Winter Girl NamesWinter girl names range from the obvious – think weather – to the subtle – like names that mean white.

Some boast centuries of use and broad familiarity; others are novel and seldom heard. And a few fall somewhere between, the new nature names right at-home in the twenty-first century, wintry equivalents of River and Meadow.

Nature names rule the day, but a handful of favorites from literature and other sources make great winter girl names, too.

Because regardless of their history or origin, what they share is this: a sense of the beauty of the winter season and a celebration of all that it brings.

If you’re expecting a winter daughter, or if you’ve always loved cold and snow, these winter baby names might make ideal first or middles – or even both – for a daughter.

ALASKA (unranked)

The 49th state has four seasons, just like everywhere else on Earth – but for much of Alaska, it looks rather wintry more often than not. It feels rugged, but also surprisingly pretty. The name comes from an Aleut phrase meaning “object to which the action of the sea is directed.” The Russians first used it back in the eighteenth century, and it stuck. As a given name, Alaska is rare. Russian-born model Anne V. gave the name to a daughter in 2015.

AMARYLLIS (unranked)

Amaryllis plants are associated with Christmas for at least two reasons. First, they come in red and white, a candy cane-color pattern suited for the season. But legend adds more. One story claims that Joseph was chosen to marry Mary after his shepherd’s staff grew amaryllis flowers. The name carries a seasonal meaning, too – “to sparkle,” from the name of a shepherdess in Virgil’s writings. With bold botanicals very much in vogue, Amaryllis fits right in.

AMETHYST (unranked)

Winter isn’t all Christmas, of course. Amethyst serves as February’s birthstone. The pretty purple gem is a form of quartz, used in jewelry as far back as ancient Egypt. The Greeks believed it could prevent drunkenness, and the name means precisely that – not intoxicated. There’s a sixteenth century French poem about a maiden named Amethyste, who avoids the affections of – who else? – Bacchus, god of wine.

ANGEL (#521)

Wintry weather can mean travel delays and freezing toes. But it can also be pretty – and fun! The perfect snowfall calls for a snow angel, which puts this lovely name on the list. Angela is more traditional, and names like Angelina, Angelica, and Angelique have all had their moments, too. But there’s something about Angel that lends it just a hint of winter appeal.

APRICITY (unranked)

It’s an obscure and specific word, meaning the warmth of the sun in winter. Lately it’s surfacing on suggestions for rare baby girl names inspired by the season. If Felicity and April work, the door is open for Apricity.

ARWEN (unranked)

We tend to think of Arwen as Elrond’s elfin princess daughter in Lord of the Rings, played by Liv Tyler in the movies. In Welsh, the familiar -wen ending means fair or white. It’s among the most subtle of winter names for girls, but one that blends fantasy and the gorgeousness of winter.

ASPEN (#196)

Aspen qualifies as a tree name, but it’s also a famous Colorado ski resort. That makes for lots of snowy imagery. But Aspen isn’t just about the slopes; it’s a glitzy tourist destination, where you can buy Gucci on the main drag. Despite the town’s affluence, Aspen remains a seasonal, wintry choice.

BIANCA (#426)

Literary Bianca was twice-used by Shakespeare. But it makes this list, because, like Blanca and Blanche, it means white. The Italian name took an international, glamorous turn in the 1970s thanks to model Bianca Jagger. The name remains familiar, but relatively uncommon.

CERES (unranked)

In Roman mythology, Ceres is an agriculture goddess, associated with the harvest. In fact, her name comes from a word meaning grain. But she’s also associated with the seasons, thanks to a story likely borrowed from the Greek goddess Demeter.

CHIONE (unranked)

In Greek mythology, Chione is the daughter of the north wind. A second figure shared the name, and she was turned into a snow cloud.

DEMETRIA (unranked)

The Greek goddess Demeter (and her Roman counterpart, Ceres) is associated with the seasons thanks to her daughter, Persephone. Abducted by and then married  to Hades, King of the Underworld, Persephone was forced to spend half of year in the land of the dead. In anger and mourning, her Earth goddess mother sent the world into winter, letting all things green and growing wither, too. But when Persephone returned to the land of the living in springtime, the world, too, came back to life. Demetria is more common as a given name than Demeter; Demi is an option, too, as made famous by Demi Moore and Demi Lovato.

