Female First Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Meanings and Origins

Looking for the perfect name for your baby girl? Choosing a name is an exciting but often overwhelming task. With so many beautiful and unique options, it's helpful to understand the meanings and origins of different names. This comprehensive guide will explore a diverse range of female first names, offering insights into their history, cultural significance, and the stories they tell. From classic favorites to modern picks, this list will provide inspiration and guidance for finding the ideal name for your little one.
1. **Aaliyah:** Arabic origin, meaning "high" or "exalted"
2. **Abigail:** Hebrew origin, meaning "my father is joyful"
3. **Ada:** German origin, meaning "noble" or "kind"
4. **Adelaide:** German origin, meaning "noble kind"
5. **Adriana:** Latin origin, meaning "from Hadria"
6. **Alana:** Gaelic origin, meaning "beautiful fairy"
7. **Alexandra:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind"
8. **Alice:** German origin, meaning "noble kind"
9. **Allison:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind"
10. **Amelia:** German origin, meaning "industrious" or "work"
11. **Amy:** Latin origin, meaning "beloved"
12. **Ana:** Hebrew origin, meaning "gracious" or "merciful"
13. **Anastasia:** Greek origin, meaning "resurrection"
14. **Andrea:** Greek origin, meaning "manly" or "strong"
15. **Angela:** Greek origin, meaning "messenger"
16. **Anna:** Hebrew origin, meaning "gracious" or "merciful"
17. **Anne:** Hebrew origin, meaning "gracious" or "merciful"
18. **Audrey:** Old English origin, meaning "noble strength"
19. **Ava:** Latin origin, meaning "bird"
20. **Beatrice:** Latin origin, meaning "she who brings happiness"
21. **Bella:** Latin origin, meaning "beautiful"
22. **Bertha:** German origin, meaning "bright" or "famous"
23. **Bethany:** Hebrew origin, meaning "house of figs"
24. **Betty:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath"
25. **Beverly:** English origin, meaning "beaver meadow"
26. **Bianca:** Italian origin, meaning "white"
27. **Bonnie:** Scottish origin, meaning "beautiful"
28. **Brenda:** Gaelic origin, meaning "sword"
29. **Briana:** Gaelic origin, meaning "strong"
30. **Brittany:** French origin, meaning "from Brittany"
31. **Brooke:** English origin, meaning "brook"
32. **Caitlin:** Gaelic origin, meaning "pure"
33. **Camilla:** Latin origin, meaning "attendant of the temple"
34. **Carmen:** Latin origin, meaning "song"
35. **Caroline:** German origin, meaning "free man"
36. **Cassandra:** Greek origin, meaning "she who shines"
37. **Catherine:** Greek origin, meaning "pure"
38. **Cecilia:** Latin origin, meaning "blind"
39. **Celeste:** Latin origin, meaning "heavenly"
40. **Charlotte:** French origin, meaning "free man"
41. **Chloé:** Greek origin, meaning "blooming"
42. **Christina:** Greek origin, meaning "follower of Christ"
43. **Claire:** Latin origin, meaning "bright" or "clear"
44. **Clara:** Latin origin, meaning "bright" or "clear"
45. **Claudia:** Latin origin, meaning "lame"
46. **Colleen:** Gaelic origin, meaning "victory"
47. **Constance:** Latin origin, meaning "steadfast"
48. **Crystal:** Greek origin, meaning "ice"
49. **Cynthia:** Greek origin, meaning "moon"
50. **Daisy:** Old English origin, meaning "day's eye"
51. **Danielle:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge"
52. **Daphne:** Greek origin, meaning "laurel tree"
53. **Darlene:** Gaelic origin, meaning "beloved"
54. **Dawn:** Old English origin, meaning "break of day"
55. **Deborah:** Hebrew origin, meaning "bee"
56. **Debra:** Hebrew origin, meaning "bee"
57. **Deirdre:** Gaelic origin, meaning "sorrow"
58. **Della:** German origin, meaning "noble"
59. **Denise:** French origin, meaning "follower of Dionysus"
60. **Diana:** Roman origin, meaning "divine"
61. **Doris:** Greek origin, meaning "gift of the sea"
62. **Dorothy:** Greek origin, meaning "gift of God"
63. **Edna:** Hebrew origin, meaning "joy"
64. **Eleanor:** Greek origin, meaning "light"
65. **Elizabeth:** Hebrew origin, meaning "my God is abundance"
66. **Ella:** German origin, meaning "beautiful fairy"
67. **Emily:** German origin, meaning "industrious" or "work"
68. **Emma:** German origin, meaning "whole" or "universal"
69. **Erica:** Greek origin, meaning "ruler"
70. **Erin:** Gaelic origin, meaning "peace"
71. **Esmeralda:** Spanish origin, meaning "emerald"
72. **Esther:** Persian origin, meaning "star"
73. **Ethel:** Old English origin, meaning "noble"
74. **Evelyn:** French origin, meaning "wished for"
