Baby Girl Names That Are Unique and Full of Meaning

When I was a student at an all-girls school, we used to joke that all the Hannahs, Regs, and Beas should line up so we could finally settle which name had the most girls. These names were incredibly popular in my generation—not just because they were beautiful but because they held special meaning for our parents.

Every day, around 1,900 baby girls are born in the Philippines. If you're looking for a name that’s just as meaningful but a little more unique—one that won’t land your daughter in an imaginary name lineup like mine—we’ve got you covered! 

Here are some rare, beautiful names that might make your shortlist.

Adhika – A Filipino name meaning "aspiration" or "goal." We use the word adhikain today to express our dreams, making it a fitting name for the baby girl you’ve always wished for!

Aelin – Of Turkish origin, meaning "of the moon" or "halo around the moon." Doesn’t it sound as magical as your baby girl already is?

Aiko – Of Japanese origin, Aiko means "child of love" and "a person who loves others." Japan’s current emperor’s only daughter is also named Aiko.

Allegra – Of Italian origin, meaning “joyful” and “lively.”

Alleia – Meaning "exalted" or "heavenly," this name has Hebrew origins and gives off an angelic, noble feel.

Amihan – Another Filipino name often heard in weather reports as it signals the start of the cold, dry season. More famously, Amihan is the wind goddess in the Filipino fantasy series Encantadia. In the show, Amihan wasn’t just a goddess—she was a strong, just, and noble queen. Iza Calzado, the actress who portrayed Queen Amihan, even named her daughter after the role.

Barkha – Of Indian origin, meaning "rain" and "life-giving."

Briar – Derived from Middle English, meaning "thorny bush." Briar is an uncommon and gender-neutral name.

Casey – Of Irish origin, meaning "vigilant" or "watchful."

Cleo – Of Greek origin, meaning “glory,” “to be praised,” and “the celebrated one.” Cleo is a short form of Cleopatra, the most famous bearer being Cleopatra VII, the renowned Egyptian pharaoh known for her brilliance, intellect, political acumen, and the deep admiration of her people.

Dawani – In Philippine mythology, Dawani was the mother of Daragang Magayon (the goddess of Mt. Mayon). The name means "cheerful" and "to be of service."

Electra – From Greek mythology, Princess Electra is best known for protecting her brother after her father was murdered and later avenging his death. Today, Elektra is more widely recognized as one of Marvel’s femme fatales.

Elspeth / Elsbeth – Of Scottish origin, meaning "pledged to God." It sounds similar to Elizabeth but is much more uncommon.

Emi – Of Japanese origin, meaning "beautiful" and "favored."

Eva / Ava – Variations of the name "Eve," meaning "giver of life."

Inez – Of Portuguese origin, meaning "pure." One of Blake Lively’s daughters is named Inez, and the name even appears in a song from Taylor Swift’s Folklore album.

Haliya – Another Filipina goddess in mythology, Haliya is a lunar warrior goddess revered as a symbol of strength among women.

Hana / Hanan – You’ve heard of the name Hannah, but switch it up a little, and you have a daughter named after the Philippine goddess of dawn and morning. One of Bathala’s daughters, Hanan, symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.

Kahel – Yes, Kahel means "orange" in Filipino, but doesn’t it sound soft, gentle, and full of hope?

Kajsa – A Filipino name pronounced with a silent “j,” like how it would be read in Tagalog. It sounds like kaisa and shares its meaning: "to be together, to be one."

Leona – Of Latin origin, meaning "strength of a lion."

Liway – Derived from Liwayway, the Filipino word for "dawn" and "sunrise." In mythology, Liwayway is the goddess of dawn, symbolizing hope, light, and new beginnings. A variation, Liuai, could make the name even more special.

Matilda – Of German origin, meaning "battle-mighty." A perfect fit for the strong-willed book heroine of the same name. Despite its long-standing literary fame, Matilda remains an uncommon name for Filipina girls.

Maya – Of Indian origin, Maya is also the name for the little brown tree sparrows in the Philippines. Found in other Asian cultures, Maya means "courage," "dream," and "magic."

Mayari – A sister of Hanan, Mayari is another lunar goddess who rules the night. She is also the goddess of strength, war, and beauty.

Odette – In French and Old German, Odette means “wealthy”. You’ve probably heard the name from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, Swan Lake. In the story, Odette is a virtuous queen who symbolizes unwavering loyalty and redemption. 

Onyx – Of Greek origin, meaning "claw" or "nail." Name your little girl after a jewel—one that’s as strong and striking as she is!

Paraluman – A Filipino name meaning "beautiful" and "artistic muse." The name was popularized by the actress Paraluman, and several famous songs today reference her.

Sinamar – Of Ilocano origin, Sinamar means "ray of light" or "ray of light in the sea." Isn’t that dreamy?

Santanina – More commonly, a surname in the Philippines, Santanina means "Saint Niña." The most well-known bearer is Santanina Tillah Rasul, the country’s first female Muslim senator. Throughout her life, she championed women's rights, gender equality, education, and peace in Mindanao.

Tala – A standout name of Philippine origin, Tala means "star." In mythology, she is another daughter of Bathala, ruling over the stars.

Theodora / Teodora – Of Greek origin, meaning "of God" or "God’s gift." A cute nickname could be Teddy!

Vashti – Of Persian origin, Vashti means "beautiful one" and "goodness." In the Bible, Queen Vashti refused her husband’s order to appear at his banquet, accepting the consequences and being banished. It is not exactly a fairytale ending but a strong reminder to stand up for oneself—even when standing alone.

Wari – A Filipino name meaning "reflection" and "to introspect."

Xanthe – Of Greek origin, meaning "yellow." In Greek mythology, Xanthe was an Oceanid and an Amazon—a fierce, all-female warrior. If strength is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your daughter, Xanthe might be the perfect fit.

Zia – of Arabic origin, meaning “light,” “splendor,” and “radiance.” Actress Marian Rivera’s daughter is named Zia, whose radiance does live up to her name

Unique Name Combinations

Sintala – A blend of Sinag or Sinamar ("ray of light") and Tala ("star").

Briar Rose – Sound familiar? Briar Rose is another name for Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, meaning "thorny rose."

Elspeth Grace – "Pledged to God" combined with "grace" makes for a blessed name.

Vashti Tala – "Beautiful one" and "goodness" combined with "star" create a name that shines.

Emi Dawani – A seamless pairing of Japanese and pre-colonial Filipino names, meaning "favored" and "cheerful."

Maya Santanina – "Courage" combined with an homage to an inspiring leader.

Casey May – A common name paired with a unique one for a simple yet special combo.

Barkha Alleia – "Life-giving" and "heavenly" for a divine name.

Kajsa Leona – A beautiful meaning: "Together with the strength of a lion."

Ava Haliya – "Giver of life" meets "the strength of women"—a powerful pairing.

And that’s all we have for unique girl names for your baby! Did any of them make your shortlist?

P.S. Did you notice how many pre-colonial Filipino names we included? Not only are they rare and unique, but they also preserve a vital part of our culture. Having one of these names will instill a deep sense of pride and patriotism in your daughter! 

Check out these baby girl names that embrace Filipino heritage.