If you’ve got a Southern belle on the way, or if you just want to infuse a little country charm into your baby name– this list of country girl names is for you!
True, I’m from New England. But having lived in the south for four years during college, I’ve met my fair share of country girls. One thing they had in common is their regional pride. Whether they were glitzy pageant girls or rough-and-tough cowgirls, they all identified as Southern girls first.
If you’ve got country living pride, you’ll love these name choices for your little girl.
Southern Place Names
Directly inspired by the South, these girl names come from U.S. cities and states and pay homage to that unique region of the country.
Carolina
Alabama
Savannah
Raleigh
Charlotte
Virginia
Dakota
Georgia
Old Fashioned Country Names
Think old school cowgirl names for this category of vintage country names. Different from old fashioned baby names, these have a distinct Southern flair. They could be your grandma’s name, but they are more likely to be that cute cowgirl character on a TV show or movie.
Annabelle
Louann
June
Delilah
Dixie
Ruby
Rosie
EmmaKate
Susanna
Joanna
Pearl
Josie
Winnie
Faith
Daisy
Rustic preppy names
Looking for that upscale Southern charm? These names have an upper class, preppy edge to them. These are the names that look like they should be monogrammed onto Pottery Barn everything.
(And if you like those upper class names, check out the list of preppy names for boys that would be make great sibling pairs with these names.)
Paisley
Scarlett
Abigail
Callie
Kinsley
Piper
Cadence
Addison
Stella
McKenna
Cassidy
Paighton
Adeline
Modern/uncommon Southern girl names
Jolie
Gracelynn
Lynlie
Hazel
Briley
Magnolia
Ansley
Leighton
Ember
Hartley
AvaLynn
Mirabelle
What are your favorite country girl names? Leave me a comment!
And if you’re expecting, get prepared and organized for pregnancy, birth, and newborn life with the Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner, 50 printable pages to guide you and keep you on track every step of the way from conception to breastfeeding and beyond.
Game of Thrones has created a massive fandom enterprise since its release in 2011. It’s only logical that the obsession would extend into naming our children. And there certainly are plenty of names to choose from, with a cast of 553 characters, 88 of which are named characters with repeat appearances.
Some of the characters’ names are far too out-there to ever become popular (we’re looking at you Targaryen family) and others will forever be hated because their characters were far too evil (Joffrey). But a handful of names fall right into that sweet spot of unique but not too weird, AND represent characters that we’ve grown to love.
Here are 11 great choices for Game of Thrones baby names!
WARNING: This post contains Game of Thrones spoilers. Read with caution if you are not up to date!
BENJEN
A minor but notable character, Uncle Benjen conveniently appears whenever the Stark kids need saving (remember Jon Snow on the iceberg about to get decimated by a million white walkers?) His role is small but brave and heroic nonetheless.
Benjen has the potential to become the latest “Ben” name, following the likes of Benjamin, Benji, Bennett, and Benson.
SANSA
Sansa (played by Sophie Turner)
I will be shocked if I don’t meet a little baby Sansa sometime in the next year.
Sansa starts out the show as young adolescent girl with romantic dreams. She is forced to grow up quickly after she witnesses her father get beheaded, which sadly is only the first of many horrific tragedies in her life.
Through it all, we see Sansa grow as a character and become a poised, strong woman. She may not be engaging in combat like sister Arya, but she has a good head on her shoulders and displays outstanding emotional strength and leadership. After all she’s been through, it’s impossible not to root for her good fortune in the end.
As a name, Sansa shows potential in its feminine flow and uniqueness, while still being easy to say and spell. Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin did not in fact invent the name Sansa. It comes from Sanskrit origins meaning “praise”.
YARA
Game of Thrones is full of strong female characters, and Yara Greyjoy is one such example. Fierce commander from the Iron Islands, Yara challenges gender roles left and right on the show and seems to have you cheering for her with every move she makes.
The name Yara has Brazilian origins and could follow in the footsteps of the more well-known Zara and Mara.
THEON
Yara’s brother, Theon Greyjoy, is an extremely complex character that throws our emotions all over the place throughout the course of the show. In the end, he bravely displays his loyalty to the North. If the Starks forgive his past indiscretions, we can too.
