Girl Names Starting with A: Ava, Alaia, Adair

Looking for girl names starting with A?

It’s the single most popular first letter for our daughters in recent years. It leaves runners-up E and M in the dust.

In some ways, that’s nothing new. Anna, Anne, Annie, and Ann alternated their tours in the Top 100, and more than one Ann- name appeared in the Top Ten. Classic choices like Abigail and Alice enjoyed plenty of time in the sun, too. But today, it’s not just the traditional picks. In fact, the Anns are at something of a low-point, while former staples like Agatha and Antoinette fail to make the current Top 1000 at all.

One word of caution: many of these names represent multiple spellings of the same favorite choice. Some could start with another letter of the alphabet. Is Alivia really different when Olivia tops the charts? Others are powerfully popular, if all the variants are tallied up. Aaliyah, for example, is even more popular than first glance suggests.

Still, A names for girls span every style. From stylish mini names to vintage revivals, intriguing imports to elaborate romantics, there’s no shortage of possibilities beginning with A.

Read on for more girl names starting with A, from the current chart-toppers to names you might not have considered.

MOST POPULAR GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH A

AMELIA (#4)

Sweetly vintage, Amelia was popular in the late nineteenth century. But it’s even more popular today. Perhaps it’s the combination of antique style with the image of high-flying, world-changing aviator Amelia Earhart.

AVA (#11)

Short on letters, big on style. Ava carries all the glamour of Hollywood’s Ava Gardner, but still feels spare and minimalist. Bonus? It’s a palindrome: spelled the same forwards and backwards.

AILANY (#14)

Sky-high, soaring Ailany mixes our love of Hawaiian names like Ailani with Spanish-language favorites, picking up on names like Aylin, Aylen, and Ayelen.

AURORA (#15)

The Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora has a long history of sparing use. But it’s never been more popular than it is today.

ARIA (#26)

Musical Aria hits all the right notes. It’s a lovely liquid name reflecting the sound of our times. It fits with so many word names, from Willow to Grace. And the one-two punch of Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones introduced it to lots of parents.

AVERY (#37)

Surname Avery was nearly unknown until the late 1980s. That’s when we met Avery Brown, mother to fictional journalist Murphy Brown. After Murphy named her son after her mother, Avery rose for boys and girls alike, but today it’s far more popular for girls.

ABIGAIL (#41)

A long-time Top 100 name for girls in the US, nearly every Abigail is actually an Abby. It comes with a great meaning, too: my father is joy.

ADELINE (#59)

The most popular of many spellings of this vintage name.

ALICE (#65)

A classic favorite, equally at home in Wonderland or in the real world.

AYLA (#77)

Some probably first heard this name in 1980 novel Clan of the Cave Bear, but Ayla might be Hebrew or Turkish, too. It’s a fast-rising favorite, and possibly a phonetic take on fellow Top 100 choice Isla.

ADDISON (#84)

A logical successor to Allison and Madison, Addison soared into the Top 100 back in 2006. Add in alternate spellings like Addisyn and Addyson and it’s even more popular than the current rankings suggest. While it means “son of Adam,” this name is overwhelmingly used for girls, likely because of friendly nickname Addie.

AUDREY (#86)

With all the charm of Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn, this name feels like a modern traditional choice for a daughter.

AUTUMN (#88)

Seasonal and tailored, Autumn has become a modern staple.

AMARA (#98)

A globe-spanning name, Amara means grace in Igbo, and undying in Sanskrit. It’s one of many names made popular by a character on The Vampire Diaries. 

AALIYAH (#101)

Aaliyah means sublime in Arabic, which makes this lovely, vowel-intensive name even more appealing. The late singer Aaliyah put it on parents’ radar in the 1990s and it ranked in the the Top 100 from 2001 through 2024. Many alternative spellings also rank in the US Top 1000.

ALLISON (#103)

A style star from the 1980s and 90s, still going strong today.

ANNA (#107)

A classic among classics, Anna is currently the reigning Ann- name. And yet, it still feels nicely unexpected.

ATHENA (#109)

Ancient Greece’s goddess of wisdom, Athena follows the equally wise Sophia into greater use.