75. **Faith:** Latin origin, meaning "faith"
76. **Fiona:** Gaelic origin, meaning "fair" or "white"
77. **Florence:** Latin origin, meaning "flourishing"
78. **Frances:** French origin, meaning "free man"
79. **Gabrielle:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my strength"
80. **Gail:** Gaelic origin, meaning "joy"
81. **Gillian:** Greek origin, meaning "youthful"
82. **Grace:** Latin origin, meaning "grace"
83. **Hannah:** Hebrew origin, meaning "grace"
84. **Harriet:** German origin, meaning "home ruler"
85. **Hazel:** Old English origin, meaning "hazelnut"
86. **Heather:** Old English origin, meaning "heath"
87. **Heidi:** German origin, meaning "noble kind"
88. **Helen:** Greek origin, meaning "light" or "torch"
89. **Helena:** Greek origin, meaning "light" or "torch"
90. **Holly:** Old English origin, meaning "holly tree"
91. **Hope:** Old English origin, meaning "expectation"
92. **Irene:** Greek origin, meaning "peace"
93. **Iris:** Greek origin, meaning "rainbow"
94. **Isabelle:** Hebrew origin, meaning "my God is abundance"
95. **Ivy:** Latin origin, meaning "ivy plant"
96. **Jacqueline:** Hebrew origin, meaning "supplanter"
97. **Jane:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
98. **Janet:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
99. **Jasmine:** Persian origin, meaning "gift from God"
100. **Jennifer:** Welsh origin, meaning "white wave"
101. **Jessica:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath"
102. **Jill:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
103. **Joanna:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
104. **Joanne:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
105. **Jocelyn:** French origin, meaning "cheerful"
106. **Johanna:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious"
107. **Josephine:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God will increase"
108. **Joy:** English origin, meaning "joy"
109. **Judith:** Hebrew origin, meaning "praise"
110. **Julia:** Latin origin, meaning "youthful"
111. **June:** Latin origin, meaning "young"
112. **Karen:** Danish origin, meaning "pure"
113. **Katherine:** Greek origin, meaning "pure"
114. **Kathleen:** Gaelic origin, meaning "pure"
115. **Kelly:** Irish origin, meaning "war"
116. **Kendra:** Greek origin, meaning "ruler"
117. **Kenya:** African origin, meaning "land of the spear"
118. **Kiera:** Irish origin, meaning "dark haired"
119. **Kimberly:** English origin, meaning "meadow of the king"
120. **Kristen:** Danish origin, meaning "Christian"
121. **Laura:** Latin origin, meaning "laurel tree"
122. **Lauren:** Latin origin, meaning "laurel tree"
123. **Layla:** Arabic origin, meaning "night"
124. **Leah:** Hebrew origin, meaning "weary"
125. **Leila:** Arabic origin, meaning "night"
126. **Lena:** Greek origin, meaning "torch"
127. **Leslie:** Scottish origin, meaning "from the meadow"
128. **Lily:** Latin origin, meaning "lily flower"
129. **Linda:** Spanish origin, meaning "beautiful"
130. **Lisa:** Greek origin, meaning "God is my oath"
131. **Liz:** Hebrew origin, meaning "my God is abundance"
132. **Lillian:** German origin, meaning "lily flower"
133. **Lola:** Spanish origin, meaning "sorrow"
134. **Lois:** Greek origin, meaning "famous warrior"
135. **Lori:** Latin origin, meaning "laurel tree"
136. **Louisa:** German origin, meaning "famous warrior"
137. **Lucy:** Latin origin, meaning "light"
138. **Lydia:** Greek origin, meaning "from Lydia"
139. **Lynn:** Gaelic origin, meaning "lake"
140. **Mabel:** Latin origin, meaning "lovable"
141. **Madeline:** French origin, meaning "woman of Magdala"
142. **Maggie:** Hebrew origin, meaning "pearl"
143. **Maisie:** Gaelic origin, meaning "my darling"
144. **Mandy:** German origin, meaning "mankind"
145. **Margaret:** Greek origin, meaning "pearl"
146. **Maria:** Hebrew origin, meaning "rebellious"
147. **Marie:** Hebrew origin, meaning "rebellious"
148. **Marilyn:** German origin, meaning "beloved"
149. **Marisol:** Spanish origin, meaning "sea sun"
150. **Martha:** Hebrew origin, meaning "lady"
151. **Mary:** Hebrew origin, meaning "rebellious"
152. **Matilda:** German origin, meaning "mighty in battle"
153. **Maureen:** Gaelic origin, meaning "bitter"
154. **Maya:** Sanskrit origin, meaning "illusion"
155. **Megan:** Welsh origin, meaning "strong"
156. **Melanie:** Greek origin, meaning "dark"
157. **Melissa:** Greek origin, meaning "honey bee"
158. **Meredith:** Welsh origin, meaning "great guardian"
159. **Mia:** Italian origin, meaning "mine"
160. **Michelle:** Hebrew origin, meaning "who is like God?"
