Girl Names That Aren’t Girly
Non-girly names are trendy right now. They are usually strong, tough names that reflect strength of character.
If you’re looking for a girl name that isn’t too girly, I’ve collated this list of girl names that are not overly feminine.
Non-girly names are names that are non-frilly, not cutesy, and non-fancy. They tend to be shorter names and don’t usually end in ia, ana, ette, ella, or y.
Many flowery or nature-inspired names are usually super feminine. So, you won’t find these names in this list of non-girly girl names.
Not So Girly Girl Names
1- Abigail
Abigail is a strong biblical girl name of Hebrew origin.
Abigail is a pretty, classic but non-girly name. It’s a name that exudes strength and reliability partly based on the famous biblical Abigail.
In the Bible, Abigail was the third wife of David and a very wise woman.
The name means my father is joy and it’s extremely popular having been in the US top 20 girl names for over 20 years.
Nice nicknames are Abbey, Abi, Gayle, and Gail.
2- Claire
This is the French form of Clara which means clear, bright.
It’s become a popular name in the United States and regularly gets a spot in the top 100 girl names there.
Claire used to be a gender-neutral name but it’s now most commonly used for girls.
3- Adelaide
This sophisticated name was the name of the German wife of King William IV of England.
Adelaide means noble type. And if you are looking for a feminine name that isn’t too cute or frilly, Adelaide is a perfect choice.
Fun Fact: in 1836, the Australian city of Adelaide was named after Queen Adelaide, making it a popular name at the time.
Ada, Della, Lady, Leidey, and Heidi are great pet name options for Adelaide.
4- Teagan
Teagan is a cool unisex name that means poet. It has Irish roots and as many unisex names stem from a surname.
Tegan, Teagen, Teighan, and Teegan are different spellings of this beautiful name.
Teagan is beautiful and feminine but definitely not girly.
Check out some good middle names for Teagan, if you are interested in one.
5- Lauren
Lauren is an English variant of Laura, which means laurel. It’s also thought to be a feminine form of Lawrence.
The 1940s actress, Lauren Bacall popularized this name.
Lauren used to be a non-binary name but it’s hardly ever used for boys anymore.
6- Alice
Lewis Caroll made this name unforgettable when he used it as his titular character in Alice in Wonderland.
An old-fashioned girl’s name, Alice means noble one.
It’s easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and also ages well. What’s not to like?
Cute nicknames are Al, Ali, and Allison.
7- Nicole
Once, extremely popular, Nicole has declined in popularity over the years. Nicole is of Greek origin.
It’s the female form of Nicholas, which means victory of the people.
Nicole is sweet and is commonly used as a middle name. Nicola, Nicki, Nikky, and Nicky are all cute nicknames.
Non-Girly Girl Names
8- Justine
Sophisticated, elegant, and strong are a few words to describe this name. Justine is the French form of Justina.
Justine is a very uncommon girl name that hasn’t made it to the top 1000 girl names in years!
9- Avalon
Avalon is an absolutely beautiful name. It’s a name you’re unlikely to hear very often.
According to Legend, Avalon is the name of the island, King Arthur’s body was taken to after his death.
Avalon is Latin for Island and Old Welsh for apple. Potential nicknames are Avie, Avvie, and Lonnie.
10- Gretchen
A derivative of Margaret, Gretchen means pearl or daisy.
Gretchen has a hard, strong sound that makes it not overly feminine.
Grettie and Gita are potential nicknames.
11- Beatrice
Elegant and classy, Beatrice means one who brings joy.
Beatrice was the subject of Dante’s (the Italian poet) affection; a heroine in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing; a beloved children’s book illustrator, Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit, anyone?) and the name of several royals.
Bree, Brea, Trixie, Trish, Betty, and Bess are potential nicknames for Beatrice.
A classic name that stands the test of time, Beatrice is a girl name that isn’t too girly.
12- Diane
This French form of Diana is also the not-so-girly alternative.
Of Latin origin, Diane means divine, god-like. In Roman mythology, it means goddess of the hunt, the moon, and fertility.
It’s rare to see babies named Diane these days. It’s an old lady name that sounds mature and dated.
Still, if you love old-fashioned, vintage names you don’t hear anymore, Diane is the right name for you!
13- Bronwyn
This Welsh girl’s name means white breast. Bronwyn is a unique non-girly girl name.