ALAIA (#117)

A Basque name meaning joy, Alaia has shot up the charts in recent years. In 2009, just 44 girls were named Alaia. As of 2025? 2,318 That’s a meteoric rise seldom seen even before the many alternative spellings are considered. Factor in the many possible spellings, and Alaia is the sound of a generation.

ARIANA (#128)

A slimmed-down version of the mythological Ariadne, powered to the top of the charts by singer Ariana Grande.

ALINA (#130)

Alina might have started out as a nickname for names like Adelina, but it has long stood on its own.

AMIRA (#132)

A name rising across much of the world, Amira has Hebrew or Arabic roots.

ALANA (#140)

Feminine form of Alan.

AUBREY (#146)

A 1972 song by Bread transformed Aubrey from sometimes-heard male name to fast-rising favorite for girls. It entered the Top 100 in 2006, long after the song faded from playlists.

ARYA (#158)

Alternate spelling of Aria, fueled by Game of Thrones.

ALANI (#161)

A Hawaiian inspired name, like so many rising favorites ending with -lani.

ANASTASIA (#163)

A graceful, elaborate name with a powerful meaning: resurrection.

ASHLEY (#164)

A 1980s staple, still seeing some use a generation later.

AILANI (#168)

One of several Hawaiian-language names on the rise. This is also another spelling for shooting star name Ailany.

ARIELLA (#174)

The Little Mermaid meets Isabella.

AMAYA (#180)

Flowing Amaya claims several meanings, but sounds very much at home today.

ANNIE (#182)

Casual Annie is short for so many longer names. And yet, with girls answering to Millie and Sadie, Annie works well as a formal name, too.

ADALYNN (#184)

Another Adeline spelling option, one that looks something like an Ada-Lynn smoosh.

ALORA (#195)

With multiple possible origins, Alora feels like a twenty-first century name, and an update to classic Laura.

ADALINE (#208)

Ada meets Adeline.

AITANA (#211)

The name of a mountain in eastern Spain. Celebrated twentieth century Spanish poet Rafael Alberti gave the name to his daughter, and immortalized it in his work.

ARABELLA (#213)

Chances are that Annabel inspired Arabella, with some help from the Latin term orabilis – prayerful.

ADA (#219)

As spare and simple as Ava, but with more of a homespun, vintage vibe.

ALAINA (#224)

Perhaps a more phonetic take on classic Elena, or simply another Helen name.

ARIANNA (#234)

Ariana with another N.

ANDREA (#235)

A feminine form of Andrew, big in the 1980s.

ALEXANDRA (#237)

A regal classic with a muscular meaning: defender.

ANA (#245)

The sparer spelling of Anna, popular in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as some Slavic languages.

AMORA (#247)

Probably inspired by the Latin amor, meaning love, Amora also means blackberry in Portuguese.

AMY (#257)

This mini name was a smash hit in the age of Jennifer. Doubtless it would be right up there with Mia and Ivy now, if only so many moms (and more and more grandmothers) didn’t already answer to Amy.

ADALYN (#260)

Tally up all the spellings, and Adalyn/Adeline might be among the most popular choices for our daughters right now.

ALIYAH (#263)

Plenty of popular names have more than one possible spelling, and Aaliyah is no exception. The single-A version is second only to Aaliyah.

ASPEN (#266)

A tree and a place name, Aspen is right at home with Willow and Rowan.

ARLETH (#269)

Latin American version of Arlette and Arlet, with the H that’s often adding to a T ending. (See also: Yamileth and Escarleth.)

AZALEA (#278)

Daring flower name possibility.

ALANNA (#280)

Alana with a double-N, following Alana up the popularity charts.

ANTONELLA (#284)

An Antonia elaboration that expands the name’s nickname potential dramatically.

ADELAIDE (#289)

Regal and relatively uncommon, at least compared to the many spellings of Adeline.

AURELIA (#290)

A golden name by way of the ancient world and Italy.

AYLANI (#293)

One more – lani option, following Ailany and Ailani straight up the popularity charts.

ADELINA (#304)

Adeline with a trailing A, making this familiar name a little more romantic.

