Winter is one of the most magical times of the year. It’s filled with beloved holidays, twinkling lights, warm beverages, and, of course, snow. If you’re expecting a winter baby or simply want to celebrate your favorite season, consider these winter names for girls that have inspired meanings. These appellations can refer to everything from snowflakes themselves to concepts like merriment. Trust us, there’s no shortage of inspiration for parents looking for wintertime names.
We decided to take a look at some of the most beloved names for babies who are born in the cold months to get a better understanding of what winter names for girls are available. As we researched, we were shocked to find so many names actually have meanings attributed to this special time of year. Take a look at these winter names for girls that aren’t the least bit chilly but are exceptionally cool.
Get Inspired by These Dazzling Winter Names for Girls!
Eira
You’ll find the name Eira in both Welsh and Norse traditions. In Welsh, the name relates to “snow.” In Old Norse, Eir is the name of a goddess of mercy. The name is very popular in Sweden and Norway. We don’t hear it often in the United States, but you could change that.
Carol
One of the winter names for girls associated with Christmas, Carol has a lot going for it. Christmas Carols are beloved songs that help us spread cheer. Carol has been a popular name for Christmas-time baby girls for decades even though its roots don’t actually relate. Carol is a form of Charles which means “free man.” Tell her it means “song.”
Alaska
No state is considered more wintry than our huge one to the north, Alaska. This beautiful name was coined by indigenous people. It means “great land.” Alaska is full of glaciers, snowy tundra, and all manner of winter sport. It’s one of the freshest winter names for girls.
Paloma
Paloma is a name that’s having a moment in the US where it’s currently a top 1000 name. It is of Spanish origin and means “a dove.” Doves are associated with peace, purity, and friendship which makes them a favorite inclusion in all manner of Christmas cards, stamps, and decorations. Paloma is one of the most subtle winter names for girls.
Neve
Neve is a name that comes from the Irish name, Niamh. This gorgeous appellation means “snow.” New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern chose the name Neve for her daughter, born while she was in office. We have Neve Campbell to thank for bringing this name to American’s attention.
Alba
In Spain, Alba is a top ten name for girls. This beautiful moniker has roots in Latin and means “white.” White snow-covered fields, mountains, and cityscapes are a hallmark of the season and we felt it was appropriate for this list of winter names for girls.
Ember
A welcome alternative to Amber, Ember is the French form of the name and it’s currently on an upward climb in the US as a top 200 name. To us, the name conjures images of a warm, glowing fire making it one of the warmest winter names for girls.
Garnet
Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. The gem name comes from French and means “pomegranate.” Like her sisters Ruby and Pearl, Garnet once enjoyed great favor. Garnet hasn’t experienced the same resurgence but we hope that changes because it’s a rock-solid name.
Ivy
Ivy is derived from the name of the ivy plant, which got its name from the Old English word ifig. The ivy plant is beloved because it stays green throughout the winter months. The plant and the name are associated with “faithfulness.” The name has catapulted back into the mainstream thanks to Blue Ivy Carter.
Holly
We couldn’t bring you Ivy without some Holly. Holly is the birth flower for the month of December and the shrub contains deep green leaves with bright red flowers. For a December baby, you could find no better name. Botanical winter names for girls are trending so Holly will likely be in good company.
Noelle
Noelle is the feminine form of the French name, Noel and means “Christmas.” It would make a charming name for your yuletide daughter. It’s enjoying its highest popularity in the United States today and it’s one of the most popular winter names for girls in France.
Demetria
Demetria is the name of the Greek goddess who is responsible for bringing the winter season. You can shorten this lovely name to Demi for the nickname as both Demi Moore and Demi Lovato have done. This handsome name means “earth mother.”
Lumi
One of the most exotic winter names for girls, Lumi is a Finnish name that means “snow.” Lumi may be a rare girls’ name in the USA and England, but it comes in the top 50 in Finland. Lumi sounds perfectly cute yet modern and fashionable.
Merry
Merry works because it sounds the same as Mary. Merry has been a favorite choice for Christmas babies for decades. This English name means “lighthearted and happy.” A little girl named Merry is sure to spread good cheer.
Natalie
The moniker Natalie was traditionally given to girls born on Christmas day. So if your due date is on or near 25th December, keep the tradition going by naming her Natalie. Natalie has French and Russian origins and appropriately means “birthday of the Lord.”
Nevada
Nevada is a Spanish name that can be used for both boys and girls. Given the “a” ending, it’s been trending towards girls (but we love this one for a boy as well). Nevada means “covered in snow.” It’s one of the winter names for girls that is also a place name and that’s true for our next pick as well.
RELATED: 35 Beautiful Gender-Neutral Baby Names for Boys or Girls
Aspen
While we’re on the topic of unisex names, let’s discuss another great option, Aspen. Aspen is the name of a fashionable resort ski town in Colorado. It gets its name from the Aspen tree. A plant with heart-shaped leaves that bloom in the winter.
Nieva
If Neve is too bland for you, jazz it up with the Spanish name Nieva. A name bestowed in honor of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de la Nieves, referring to a miracle she performed with unmelted snow in the August heat of Rome. Nieva thus means “snow.”
Lucia
Belonging to the Swedish saint of Christmas, Lucia would make a fitting name for baby girls due in December. Lucia comes from the Latin root, lux which means “light.” This name has been popular ever since the Middle Ages and is currently in the top 200 in the US. It’s one of the best winter names for girls that can honor Swedish heritage.
