A popular TikTok account has shared a list of rare baby girl names to help parents find something distinctive their daughter is unlikely to share with classmates. The post has attracted more than 82,000 likes, with users captivated by the unconventional options.
Rare names topping the list
Topping the list was 'Solara' (pronounced soh-LAR-uh), a Latin name derived from sol, meaning 'sun' or 'of the sun'. The next suggestion was 'Astoria' (uh-STOR-ee-uh), also Latin in origin, meaning 'starry' or 'of the stars'.
'Evanthe' (ee-VAN-thee), a Greek name meaning 'fair flower' or 'blooming beautiful', also featured, alongside 'Odessa' (oh-DESS-uh), a Greek name meaning 'full of anger'. Additional suggestions included 'Nancie' (NAN-see), Oréane (oh-ray-AHN), Fiora (fee-OR-ah) and Aloutte (al-oo-ET).
Parents share their own picks
Numerous users were eager to reveal their own unique baby name picks, with one person commenting: "Almost named our daughter Astoria but chose Amora instead." Another said: "If it's a girl, her name will be Analee Alora and we haven't decided on a boy name." A third replied: "My husband and I are doing Xolará." While a fourth commented: "We're naming ours Leonor."
Not everyone, though, was impressed by the name suggestions that had appeared on the list. "Astoria is the name of a nightclub chain in the UK," noted one social media user. Meanwhile another said: "Alouette is a sort of bird in France, we even have a song about it that everyone knows and which is kinda annoying. It won't be a gift to be named like that if baby girl plans on visiting France."
Research shows parental regret
It might well be wise to think carefully before finalising a baby name, as research conducted by Mumsnet.com found that almost one-fifth of parents across the UK would choose a different name for their child given the opportunity. A quarter of those polled confessed they regretted their child's name because it was "too commonly used" - something that shouldn't be a problem if you select something more distinctive - while 21% felt the name "just didn't feel right."
Based on official civil registration data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as well as recent parenting registry trends across the UK, the most popular baby girl names break down into top long-standing favourites and emerging trends. The top 10 baby girl names in the UK are Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Lily, Freya, Ivy, Sophia/Sofia, Florence, Isabella and Mia.
