Baby girl names come and go. They are definitely like the flavor of the week, but more like the flavor of the year. It's often easy to know what decade a woman was born in, simply from her name. There are a few that are timeless and they might trip you up, but for the most part, names are trends and everyone wants to be trendy. Spoiler alert: When everyone uses that same unusual name, they're not so special anymore.
While unusual and whimsical names are awesome, parents want to watch out for going too extreme, lest the baby who receives the name suffers for their parents' individuality. There's a girl named Velveeta out there who had a hell of a hard time in middle school and a woman named Asuzenna who was called Influenza at both her college graduation and wedding. True story. So for parents who want their daughter to have a name that's not everywhere already but still special in their own right, here are some girls' names worth reconsidering.
IZABELLA
Izabella is a name that's obviously a variation of Isabelle, which is a variation of the timeless Elizabeth, meaning "devoted to God" in Hebrew. It's timeless and just as beautiful today as it was at its peak. How fitting as "bella" means beautiful in both Spanish and Italian. Izabellas go by the nickname Bella and Izzy and we think the addition of the "z" makes it rather unusual.
GABRIELLA
Gabriella is a Hebrew girls' name that means "devoted to God." The name is more feminine-sounding than the traditional Gabrielle, yet still comes with all the fun nicknames. Girls named Gabriella can go by the nicknames Ella or Gabby.
ODETTE
Odette is a French girls' name meaning "wealth." The name comes with a certain amount of vintage hipster flair, yet we love that not every little girl on the playground will be turning her head when she hears "Odette!" Common nicknames for Odette are Odie and Ette.
OPHELIA
Ophelia is a Greek girls' name meaning "helper." It's lyrical, beautiful and has a certain airiness to the name that parents-to-be may love. Ophelias are independent, intelligent and open to new people, experiences, and places. Common nicknames for Ophelia are Fifi, O and Effie.
SEPHARINA
Sepharina is a Spanish name meaning "west wind." Sepharinas are fiery, exotic, and feminine. They are audacious, bold and mysteriously beautiful. It's easy to get swept up in her smile and fall under her charm.
HARPER
Harper is originally an English surname meaning "someone who plays the harp." Harpers are musical, free-spirited justice seekers. A common nickname for Harper is Harps.
WILHELMINA
Wilhelmina is a German girls' name meaning "resolute protection." Wilhelminas are strong-minded, stubborn, and uncommonly beautiful. They are protectors of those they love. The common nickname for Wilhelmina is Willa.
DEBORAH
Deborah is a Hebrew girls' name meaning "bee." Deborahs are hardworking, loyal, intelligent, and optimistic. Deborahs wear their hearts on their sleeves and are passionate about the people and things they love. Common nicknames for Deborah are Debi and Debs.
GENEVIEVE
Genevieve is a French girls' name meaning "tribe woman." Genevieves are rational, courageous, and pious. They're also fashionable and worldly. Common nicknames for Genevieve are Gemma, Gigi, Vivi, and Vieve.
LUCIA
Lucia is a Spanish and Italian girls' name meaning "light." It was traditionally given to baby girls born as daylight was breaking. If Lucy is way too popular for parents-to-be, Lucia is a great alternative because common nicknames for Lucia are Lucy, Lulu, and Luli.
EVANGELINE
Evangeline and Evangelina are Greek girls' name meaning "bearer of good news," so the name definitely comes with some heavenly and angelic connotations. Common nicknames for Evangeline are Ev, Vangi, and Lina.
STELLA
Stella is a Latin and Italian girls' name meaning "star" which it shares with other names like Esther and Estella, but Stella just sounds more fun. Common nicknames for Stella are Star, Stellie, and Ella.
GRAZIELLA
Graziella is a Spanish and Italian girls' name meaning "grace." We love that it's still pretty unusual (and not on the top of the baby names lists) and a really full, bold, beautiful name. Common nicknames for Graziella are Grazia, Gracie, and Gracia.
LINNEA
Linnea is a Scandinavian girls' name meaning "lime tree" and we can pretty much guarantee no other little girl on the playground is going to come running to this moniker. Common nicknames for Linnea are Nea, Nay-Nay, and Linny.
PERSEPHONE
Persephone is a Greek girls' name meaning "to destroy." In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of vegetation (also known as the goddess of spring growth) and also the Queen of the Underworld. If that's not a powerful connection, we don't know what is. Common nicknames for Persephone are Sephy, Poppy, Peppa, and Pippa.
LAURA
Yes, everyone knows an older Laura, but how many young kids named Laura do we see nowadays? Laura is a Latin girls' name meaning "bay laurel." It's a timeless name that's due for a comeback. Common nicknames for Laura are Laurie, Lala, and Lollie.
LENNON
Lennon is an Irish girls' name meaning "dear one." Major Beatles fans may also adore the name's connection to John Lennon. Common nicknames for Lennon are Lennie, Lele, and Lemon.
CLEMENTINE
Clementine is a Latin girls' name meaning, "merciful." The moniker is a little bit country, a little bit hipster, and a whole lot loveable. Common nicknames for Clementine are Clemie, Tiny, and Lemmie.
TALULLAH
Talullah is an Irish girls' name meaning, "lady of abundance." Besides the awesome meaning, we love how the name just rolls off the tongue and isn't super popular. Common nicknames for Tallulah are Tally, Lulu, and Lula.
DAISY
Daisy is an English girls' name meaning "day's eye." Yes, flower names are popular, but Daisy isn't as prevalent as the Roses and Violets of the world — and is there a sweeter flower than the daisy? Daisy is also a common nickname for Marguerite. (Who knew?)