Elsa
Elsa is the German diminutive form of Elizabeth which means “pledged to God.” If you’re wondering if we chose this name solely because of the Disney animated film, Frozen, you’d be correct. Elsa is more popular in the US today than it has been since the 1890s. We love the vintage feel of this charming name for girls.
January
Mad Men actor January Jones has helped parents see this name as a possibility. There was a brief surge in popularity for this month-name in the seventies that quickly fizzled out. Let’s bring this retro name back to life, parents!
Epiphany
Epiphany is based on an ancient Greek word for a feeling or realization that comes upon you suddenly. It often relates to the divine, as in the realization that Christ is the son of God. The Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, takes place on January 6 which makes it one of the best winter names for girls born in January.
Olwen
Olwen is a Welsh favorite, the name of a legendary princess in what is believed to have been the earliest Arthurian romance, and in fact one of the first recorded examples of Welsh prose. Olwen means “white footprint.”
Christmas
A little more contemporary feeling than Noelle, Christmas is a perfectly acceptable name for your little girl born around Christmas time. If this name seems too on the nose, consider Christina or Christie instead.
RELATED: 25 Cool Baby Names for Boys Inspired by Winter
Winter
Why beat around the bush? Winter has overtaken other seasonal names for girls like Autumn or Summer. Winter now ranks as the 332 most popular name for girls. With a touch of mystery, this name seems so fresh, but it’s not new as a baby name. Winter first broke into the top 1000 in the seventies in the US. It was used as a given name as far back as the seventh century. If it speaks to you, go for it!
Amethyst
Amethyst is both a color and gemstone name. It describes the purple birthstone for February. It’s one of the best winter names for girls for Aquarius babies.
Bronwen
Bronwen is virtually unknown in the US today but it’s one of the greatest winter names for girls. The name is derived from Welsh and it belonged to a mythological figure who was worshipped as the daughter of Lyr. She was considered a goddess of the moon and love. This spectacular name means “white breast.”
Calanthe
Calanthe is a botanical name from Greek that refers to the “Christmas orchid.” If you are looking for nature-inspired winter names for girls, this could be the right choice for you.
Luz
Pronounced the same as the word “loose,” Luz references the Virgin Mary as “Our Lady of Light” and thus, means “light.” It’s one of the most popular Spanish names for girls around the world today.
Yuki
Yuki is one of the winter names for girls that originated from Japanese. Yuki means “snow” and sounds like a cute nickname to western ears.
Valentine
One of the best winter names for girls born in February, Valentine is the French form of a Latin name related to Valentina. The name is pronounced val-en-teen by French speakers but you may want to pronounce it as Americans do the holiday.
Eirlys
A flower name from Welsh, Eirlys is a word name that means “snowflake.” It has a delicate sound that should appeal to new parents today. The name is pronounced air-liss which might throw some who are not familiar with Welsh pronunciation but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Miyuki
A name related to the previously mentioned Yuki, Miyuki can mean “beautiful snow” or “beautiful happiness” depending on the kanji used to construct this Japanese name. For our purposes, we’ll take the snow meaning.
Khione
Pronounced kee-OWN-ee, Khione is a name that crops up several times in Greek mythology. It works as one of the winter names for girls thanks to a myth involving Hermes who turned the character, Khione, into a snow cloud. Thus, the name means “snow.”
Holiday
A more popular option in the UK, Holiday makes for a celebratory name for girls. The name is derived from an English term meaning “holy day.” If Holly is too short, consider Holiday for your daughter.
Aneira
There are a couple of different pronunciation options for this Welsh name in an-EYE-ra or an-AY-ra. It’s one of the most beautiful winter names for girls that most parents in the US have never heard. It means “much snow.”
Gwyneira
A cousin to Aneira, Gwyneira sweetens the deal with the meaning “white snow.” One of the lesser-known Gwyn names, Gwyneira is one of the most distinct winter names for girls that many American parents have likely never had the pleasure of hearing.
Cherith
One of the underutilized Biblical names, Cherith is of Hebrew origin and means “winter stream.” Cherith has a sound similar to cherish which makes it a real treasure. In the Bible, the appellation names a stream that kept Elijah alive during a drought.
Turquoise
Turquoise is the birthstone of December. It makes for one of the rarer color names in use today. It is derived from French and means “Turkish stone.”
Winika
Winika is a name of Maori origin that means “Christmas orchid.” If you’d like something more exotic than Calanthe, Winika could price a winning option.
Edurne
Pronounced uh-durn, Edurne is one of the winter names for girls that’s never been popular in the US. The name is of Basque origin, related to the extremely popular name for boys, Edur, in Spain. This appellation means “snow.”
Snejana
Pronounced snee-JAH-nah, Snejana is a name of Bulgarian origin that’s well used in Eastern Europe and Russia today. It would make for an unusual option for a baby girl born in the US but not inaccessible.
Gola
Gola is a traditional Cherokee name for girls. It celebrates nature and means “winter.”
Fjolla
Fjolla’s pronunciation will likely trip up many in the US. However, the J is pronounced as a Y so it sounds like Fee-olla. This name is of Albanian origin and means “snowflake.” You’ll find it most popular in Kosovo today.
Primrose
Primrose is a name of English origin, meaning “first rose.” The name remarks on the first rose to appear in late winter heralding the promise of spring. It’s one of the winter names for girls that is popular in England today but has never achieved such success in the US.
There you go! Excellent winter-inspired names for baby girls that bring so much warmth and cheer to the coldest time of year. We hope you feel inspired by these names and will consider one of them for your winter baby.
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