AMINA (#315)

An Arabic name meaning truthful.

ALESSIA (#326)

An Italian import, boosted by pop singer Alessia Cara.

ALAYNA (#332)

Like Alayna, probably an attempt to provide a phonetic take on Elena.

ANAYA (#336)

Possibly a twist on Amaya, or maybe an elaboration of Naya.

AISHA (#337)

A traditional Arabic name with a great meaning: alive.

ANNABELLE (#343)

Immortalized by poet Edgar Allan Poe, this pretty name remains familiar, but not wildly popular.

AYLIN (#345)

A Turkish name meaning moonlight, with a tailored, modern appeal. It’s also the Spanish phonetic equivalent of Eileen, boosted by a popular singer and contributing to the rise of Ailany.

ANGELINA (#347)

Angela elaboration supercharged by Hollywood A-lister Angelina Jolie.

ADELYN (#355)

Another Adeline option.

ARIEL (#356)

A Hebrew name meaning “lion of God,” Ariel is originally masculine. But it went under the sea with Disney in 1989, and has been popular for girls in the US ever since. Despite 2023’s successful live action remake, Ariel continues to fall in use.

ADRIANA (#366)

An Italian name, borrowed from a port town in northern Italy, which also inspired the name of the Adriatic Sea.

ARIYAH (#367)

Take Aria, layer in all the letters of Aaliyah, and Ariyah is the logical outcome.

ALAYA (#368)

Probably another cousin for Aaliyah or maybe a different spelling for Alaia.

ADHARA (#370)

An Arabic name borrowed from a star in the night sky.

ANYA (#375)

A Russian nickname for Anna. Spell it Anja, and it’s a Scandi and German short form, too. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy is helping to rise the name’s profile.

ASTRID (#376)

A Norse name, Astrid has been boosted by everything from How to Train Your Dragon to Vikings. Nico Parker played Astrid in the 2025 live action adaptation, and is set to return for the 2027 sequel.

AMARI (#380)

Thoroughly modern Amari is one of several rhyming names popular now, along with Damari, Jamari, and Kamari. They might come from an Arabic word meaning “long life.”

ANGELA (#408)

Depending on your point-of-view, Angela is either a spiritual name (because angels), a traditional one (especially in Italian families), or simply a fading 1970s favorite.

ANNALISE (#409)

The Dutch and German Anneliese is a combination of Anne and Elisabeth. Annalise is the preferred English-language spelling, and familiar to some thanks to an Animal Crossing character.

ALAYAH (#412)

Likely another spelling of Aaliyah or Alaia.

ALESSANDRA (#443)

The Italian version of Alexandra, less expected but very wearable.

ADELYNN (#443)

Just when it seems like all the spellings of Adeline are already listed …

ALMA (#449)

Multiple meanings and origins apply, but Alma likely succeeds now because of its Spanish roots, where it means soul.

ALYSSA (#453)

A romance language cousin to Alice, or possibly a name inspired by the alyssum flower, Alyssa surged into the US Top 100 in the 1980s, and remained there well into the 2010s.

ALICIA (#460)

Before there was Olivia and Sophia, parents loved Alicia, a romance language form of Alice.

ALEXANDRIA (#474)

A more elaborate Alexandra, with the bonus tie to Alexandria, Egypt, once home to the greatest library of the ancient world.

ALISON (#476)

The single-L spelling of former favorite Allison.

ANAHI (#482)

A name from the legends of the indigenous people of Brazil, made famous by a Mexican singer and actress.

AINSLEY (#483)

A Scottish surname, this one caught on after popular television drama The West Wing introduced character Ainsley Hayes in 2000.

ALIVIA (#484)

Every Top Ten name encourages a few similar choices, and #1 Olivia is no exception.

ANIYAH (#485)

Probably a creative take on Aaliyah, influenced by Ana names.

ARIELLE (#486)

Juliette outranks Juliet, and Annabelle is more popular than Annabel. While Ariel remains the preferred spelling, it’s no surprise that Arielle is popular, too.

AUBREE (#489)

After so many years in the Top 100, Aubrey has inspired several alternative spellings.