If you’re looking for an unusual name that’s not girly, Bronwyn might be just the name for you.
Bear in mind though, that this name gets mispronounced and misspelled fairly often.
14- Elaine
Elaine is a pretty French name. A variation of Helen, which means the shining light.
It’s hard to think of Elaine without remembering the American TV Show, Seinfeld.
Cute nicknames are Lainey, Ella, Laney, Lena Ellie, and Laila.
15- Brynn
Brynn means hill in Welsh. It’s the female version of Bryn.
This one-syllable girl name has begun to get more popular in the last few years.
If you love easy-to-pronounce, short girl names that are not girly, Brynn might just be the name for you!
16- Caitlín
Caitlín is the Irish form of Catherine, which means pure. It’s pronounced Kat-leen.
Many alternative spellings are not too girly. Kathleen, Caitlin, without the accent and pronounced Kate-lin.
Caitlyn Jenner, the reality TV star and Olympic medalist has probably made this name more popular in recent years.
More Non-Feminine Girl Names
17- Anne
Short and sweet, Anne is the French and English form of the Hebrew name, Hannah.
It means grace and favor. A lot of European royals have borne this name over time so it can be regarded as a regal name.
Princess Royal, Princess Anne, daughter to Queen Elizabeth II is one such royal.
Anne Frank, the brave young Jewish writer is also one of its most famous bearers.
Anne is often used as a middle name given that it’s short and simple.
18- Celeste
Celeste is a cool girl’s name that leaves you thinking of the sun, moon, and stars.
Even though it’s soft-sounding, it’s not too girly. In France, it’s a gender-neutral name.
Celeste means heavenly, of the sky. Other spellings include Celesse, Celesta, and Celise.
RELATED: Stunning Baby Names That Mean Heaven
19- Paige
Paige is an English surname that means servant, page. In medieval times, a page was a young boy who attended a knight.
Paige is a non-feminine-sounding name that also makes a great middle name.
20- Charmaine
Charmaine is a very rare girl name. It’s an English name that means charming and delightful woman.
It seems to be associated with black culture. A girl named Charmaine can be given the pet name, Charm.
21- Gillian
Gillian is a pretty unusual name. It is Latin for one who is youthful, soft-haired and fair-complexioned.
Gillian is the English, feminine version of Julian.
Gill, Gillie, and Gilly are possible nicknames.
22- Charlotte
Charlotte is the French form of Charles. It’s a very popular name in the US and England.
Charlotte is a strong name that has no frills.
It’s also a royal name. The latest bearer is Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
23- Daryl
This strong unusual unisex name means one who is greatly loved. It’s of English roots.
Daryl is more commonly given to boys but girls bear this name also.
As you can see in the case of actress Daryl Hannah, who is a famous bearer.
24- Meredith
Meredith is a Welsh name that means great lord or guardian of the sea.
Meredith is a cool masculine girl name that is still being used for boys in Wales, even though in other places, it’s mostly a girl name.
The main character in the TV series, Grey’s Anatomy is called Meredith Grey. She has helped to shape the name Meredith into a strong, powerful name.
25- Dawn
Dawn is a beautiful English female name. It means born at daybreak.
It has the same meaning as Aurora but is much less girly.
Beautiful middle name options are Dawn Summer, Dawn Eve, Dawn Renee, and Dawn Michelle.
Because Dawn is short and cute, it will make a great middle name.
Non-Girly Names
26- Bridget
Bridget is a strong girl name that doesn’t sound feminine. It has Irish roots, links to Irish mythology, and means resolute strength.
Bridget Jones, the fictional protagonist of the book and TV series, Bridget Jones Diary, is a famous bearer.
Despite the popularity of the movie, Bridget has remained a very rare girl name.
Nickname options include Birdie, Bridie, Gidget, and Gita.
27- Deborah
The name Deborah exudes strength and power.
Deborah was a biblical character who was a judge and prophetess. She helped Israel defeat Canaan.
The name comes from the Hebrew word for bee. It’s thought to have been popular with Puritans because the bee is a symbol of hard work.
Deborah has declined in popularity in recent years.
Deborah lends itself to many nicknames: Deb, Debbie, and Debra are a few.
Fun fact: Deborah was also the name of Rebekah’s nurse in the bible.