161. **Mildred:** Old English origin, meaning "gentle strength"
162. **Miranda:** Latin origin, meaning "admirable"
163. **Molly:** Hebrew origin, meaning "bitter"
164. **Monica:** Latin origin, meaning "advisor"
165. **Morgan:** Welsh origin, meaning "sea defender"
166. **Nancy:** Hebrew origin, meaning "grace"
167. **Natalia:** Latin origin, meaning "born on Christmas Day"
168. **Natalie:** Latin origin, meaning "born on Christmas Day"
169. **Natasha:** Russian origin, meaning "born on Christmas Day"
170. **Nell:** Hebrew origin, meaning "light"
171. **Nicole:** Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people"
172. **Nina:** Spanish origin, meaning "little girl"
173. **Nora:** Irish origin, meaning "honor"
174. **Olivia:** Latin origin, meaning "olive tree"
175. **Paige:** English origin, meaning "page"
176. **Pamela:** Greek origin, meaning "all honey"
177. **Patricia:** Latin origin, meaning "noblewoman"
178. **Paula:** Latin origin, meaning "small"
179. **Pearl:** French origin, meaning "pearl"
180. **Penelope:** Greek origin, meaning "weaver"
181. **Penny:** Greek origin, meaning "weaver"
182. **Phoebe:** Greek origin, meaning "bright"
183. **Phyllis:** Greek origin, meaning "green"
184. **Polly:** Greek origin, meaning "many"
185. **Priscilla:** Latin origin, meaning "ancient"
186. **Rachel:** Hebrew origin, meaning "ewe"
187. **Raina:** Latin origin, meaning "queen"
188. **Rebecca:** Hebrew origin, meaning "to tie"
189. **Regina:** Latin origin, meaning "queen"
190. **Renee:** French origin, meaning "reborn"
191. **Rhona:** Gaelic origin, meaning "little redhead"
192. **Rita:** Italian origin, meaning "pearl"
193. **Roberta:** German origin, meaning "bright fame"
194. **Robin:** English origin, meaning "bright fame"
195. **Rose:** Latin origin, meaning "rose flower"
196. **Rosemary:** Latin origin, meaning "dew of the sea"
197. **Ruth:** Hebrew origin, meaning "friend"
198. **Sabrina:** Welsh origin, meaning "from the Avon River"
199. **Sally:** Hebrew origin, meaning "princess"
200. **Samantha:** Hebrew origin, meaning "listener"
201. **Sandra:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind"
202. **Sarah:** Hebrew origin, meaning "princess"
203. **Sasha:** Russian origin, meaning "defender of mankind"
204. **Scarlett:** English origin, meaning "scarlet"
205. **Selena:** Greek origin, meaning "moon goddess"
206. **Serena:** Latin origin, meaning "peaceful"
207. **Shannon:** Irish origin, meaning "ancient"
208. **Sharon:** Hebrew origin, meaning "plain"
209. **Sheila:** Gaelic origin, meaning "blind"
210. **Shirley:** Old English origin, meaning "bright meadow"
211. **Sophia:** Greek origin, meaning "wisdom"
212. **Stephanie:** Greek origin, meaning "crown"
213. **Stella:** Latin origin, meaning "star"
214. **Susan:** Hebrew origin, meaning "lily"
215. **Suzanne:** Hebrew origin, meaning "lily"
216. **Sylvia:** Latin origin, meaning "forest"
217. **Talia:** Greek origin, meaning "blooming"
218. **Tamara:** Hebrew origin, meaning "date palm"
219. **Tara:** Irish origin, meaning "hill"
220. **Tatiana:** Greek origin, meaning "fairy princess"
221. **Teresa:** Greek origin, meaning "harvester"
222. **Theresa:** Greek origin, meaning "harvester"
223. **Tiffany:** Greek origin, meaning "manifestation of God"
224. **Tina:** Greek origin, meaning "manifestation of God"
225. **Toni:** Latin origin, meaning "worthy of praise"
226. **Tracy:** English origin, meaning "from the meadow"
227. **Trina:** Greek origin, meaning "manifestation of God"
228. **Trinity:** Latin origin, meaning "three"
229. **Valerie:** Latin origin, meaning "strong"
230. **Vanessa:** Greek origin, meaning "butterfly"
231. **Vera:** Latin origin, meaning "faith"
232. **Veronica:** Greek origin, meaning "true image"
233. **Victoria:** Latin origin, meaning "victory"
234. **Violet:** Latin origin, meaning "violet flower"
235. **Virginia:** Latin origin, meaning "virgin"
236. **Vivian:** Latin origin, meaning "alive"
237. **Wanda:** German origin, meaning "wanderer"
238. **Wendy:** Old English origin, meaning "happy"
239. **Whitney:** English origin, meaning "white island"
240. **Wilma:** German origin, meaning "resolute protection"
241. **Willow:** Old English origin, meaning "willow tree"
242. **Winnie:** Old English origin, meaning "happy"
243. **Winifred:** Welsh origin, meaning "blessed peace"
244. **Yvette:** French origin, meaning "yew tree"
245. **Zoe:** Greek origin, meaning "life"