AMIRAH (#490)

Another form of Amira, both related to popular boy’s name Amir.

AMANDA (#493)

Maybe you think of Amanda as stuck in the 1980s with Allison, listening to Duran Duran on cassette. But, but, but it’s been around since the seventeenth century – at least – and has history to spare.

ARLETTE (#494)

An old school French name, Arlette shares the popular -ette ending of Scarlett and Juliette, but feels far less expected.

ALISSON (#511)

One more spelling of Allison.

ANALEIA (#514)

Another Anna-Leah mash-up, with a particularly current appeal.

AMBER (#520)

Borrowed from the gemstone.

AMOURA (#527)

Amora with an additional vowel.

APRIL (#542)

A lovely month, and a well-established name for a daughter.

ANGEL (#546)

A noun name twist on Angela with a strongly spiritual vibe.

ALEXIS (#554)

Once a powerhouse of a 1990s name, Alexis has fallen in use, but remains familiar.

AMAIA (#555)

Another spelling of Amaya.

ARMANI (#562)

A designer label, now popular as a given name.

AMALIA (#566)

Amelia’s cousin, with a slightly different sound.

ALLIE (#569)

Casual nickname name for any of the many Al- names, or an independent option in the key of Ellie.

ALIA (#587)

Possibly the sparest possible spelling of Aaliyah, though it may also be a separate Arabic name meaning lofty, or one with Germanic roots.

AVIANNA (#595)

An elaboration of Ava, with a nod to Ariana and company.

ALIANA (#603)

A creative take on Elena and Alaina, Alia and Ana, or Eliana.

ALEJANDRA (#604)

The Spanish-language version of Alexandra.

ARI (#614)

This might be a Hebrew or Scandi name, in which case it’s traditionally masculine. But it might also be short for Ariana, Aria, or other girls’ names with a strong Ar- sound … of which there are many. And that makes it every bit as feminine as Allie or Annie.

ARIYA (#615)

Probably a slightly fancier take on Aria.

ANNE (#619)

Classic and enduring, Anne-with-an-E outpaces just Ann, but lags behind Anna and Ana.

AMIYAH (#620)

Possibly a cousin to Amaya, with a little bit of Aaliyah’s spelling mixed in.

AZARIAH (#630)

A masculine name in the Old Testament, meaning “God has helped,” Azariah succeeds on sound in the twenty-first century.

ANDI (#632)

The go-to nickname for Andrea. It now fits in nicely with boyish-nickname-names for girls, like Scottie and Stevie. The Devil Wears Prada sequel will reintroduce the world to Andrea “Andy” Sachs in 2026, making this name a pop culture staple.

ARIAH (#636)

Either Aria with an H, or Mariah without an M.

AZARIA (#638)

Azariah, hold the H.

AYA (#644)

Mini name Aya is heard across the world. It means “sign” in Arabic and color or design in Japanese. And Aya has been popular across much of Europe, too.

ARLET (#642)

Slimmed-down spelling of Arlette.

ANDIE (#650)

Another spelling of popular Andrea nickname, plus another entry in the Charlie/Stevie/Scottie boyish nickname name list.

ALARA (#652)

A newcomer to the US Top 1000, Alara might be Elara-with-an-A. But it can also be a name borrowed from a castle in Turkey, or a fairy from Turkic folklore.

ALEENA (#657)

Another spelling of popular Alina.

ALIZA (#675)

A Hebrew name meaning joyful, or possibly just Eliza spelled with an A.

AMANI (#678)

An Arabic name meaning wishes.

ALONDRA (#680)

From the Spanish word for lark.

AVERIE (#701)

Popular Avery with an -IE ending.

ANGIE (#705)

The logical nickname for all of the Ang- names in the US Top 1000.

ALENA (#707)

Another cousin to Alina and Aleena.

ANGELICA (#708)

Angelina ranks higher, but the Schuyler sisters put Angelica on this list – and on parents’ radar, too.

ANALIA (#711)

Possibly a smoosh of names like Ana and Lucia or even Ana and Lia.

