Picking a baby name can be like trying to pick your favourite TV show.
You think you've found your favourite, you've all but monogrammed it on the nursery walls, and then bam! A new favourite pops up – usually in the form of that year's baby name list.
Modern baby names are ever-evolving. Many decades ago a whole raft of girls were given names like Emma, Sarah and Jane, which not only went on to become hugely popular but also became generation-defining. Current trends for baby name choices continue to focus on the ever-popular vowel names (Amelia, Edie, Isla and Ophelia we're looking at you). Lu names are also swiftly gaining in popularity, but think beyond the traditional Lucy; the most popular name for girls in the first half of 2020 was Luna. For a real contemporary touch to picking a name why not opt for a non-binary name?
Many of the names here may fall into several categories. Today's modern baby names often hark back to a gentler era with many vintage gems falling back into favour and so giving girl names a modern feel. You don't even have to go as far back as the last century, relics from the '80s can also deliver some fun choices. Many of the popular name choices for this year also fall into the unique names category, highlighting that mums and dads are always looking for a name to give their daughter an edge and help them stand out from the crowd.
Get ready to find your new favourite with this round up of modern names for your little girl.
Zelda (German origin) meaning "grey fighting maid".
Quinn (Irish origin) meaning "descendant of Conn".
Henna (Arabic origin) meaning "blessed".
Amelia (German origin) meaning "work".
Sibyl (Greek origin) meaning "seer" or "oracle".
Lorna(English, Scottish origin). Invented for the literary character Lorna Doone and based on Scottish place name.
Clarissa (German origin) meaning "light" or "famous".
Linden (English origin), taken from the name of a tree.
Penna, Meaning: feather Origin: Latin ~ View Detail
Evangelina (Greek, Latin origin) meaning "good news".
Charlotte (French origin) meaning "free man".
Ellery (English origin) meaning "island with elder trees".
Maya (Hebrew, Spanish and Greek origin) meaning "water".
Mae (English origin) meaning "pearl" or "bitter".
Leda (Greek origin) meaning "happy".
Belisha (Italian origin) meaning "lovely one".
Myrtle (Greek origin), from a botanical name.
Edie (English origin) meaning "riches".
Akira (Japanese origin) meaning "the sunlight".
Sage (Latin origin) meaning "wise".
Zuri (Swahili origin) meaning "good" or "kind".
Amara (Latin, Igbo origin) meaning "bitter" or "grace".
Scout (French origin) meaning "gatherer of information".
Riley (Irish origin) meaning "courageous".
Academia (Latin origin) meaning "one who is academic".
Indiana (English origin) meaning "the country Indiana".
Aphra (Hebrew origin) meaning "ashes" or "dust".
Sunny (English origin) meaning "cheerful".
Alice (German origin) meaning "noble".
Lane (English origin) meaning "path".
Amber "English origin) meaning "jewel" or "amber coloured".
Inez(Spanish origin) meaning "pure" or "virginal".
Gardener, Meaning: keeper of the garden Origin: Latin ~ View Detail
Arya (Indian origin) meaning "noble goddess".
Olivia (Latin origin) meaning "olive tree".
River (English origin) meaning "tranquil water".
Bessie(Hebrew origin) meaning "pledged to God".
Sky/Skye (English origin) meaning "of the isle of Skye".
Fulvia, Meaning: blond one Origin: Latin
Campana, Meaning: bell ringer Origin: Latin
Brook (English origin) meaning "small stream".
Coco (French origin), used in French and Spanish as pet names.
Ormanda, Meaning: mariner Origin: Latin
Maude(German origin) meaning "battle mighty".
Bellamy (English origin) meaning "good friend".
Mirabelle (French origin) meaning "marvellous".
Eloise (French origin) meaning "healthy" or "wide".
Luna (Latin origin) meaning "moon".
Carlotta (Spanish origin) meaning "one who is manly".
Willa (German origin) meaning "resolute protection".
Lorelei (German origin) meaning "temptress".
Keegan (Irish origin) meaning "son of Egan".
Fortuna (Latin origin) meaning "good fate".
Billy/Billie (English origin) meaning "resolute protector".