Theon is a name of Greek origin meaning “Godly”. It has a familiar feel due to the -on ending and closeness to common names like Theo and Leon.
TYWIN
Not exactly a likable character, Tywin Lannister is the head of the Lannister family and father of the infamous Cersei Lannister. Despite his moral shortcomings, he has many strengths including being an intelligent, strategic, and powerful leader.
Serious potential exists in this name as evidenced by the plethora of “Ty” names out there including Tyler, Tyson, Tyrone, Tylan, Tyrus, Tyrese, Tyvon, Tyrell, Tyrick, and just about any other combination of letters following “Ty” you can think of.
It’s not hard to see why. Khaleesi is the title of our beloved Danaerys Targaryen who is as ambitious and determined as she is beautiful. You won’t be able to hide your Game of Thrones fandom with this name selection, but it does have a positively lovely sound- almost like the tinkling of bells.
EDDARD
Despite not surviving past the first season, Eddard (Ned) Stark plays a critical role in the show as the patriarch of the Stark family. He is also one of the only fathers on the show with any redeeming qualities as a parent.
The name was created by the author of the show, but could easily be mistaken for a variation of the classic Edward.
SAMWELL
Samwell Tarly (played by John Bradley)
Who could forget sweet, loyal Samwell Tarly of the Night’s Watch?
Similar to the Eddard/Edward phenomenon, Samwell is a made up name that feels well-known because of it’s similarity to Samuel. A hybrid of Samuel + Maxwell perhaps?
Sam makes for an easy nickname if you don’t want to make your Game of Thrones passion too well-known.
ARYA
Arya starts out as a spunky little sister, and embarks on an unimaginable transformation throughout the course of the show. The culmination of her journey is when she emerges as the savior of mankind by killing the Night King in season 8. This fierce fighter has all the strength and grit you can fit in a young woman while still being feminine and virtuous.
A loyal and brave warrior, Lady Brienne of Tarth (or should I say Ser Brienne of Tarth) is stronger than most men and definitely someone you’d want on your side in battle. Not only is she ferocius- remember when she beat the Hound in hand to hand combat?- she is also righteous, noble, and true to her word.
I can see the writing on the wall with this name. It’s like a modernized version of Brianne with the French -enne ending that Angelina Jolie popularized with daughter Vivienne. Add on top of that the cute nickname Brie and you have the makings of a mega-huge baby name.
JORAH
Ser Jorah Mormont (played by Iain Glen)
Ser Jorah Mormont is an exiled knight who faithfully protects and guides Daenerys Targeryan through her quest for the iron throne. He is also secretly in love with her, and dies in her arms in the heart-wrenching scene of “The Long Night”.
Jorah is a Hebrew name meaning “early rain”. In the same vain as Jonah and Judah, Jorah has a modern hipster appeal.
What are your favorite Game of Thrones baby names?
If you are dreaming of a handsome, polo-wearing, all-American stunner of a son, here are 60 preppy boy names that will be right up your alley!
These names are mostly classic, but with some trendy modern boy name selections with the same vibe. All convey an image of status, wealth, and upper education.
And preppy boy names tend to pair perfectly with elegant girl names, as they both have an air of sophistication. It is always nice when siblings have names that are the same style without being matchy-matchy. I also love the combination of a preppy boy name with a country girl name!
If you’re still looking at all name styles, browse all of my baby name lists.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click one of the product links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
And without further ado, let’s get to the upper class boy names! He may or may not end up going to a New England prep school, but at least he can sound like someone who would. Names are everything when it comes to making a first impression!
Notice the little princes of the UK have their names on this list (George and Louis). What could be more preppy and upper class than an actual prince?!
Other preppy boy names on the list are more of 90s throwbacks, such as Tanner, Parker, and Chad. Others are more modern names with a posh edge such as Keaton and Hudson. Preppy names can span from traditional classics to trendy inventions of today.
Are preppy names the same as “white boy names”?
Some people may associate these names with a particular demographic, but I personally don’t think any race owns an entire style of names. And remember, the person makes the name- not the other way around. (Not to mention, if you’ve ever seen The Fresh Prince, well Carlton is pretty darn preppy and not a white boy!)
Tell me YOUR favorite preppy boy name in the comments!
