25 Lyrical Baby Names for Girls Inspired by Classical Music

Expecting parents who love classical music can easily turn their passion for a melody into inspiration for their baby’s name. Classical music offers so many opportunities for new parents to choose a moniker that sounds invigorating and exciting. These names for girls are big on drama just like the sounds of the symphony or opera and light enough to fit for contemporary girls like a gentle ballet or evening vespers.

Baby names inspired by classical music are rich with history and these names either have music as their origin or are inspired by legendary composers and performers. Baby names inspired by classical music range from big and bold to light and airy and we are certain we have found a great mix of names that offers possibilities for every parent. Get ready to tap your toes because here are 25 beautiful baby names for girls inspired by classical music.

25. Clara

Clara is a popular name for girls today and it was as well in the time of Clara Schumann (1819-1896). The wife of Robert Schumann and herself one of the most distinguished pianists of her time, Clara enjoyed a 61-year concert career. Her father Friedrich Wieck taught her to compose and she wrote her Piano Concerto at the age of 14. Clara is a name with Latin origins that means “bright, clear.”

24. Aria

Aria is an Italian name and a term in music that refers to a melody or song. Aria is the 20th most popular name for girls in the US today and more popular than it has ever been before. The name literally means “air” and we think it is fitting as this name sounds as light as it.

23. Piper

Piper is an English occupational name for a “flute player.” The name is also prevalent in Romanian tradition. The musical name has been a top 100 pick in the US for nearly a decade. It is a fantastic gender-neutral option that sounds lively and fun.

22. Cécile 

Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) was composing from a young age, even playing some of her music to Georges Bizet when she was only eight. She wrote mostly pieces for piano and salon songs, which were massively popular in America. Cécile is a name with French origins that is a female form of Cecil which means “blind.” The name has not been popular in the US since the 1960s and we would love to see that change.

21. Viola

Viola was a top 50 name from 1899 to 1911, falling off the list in 1972, but is still popular in other countries such as Italy, where it is number 15. Viola has Italian origins and simply means “violet.” The viola is a string instrument that is bowed, plucked, or played with varying methods. It is slightly larger than a violin and has a lower and deeper sound. 

20. Calliope

Calliope is a girl’s name of Greek origin meaning “beautiful voice.” Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Calliope is more popular today than ever before in the US and for good reason. It is a blast to say and comes with the amazing nickname Calli baked right in.

19. Ethel

Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) was an activist and composer who was associated with the suffrage movement in the US. Smyth’s “March of the Women” became the anthem of the suffragettes. She even served two months in Holloway Prison for shattering a window. Ethel is a delightfully retro choice that has not been popular in the US since the 1970s. The English name means “noble maiden.”

18. Lyra

Lyra is a constellation name taken from the lyre of Orpheus. It contains the star Vega and thus could make a melodic choice for a parent interested in music, astronomy, or mythology. Lyra debuted in the US top 1000 in 2015 and its popularity only continues to grow. Lyra is a name with Greek origins that means “lyre.”

17. Harmony

Harmony is a word name that is appropriate for both boys and girls but we love it especially for girls. Harmony is surprisingly more popular today than it ever has been before in the US. Harmony in music refers to chords and progressions with a pleasing effect. The word has Greek origins and means “joint.”

16. Caprice

Caprice is a French name with Italian origins meaning “impulsive change of mind.” The Italian word the name comes from is capriccio which is a lively piece of music, typically one that is short and free in form. Caprice debuted in the top 1000 in 1966 and never made the list again! We love this easy, breezy music name.

15. Melody

Melody is a girl’s name of Greek origin meaning “song.” You might associate the name with sixties as it was popularized in that decade but it’s actually more popular today than ever before. This sweet and sentimental name hits all the right notes.

14. Cadence

The musical word name Cadence, seemed to come out of nowhere to zoom up the charts in the early 2000s along with other, similar names like Kaden and Caden. Cadence has Latin origins and means “rhythm, beat.” A popular nickname for Cadence is Cady and we love it!

