they're just hiding in plain sight!
These 15 girls' name were chosen for their harmonic tones and cultural substance. They feel timeless, yet unlike Emily and Olivia, they've yet to reach the top-1,000 names list. Let's take a look.
Briony
This literary name came to national attention with Ian McEwan's novel Atonement, featuring a curious and determined main character named Briony (played by Saoirse Ronan in the film adaptation). The name is also botanical in origin, referring to a type of flowering vine. Briony is bright and beautiful — and rare in the United States.
Jemima
It's similar to Gemma, but with a Biblical twist — Jemima was the daughter of Job, and means "dove" in Hebrew. Quirky yet classic, Jemima is a fabulous choice for lovers of literature, too (Beatrix Potter and William Thackeray both used the name).
Mirabelle
Dozens of -elle, -ella, and -bella names rank in the top 1,000, but Mirabelle has stayed far under the radar. How has it avoided such popularity with an attractive melody, the meaning of "wonderful," and a few great pop culture connections? It can also shorten to Mira or Belle, both excellent vintage picks.
More from CafeMom: 22 Kick-Ass Baby Names Inspired by the Justice League
Cecily
Sweet and sincere, Cecily has all the gorgeous qualities of Cecilia with a personality all its own. Cecily was popular during the Middle Ages, but has since been eclipsed by its Latin sister. Though it bears the trendy -ly ending, Cecily's retro vibe makes it more friendly than faddish.
Isadora
An elegant alternative to Isabella, Isadora maintains the aural harmony with an uncommon ending. The name comes from the Greek for "gift of Isis," and showed up recently in the Series of Unfortunate Events children's book series. It's got quite a lot of nickname potential — Isa, Izzy, Dora — but the long form Isadora is truly stunning.
Elodie
Not Melody, Emily, or Eloise — Elodie is a hit in the UK and France, according to BabyNameWizard.com, but hasn't ranked in the United States since 1886. It's a feminine, French pick that fits in with the El-names, but has a more subdued, melodic sound. There are plenty of great namesakes too, from athletes to actresses — Elodie is bound to find an audience soon!
More from CafeMom: The 20 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in America
Camellia
With Spanish Camila becoming a popular pick, why not floral Camellia? It's soft and graceful, but allows for the edgier nicknames Cam and Cami. It's especially perfect as an alternative to blossoming Amelia. In Korea and Japan, the camellia flower is a symbol of faithfulness and longevity — another fantastic connotation.
Juno
Mythological yet modern, Juno feels like a twenty-first century choice — but its numbers disagree. Europeans have taken to the name, but the 2007 indie film starring Ellen Page made Juno a nonstarter in the states. Now that the spotlight has passed, however, Juno could use its queenly history and accessible sound to gain a different kind of notoriety.
Beatrix
Since 1902, Peter Rabbit and his friends have delighted families everywhere, thanks to the impeccably named Helen Beatrix Potter. Beatrix's connections extend from the literary to the cinematic (Uma Thurman's character in Kill Bill) to the royal, with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands reigning until 2013. If you want something energetic but more offbeat than Beatrice, look no further than this Latin choice.
More from CafeMom: 18 Adorable Newborns Who Look as Grumpy About Being Awake as We Are
Coralie
A favorite among francophones, Coralie is a lovely and poetic name that could be an alternative to vintage Cora (or a route to the nickname Cora). French chanteuse Coralie Clement is one notable wearer, with others appearing in film and fiction. It's derived from "coral," giving it an attractive nature link as well.
Marlowe
Sitting just under the top 1,000 in the US is this appealing surname option, with spelling variations Marlow and Marlo on the rise as well. Marlowe sounds like celebrity darling Harlow, but lends itself to being a unique honorific name as well, for Marys, Margarets, and Marias alike. Noir detective Philip Marlowe adds an element of mystery to this cool unisex name.
Tamsin
The "in" sound is in, with Quinn, Brynn, and -lyn dominating the popularity charts — but Tamsin's background gives it real substance, not flash. It's a traditionally Cornish name derived from Thomas, with a plethora of namesakes in the UK. Tamsin is unexpected yet engaging, a choice that will work with all kinds of personalities and styles.
More from CafeMom: 22 Vintage Baby Girl Names Inspired by Shakespeare
Avis
It's got the sassy sound of Mavis and the contemporary feel of Avery, with a bonus connection to birds — in Harry Potter, the spell used to conjure a flock of birds is literally "Avis." Though the rental car company has monopolized this charming name for a while, Avis may be ready to spread its wings with the rise of Ava and Alexis.
Jessamine
Originally a form of Jasmine, Jessamine is a great discovery for today's namers: It's similar enough to Jessica and Jessie to feel familiar, but the botanical link and old-fashioned -mine ending gives it character. Jessamine is a favorite among modern authors, too.
Cleo
Fearless and affable, Cleo works well for parents who like the sound of Chloe but want something with a little more spirit. There's the obvious namesake Cleopatra, but Cleo names were also popular in the beginning of the twentieth century — Cleola and Cleona among them. Variant Clio is another option, with an ethereal edge.
More from CafeMom: 24 Unusual Baby Sleep Tricks Moms Say Work Every Time