Once you’ve found your favorite preppy name, it’s time to compliment it with the perfect middle name. Check out these perfectly paired boy name combinations for some inspiration.
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If you’re looking for the perfect baby name with an air of sophistication for your baby, these elegant girl names are sure to please. A name makes an immediate impression, so make sure your daughter leaves an impression of class and grace!
What makes a name sound elegant?
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but certain name characteristics tend to give people an image of high class.
Length: Longer names are more likely to sound sophisticated (though some short names can be elegant as well).
Legacy: Names that have a history of being associated with royalty, fame, or money will conjure an elegant image.
Style: Traditional, classic names tend to leave a more favorable impression that new, made up names. A name that is stylistically similar to a traditional name can have the same effect.
Long Elegant Girl Names
Alexandra
Alexandra, and its variants Alexandria, Alessandra,and Alejandra, has a long pedigree associated with royalty. Dutch, English, and Russian royals have all donned this moniker. It is popular but not overdone and strikes a balance between strong and elegant.
Amalia
Related to the super trendy baby name Amelia, Amalia is like a sleeker, more exotic cousin. A German name meaning “hard working”, Amalia has a touch of antique charm and the three “a”s make it sound super feminine.
Anastasia
Elegant and beautiful, the Russian name Anastasia is strongly associated with the lost princess Anastasia of the Romanov empire. The character Anastasia Steele of 50 Shades of Gray has made the name more culturally accessible.
Arabella
Fashionable and lacy Arabella brings to mind a glammed-up version of Isabella. Meaning “prayerful”, Arabella has long been used in England and has just recently caught on in the U.S.
Aurora
Aurora has strong roots in the romance and fantasy department. In addition to the Disney princess, Aurora is the name of the Roman goddess of dawn.
Beatrice
Prim and proper Beatrice is a pretty name of Latin origin meaning “blessed”. It has the old English charm in addition to modern day sweetness.
Camilla
Camilla has a timeless elegance that parents have taken notice of. Don’t be surprised if this one cracks the top 100 soon!
Caroline
If you are looking for a name with understated, refined elegance, Caroline is it. Classic yet fashionable, Caroline is the name of sophisticated women like Caroline Kennedy and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Christabel
Larger-than-life Christabel commands attention and exudes dignity. It is a combination of the Latin Christine with the French Belle, resulting in a unique name meaning “beautiful follower of Christ”. Use this name if you want your daughter to be confused with someone famous.
Charlotte
Charlotte is one of the rare name that has managed to avoid becoming mundane despite its extreme popularity. It still feels like a royal, elegant name and the addition of Prince William’s daughter Princess Charlotte only solidifies that image.
Eleanor
A name rooted in American history (Eleanor Roosevelt for example), Eleanor has that high class vintage feel.
Elisabetta/Elizabeth
A name strongly rooted in British royalty, Elizabeth is a timeless classic. The Italian version, Elisabetta is a softer, more glamorous alternative.
Eudora
Straight out of Greek mythology, Eudora is a lovely name choice for anyone looking for an elegant girl name that is unique and rare.
Evangeline
Romantic, elegant, and little bit whimsical, Evangeline covers a lot of bases. With Greek and Christian roots, Evangeline is traditional but still sounds creative.
Francesca
Italian stunner Francesca makes a bold and beautiful statement. Miles apart from it’s derivative Frances, Francesca has a distinctive upscale feel.
Genevieve
The patron saint of Paris, Genevieve is French elegance at its finest.
Giselle
It doesn’t get much more elegant than this German name meaning “pledge”. Giselle is both the name of a famous 19th century ballet and a certain Brazilian supermodel. Beauty and luxury at its best!
Isabella
Yes it’s an uber popular name right now, but Isabella still has that dignified elegance. A Biblical name meaning “consecrated to God”, Isabella has ties to European Royalty (especially Spanish) as well as Shakespeare and modern day Hollywood.
Lorelei
A German name meaning “alluring enchantress”, Lorelei has that romantic, graceful charm.
Marguerite
Marguerite just sounds fancy! So many French names have that sophisticated vibe, and Marguerite is one of the most elegant of all.
Melisande
Full of romantic, old-world elegance, the name Melisande has French and German origins and means “strength”. Pay homage to the more ordinary name Melissa with this graceful name choice.
