Choosing a name for a baby can be a very stressful and prolonged process but for some reason choosing a baby girl's name can turn into a real ordeal. May be the reason lies in the fact that there are over two million female names available. And that doesn't take into account the names which some creative or not-that-creative parents come up with every day. From traditional to modern the choice of a baby girl's name is almost endless. Though there are many books and websites with new and unique names, sometimes, instead of easing the process, they make the decision even more difficult! This article is not going to solve your search for the perfect name but rather provide an outline of the most popular girls' names, their meaning and brief background information. Below you will find the five most popular baby girl names and their meanings:
• Isabella - While this name is not widely used in the United States, in other parts of the world it is one of the most popular names admired and preferred by a lot of parents. The name means "My God is a vow" but in choosing it parents don't stress that much on its religious aspect. It has Dutch, English, Spanish, and Italian origin. There have been many queens that have held the name of Isabella. The name has endured the test of time and even nowadays remains one of the most popular baby girl names in Spain, Italy and other parts of Europe.
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• Emma - Emma is the short version of Emily and has recently become one of the most popular girl names in the United States. Even though the name was originally created in Germany it has English, French, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, and Armenian usage. The name became popular with Flaubert's title heroine Emma Bovary and means "universal". One of the reasons for this name's popularity is that it's sweet enough for a baby girl and elegant enough for a grown up woman.
• Olivia - Olivia is one of the most popular names in English speaking countries and is used by many famous people and celebrities. The name was originally invented by Shakespeare and was meant to be the female version of Oliver. The name has a Latin origin and means "olive tree" for which reason Olivia is often seen as a symbol of peace. During the early child's age the name is often used in its baby variants of Livvy or Livvie.
• Sophia - This name is derived from the Greek word "sophist" which means wisdom. In many early religious and philosophical texts, characters that carried this name were referred to as "Sophia figures." It is used in German, Greek, English, and Italian speaking countries. There is an asteroid named Sophia, several cities carry the name as well. The name sounds dignified and is considered very feminine.
• Ava - Often used as a respelling of Eva, the name Ava has steadily been gaining in popularity in the United States since the 1980's. It was the fifth most popular name in 2009. It is used in English and German speaking countries. The name has a Hebrew origin and means "life", "desired". Despite its long existence, Ava is still not quite perceived as a traditional name and this might be one of the reasons of its popularity.
Selecting a name for your unborn little princess could be quite of an ordeal because of the responsibility that comes with it. As a parent you strive to choose that one special name that combines your dreams and expectations, your wishes and hopes and envelopes your baby girl with joy and happiness for her entire life.