28- Brooke
This feminine form of Brook means from the brook.
Brooke is an uncommon girl name that works really well as a middle name.
Brooke Shields, the American actress helped popularised this beautiful name.
29- Denise
Denise is the French feminine version of Denis. Saint-Denis is the patron saint of France.
It’s a tough girl name that means follower of Dionysus, the Greek God of wine.
Denise was a very popular name in the 1950s and 1960s, these days it barely gets a spot in the SSA’s top 1000 name for girls.
Nicknames are Deni, Denny, and Denese.
SEE ALSO: 225 Stunning Girly Girl Names
30- Adrienne
This French name is the non-girly variant of Adrianna. It means from Hadria (now the Adriatic region).
It is a very gorgeous, unusual girl name that has not made the top 1000 girl names in the last few years.
Adrienne Bailon, the American singer, actress, and TV host is a famous bearer of the name.
31- Eleanor
It’s hard to think of the name Eleanor and not think of power, strength, and leadership.
In Greek, Eleanor means light and it’s a form of Helen.
Eleanor is classy but not too frilly. A vintage name with a fresh appeal.
Famous bearers named Eleanor include Eleanor of Aquitaine – Queen of France and England, and Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States.
Eleanor has several nickname potentials.
Ellie, Elly, Ella, Elea, Ellen, El, Elle, Nora, Norah, Nory, Norie, Nell, Nellie, Nelly, Leonore, Leonora, Lea, Lenore, Lenny, Lennie, and Lena are some.
32- Erin
Erin is a simple name that means Ireland. In Gaelic, it means peace.
Short and easy to pronounce, Erin is not very common and not too girly.
Other alternative spellings of Erin are Erinn, Erinna, Aryn, and Eryn.
Less Feminine Girl Names
33- Imogen
This name is popular in England. Imogen origin is unclear. Some say it’s Latin for image, or that it means innocent.
Whichever meaning you choose to go with, Imogen is a very pretty name.
Several names pair well with Imogen. You can see this list of over 200 middle names for Imogen.
Some cute nicknames for Imogen are Immy and Idgy.
Famous Imogens are Imogen Poots and Imogen Heap.
Check out cool middle names for Imogen here.
34- Evelyn
Evelyn is German for a bird-like woman.
Evelyn was more commonly used for boys but it’s now seen as a girl’s name.
Evelyn is a classical example of the quote, “Everything old is new again”.
This old lady’s name has come back in style with a vengeance!
Middle name suggestions for Eve are Evelyn Ellis, Evelyn Vera, Evelyn Elaine, Evelyn Lisa, Evelyn Yasmine, and Evelyn Rose.
Evelyn lends itself to several nicknames such as Eve, Evie, and Eva.
35- Faye
Faye has a mystical and dreamy meaning. It’s Latin for fairy.
Faye works well as a middle name because it flows well with a lot of first names.
Think Isabelle Faye, Evelyn Faye, Teagan Faye.
According to Legend, Faye was the name of King Arthur’s half-sister, Morgan Le Fay.
36- Carmen
Carmen is a popular Spanish name. This pretty name means song in Latin and garden in Hebrew.
Carmen is sometimes used for boys as well. It’s also the name of a famous opera.
37- Frances
A non-frilly alternative to Francesca, Frances is the Latin word for a free man.
Frances is a non-feminine name. Some people even give it to male children although the masculine version is Francis.
Frannie, Franny, Frankie, Annie, and Fran are good nickname ideas.
38- Margo
Margo is the French form of Margeret, which means resembling a pearl or the child of light.
Alternative spellings are Margeaux, Margaux, and Margot.
39- Ingrid
Ingrid is a name associated with the god of peace, fertility, and plenty.
It’s a Scandinavian name that means having the beauty of the god, Ing.
This lovely name sounds serious, mature, tough, and strong.
Ingrid Bergman, the Swedish actress was a famous bearer of the name.
40- Blair
Short and sweet, Blair is a Scottish surname that means plain, field, and battlefield.
A non-binary name, Blair sounds nice on both boys and girls.
Blair Waldorf, a protagonist in the book and TV series, Gossip Girl, made this name cool for girls!
41- Judith
This feminine name is of Hebrew origin and means a Jewish woman.
In the Bible, Judith was one of the wives of Esau.
Jodi, Jodie, Jody, and Judi are good nicknames.