EIRA (unranked)

Love short names big on vowel sounds? Consider Eira, the Welsh word for snow. I’ve heard it pronounced like the masculine name Ira, as well with a long a – Ayra, and also like Air-ah. Other meanings, origins, and pronunciations are possible, too. It feels thoroughly modern and quite seasonal.

EIRWEN (unranked)

Another Welsh name, Eirwen combines snow with gwen – white. Pronunciation is a little tricky. In American English, I think air-wen probably comes closest, but I’ve heard ay-er-wen, too – and I think might be prettier. It’s a gorgeous middle for a winter daughter, and a bold first name choice.

ELSA (#994)

Not so long ago, Elsa was a familiar, but seldom heard, form of Elizabeth. Then came Frozen. Loosely based on the Snow Queen, in the Disney blockbuster gives her magical powers that send her kingdom into perpetual winter. All ends well, but the name has faltered as the character has become ubiquitous. Now that there’s an Elsa on 1838, the prequel to hit series Yellowstone, maybe that will change.

FIONA (#357)

Reverse the sounds in chart-topping Sophia, and it’s almost Fiona. A poetic invention, Fiona comes from the same roots as Finn, and shares the same meaning: white or fair. Today’s parents might also think of the Shrek character, or they might love it just for the spirited, vibrant sound.

FROST (unranked)

It’s a pretty seasonal phenomenon and the surname of winter’s Jack Frost, too. (And the X-Men’s Emma Frost.) It comes from an Old English word referring to freezing, extreme cold, and precipitation – though now it specifically refers to the thin layer of ice crystals that forms on surfaces at the right temperature. It fits with gender-neutral names like River, and might make a particularly appealing middle.

GARNET (unranked)

Names inspired by the color red are wildly popular, thanks to Scarlett and Ruby. Gemstone names, too. So why not Garnet? The traditional birthstone for January takes its name from a Middle English word meaning “deep red” – though the stones come in other colors. Bonus? It works for boys, too.

GWENDOLYN (#389)

Another fair, white Welsh name, Gwendolyn brings to mind notable women. Think Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks and actor Gwendoline Christie. Plus Winnie on The Wonder Years? Really a Gwendolyn. Short form Gwen stands on its own, too, another subtly wintry option.

GWYNEIRA (unranked)

A relatively new Welsh name, Gwyneira combines elemetns to mean white snow.

HAUKEA (unranked)

A Hawaiian name meaning white snow. (Yes, it snows in Hawaii, at least near the peaks of mountains, like Mauna Kea.)

HAUNANI (unranked)

Since there’s snow in Hawaii – at least sometimes – no surprise that there’s more than one name referencing the phenomenon. Haunani means beautiful snow.

HOLIDAY (unranked)

The British call any vacation a holiday, but in the US, our happy holidays fall in the winter. In Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Holly Golightly was actually Holiday. Actor Holliday Grainger makes it familiar to a new generation. It means “holy day,” but doesn’t seem especially religious by twenty-first century standards.

HOLLY (#459)

It’s a powerful symbol from the Druids to the Christians to today. Holly represented truth in medieval heraldry. Harry Potter’s wand was made from holly. You’d expect Holly to be a hit – and it was, in the 1970s. But it still has plenty of appeal for a daughter born during the winter.

IVY (#42)

Ivy is the new Holly, except they’ve always been a matched set. Most modern parents probably like Holly for its mini-name qualities, and the middle ‘v’ of Ava and other stylish picks. But it’s a solid seasonal choice, too, and among the most popular of the winter girl names on this list.

JANUARY (unranked)

We say yes to April, May, June, but skip the wintry months. But January Jones made this possibility familiar; the actor’s name came from a Jacqueline Susann novel. It fits with three-syllable, ends-in-y names for girls from Emily to Avery, and sounds exactly right for a daughter born during the winter season. January comes from Janus, the Roman god of gateways and beginnings. It’s appropriate for the new year, but also an appealing name for a child.