Monroe
Thrust onto the baby name scene by Mariah Carey, Monroe pays homage to the sexy yet classy Marilyn Monroe. It also taps into the trend of using last names for first names.
Natalia
Super feminine Natalia embodies the grace and elegance of famous Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova and beauty of supermodel Natalia Vodianova.
Nicolette
Nicolette, a French name meaning “victory”, sounds feminine and fancy the way so many French names do.
Odessa
Odessa is an elegant-sounding girl name with intrigue. It originates from a Ukrainian port city and is inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey. It has a similar vibe to names like Larissa and Vanessa but its originality gives it that real wow factor.
A Greek name meaning “help”, beautiful Ophelia has long been associated with literature (Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Harriett Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin come to mind). Graceful and elegant girl name, Ophelia is starting to show up on modern parents’ radar.
Scarlett
Sophisticated and sexy, Scarlett is associated with Scarlett O’Hara and more recently, Scarlett Johansson.
Sophia
Mature and chic, Sophia maintains a high class reputation despite wild popularity.
Veronica
You might not know that Veronica is a name from the Bible and the patron saint of photography, but you probably do know at least one rich girl named Veronica.
Victoria
Whether it reminds you of Victoria Beckham, Victoria’s Secret, or Queen Victoria, the name Victoria has major connotations to wealth, beauty, and elegance.
Violetta
An Italian girl name meaning “purple”, Violetta is an ultra feminine, posh and refined name to suit a classy little lady.
Vivian
Both Vivian and the French Angelia Jolie spelling Vivienne immediately make you think “high class”. It has Latin origins meaning “life” and is a great choice if you’re going for something vintage but still fashionable.
Short Classy Girl Names
Adele
Adele, and its sweet diminutive form Adeline, has a formal if not regal air. Hit singer Adele helps give it a modern, glossy boost.
Adira
Hebrew for “strong”, Adira is both simple and exotic. It is very rarely used in the U.S., but that could soon change given how many “A” names are found at the top of the charts.
Audrey
Audrey Hepburn anyone? This classy name meaning “noble strength” is sweet and beautiful.
Blythe
This old English name meaning “spirited” originated as a boys name but crossed over to the girls. Uncommon and stylish, this short name makes a big impact in the sophistication department.
Chanel
This French surname meaning “pipe, channel” was launched into the elegant category thanks to Coco Chanel and her famous luxurious fragrance, Chanel No. 5.
Elle
Simplicity means refinement with this short, classy name. Common Elle associations include supermodel Elle MacPhearson, the character Elle Woods of Legally Blond, and ELLE magazine.
Eloise
Chic Eloise has come back into fashion with all the El- names that are trending right now. It airs on being pretentious (remember the snobby-but-cute little girl in the Plaza Hotel?) but sweet nickname Ellie makes it more down-to-earth.
Isla
Fashionable and feminine Isla is a gorgeous name with Celtic origins that finally came to light in the U.S. after actress Isla Fisher became popular.
Grace
Grace has elegance by definition. Yes, it’s a virtue name, but not in the way that beats you over the head (ala Chastity). It has a subtle, simple beauty that has not been overlooked by today’s parents.
Mae
Single-syllable three letter baby names tend to be more cute than sophisticated, but Mae pulls it off. The association with Mae West help give it a vintage elegance.
Naomi
Hebrew for “pleasant”, Naomi is an upscale pretty name with some famous beauties to back it up: Naomi Campbell and Naomi Watts for instance.
London
The only unisex name on the list, fashionable London gives off a jet-setter, slightly elitist vibe.
Rose
Would a baby by any other name be as sweet? As classic as the come, beautiful Rose is as soft and elegant as a flower.
Zara
It’s no easy task for a Z-name to sound elegant, but lovely Zara nails it! British royals and a high-end clothing store solidify the glam image.
What elegant girl names do YOU love?
Leave a comment!
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Newflash: traditional gender roles are SO last season. Baby names reflect social change and this is no exception! Parents are choosing unisex names for their babies at higher rates than ever, and they are also not afraid to use traditional boy names for girls.
Is “Boy Names For Girls” a New Trend?