ABBY (#731)

Abigail’s logical short form, sometimes given independently.

ARACELI (#746)

Borrowed from a title of the Virgin Mary used primarily in Spain, Araceli means “altar of the sky.”

ADELE (#751)

A spare, sophisticated alternative to Adeline, made even more familiar thanks to chart-topping singer Adele.

AMARIS (#754)

Possibly the feminine form of an Old Testament name.

AZARI (#766)

Another take on Azaria.

ALAIYA (#792)

Can it be? Yes, it’s another spelling of Aaliyah.

AILEEN (#799)

Originally a Scottish and Irish cousin to Helen.

ADLEY (#805)

Hadley – or maybe Bradley – with a letter (or two) dropped.

AVANI (#806)

Sanskrit nature name. Avani means earth.

AURA (#817)

Golden, glowing Aura ties together nature names with a spiritual, otherworldly sense

ALIYA (#823)

Perhaps a more phonetic attempt at Aaliyah.

AILA (#827)

It might be an import from Scandinavia, where it’s a smoothed-out version of Helga, meaning blessed. But Aila could also be an invention based on Layla and so many similar-sounding favorites.

AMELIE (#828)

Midway between Amelia and Emily, this French name owes a little to both.

AMAYAH (#841)

Amaya with an added H.

ANAIAH (#853)

A masculine name from the Old Testament that fits with popular girl names now.

ARISBETH (#862)

Ari-meets-Elizabeth.

AYLEEN (#863)

One more take on Aileen, and part of the Ailany trend, too.

ASPYN (#869)

Aspen with a Y.

AYAH (#870)

Lovely Arabic name meaning verse.

ADRIANNA (#872)

The single-N spelling is more popular, but Adrianna also charts.

AVIANA (#887)

Ava meets Ana.

ANAIS (#892)

A French and sometimes Spanish form of Anna.

AINARA (#898)

Likely another form of Enara, a Basque bird name – it refers to the swallow.

ANAYAH (#913)

Anaya with an H.

AILANNY (#932)

Another spelling of fast-rising favorite Ailany.

ALEIA (#933)

One more Aaliyah spelling, this one much simplified.

ALIANNA (#938)

Aliana, but with a double N.

AYRA (#939)

Pretty mini name, relatively new to the US rankings.

ANIKA (#955)

Sometimes another spelling for Anne nickname Annika, and sometimes a Sanskrit name meaning splendor. Actress and singer Anika Noni Rose helps raise the name’s profile, too.

AADHYA (#960)

A Hindi name with an appealing meaning: first power.

AINHOA (#961)

French place name, famous for an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the 1800s.

AUGUST (#962)

While August as a name is traditionally masculine, it’s status as a month puts it in the same category as April, May, and June.

AMIRI (#964)

Unisex name with Arabic roots, as well as ties to Japan.

ALEAH (#965)

One more take on Aaliyah, this one influenced by Old Testament favorite Leah.

ASHLYN (#972)

An update to Ashley with the -lyn ending like so many Nature Plus names, or an Anglicized version of the Irish Aisling, meaning dream.

ARDEN (#975)

Tailored place name with literary cachet thanks to Shakespeare’s fanciful Forest of Arden in As You Like It.

ASHLYNN (#980)

Ashlyn with one more N.

AKIRA (#983)

Unisex Japanese name meaning bright.

ARELY (#984)

An invention in the key of Araceli and Yareli.

ADALEE (#987)

Either a double name – Ada Lee – or perhaps a phonetic take on Adelie.

ADDILYN (#988)

Another potential spelling for Adeline, this once resembling a smoosh between Addi and Lyn.

ANNIKA (#995)

The double-N Annika trails the single-N spelling.

RARE GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH A

AARNA

A Sanskrit name meaning wave or ocean.

AARYA

Another take on Aria, perhaps meant to emphasize the name’s connection to Persian and Indian roots.

ABERDEEN

Place name with Scottish roots.

ABILENE

Unconventional path to Abby, with plenty of Texas flair.

ACACIA

Tree name with that lovely -ia ending.

ACADIA

National park name that brings to mind the wonders of Maine.