Not Girly Girl Names
42- Kirsten
A modern, feminine, and strong girl name, Kirsten is Danish for Christina which means follower of Christ.
Cursten is the American form, while Kurrsten is Scandinavian.
Kirsten is such a lovely and unique name but it can be so easily confused with Kristen.
The American actress, Kirsten Dunst is a famous bearer of this name.
43- Meryl
A very rare name despite being the name of the popular and talented actress, Meryl Streep.
Meryl as a form of Muriel means bright shining sea; as a variant of Merle, it means blackbird.
Other variations of Meryl are Maryl, Meral, Merla, Merryl, and Meryll. A cute nickname is Merry.
44- Amber
The historical romance novel, Forever Amber made this name popular in the 1940s.
However, it has since been on the decline.
Notwithstanding, Amber is a cute feminine name without all the frills.
Amber is a gemstone and sometimes means an orange-yellow color.
45- Morgan
Originally, a boy name, Morgan has become a name used mostly by girls in the United States. In England, it’s frequently seen as a surname.
Morgan is a Welsh name meaning the edge of the sea.
According to legend, Morgan Le Fay was the half-sister of King Arthur.
Morgana is the more feminine version of this name.
46- Olive
Are you looking for a less popular, non-girly version of Olivia? Then, Olive is a great choice to go with.
Olive is an English word that represents the Olive tree and it’s also a symbol of peace.
Liv, Livi, and Olla are possible nicknames.
47- Edith
Pretty and elegant, Edith is Old English for the spoils of war, one who is joyous, a treasure, rich gift.
Edith is a variation of Edgar. It’s beginning to gain popularity in the United Kingdom.
This old-fashioned name was the name of a character in Downton Abbey.
Pretty Nicknames are Edie, Eda, Eddie, Dita, and Ditta.
48- Taylor
Taylor is a cool masculine-sounding girl name derived from a surname. It originates from the Anglo-Saxon word Taillier which means to cut.
Taylor was originally given to a person who was a tailor by profession.
In recent times, Taylor is used as a cute gender-neutral name, although it’s become more popularly used as a female name.
The American singer and songwriter, Taylor Swift carries this name well.
Boyish Girl Names
49- Charlie
Originating from the name Charles, meaning free man. Charlie has a timeless quality to it.
Charlie is one of those names that can double as a stand-alone name or as a nickname (for Charlotte, Charlene, or even Charlize).
50- Blake
This English name means fair-haired, pale, dark, and black. It has a strong and elegant vibe.
Evoking sporty vibes, Blake has been made famous as a boy name on girls all thanks to the beautiful actress, Blake Lively.
Its short form, Blakely, is also becoming increasingly popular and it’s the cutesy girl form of Blake.
51- Monroe
Inspired by the iconic Marilyn Monroe, this Scottish surname has a classic Hollywood feel.
Previously a masculine name, it’s now used more for females.
It means from the mouth of the Roe River and can be shortened to Mo or Roe.
52- Dakota
Meaning “friendly one” in the Sioux language. Dakota Fanning is a popular actress that goes by this first name.
Dakota is a cool unisex name that can be shortened to Kota or Dax.
53- Scout
Inspired by the character in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Scout is a spunky and adventurous name that means one who gathers information covertly.
Scout has been ginning popularity recently as a first name even though lots of people see it as a nickname or a cute middle name option.
54- Marley
This surname, meaning “pleasant wood,” has Old English roots and was made famous by the Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.
Although now a unisex name, it’s more commonly used for girls than boys. It can be shortened to Mar or Lee.
55- Wren
This bird-inspired name is short and sweet, meaning “songbird.”
A relatively modern name that entered the Top 1000 charts in 2013, Wren is beautiful and soft but also rising very quickly.
Its alternative spelling, Ren, can make a cool nickname as well as Renny or Rennie.
56- River
This nature-inspired name has a serene quality to it. It’s a modern unisex name that can be shortened to Riv, or Rive.
57- Quinn
Originating from an Irish surname, Quinn means “wise” or “intelligent.”
Back in the day, if you heard the name Quinn in the US, it was usually for a boy.
But then, in 2010, Quinn Fabray popped up on Glee, and suddenly everyone was naming their baby girls Quinn. It’s been a hit for little ladies ever since!
Winnie or Q as possible nicknames.