Marley (English origin) meaning "from the lake meadow".
Cesarina, Origin: Feminine version of Caesar
Aubrey (English origin) meaning "elf ruler".
Romilly (Latin origin) meaning "strength".
Gazella, Meaning: gazelle Origin: Latin
Havanna (English origin) meaning "heaven".
Domini, Origin: Latin variation of Dominic
Hero (Greek origin) meaning "demi-god".
Madeline (English origin) meaning "high tower".
Aurelia (Latin origin) meaning "the golden one".
Lumi (Finnish origin) meaning "snow".
Devon (English origin) meaning "from Devon".
Rebel (English origin) meaning "defiant person".
Columba, Meaning: dove Origin: Latin
Ada (German origin) meaning "noble".
Amaya (Japanese, Basque origin) meaning "mother city" or "night rain".
Oceana (Greek origin) meaning "from the sea".
Birdie(English origin) meaning "bird".
Etta(English origin) meaning "estate ruler".
Harper (English origin) meaning "harp player".
Aphra (Hebrew origin) meaning "ashes" or "dust".
Sora (Japanese origin) meaning "sky".
Wren (English origin) from a bird name.
Winter (Native American origin) meaning "bringer of renewal".
Opal (Sanskrit origin) meaning "gem".
Eden (Hebrew origin) meaning "place of pleasure".
Cleo(Greek origin) meaning "glory".
Aine (Irish origin) meaning "radiance" or "splendour"
Bodhi (Indian origin) meaning "understanding of true nature".
Martia, Meaning: warlike Origin: Variation of Marcia, Latin
Sia (old Norse origin) meaning "victory".
Wynne (Welsh origin) meaning "white ring", "blessed peacemaking" or "fair".
Calliope (Greek origin) meaning "beautiful-voiced".
Vesper (Latin origin) meaning "evening star".
Quintina, Meaning: fifth Origin: Latin
Ida (German origin) meaning "industrious".
Teva (Scottish origin) meaning "twin".
Haven (English origin) meaning "place of safety".
Athena (Greek origin) meaning "goddess of wisdom".
Adelaide(German origin) meaning "nobility".
Blair (Scottish origin) meaning "dweller on the path".
Aria (Italian origin), means "air" or "lioness" in Greek.
Ivy (English origin), from a botanical name.
Seraphina (Hebrew origin) meaning "ardent" or "fiery".
Zelena (Hebrew origin) meaning "protective".
London (English origin) meaning "fortress".
Iris (Greek origin) meaning "rainbow".
Karima (Arabic origin) meaning "generous" or "noble".
Nerida(Greek origin) meaning "sea nymph" or "mermaid".
Isla (Spanish, Scottish origin) meaning "island".
Taya (Japanese origin) meaning "young".
Isabella (Hebrew, Spanish, Italian origin) meaning "pledged to God".
Roux (French origin) meaning "little red one".
Imani (Swahili origin) meaning "faith".
Cora (Greek origin) meaning "maiden".
Odessa(Russian origin), from the place name.
Mila (Slavic, Russian origin) meaning "gracious" or "dear".
Maeve (Irish origin) meaning "she who intoxicates".
Verdi, Meaning: green Origin: Latin
Evelyn (English origin) meaning "desired" or "island".
Ava (Latin origin) meaning "life", "water" or "bird".
Nova (Latin origin) meaning "new".
Hazel (English origin) meaning "hazel tree".
Eesha (Muslim origin) meaning "life".
Minnie (Latin origin) meaning "of the mind" or "intellect".
Ophelia (Greek origin) meaning "help".
Aurora(Latin origin) meaning "dawn".
Tarragon, Origin: Latin herb name
Kennedy (Irish origin) meaning "misshapen head".
Jules (French origin) meaning "youthful".
Quartilla, Meaning: fourth Origin: Latin
Juno (Roman origin) meaning "queen of the heavens".
Gregoria, Meaning: alert, watchful Origin: Latin
Destiny (Latin origin) meaning "one's fate".
Maribel (Hebrew origin) meaning "bitter".
Effie(Greek origin) meaning "pleasant speech".
