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Choosing the right name for your little one can be really tricky, especially when it comes to finding a name that’s original, special, and has rarely been used.
To help you along the way, we’ve rounded up some of the most unusual names of 2020.
According to official data from the Office for National Statistics, these unique girls' names were only given to a handful of babies in 2020, so you're not likely to encounter another one on the playground!
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1. Palmer
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The name Palmer literally means 'palm bearer' and is of Old English and Old French origin. It’s more commonly used as a boys name or surname, but also makes a beautiful little girls’ name too.
Only three people in England and Wales registered Palmer as their daughter’s name in 2020, making it a brilliantly rare name.
2. Arwyn
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Originally a traditional Welsh name used for both boys and girls.
Arwyn means ‘muse’ or ‘very bright’ and is a variant of the more popular name Arwen (which you’ll probably recognise from The Lord of the Rings).
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In the best-selling book by J.R.R Tolkien, Arwen Undómiel is the princess of the elves – best known for her beauty and charm.
Check out more beautiful Welsh girls' names
3. Roseline
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This vintage girls’ name couldn’t be much prettier.
Roseline is a French name influenced by the Latin phrase ‘rosa linda’ meaning ‘beautiful rose’.
There’s rarely any celebrities or well-known figures named Roseline; you have to go all the way back to Roseline de Villeneuve, who was a French Roman Catholic saint, born in 1263.
The name peaked in popularity in 1912, but today it’s beautifully unusual.
See more girls' names inspired by flowers
4. Bailey-Rae
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Opting for a double barrel baby name can be a lovely way of making your daughter’s name special and unique.
If the name Bailey-Rae rings a bell, you might remember the singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, best known for her noughties single ‘Put Your Records On’.
Check out more gorgeous hyphenated baby names
5. Ivyrose
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A blend of two gorgeous flowers.
Ivyrose could be the perfect alternative for parents debating between two floral names.
This name is totally original, cute and hardly any babies in the UK share the same name!
6. Fearn
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Fearn is the Irish form of the feminine name Fern, which denotes the slow-growing tree.
This interesting name, also originating from Old English, was first used as a surname for someone who (believe it or not) lived in a place where there were lots of fern trees.
It’s a little more common in countries such as The Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland, but remains a one-of-a-kind name here in the UK.
7. Zylah
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This rare little girls’ name has a pretty cool meaning.
The origin of the name lies in Hebrew and means ‘Princess of song and shadow’. It’s a variation of Zillah, which is a name found in the Bible.
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8. Winnie-Grace
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We think Winnie-Grace is absolutely adorable.
There are, of course, lots of famous Winnie’s in the world – from Winnie the Pooh to Winnie Harlow.
Winnie has a few different warm and fuzzy name meanings including smooth, soft and happiness. While Grace is a popular name perfect for a graceful little girl.
Together, they make a rare and wonderful combination.
9. Tanaya
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Tanaya is of Hindi origin and translates to ‘daughter’.
Though there’s loads of famous Tanya’s (including the country singer Tanya Tucker and YouTuber Tanya Burr), Tanaya is really unique and couldn’t be more befitting for a little girl’s name.
10. Peggie
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Of Ancient Greek origin, the name Peggie means ‘pearl’ and has often been used as a nickname for the traditionally royal name Margaret.
If you’re a Marvel fan, it might remind you of Peggy Carter who was Captain America’s wartime love interest. She joined the French Resistance as a teenager and became a skilled fighter and martial artist.
11. Nelli
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If your daughter is a little ray of sunshine, Nelli could be the perfect name for her.
Nelli means ‘sun ray’ and is a cute and quirky variation of Eleanor, which features in our top 100 baby girls’ names 2020.
12. Lillah
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Lilliah, referring to the lily flower, is a rare name symbolising beauty, purity and innocence.
It’s a Hebrew name that’s sometimes used as a nickname for Elizabeth or Elisheba.
13. Jovi
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A cheerful name for a cheerful baby girl.
Jovi is an abbreviation of the Latin word ‘jovial’ which means jolly, happy and friendly.
While it’s pretty uncommon for a little girls’ name and was mostly popular in the 1920s and 30s, we think it’s super sweet (plus, they say old-fashioned names are making a stylish comeback).
14. Gwennie
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A cutesy Welsh girls’ name short for Guinevere and Gwendolyn.
There’s well-known Gwens like Gwen Steffani, Gwen Verdon and of course, Gwen from Gavin and Stacey. But Gwennie puts a new and adorable spin on an old name tracing all the way back to the 12th century.
15. Feya
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A magical name for your fairy cute baby girl.
The girls’ name Feya, of Hebrew, Old English and Scottish origin, means ‘fairy’.
It’s the perfect fit for an imaginative and creative little girl.
Similar names also include Faye, Fia and Freya
16. Larni
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Only a very small handful of little girls were named Larni in 2020, making it an incredibly unique and special name.