13. Isabella

Isabella Leonarda (1620-1704) was a composer from Novara, Italy. She entered the Collegio di Sant’Orsola, an Ursuline convent, at the age of 16 and remained there for the rest of her life. She was also the first woman to publish sonatas, writing many in her lifetime. Isabella is the Spanish and Italian form of Elizabeth which has Hebrew origins meaning “pledged to God.” Isabella has historically been one of the world’s most popular names for girls.

12. Celeste

A Celeste is a small, heavenly-sounding instrument that looks like a piano, but sounds like a glockenspiel. Celeste has been in the top 1000 every year since 1880. The name has Latin origins and means “heavenly.”

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11. Vesper

Vesper is a name of Latin origin that means “evening star.” A vesper is an evening song. It also refers to evening prayers, and then it’s usually plural as vespers. Rachmaninoff’s (1873-1943) All-Night Vigil is also called Vespers and it is one of the most moving choral compositions you will ever hear. Vesper also has a James Bond connection in the character Vesper Lynd.

10. Carol

Carol is a name of English origins that is a form of the name Charles which means “free man.” However, most will associate the name with song and merry Christmas carols. It was one of America’s most beloved names in the middle of the twentieth century but has since fallen from fashion. We think this classic is always a welcome sound.

9. Demi

Demi Moore helped bring this name to prominence in the US and it is now more popular than ever before. Demi has Greek origins and means “half” or “half-god.” In music, the Italian term also means “half” and refers to note value.

8. Teresa

Teresa Carreño (1853-1917) was a Venezuelan pianist, singer, and composer who performed for Abraham Lincoln at the White House in 1863 and at several of Henry Wood’s promenade concerts. Teresa is a name found in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. The name means “to harvest.”

7. Bell

Bell, not to be confused with her French cousin, Belle, has Scottish and English origins as an occupational name for a “ringer of the bell.” Bell was a very popular given name for girls from 1880-1915 in the US. We thing this name sounds clear and bright.

6. Madrigal

Madrigal might be a pretty and highly distinctive choice for a child of a musical family that could be a unique way to get the nickname Maddie. Madrigal has Latin origins and means “song for unaccompanied voices.” The word madrigal refers both to a medieval short lyrical poem and a form of vocal chamber music that originated in the Italian Renaissance. 

5. Sonata

In music, a sonata is a composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in several movements with one or more in sonata form. Sonata has begun to track with new parents as a distinct possibility for baby girls. It along with a pet form, Sonatina are sure to show up on birth certificates in the coming years.

4. Harper

Harper is a name that has exploded in popularity for both boys and girls in recent years. It is now a top ten name and has been trending towards baby girls. Harper has English origins as an occupational name for a “harp player.”

3. Lili

Lili Boulanger’s (1893-1918) talent was apparent at the age of two, when Gabriel Fauré discovered she had perfect pitch. Her parents encouraged her musical education. At the age of 19 she won the Prix de Rome composition prize for her “Faust et Hélène,” becoming the first woman composer to win the prize. Lili is an alternative form of Lily or Lillian and means the same.

2. Rhapsody

Rhapsody would be an extravagant choice for a baby girl but not impossible! The name has French origins and in music, is a one-movement work that is episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, featuring a range of highly contrasted moods, color, and tonality.  The name can be traced back to an ancient Greek word for part of an epic poem meant for recitation.

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1. Diva

In opera, the star of the show is often referred to as a prima donna or diva. Although its use was commonplace in Italian music, Diva has Latin roots and refers to a “goddess.” The word was used to describe a woman who would live on after her death thanks to the fame she achieved on earth. This name is ripe for bold parents who love music and have plenty of attitude.

There you go! 25 unique baby names for girls that are inspired by classical music, composers, terms and more. We hope you feel inspired by these names and if you are so inclined, you will pick one for your baby girl and future musical prodigy.