Names to add to your shortlist
Althea
Soft, old-fashioned and a little unexpected beside today’s top names.
2025 U.S.: 171 births · #1,299Peak: 1956 · 388 births
Amity
Warm in meaning and uncommon in everyday use.
2025 U.S.: 36 births · #3,982Peak: 1979 · 119 births
Anthea
A graceful classical name with a botanical feel.
2025 U.S.: 9 births · #10,179Peak: 1990 · 20 births
Briony
A botanical name with a distinctly British literary feel.
2025 U.S.: 5 births · #15,342Peak: 2011 · 16 births
Carys
Compact and warm, with a soft Welsh sound.
2025 U.S.: 32 births · #4,375Peak: 2006 · 196 births
Colette
French, polished and stylish, with a vintage comeback feel.
2025 U.S.: 962 births · #316Peak: 2025 · 962 births
Corinne
Familiar in sound but far less common than many current favorites.
2025 U.S.: 253 births · #999Peak: 1978 · 847 births
Delphine
French and oceanic in feel, with a graceful vintage sound.
2025 U.S.: 42 births · #3,592Peak: 1958 · 348 births
Elspeth
A Scottish form with old-world character and a strong ending.
2025 U.S.: 14 births · #7,600Peak: 1984 · 39 births
Eudora
A strong vintage name that sounds at home in a classic novel.
2025 U.S.: 25 births · #5,137Peak: 1923 · 71 births
Ines
Simple, international and elegant, with a clean finish.
2025 U.S.: 213 births · #1,111Peak: 2025 · 213 births
Leonie
Light, French-leaning and cheerful, with a vintage European feel.
2025 U.S.: 80 births · #2,291Peak: 2025 · 80 births
Linnea
Botanical and Scandinavian in style, with a soft, balanced sound.
2025 U.S.: 149 births · #1,449Peak: 2015 · 177 births
Louella
A warm antique with Southern charm and multiple nickname options.
2025 U.S.: 146 births · #1,475Peak: 1932 · 266 births
Nerissa
Shakespearean and sea-like in sound, without feeling difficult.
2025 U.S.: 9 births · #10,681Peak: 1979 · 73 births
Olwen
Welsh and legendary, with a gentle vintage sound.
2025 U.S.: no published countPeak: 1917 · 12 births
Paloma
Warm, elegant and international, with an artistic feel.
2025 U.S.: 343 births · #793Peak: 2009 · 411 births
Petra
Strong, compact and European, with a clean two-syllable rhythm.
2025 U.S.: 161 births · #1,372Peak: 1927 · 197 births
Solene
Polished and French in style, with a sunny sound.
2025 U.S.: 179 births · #1,257Peak: 2025 · 179 births
Twyla
Dreamy and retro, with a distinctive rhythm.
2025 U.S.: 56 births · #2,995Peak: 1964 · 194 births
The data line uses the exact spelling shown. “No published 2025 count” can mean the spelling had zero births or fewer than five, because SSA does not publish counts below five.
Uncommon is not the same as strange
Many uncommon names have centuries of history. They may simply have fallen out of fashion, remained regional or never entered the American mainstream.
Familiar sounds help
Names such as Corinne, Petra and Paloma feel intuitive even to people who do not hear them often. That can make an uncommon name easier to carry day to day.
Check current popularity if rarity matters to you
A name can suddenly rise. If avoiding popularity is a priority, review the latest Social Security rankings rather than relying on what felt rare a few years ago.
Uncommon names can still be easy for strangers
One of the best tests is whether someone can make a reasonable pronunciation guess the first time they see the name. A name does not have to pass this test to be good, but it tells you what kind of everyday experience may come with it.
Local popularity can feel different from national popularity
A name that is uncommon across the United States can be concentrated in a particular state, language community or cultural group. National rankings are valuable context, but they cannot predict exactly what you will hear in your neighborhood or school.
Posy's pick
Corinne
Familiar in sound but far less common than many current favorites.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between uncommon and rare?
We use uncommon more loosely for names you may not hear often. Our rarity pages use current U.S. Social Security rankings when we make a measurable claim.
Are old-fashioned names uncommon?
Some are, while others have returned strongly. Vintage style alone does not guarantee rarity.
How often should popularity data be checked?
Once a year is enough for most parents. SSA releases a new U.S. baby-name dataset each spring covering the previous year.