Larni is said to be of Hawaiian origin and means ‘heavenly flower’.
What could be more lovely than that?
17. Peace
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Of Latin origin, Peace means exactly that!
We’re sure that any little girl named Peace will grow up to be as calm and gentle as her name suggests.
18. Rubee
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While the classic girls’ name Ruby made it into the top 100 baby names of 2020, Rubee, with a slightly more alternative (and edgy) spelling, is super unusual.
The name means ‘deep red, precious stone’ and has associations with being sassy and vibrant thanks to its bold red colour.
19. Selyn
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With Greek, Turkish and French origins, the name Selyn means ‘moon’ and ‘heavenly’.
Over the last 100 years, this beautiful name has been extremely rare, though other variations such as Celine and Selina have been more widely used.
20. Sofia-Grace
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Another fab double barrelled name.
Sofia-Grace combines two super popular girls’ names (both made the top 100 baby girls’ names this year in 11th and 23rd place).
Blended together, this name stands out from the crowd – it's stylish, sweet and original.
21. Lexxi
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Love the names Alexandra or Alexia but want a shorter, cuter version? Try Lexxi!
As a ‘defender of mankind’ this name has a strong and courageous meaning.
You could also change the spelling and go for Lex, Lexi or Lexie (like Amanda Holden’s daughter, who goes by Lexie, or David Bowie’s daughter, Lexi).
22. Rori
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For all the Gilmore Girls fans (though this version is spelt a little differently).
Rori comes from the Gaelic name Ruadhri (Irish) or Ruardish (Scottish) and means ‘red king’.
It makes a gorgeous Celtic name for a red-haired little girl.
23. Jorgi
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Jorgi is a unique and unusual variant of the name Georgia, which originally means ‘farmer’ or ‘earthworker’.
While Georgia has been a trendy girls’ name for many years, Jorgi gives the popular name a cool and quirky twist.
Similar names include Josie, Jojo, Joey and Jordi.
24. Siennah
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Just like Sienna, a name which has grown in popularity in recent years, Siennah derives its name from the charming Italian city in the heart of Tuscany.
The name itself means ‘orange-red’ and refers to ‘Siena earth’.
Browse more baby names inspired by colours
25. Elyssia
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Popular back in the 90s, Elyssia is a Greek name that means ‘of a noble kind’ or ‘home of the blessed’.
There's a few different ways you can pronounce Elyssia, though it's often shortened to Ellie or Allie as a nickname.
26. Emelie
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Like Emily, Emelie means ‘rival’ in Latin and (despite its etymology) is a timelessly feminine and pretty name.
Emelie is also an alternate spelling of Amelia or the classically French Amelie, both of which are vintage names with a modern edge.
27. Tillie-Rae
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Another fantastic name that blends two popular choices.
Tillie, short for Matilda, means ‘mighty in battle’.
Rae, which is often used as a middle name or as the second part of a double barrelled name, means ‘well-advised protector’.
Together, they make a pretty heroic pair if you ask us!
28. Annalie
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Annalie is a Swedish baby name meaning 'graceful meadow'
It's a melodious and unusual name with lots of different variations. There's Annalee, Anneli or even Analise.
Whichever one you go for, we think it's a pretty beautiful choice for your little one.
29. Eli
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Related to the Old German names Alice and Ella, along with the Greek name Eleanor, Elli means ‘noble’.
In Norse mythology, an old lady called Elli defeats Thor in a wrestling match (which is pretty impressive, right?!).
30. Kadey
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Kadey is a Scottish name of Celtic origin. It’s a variant of the name Cadence, which stems from the Latin ‘cadentia’ meaning falling.
In music, a cadence is a chord progression at the end of a musical phrase.
Browse more Scottish names for girls
31. Liah
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Like Leah, this name finds its roots in Latin and Greek.
This unusual baby name is said to mean ‘lioness’ and ‘woman’ making it a brilliant and befitting name for any little girl.
32. Cecile
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Found in the pages of French literature, Cecile is a fairly common girls' name in France, but remains a rare choice here in the UK.
Cecile means ‘blind of self beauty’ and is also the name of a number of French saints.
Cecily, Celine and Cecilia are also pretty variations.
33. Kassia
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This Greek name meaning ‘spicy’ and ‘cinnamon’ could certainly fit the bill for a baby girl born in autumn.
Kassia is the k-styled spelling variation of Cassia, which derives its name from the yellow-flowering cassia tree (also known as the golden shower or pudding-pipe tree).
The cassia tree produces a cinnamon-like spice and is also the national tree of Thailand.
See more baby names inspired by herbs and spices
34. Arriana
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Arriana is a beautiful little girls’ name meaning ‘silver’ or ‘most holy’.
With an Italian history, it’s naturally becoming an increasingly popular choice in Italy.
Variations include Arianna with a single ‘r’, as well as Arianne, Aryonna and Adrienne.