LUMI (unranked)

Lumi comes from the Finnish word for snow, but sounds like lumen, the Latin word for light. It also brings to mind Lucy and Luna, too. It’s almost completely unheard of in the US, but it seems like a promising possibility. After all, I assume the Finns know quite a lot about snow.

NATALIE (#55)

Ever since a young Natalie Wood – born Natalia – became a household name in the 1950s, this name has been a favorite. It’s ranked in the US Top 100 since the 70s. It comes from the Latin phrase natale domini – Christmas Day, literally the birthday of the Lord. It still makes a nicely wintry choice for a daughter born later in the season.

NEVE (unranked)

Short, tailored, and sharp, Neve claims several possible origins. But in Portuguese it means snow, and Nevada comes from a Spanish phrase meaning snow-covered. This wintry Neve rhymes with Bev, as in actor Neve Campbell, while the Irish Niamh rhymes with Eve.

NIEVES (unranked)

Nieves is the Spanish word for snow. It’s borrowed from a title of Mary, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves meaning “Our Lady of the Snows”.

NOELLE (#211)

Like Natalie, this name literally means Christmas. It’s a go-to middle name choice, and steadily popular as a girls’ given name in recent decades, too. Disney Plus introduced a Christmas movie starring Anna Kendrick called Noelle in 2019, making the connection even stronger. It makes for a warm and wintry choice.

NORTH (unranked)

Sure, it’s a Kardashian name, and that might be a strike against it. But North also feels like a virtue name – think of phrases like true north. And, thanks to the North Pole, there’s no question that North brings to mind winter weather and the end-of-year holidays.

OLWEN (unranked)

One more Welsh possibility. Olwen means “white footprint.”

SOLSTICE (unranked)

There are two solstices a year. Like Demetria and Ceres, Solstice workd for either of them. On December 21st, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year.

SNOW (unranked)

A short name with a big sound, Snow might be better suited as a bold middle. But it’s a Disney princess name, and if we can name our daughters after Ariel and Jasmine, why not the poison-apple-eating Snow White? It’s a daring nature name, not so very different from Rain.

SYLVIE (#436)

Sylvie means forest, but it makes this list for another reason. St. Sylvester’s Day falls on December 31st, and in some European countries, Sylvester means New Year’s Eve. That makes Sylvie the most subtle of winter names for girls. But it could be yet another reason to consider this rising choice. Silvia and Sylvia, of course, work for the same reasons.

VALENTINE (unranked)

Valentina, Valentino, and Valentin are familiar. But Valentine – as in the saint celebrated on February 14th – seems most clearly tied to the season. While we think of romance when we hear this name, it actually means healthy or strong, from the Latin valens. It’s worth noting, however, that Valentina is a Top 100 favorite.

WHITAKER, WHITTAKER (unranked)

A surname meaning white field, Whitaker – with one T or two – feels like a polished surname name that would wear well for a daughter.

WINTER (#304)

No list of winter girl names would be complete without the most obvious pick: Winter. Autumn and Summer have been big for ages. But Winter comes with vintage nickname Winnie built-in, and that stylish -r ending. If this is your favorite season, then there’s reason aplenty to consider it for a child’s name.

YUKI (unranked)

A Japanese name meaning snow, part of many compound names, like Yukio.

ZIVA (unranked)

Paperwhites bloom indoors from late fall to early spring; fragrant, snow white, and easy-to-grow, they’re one of winter’s joys. Ziva refers to one of the most common varieties. It’s not clear how the flowers got their name, but in Hebrew, Ziva means radiance – and is established as a given name.

What are your favorite winter girl names? Are there any I’ve missed? Any you might consider?

First published on November 10, 2017, this post was revised and re-posted on February 3, 2020; September 24, 2020; January 8, 2022; August 1, 2022; and December 12, 2023.

winter girl names winter girl names winter girl names

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

13 Comments

  1. Amaryllis is just about my perfect girl name all year round! Long, beautiful, unusual, a nature name, great meaning and a load of lovely nicknames.