ADAIR

For every chart-topping surname name like Avery or Addison, there’s an Adair. Originally a Scottish form of Edgar, that connection isn’t well-known – or particularly obvious. And if you’re after something bold for your daughter’s name, the “dare” sound makes this one doubly appealing.

ADAMARIS

Either an Ada-Maris mashup or a play on the Latin adamo – to fall in love.

ADANNA

Pretty Igbo name meaning “eldest daughter.”

ADARA

Hebrew name meaning noble.

ADDISYN

Addison with a Y … in a different spot.

ADDYSON

Addison with a Y.

ADELIE

French feminine name related to Adele, as well as a type of penguin named for an explorer’s wife.

ADESINA

Lyrical Yoruba name, often given to a long-awaited child.

ADIA

Rare name with several possible origins, including Swahili – where it means gift. Singer Sarah McLachlan scored a major hit with her song “Adia” in 1997.

ADIRA

Hebrew name meaning strong.

AERIN

Sometimes a Korean import, but also the name of Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of Estee Lauder and heir to the beauty empire.

AFTON

The name of a Scottish river immortalized in a Robert Burns poem, Afton has flowed into greater use as a girls’ given name over the years. A little bit literary, with ties to the natural world, few names hit the same sweet spot as Afton. As a bonus, Burns’ poem has been set to music, most recently by Nickel Creek.

AGATHA

Classic name with a long history of use, out of favor today.

AGLAIA

One of the Thee Graces in Greek mythology. Her name means beauty.

AGNES

Another traditional favorite that everyone recognizes, but few parents choose. Shorten it to Aggie, and it’s at least as wearable as Margaret/Maggie or Abigail/Abby.

AGNESSA

Russian form of Agnes with an elaborated ending.

AHAVA

Hebrew name meaning love.

AIDA

From the famous Verdi opera.

AILIS

Form of Alice heard in Ireland and Scotland.

AILSA

Scottish island name.

AIMEE

A French-inspired spelling of Amy, still less common than the three-letter version, but with possibility.

AIRLIE

Borrowed from the name of a beach in Australia.

AKARI

Japanese feminine name meaning red or bright, now used for boys in the US, too, possibly because it resembles names like Dakari.

AKHILA

Also spelled Akila or Akeelah, this name means “complete” in Sanskrit.

ALANIS

A cousin to Alana, made famous by singer Alanis Morissette.

ALBA

Rare name from ancient Rome meaning white or bright.

ALBERTA, ALBERTINE

Feminine forms of Albert little heard today. Albertine gets a boost from a sweet song by Brooke Fraser.

ALETHEA

From a Greek word meaning truth.

ALEXA

A short form of Alexandra, Alexa was a Top 100 staple in the US. Then Amazon introduced their virtual assistant, Alexa, in 2015. As the technology has moved into our homes, the use of the given name has plummeted. One practical reason: every time you called your daughter’s name, your smart device would respond.

ALEXIA

Yet another Alexandra short form.

ALISA

Alisa variant that enjoyed a burst of popularity around the same time Alyssa and Alicia ruled the charts.

ALITZEL

Probably a mash-up of so many Al- names with Itzel, a name ultimately related to a goddess from Maya mythology.

AMABEL, AMABELLE, AMABELLA

Likely the original form of Annabelle, from the Latin name Amabilis – lovable.

AMENAIDE

Heard in New Orleans, Amenaide looks like an Amelia-Adelaide mash-up with an extra syllable added. Flawlessly French and ever so rare.

AMITY

Fellow virtue name Felicity ranks comfortably in the US Top 500 – but it had a saint and a television series to boost familiarity along the way. The far rarer Amity offers a great meaning – friendship – and an equally appealing sound.

AMORET

If you know your Latin – or Spanish or French – you can unpack Amoret. It comes from amor love. Poet Edmund Spenser invented it for his 1590 epic poem The Faerie Queene. It’s seldom heard as a given name, but fits right in with Juliet and Scarlett.

ANEMONE

A possible nature name that nods to the flower and the sea anemone, too.

ANGELIQUE

The French form of Angelica.

