A list of rare girls' baby names has gone viral on TikTok, offering parents suggestions for daughters that few others are likely to have. The post has attracted more than 82,000 likes, as many parents seek a distinctive name that stands out from the crowd.
The viral list comes as research by Mumsnet.com revealed that nearly one-fifth of parents across the UK would choose a different name for their child if given the chance. A quarter of those surveyed admitted they regretted their child's name because it was "too commonly used," while 21% felt the name "just didn't feel right."
Top rare name suggestions
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'. Further recommendations included Nancie (NAN-see), Oréane (oh-ray-AHN), Fiora (fee-OR-ah) and Aloutte (al-oo-ET).
Reactions from social media users
Many users shared their own distinctive baby name choices, with one person writing: "Almost named our daughter Astoria but chose Amora instead." Another added: "If it's a girl, her name will be Analee Alora and we haven't decided on a boy name." A third chimed in: "My husband and I are doing Xolará," while a fourth added: "We're naming ours Leonor."
Not everybody was taken with the name choices, however. "Astoria is the name of a nightclub chain in the UK," remarked one social media user. While another added: "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."
The popularity of the list reflects a broader shift in how parents approach naming, with many now seeking something distinctive rather than traditional. The research suggests that choosing an unusual name may help avoid the regret many parents feel when their child's name is too commonly used.