You may think using boy names for girls is a new trend, but did you know that the names such as Leslie, Kelly, Meredith, Tracy, and Dana started out strongly in the masculine camp? Boys names crossing over into girls names has been going on for many generations now.
More recently, Ashley, Madison, and Avery have jumped genders from the boys list to the girls list.
One part that has started to change? Well, historically when a name jumped from the boys to the girls, it all but died out forever as a male name. Parents felt masculine names were strong and empowering to give to their daughters, but once it became known as a girls name NO ONE wanted it associated with their sons.
There is some evidence that this phenomenon may be starting to fade. The most recent name to gender leap, Avery, has not yet died from popularity on the boys list after it blew up as a girls name. Though there are now 4 girl Averys for every 1 boy Avery, it still continues to climb the charts for both genders.
Celebrity Use of Boy Names for Girls
Celebrities have a huge amount of influence over baby name popularity. Names of actors, names of popular characters, and names celebrities choose for their little ones can all be the cause of a trending baby name that flies up the charts.
It’s no surprise that one’s a celebrity uses a traditionally boys name for their girl, we see a spike in other people doing the same.
In 2012, Jessica Simpson surprised everyone by giving her daughter not just one boy name, but two! Little Maxwell Drew is six years old now and looks just as girly as can be.
Fast forward to 2014 when Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds chose the quintessential masculine name James for their daughter. Lively explained that she chose the name because it’s a family name and because she liked having a boys name herself. (Interesting counter point to the many people who claim your daughter will grow up hating her boy name!)
Also in 2014, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis jumped on the boy name for girls trend when they named their daughter Wyatt Isabelle. Kutcher and Kunis told People magazine that all the names they considered for their baby girl were unisex.
List of Boys Names Being Used For Girls
Of course, any name can be used for either gender, but here is a list of traditionally boy names that are now popping up as girl names:
Hunter
Sawyer
James
Mason
Judah
Logan
Wyatt
Easton
Carson
Luca
Sullivan
Asher
Aidan
Emerson
Ellison
Chandler
Dylan
Devin
Grayson
Kyle
Carter
Lincoln
Ezra
Sterling
Campbell
August
Shawn
Maxwell
Holden
Spelling Changes to Make Boy Names More Feminine
Often times when a parent decides to use a traditionally boys name on a girl, they will alter the spelling to make it feel more feminine. The most common spelling change is to take a name ending in -on, -en, or -an and change it to -yn.
Elliott > Elliette
Jordan > Jordyn
Logan > Logann or Logyn
Austin > Austen
James > Jaymes
Mason > Masyn, Macynn
Carson > Carsyn
Noah > Noa
Landon > Landyn
Cody > Kodi
Ashton > Ashtyn
Grayson > Gracynn
Maddox > Maddyx
Bradley > Bradlee
Jayden > Jadynn
Harley > Harlee
Camden > Camdyn
Shane > Shayne
Girls Names With Boyish Nicknames
A nice middle ground for those who like boyish names but want to give their child options is to give them a feminine name that can be shortened to a boyish or gender neutral nickname.
Here are some common examples:
Josephine “Joey”
Danielle “Danny”
Matilda or Mattea “Mattie”
Alexandra “Alex”
Charlotte/Charlize “Charley”
Maxine “Max”
Roberta “Bobbie”
How Is This Different Than Unisex Names?
There is definitely room for debate over whether a name is boy-name-on-girl or a unisex name.
For me, the distinction is subtle but definitely there. Truly unisex names are used in relatively equal proportions between boys and girls. If you hear the name, you don’t have any indication if the owner is male or female.
On the other hand, boy names for girls are names that are assumed to be male unless a clue is given to indicate it’s a female.
Here are some names considered to be truly unisex (though individuals may feel one is more for girls or boys):
Morgan
Quinn
Arden
Sky
Presley
Finley
Reagan
Sam
Cameron
Peyton
Blake
Scout
Hollis
Riley
Taylor
Hayden
Jamie
Oakley
Skylar
Reese
Rowan
How do you feel about boy names being used for girls?
Some people love the idea of ALL names eventually becoming unisex. Maybe it will make for more equitable hiring practices and general treatment of men and women.
Others like being able to infer gender by one’s first name only and wish to keep boy and girl names separate.
Where do you feel on this topic? Love it or hate it? Leave a comment!
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