If you’re here, you probably have a baby on the way and you’re searching for the meaning of names for girls. We’ve collated the 100 most popular baby girl names, the meaning of those names, as well as the origin of the name.
So What’s in a Baby’s Name?
A name’s meaning for your baby girl shouldn’t be your most important decision criteria. If you love the name, and you think it will fit your family and suit your child, that’s definitely the most important thing.
So before you search for the meaning of a baby name you like, be sure to check out our baby names page for hundreds of baby names ideas. Then come back to this page to look up the girl’s name with it’s meaning.
Remember, not all baby names actually have meanings behind them. And in modern times a lot of baby names have had new meanings associated with them.
But many names do have traditional meanings behind them, and come with hundreds of years of historical significance and origin. And that’s really cool when you think about it. It means the name comes with a bit of providence, and will have both cultural and emotional ideas behind it. Many of the names you’ll find below are from old English, Celtic and French origin, or even older with their roots in Latin or biblical times. And we think that’s very, very cool!
So for lots of parents the meaning of a name is very important. And finding out if the name you love has a beautiful meaning to it too is definitely a great way forward.
And, of course, some parents go back the other way and start with the meaning. This can be something of significance to you, or your family, or even just an idea or concept that you want to imbue in the spirit of your child. So this way of choosing a name can make a name really special.
One thing is for sure, lots of people will ask you how you came up with your baby’s name, or what the name means to you. So for many people the meaning of a name is just as important as the name itself!
We’ve also compiled a full list of the top 100 boy’s names and meanings, and many boys names are now being used for girls, and vice-versa. So if you think there might be a gender-neutral name with a wonderful meaning that resonates with you, be sure to check out our A to Z of boy names and meanings too.
Baby Girl Names, their Origins and their Meanings
Meaning of Names for Girls A to F
Search this list for girl’s names starting with the letter A through to the letter F. From Aaliyah to Faith!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the girl’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Girl Name | Name Origin | Girl Name Meaning | Variations; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah | Arabic | High, Sublime | Aliyah |
| Abby | English | Joy of the Father | deriv. from Abigail |
| Abigail | Hebrew | Joy of the Father | Abigael, Abbygail, Abbigail, Abigale, Abagail, Abigaile |
| Addison | English | Child of Adam | Addisyn, Adison, Adyson, Addyson |
| Alexandra | Greek | Defender of the People | Alejandra, Alessandra, Alixandra |
| Alexia | American | Defender of the People | fem. for Alexander, Alexei or Alexis |
| Alice | English | of a Noble Kin | – |
| Alyssa | Greek | Rational | Alysa, Allyssa |
| Amber | English | Precious Stone | Aamber |
| Amelia | Latin | To Strive or Excel or Rival | Amilya, Amilia, Emilia |
| Amy | Latin | Beloved | Amee |
| Anahera | Maori | Angel or Archangel | – |
| Anna | Hebrew | Gracious, Merciful | Myanna; deriv. from Hannah |
| Annabelle | English | combined -> | combined “Anna” and “Bella” |
| Aria | Italian | Solo Melody | name of mythological nymph |
| Ariana | Italian | Very Holy | Aryanna; from Greek name Ariadne |
| Ashley | English | from the Ash Tree Field | Ashely, Ashlie, Ashlee, Ashly |
| Ava | Latin | Like a Bird | short for Avis |
| Ayla | Hebrew | Oak Tree | – |
| Bailey | English | Bailiff, Steward | Bailee, Baily, Baili |
| Bella | Italian | Beautiful | short for Isabella |
| Brooke | English | Small Stream | – |
| Brooklyn | American | Borough ofNew York | Brooklyne, Brooklynn |
| Caitlin | Irish | Pure | Caitlyn, Kaitlynn |
| Charlotte | English | Free | fem. of Charles |
| Chloe | Greek | Verdant and Blooming | Cloe, Chloey, Khloe, Khloei, Chloie, Kloey, Kloe |
| Daisy | American | the Flower | Deisy; deriv. from the “day’s eye” |
| Eden | Hebrew | Paradise | – |
| Elizabeth | Hebrew | God is My Oath | Elizebeth |
| Ella | Spanish | Young Girl | short for Eleanor |
| Emily | English | To Strive or Excel or Rival | Emilee, Emmalie, Emely, Emili |
| Emma | Latin | Universal | – |
| Eva | Hebrew | Giver of Life | – |
| Faith | English | Fiath | – |
Meaning of Names for Girls G to L
Search this list for girl’s names starting with the letter G through to the letter L. From Georgia to Lucy!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the girl’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Girl Name | Name Origin | Girl Name Meaning | Variations; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | English | Farmer | fem. of George |
| Grace | Latin | Grace of God | – |
| Hannah | Hebrew | Grace | Hanna |
| Hayley | English | from the Hay Clearing | Haylie, Haylee, Hailee, Hayleigh |
| Hazel | English | the Hazel Tree | light brown colour |
| Holly | English | Plant with Red Berries | Holli, Hollie, Hollye, Holley |
| Imogen | English | Innocent, Girl | Shakespeare derived from “Innogen” |
| Isabel | Spanish | God is My Oath | Isobel, Isabell, Izabelle |
| Isabella | Italian | God is My Oath | Isabela, Izabella, Issabella |
| Isabelle | French | God is My Oath | Isabell |
| Isla | Scottish | Island | – |
