Violet

Violet, f.

Meaning: purple, a flower

I have such a love for the name Violet. I like that it's a flower name and a colour; it has the pleasing, humming 'V' beginning; it has the cute nicknames 'Vie' or 'Lettie'. It is girly, sweet and has the potential to age well: it isn't a Daisy or a Poppy but something more sophisticated.

I have to admit that this name does remind me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ('you're turning violet, Violet!'). This perhaps isn't the most flattering use of the name but there are plenty of other Violets in popular culture (eg - Lemony Snicket, Downton Abbey, The Incredibles) so it isn't the strongest connection.

Violet has just snuck into the popularity charts in England at number 100. This means it is climbing in popularity (#114 in 2011) but it is still unlikely your daughter will be in a class with another little Violet.

If you like rarer, more unusual names and are feeling brave, how about Vesper for a little girl? This is one of my 'guilty pleasure names' (ie - I love it but would never be brave enough to use it). It comes from the word for 'wasp' in Latin - hence the name for the scooters and the noise they make. It is such a great name to say and totally reminds me of the super cool character Vesper in James Bond 'Casino Royale'. 

Una

Una, f.

Meaning: 'one' or 'lamb'

I have been putting off doing a 'u' name because this is a letter I'm not really keen on. I don't like an 'uh' sound at the start of the name so have chosen an 'ooh' sound instead. Una is an unusual and surprisingly pretty name. It reminds me of the very similar Luna and all its quirkiness.

This name has links with lots of languages (most Romance languages will associate this name with their word for 'one). Therefore this could be good choice if you are a family of mixed heritage and want a name that works in several cultures. I suppose it would suit a first child or daughter with this meaning! The 'lamb' meaning, by the way, is from an Irish origin; nice to have choices!

If you'd like something even quirkier than Una, then Uma is always a possibility, as worn by Uma Thurman. 

A popular trend for girls

A current trend in girls' names can be seen in the number of two-syllable names ending in -a which are on an upward rise in the popularity charts in the UK. Several of these can be attributed to celebrity names. But I think the general liking for these names is because there is a definite girliness to the -a ending and a pleasing simplicity to having just 2 syllables. When you read through this list I'm sure you will be able to think of children recently given these names. I can imagine several of these reaching the highest spots in the popularity charts in the next few years. On the other hand, some of these names are not at all popular yet but still have an upward trend. If you want to be ahead of a new popular name then one of these may be a good choice! I have put their current popularity next to each name (for 2012). 

Alba #483

Ava #6

Bella #58

Etta #852

Eva #24

Isla #8

Layla #29

Lola #23

Luna #337

Lyla #132

Lyra #255

Mila #160

Thea #225

Thessaly

Thessaly, f.

Meaning: a geographical area of Greece.

I was in the mood for a more unusual name today. This is a place name, which has had only very occasional use as a baby name so far. As a place name it fits in with the trend for names such as: India, Aspen, Caspian, Paris, Siena, Roma, Adelaide etc! If you like Greek mythology, you might be interested by Ancient Greek stories including Thessaly, such as the battle between the gods and Titans which is supposed to have taken place on the Plain of Thessaly.

I think Thessaly has a really attractive sound; I love saying this name. It sounds soft with the Th- start and playful with the -lee sound at the end. I really like that it is highly unlikely that anyone else you know would have this name and that your child would be unique in their class. You'd have to deal with spelling the name out all of the time but I think the pronunciation is straightforward enough.

Let's start a new naming trend with Thessaly!