Choosing a baby's name is tough enough, and it becomes just little bit harder when you realize that you want her name to have significance and meaning for her as she gets older. Not to worry — there's no need to spend your third trimester poring over a baby naming encyclopedia (although that can be a welcome distraction when baby kicks are keeping you up at three in the morning). Some of your favorite baby girl names may have a beautiful meaning that you just didn't know.
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From classic to trendsetting, let us help you find a baby girl name that means something to you:
- Sophia: Wise
- Emma: Whole or complete
- Olivia: Olive, symbol of peace
- Isabella: Devoted to God
- Hannah: Favor or grace
- Mia: A wished for child
- Chloe: Fresh blooming
- Madison: Gift of God
- Violet: Flower
- Victoria: Victory or triumphant
- Darlene: Tenderly loved
- Kalila: Dearly loved
- Milada: My love
- Grania: Love
- Kennocha: Lovely
- Cheryl: Dear one, darling
- Cher: Dear one, darling
- Aphrodite: Goddess of love
- Theophilia: Loved by God
- Cara: Beloved
- Vida: Dearly loved
- Carina: Beloved
- Amada: Beloved
- Amara: Beloved
- Amia: Beloved
- Amor: Love
- Davina: Cherished
- Vida: Dearly loved
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- Farrah: Happy
- Caroline: Song of happiness
- Felicity: Happy
- Gwyneth: Happiness, blessed
- Carolina: Song of happiness
- Luana: Content, happy
- Allegra: Joyful
- Halona: Of happy fortune
- Joy: Happy
- Makenna: Happy one
- Trixie: Happy
- Beatrix: She who brings happiness
Next Up: More baby girl names with great meanings
- Jamille: Beautiful
- Kenna: Attractive
- Lana: Attractive, peaceful
- Naveen: Beautiful
- Belinda: Very beautiful
- Jolie: Cheerful, pretty
- Jacintha: Beautiful
- Rosaleen: Beautiful, little rose
- Shayna: Beautiful
- Elle: Beautiful fairy
- Ellie: Shining light, or the most beautiful woman
- Norah: Light
- Lily: Purity and beauty
- Mabel: My beautiful one
- Karishma: Miracle
- Alazne: Miracle
- Karamat: Miracle
- Divya: Divine
- Daniella: Feminine form of Daniel, who miraculously survived the den of lions in the Old Testament
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- Abigail: Old Testament name meaning "father's joy"
- Bethany: Biblical name meaning "the house of song"
- Charity: New Testament name meaning "love, faith and hope"
- Elizabeth: Hebrew name meaning "the oath or fullness of God"
- Faith: Greek name meaning "faithful"
- Judith: Latin name meaning "praised"
- Mary: Biblical name meaning "wished-for child"
- Naomi: Hebrew name meaning "beautiful; agreeable"
- Phoebe: American name meaning "the shining one"
- Tabitha: Biblical name from the Old Testament meaning "gazelle, beauty, grace"
- Alisha: Protected by God
- Amity: Friendship, harmony
- Nadia: Hope
- Angelica: Angelic
- Irene: Peace
- Linnea: Flower
- Orianna: Golden
Before you go, check out our slideshow below:
Originally published Feb. 2011. Updated Sept. 2016.