| Jade | English | Green Gemstone | Jayde |
| Jasmine | Persian | Jasmine Flower | Jazmine, Jazmyn, Jasmyn, Jazmin |
| Jessica | Hebrew | God Beholds | Jessika, Jyssica |
| Kate | English | Pure | Kayte, Kaite; deriv. from Katherine |
| Katelyn | American | Pure | Katelynn |
| Katie | English | Pure | deriv. from Kathleen or Katherine |
| Kayla | American | Pure and Beloved | Kailah, Kailiah, Kaela, Kaila, Keyla, Kaylah |
| Keira | Irish | Black Haired | Kiera |
| Lauren | American | Laurel | Lauryn, Laurynn |
| Leah | Hebrew | Weary | – |
| Lilly | English | Lily | Lillie |
| Lily | English | Lily flower | Lilly |
| Lola | Spanish | Sorrows | deriv. from Dolores |
| Luca | Latin | Bringer of Light | deriv. from Lucas |
| Lucy | English | Light | Lucie |
Meaning of Names for Girls M to R
Search this list for girl’s names starting with the letter M through to the letter R. From Mackenzie to Ruby!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the girl’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Girl Name | Name Origin | Girl Name Meaning | Variations; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie | Scottish | Son of Kenneth | Mckenzie, Makenzie, Makenzee, Mckinzie, Makenzi |
| Madaleine | French | Woman of Magdala | Madeleine, Madeline, Madelyne, Maddelyne, Mahdeline, Mahdelyn |
| Maddison | English | Son of Matthew | Madison, Madisyn, Maddyson, Madyson, Madisyn, Madysen |
| Madeline | English | Woman of Magdala | Madilyn, Madeleine, Madalyn, Madalynn, Madilynn, Madaline |
| Madison | English | Son of Matthew | Maddison, Madisyn, Maddyson, Madyson, Madisyn, Madysen |
| Maia | Latin | Great | – |
| Manaia | Maori | Guardian | – |
| Maria | Spanish | Sea of Bitterness | Mariea |
| Matilda | English | Battle Strength | 12th century English queen |
| Mia | Scandinavian | Sea of Bitterness | Miah; deriv. from Maria |
| Millie | English | derivation -> | deriv. from Mildred or Millicent |
| Mikayla | American | Who is like God? | Mikaylaa; form of Michaela |
| Molly | English | Sea of Bitterness | Mollie |
| Natalie | French | Born on Christmas Day | Natalee, Natali |
| Nevaeh | American | Heaven | Neveah; “heaven” spelt backwards |
| Olivia | English | Elf Army | Alyvia; fem. of Oliver |
| Paige | English | Assistant | – |
| Peyton | English | from Pacca’s Town | – |
| Phoebe | Greek | Bright, Shining | Pheobe |
| Piper | English | Flute Player | – |
| Poppy | Latin | from the Flower | – |
| Rebecca | Hebrew | Snare | Rebeca, Rebbekah |
| Riley | Irish | Descendant of Roghallach | Ryleigh, Ryley, Rileigh |
| Rose | English | the Flower | – |
| Ruby | English | Red Gemstone | Rubi |
Meaning of Names for Girls S to Z
Search this list for girl’s names starting with the letter S through to the letter Z. From Samantha to Zoe!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the girl’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Girl Name | Name Origin | Girl Name Meaning | Variations; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samantha | American | combined -> | combined “Samuel” and “Anthea” |
| Sarah | Hebrew | Princess | Sara |
| Savannah | Native American | Open Plain | Savanah |
| Scarlett | English | Red | Scarlet |
| Sienna | Italian | Reddish Brown | Siena |
| Skye | Scottish | Island of clouds | Sky |
| Sofia | Spanish | Wisdom | – |
| Sophia | Greek | Wisdom | Sofia |
| Sophie | French | Wisdom | Sofie |
| Stella | Latin | Star | – |
| Summer | English | a season | – |
| Tayla | American | combined -> | combined “Taylor” and “Ayla” |
| Taylor | English | Tailor | Tayler, Teighlor |
| Tessa | English | Harvester | deriv. from Theresa |
| Violet | French | Purple/blue Flower | – |
| Willow | English | From welig, old English for willow tree | – |
| Zara | English | Princess | Zaira; form of Sarah |
| Zoe | Greek | Life | Zoey |
Now that you’ve learnt more about what different girls names mean, you probably want to think about even more names. Check out our Baby names page for hundreds more great baby name ideas for your wee bundle of joy!
Some really nice names on this list
Same thing with Luca and Skye!
Thanks!
Quick update. I’ve now added Willow, Luca and Skye to the list. Thanks again for the feedback!
The name willow is in the picture but is not on the list of name meanings. What’s up with that?
OMG good spotting you! When I created the page photo I just added names I really liked to the thought bubble. I will do some more research on these names and get our list updated! — Kiwi Families
I would like a unique name for my daughter. Where can I find that?
Edit: I have found my name: Mikayla, Zara and Brooke. They are identical triplets.
Such beautiful names! And best of luck with your triplets, you have your hands full, but blessings times 3! — Kiwi Families
I’m surprised that my favourite girl’s name, Tamika, is not on your list. It’s a Maori name which was bestowed on a baby rescued from the ashes of a burnt out pa, following a raid by a war party. Literally tami means “burned and smothered” and the suffix ka is an intensifier word like “very”. In the circumstances it was given to this little girl I prefer to think of it as meaning “survivor.” My daughter and granddaughter both have this name and I have met three other girls called Tamika. We need to treasure and encourage the use of… Read more »
My favourite girl’s name is Tamika. Maori in origin it literally means “burned and smothered” and refers to an instance where a baby girl was pulled from the burnt remains of a pa which had been destroyed by a war party. As such, I prefer to think it means “survivor.” my daughter and granddaughter both have this name.