Parents have been obsessing over Nova, Avery, Evelyn, Ivy, Olivia, Everly, and, of course, Ava. Part of the appeal to these names is the sharp and attention-grabbing v sound, almost the equivalent of the x in boy names. But often these names are just too popular, or have already been used by a close friend or sibling, and an alternative is needed. That’s why I’ve compiled some of my favorite girl names containing the letter v in varying degrees of popularity and length, in the hopes that you’ll find an adequate substitute to your favorite v girl names.
Maeve- Although Maeve’s meaning isn’t ideal for some, her similarity to Ava and short and springy Mae has propelled her to #334, a solid ranking. Not too popular, but not unheard of either. This Irish moniker meaning “she who intoxicates” may belong on your shortlist if you’re looking for an alternative to Ava or an on-trend name to honor Irish heritage. A strong and lively choice for a daughter of any personality, packed with spunk and the possible nickname Mae or Ava.
Ivory- While some parents will immediately think of poaching or a brand of soap, others may adore this color name. Ivory is the best of both Ivy and Avery, but without the popularity. At #639, it’s a wonder this name has gone so under the radar, especially with the nickname possibility of the trending Ivy. However, although the sounds are lovely, it is important to take into account the horrors of poaching that might be too heavily associated with the name in your area.
Sylvie- A French update on the Latin Sylvia, this name meaning “from the forest” is on her way up. Sylvie blends the best of Sophie and Ivy to create a gentle and sweet name with a vintage and sophisticated aura. Sylvie has tried to gain momentum from the time the SSA started collecting name data, but has never quite made it off the platform, and I think we’ll start to see her bounding up the charts. At the moment, though, Sylvie is still hiding in the shadows, perfect for a celeb to snatch her up and make her an overnight sensation.
Genevieve- French? Check. Dramatic? Check. Tons of nicknames? You bet! Genevieve nicknamed Evie is a stunning alternative to Evelyn or Everly, and she has bonus nicknames Vivi, Ginny, Neve, Gigi, and Gia as well, just to sweeten the deal. Genevieve currently ranks at #172, an elegant and stately choice with an abundance of bright and cute short forms. This name meaning “tribe woman,” also has a famous role model, St. Genevieve, who defended the city of Paris during the attack of Attila the Hun bravely and intelligently.
Olive- With Oliver and Olivia topping charts, Olive presents an edible alternative that is also having a moment of popularity, at #270 as of 2018. With friendly nicknames Livvy and Ollie, this slightly offbeat classic has a vintage and quirky vibe about it that has been attracting many parents who regard Olivia as too mainstream.
Clover- This botanical symbol of good luck may be a bit out-there… but with the imagery of a spunky little girl playing in fields of clovers and the nickname Clio, it could be just right for a modern-day girl. With Daisy on the rise, and a boost by celeb-baby Daisy Dove, Clover could be the next flower girl name to make it big. Having her unconventional format and the sounds of Chloe to back her up might just start to resonate with parents over the next few years of data.
Waverley- Willow, Avery, and Everly are some of the trendiest baby names for girls of their time. Combine them, and you get this flowing Scottish name meaning “meadow of aspens”. Although this may sound like a mashup of several trendy names, Waverley actually originates as a Scottish surname that was later brought into the public eye by Sir Scott Walter, who published a novel entitled Waverley in 1814, named for the surname of the main character. Waverly, without the e, is an adapted version that has risen to #977 in 2018, but I prefer the Scottish surname spelling to the more popular adapted version because of its authenticity and complete look.
With honorable mention awarded to Octavia and Livia, that concludes my list of girl names with Vs. I hope you found a suitable alternative to one of the girl names that have been widely popularized for their elegant but strong v sound!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Which of these names is your favorite? What did I miss? Are these not your style? Submit my form with a style you prefer, and I’ll do my best to cover some of those in my next name list!