Bold word names for both genders are having another moment, from quirky virtue names like Wisdom to unconventional date names like Tuesday to unique picks from the natural world like Ocean on the up and coming. I’m quite a fan of a bold word name in the middle spot, especially myself (I know I keep mentioning Nightingale, but it’s just so beautiful…) Today, though, I’ve decided to take a close look at some of the most 2021 appropriate word names for girls in particular, as I recently noticed that boy names have been getting a lot more attention from me on the Warehouse lately. Many of these word names can be gender neutral just due to sheer rarity, but others are aimed more towards parents expecting little girls. I hope you’re all having fantastic days, dear readers. Now, let’s get this list going!
Meadow- A sweet and light baby name for a little girl, Meadow takes a healthy dose of nature name potential with the spunk of Marlow. Fitting with other flower-related baby girl names that have been quite a popular idea since the beginning of the century but with a bolder and brighter aspect in comparison to the more delicate flower names Poppy and Violet. Bouncy and pretty, Meadow feels ideal for a spring baby girl or a lovely and sassy middle name to lighten up a heavier first name. With Meadow, I tend to picture a little girl twirling through a grassy meadow of little white flowers, the sun gleaming in the brilliant blue sky, and that’s quite a gorgeous image that may coax some parents to go with this airy beauty.
Story- A poetic literary name that brings up nostalgic thoughts of bedtime stories, family stories, and life stories, Story is a word name that has plenty of pleasant memories attached for many. If you’re an avid reader or an author, Story may be a particularly meaningful choice. Story has a bit of bohemian flair in addition to her positive connotation, and I expect her to rise in the next few years. A name that borrows sounds from 80s Tori and adds the St- combination that flew up the charts with Stacey, Stephanie, and Stella, Story is very pleasing in sound as well. A hopeful name that pays homage to storytellers and uses sounds that might be key to an honor name for a Tori or Steven, I find Story positively adorable.
Lark- Simple but stunning, Lark scoops up a sharp and memorable sound that stands out from the crowd and draws expecting parents in. Her unique ending pulls many people's interest, and the cheerful songbird gives a positive connotation to the name. With bird names beginning to spring up again, this time a new round like Phoenix and Wren consuming past favorites like Robin and Raven, there’s no better time to stuff little Lark into the middle slot of a beautiful combination to give a studious and smart name a lively twist without removing the serene and clever nature of the first or even (if you’re feeling bold) use Lark as a unique and different first name for your little girl.
Juniper- Juniper is an obvious sensation. At #195, this adorable hipster baby name has launched herself into stardom, her vintage-y vibe and contemporary word name style contradicting to make a name that strikes a glorious balance between modern and retro. Of course, there’s also the nickname Junie or June that makes Juniper twelve times better. Juniper is one of a few girl names inspired by tree names, sister names including Willow, Olive, and Rowan, which has inspired quite a sizable number of expanding families to choose the name for their new addition. If I’m being honest, I had a Juniper phase a couple years ago. While the name has lost all sparkle to me, I still see the reasoning behind loving this name and particularly still have a place in the Warehouse for June.
Sage- Unisex and tailored, Sage is spunky and sparky, perfect for a little girl born today. Stylish and modern with a single syllable and nickname proof, Sage could be a lovely option for plenty of growing families welcoming a little girl or boy. While I prefer Sage on a little boy, I quite like Sage as a middle name for both genders. A sage can be someone with wisdom in a certain area, giving Sage an aura of intelligence and smarts, or a spice, adding a bit of a tie-in to the natural world. Sage sits at #280, a wonderful sweet spot popularity between mainstream and shockingly rare, which surely attracts many parents.
Maple- A tree name that has strangely not cracked the top 1000 despite her friendly and familiar sound, Maple feels like a nature name tweak on the vintage Mabel that is just beginning to peek out of the depths of datedness. Gentle and perhaps a bit reminiscent of maple syrup, Maple’s soft sound and outdoorsy appeal make this one worth a second look. I would guess that Maple is surely bound for greater things beyond the top 1000, given that parents don’t experience too much confusion with nearly identical in sound Mabel who currently ranks at #440. Maple is such a sweet name and completely appropriate for a first or middle name for your baby.
Pearl- Pearl has begun to show up all over as a middle name, but I have yet to see her receive the equal amount of love in the first name position. A shiny white gemstone that also happens to be the birthstone for people born in June, Pearl could be a delightful and meaningful choice to honor your Grandma Beth who was born in June without having to pass down Beth in full. Or, you could use Pearl’s birthstone status simply as a way to incorporate a lovely tie to your daughter’s birth month in a more subtle way than June itself. Pearl ranks at #734 at the moment as a first name, but if there were middle name rankings, I would expect her to rank higher there for her pretty, one-syllable aspects that normally are valued in middle names.
That’s all for today, everyone! I hope you enjoyed this article, and stick around for more Name Warehouse content! As always, feel free to submit my Contact form if you wish to get a certain name profiled, have any article ideas, or would like to get some help with a baby naming dilemma. Have a wonderful rest of your day, dear readers!
Sincerely,
-Delphina Moon