These days, the name is associated with Ariana Grande, Princess Ariane of the Netherlands and co-founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington.
35. Eedie
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A nickname for the old-fashioned Edith (which in recent years has made a comeback, thanks to Downton Abbey and Despicable Me).
Eedie means ‘strong one’ and ‘prosperous in war’.
36. Sylvi
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Short for Syliva, this baby girls’ name has a collection of lovely meanings including ‘strength of the house’, ‘sunway’ or ‘way to the sun.’
Sylvi is mostly common in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden. Finland and Norway.
37. Nyala
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Nyala is a name of African origin which has been found in Indonesian, Sotho and Zulu languages.
As well as being a city in South-West Sudan, Nyala means ‘mountain goat’ and refers to a type of antelope which is native to Southern Africa.
Nyala could be the perfect name for a baby girl born under the Capricorn star sign (which is symbolised by the goat) or in the Chinese Year of the Goat.
38. Alida
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Generally pronounced ah-lee-da, Alida is of Latin and German origin meaning ‘small winged one’ or ‘of a noble kin’.
This super cute girls’ name was popular in the late 1800s and is said to derive from the traditional German name Adelaide (which is also a city in Australia, best known for its stunning rural landscapes).
39. Reine
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This royal French name derives from the Latin ‘regina’ meaning queen. It's the most regal and elegant name for any little girl.
Similar choices include Raine, Raina and Reign, which is also the name of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick’s youngest child.
Check out more brilliantly posh baby names
40. Zendaya-Rose
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This double barrelled name combines African and Latin roots.
Zendaya originates from Bantu of Zimbabwe, while the sweet-smelling flower, Rose, comes from the Latin word for ‘flower’.
If your baby grows up to love The Greatest Showman or Spiderman, they’ll love sharing part of their name with the amazing actress Zendaya, who appeared in both films.
41. Scottie
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A popular girls’ name across the pond in America, but still pretty rare here in the UK.
It’s a sweet and slightly old-school name originating from ‘Scot’ which, unsurprisingly, is a Scottish baby name (generally for boys).
The original meaning of the name is ‘wanderer’, making it an ideal name for little explorers and future adventurers.
42. Noha
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Noha is an Arabic name meaning ‘wisdom’ and ‘intelligence’.
It’s similar to the increasingly popular name (for both boys and girls) Noah, which means ‘rest’ and is widely used in Egypt.
43. Aphelia
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A rare and pretty name likely to have come from the Ancient Greek Ophelia, which was the name of Shakespeare’s tragic heroine in his play, Hamlet.
Aphelia could also derive from the phrase ‘aphelion’ which, in astronomy, describes the point in the orbit of a planet or comet most distant from the Sun.
For the future astronauts and space-fanatics out there, what name could be more perfect?
44. Noelia
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Noelia means ‘born on Christmas’ and is a variation of the Latin Noelle.
If your baby girl arrives during the festive season, or even on Christmas day, why not give her a wonderfully festive name?
Check out more festive baby names
45. Llio
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This one sounds like a name for a little lioness.
Llio is a Welsh name with Old French origins. It’s also linked to the English name Linnet which refers to a small songbird.
46. Junie
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A variant of June – perfect for a summer baby. But, even if Junie is born bang in the middle of winter, the name is guaranteed to bring a great deal of sunshine into your life.
Junie can also be short for Juniper, which is just as cool too!
Add Barbara Park’s Junie. B Jones book series to your little one’s must-read list (once they’re big enough for bedtime reading) – they’ll love sharing a name with the funny main character.
47. Tasmin
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In Arabic, Tasmin means ‘she who fulfils’ making it a rather special name.
Tasmin was mostly popular in the late 90s and has been a rare choice ever since.
This name is also said to be a variation of the girls’ name Tasmine, which combines Tamsin and Jasmine (though it’s a little more common in America).
48. Etti
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Etti is a name of Persian origin meaning ‘star’ or ‘myrtle’.
A myrtle leaf, native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, is a fragrant evergreen plant with emerald green leaves and star-shaped flowers.
The name can also be a cute variation of Esther.
Similar girls’ names, which are also really unique, include Essi, Elsi, Betsi and Effi.
49. Anwyn
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There are lots of beautiful names in the world, but Anwyn has to be up there with the best.
Generally pronounced ann-wen, the origins of this name lie within the Old Celtic prefix ‘an’ and ‘gwen’ meaning ‘blessed’.
This fascinating name isn’t very common, but we think it makes the sweetest little girls’ name.
50. Flossie
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This sweet name refers to the mythological Roman goddess of flowers – how magical is that?!
Flossie, also meaning ‘flourishing’ and ‘prosperous’ is a girls’ name with Latin roots.
Before becoming its own name, Flossie (or Florrie) was a popular nickname for Florence in the early twentieth century.
Looking for a little more inspo? Scroll through our stories below or head to the forum to find the perfect name for your newborn.
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