ANISA

An Arabic name meaning friendly, Anisa is rare in the US, but heard elsewhere in the world. It’s sometimes spelled with a double ‘s’ but that might confuse the pronunciation. Anisa rhymes with Lisa.

ANIYA

Likely a creative take on Amaya and Aaliyah, with a N swapped out for the M.

ANNEMOR

We love Annabelle and lots of other Ann- names, so how about Annemor? It’s an import from Sweden and Norway, only used since the middle of the twentieth century. The first syllable is the classic Ann; mor means mother.

ANTIGONE

In Greek myth, she’s principled and heroic – and also tragic. But the name has potential, especially with so many similar Greek favorites rising in use.

ANTOINETTE

Frilly, French feminine form of Anthony, Antoinette was made famous by a doomed queen. Marie Antoinette casts a long shadow, and yet, Antoinette ranked in the US Top 200 during the 1910s and 20s.

ARAMINTA

Vintage gem with literary roots.

ARBOR

Another word name possibility, arbor comes from the Latin word for tree. While it more commonly refers to a garden now, the annual observance of Arbor Day keeps the meaning top of mind. Arbor fits with similar-sounding Harper, as well as nature names like Willow and Rowan.

ARIADNE

A mythological name, we know Ariadne from the story of the Minotaur. She helped Theseus outwit the monster, but they don’t exactly have a happy ending. Still, in our age of Penelope, it’s easy to imagine Ariadne wearing well.

ARIANWEN

A name with Welsh roots, and a shimmering meaning: silver and blessed.

ARIETH

It might be a Latin American form of Harriet, or a take on another Ari- name, or even Arlette.

ARLIE

Arlene cousin with an -ie ending.

ARTEMIS

Greek mythology gives this name to their goddess of the moon and the hunt. It’s been used in small numbers over the years, for both boys and girls. The masculine version is sometimes spelled Artemas.

ARTEMISIA

An elaboration of goddess name Artemis. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, was commissioned by Artemisia II of Caria. It honored her husband-brother, Mausolus. While she’s mostly remembered for her outpouring of grief, she ruled her country and commanded its military way back in the fourth century BC – an impressive feat.

ASIA

The name of the continent, which ultimately means “east,” Asia is also a Polish diminutive for Joanna. The -sia ending is commonly used to create nicknames, like Gosia for Margaret or Zosia for Sophia.

ASTRAEA

Greek goddess name, associated with justice and innocence. She lives on in the night sky as the constellation Virgo.

ATALANTA

Okay, it could be mistaken for Atlanta, the city in Georgia, time after time. But the Atalanta of myth has a great story to tell. She refuses to marry unless she can find a husband who can outrun her. In other tales she sailed with the Argonauts and hunted a wild boar.

ATARAH

Rare Old Testament name with a gorgeous meaning: crown.

AUBRIELLA, AUBRIELLE

Sleek surname Aubrey meets the elaborate Gabrielle orGabriella.

AUSTEN, AUSTYN

Austyn might be an attempt to make Austin feminine, while Austen seems like a nod to legendary author Jane Austen.

AVALON

A mystical island paradise in Arthurian legend, Avalon has been borrowed as a place name over the years. It’s also a famous Roxy Music album, and very occasionally, a given name.

AVERILL

Rare surname name ultimately related to Everild, an Old English name that died out after the Normal conquest.

AVONLEA

Especially for Anne fans.

AVRIL

French form of April.

AYANNA

Ayanna and Ayana peaked around the turn of the twenty-first century. Aiyana is another spelling. The name could come from an Amharic word for flower.

AYELET

Hebrew name meaning gazelle, associated with the morning star.

AYO

Yoruba name meaning joy, often used in longer combinations.

AZIZA

Arabic name meaning beloved or respected.

AZUCENA

Spanish name for a type of lily.

AZURA

Pretty name borrowed from an older word meaning blue. Azure is also sometimes seen.

What are your favorite girl names starting with A? 

Originally published on May 18, 2020, this post was revised and updated on September 22, 2020; May 31, 2021; and September 19, 2022; May 29, 2023; May 15, 2024; May 19, 2025; and May 11, 2026.