58- Sutton
This English name means “southern settlement” and has a preppy and sophisticated feel to it.
Sutton is another modern name rapidly rising in popularity. It can be shortened to Sut or Suttie.
59- Harlow
This pretty place name has Old English roots, meaning “army hill or rock hill.”
In 2008, Harlow gained popularity as a girl’s name when it was chosen by the American celebrity Nicole Richie for her daughter.
It has a trendy vibe and can be shortened to Harie, Ari, or Lo.
60- Kirby
This name means “church settlement” and has a charming and quirky quality to it.
It may bring to mind that lovable little puffball from the Nintendo video games.
Whether you choose the name because of its gaming reference or its cute and unique sound, Kirby is a great choice for a non-feminine name that stands out.
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Tomboyish Names
61- Ellis
This English name means “benevolent, kind” and has a classic and timeless quality to it.
Having many nickname potentials, it can be shortened to El, Ellie, Elsie, Lissy, or Elle. And can work great as a middle name too.
62- Rune
This Nordic name means “secret” or “mystery,” and has a mystical and enchanting vibe.
Although predominantly used on boys, Rune works well as a girl name and would be perfect as a fantasy character name. It can be shortened to Ru. Rue or Runi.
63- Arden
Arden has many origins and meanings. In English, it means “eagle valley or great forest” and has a strong and regal feel.
Also, in the bible, it’s the Hebrew word for Eden. Potential nicknames are Arie, Aria, or Dena.
64- Hadley
This trendy English name means “heather meadow,” and has a soft and feminine quality to it.
Like some of the names on this list, Hadley is a surname place name. It can be shortened to Hads, Haddie, Lee, or Leigh.
65- Drew
This short English name means “strong and manly,” and has a simple and timeless quality to it.
Drew is one cool boy name for a girl. Whenever I think of this name in the context of a girl, I can’t help but be reminded of the actress Drew Barrymore.
66- Sloane
This strong Irish name means “raider” or “warrior,” and has a fierce and edgy vibe. It can be shortened to Slo or Sloanie.
67- Scottie
Originating from the name Scott, meaning “from Scotland,” Scottie has a friendly and approachable quality to it.
It can be used as a nice nod to a family member named Scott.
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate List Of Rich Girl Names
68- Artemis
Inspired by the Greek goddess of the hunt and moon, Artemis has a strong and powerful quality to it.
Though it’s still rather uncommon, Artemis has been rising in popularity in the last few years.
It can be shortened to Art, Artie, or Missy.
69- Andi
This diminutive of the names Andrew or Andrea, Andi has a playful and youthful feel. It can also be spelled with an “e” at the end, Andie.
70- Greer
This Scottish name means “watchful” and has a sophisticated and elegant quality to it.
Greer is a rare, uncommon name and the feminine version of Gregory.
It can be shortened to Gree or G.
71- Logan
This Scottish name means “hollow,” and has a strong and rugged vibe. Logan is so cool and the perfect boyish girl name too.
It can be shortened to Logie or Lo.
72- Fallon
This Irish name means “leader” or “superiority,” and has a modern and unique feel.
A character in the soap opera Dynasty made it popular in the 1980s.
It can be shortened to Fal, Fall, Fallie, Fally, Lon, or Lonnie.
73- Navy
This color-inspired name has a nautical and adventurous quality to it. It’s a modern and super trendy unisex name that can also be spelled Navi.
74- Stevie
Inspired by the legendary musician Stevie Nicks, this name has a rockstar quality to it. It can be shortened to Stev or Vee.
75- Jade
This name is inspired by the precious gemstone, which is said to symbolize luck and prosperity.
It has a sleek and sophisticated quality to it and can be shortened to J, JD, JJ, Jadee, Jadie, Jax, or Jady.
Check out this post for some names that mean Jade.
The Takeaway
If you love boyish girl names there are many options for you to choose from.
Many of these non-girly names tend to be shorter, classic, and really elegant like Justine.
Some were originally surnames that have become given names e.g. Morgan and Blair.
While others are cute gender-neutral names like Taylor.
You may be interested in these other posts: 525 Cute and Unique Middle Names for Girls 100 Beautiful Vintage Girl Names 100+ Unusual But Pretty Girl Names
Hopefully, you found a non-feminine-sounding girl name in the list above.
Congrats on your baby!