Finding Southern Names for Girls isn’t hard, but you might have to do a bit of research to find the one that you’re looking for. To some, southern names may be more about a place while for others it can be something totally different.
In my opinion, I think of southern names as being prim, proper and full of manners. (The phrase “Georgia Peach” literally pops into my head!)
If you have a little bundle of joy on the way, here are some baby girl name ideas that might be just what you’re looking for.
There may be affiliate links in this article. Please see my disclosure for more information.
SOUTHERN NAMES FOR GIRLS
Amelia: (Latin) An adorable name, often reminding people of the famous female, Amelia Earhart. Regardless, this names carries power with it and means “industrious” and “striving“.
Annabelle: (French) The long version of the name Belle, but showcases class, sophistication, and beauty. This southern name for girls means “grace and beauty”.
Related: Country Western Girl Names
Ana: (Spanish) Meaning “grace“. It can also be spelled Anna as well if you’d prefer.
Augusta: (Latin) This name means “grand” and “majestic” which is absolutely fitting for a newborn baby girl.
Bailey: (French) This southern name literally means “man in charge” but over time, it has transitioned into a more female commonly-used name. Let’s just say that it means “woman in charge” now.
Belle: (French) When I hear this name, I think of Belle of the Ball. And how appropriate is that for a little newborn princess? This baby name means “beauty“.
Blake: (English) This is a surname and a given name. While the meaning is not entirely known for sure, it’s believed to mean either “someone will pale hair or skin” or “son of lake“.
Bonnie: (Scottish) Some people may think of this as a slang name, but it can be used as a full first name. This name means “pretty”, “good”, and “attractive“.
Caroline: (Italian) This southern girl name means “strength“. What a powerful name to choose.
Related: Unique Girl Names
Catherine: (Greek) A beautiful name for a southern girl which can also be shortened to Cat or Cathy should you choose to do so. This baby name means “pure“.
Charlotte: (French) This is actually the female form of the male name “Charles” and it means “free man”. This name makes me think of towns along the coast that offer true southern hospitality.
Clementine: (Latin) This baby name comes from the Latin word “clemens: which means “mild, gentle”.
Daisy: (English) While this is a beautiful flower that grows in the south, I also can’t help but think about the term “Daisy dukes” which reference clothing as well.
Deedee: (Latin) Super fun name to say, and easily can be shorted to just “Dee” as well. This southern girl name means “swarthy; sorrowful, broken-hearted; delight, pleasure; divine”.
Delaney: (Irish) This name carries a strong meaning of “competitors child” so perhaps it’s the perfect fit if you’re a competitive parent?
Dixie: (French) Literally refers to the old south of the US – states under the Mason-Dixon Line. This is definitely a southern name for girls.
Check out this NEW + affordable childbirth course
She has options for both natural AND medicated birth!! . Use coupon code AUDREY10 for 10% off!Elise: (French) This name also has roots of being a strong religious name, and means “God is my oath”.
Elaine: (Greek) Literally means a “ray of sunshine”. That’s a pretty adorable southern name for a baby if you ask me!
Franny: (Latin) Short for Frances, this nickname is a great choice for your daughter. It means “from France” or “free man”.
Related: Hippie Names (for boys and girls)
Fancy: (English) This is unique and different, your little girl is certain to stand out. There’s even a country song or two out there that have this name in it.
Georgia: (Greek)A true Southern state, who says that you can’t use state names as newborn names for girls? This name also makes me think of “Georgia Peach”.
Grace: (Latin) Meaning “beauty” “kindness“, “mercy“, it’s no wonder that this is one of the more popular Southern baby names.
Hadley: (English) Fun and unique, this can also be spelled Hadlee. Either way would be a pretty Southern girl name. The name means “heather meadow”.
Harper: (English) Think birds singing or if you’re a book lover, you can always relate the name to the famous author, Harper Lee. (To Kill a Mockingbird author). The name means “harp player” (big surprise I know).
Related: Nature Names for Girls
Hope: (English) How fitting of a name since children are what gives parents their hope for the future. The meaning of this southern girl name is pretty self-explanatory.
Ivy: (English) Imagine the beautiful green ivy growing up the sides of the old southern and colonial homes. Ivy represents fidelity.
Isabelle: (French) A longer version of the name Belle – but still reminds of elegance and beauty. The meaning of this southern name for girls is the same – “God is my oath”.
Jessie: (Scottish) Meaning “wealthy“. Also a shortened version of the name Jessica.
Joleen: (English) Are you a fan of country music? Dolly Parton has a song about this name that really made it quite popular in the South. This name means “cheerful”, “pretty”.
Judith: (Hebrew) A popular name from the Bible, meaning “she will be praised“.
June: (Latin) Makes me think of one of the hottest summer months in the South. Surprisingly, this name is actually derived from the Latin “Juno”, who was the Roman goddess of marriage and the queen of the gods.
Kitty: (English) More of a “pet” name, but still used in the South quite frequently. Can also be used as a nickname for the name Katherine as well. The name means “pure“.
Lainey: (French) This lovely southern girl name is a derivative of the name Elaine, which means “bright shining light”.
Landry: (French) This name is from the Germanic personal name Landric. The meaning is “land“, “powerful“, and “ruler“. It’s a combination of a few different words, which is why it has so many varied meanings.
Leanne: (English) This southern girl name is actually a combination of two names. Lee (wood) and Anne (full of grace).
Loretta: (Italian) Popular name in the South meaning “bay laurel”. It could be popular because of the famous country singer Loretta Lynn. (Have you noticed that a lot of the Southern names for girls on this list are also pretty country girls names as well?)
Lucille: (Latin) This adorable name means “light“, and I LOVE the nickname for this one.
Mabel: (Latin) I’ve always loved this name. It means “beautiful, loving, lovable”.
Mindy: (German) This southern girl name literally means “love“. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Need to learn how to breastfeed? Check out Stacey’s Milkology course
She has affordable learning for breastfeeding, pumping, and going back to work!Montana: (Latin) Even though Montana isn’t a southern state, the name does remind of me western movies which then makes me think of cowboys, which then leads me to think of the south. Did you follow all that?
Naomi: (Hebrew) Meaning “pleasantness“. Surprisingly, the one Naomi I know well is NOT pleasant, but I suppose her parents couldn’t have known.
Nancy: (Hebrew) The term “fancy Nancy” most definitely comes to mind with this southern baby name. (also a great book series to read to your kids, too). It means “grace“.
Related: Two Syllable Girl Names (that you’ll love!)
Olive: (English) Think of “extending an olive branch” for friendship and love. The name Olive is known to mean “peace“. I also associate this baby girls name with Dove, since you’ll find an olive branch and dove together quite frequently in pictures.
Olivia: (English) This name actually became widely known and used because it was one of the main names William Shakespeare used in his writing, “Twelfth Night”. It’s been around for centuries and is actually quite popular now as a modern baby girls name, too. This southern girl name means “olive tree”.
Paisley: (Scottish) This name is actually a Scottish derivative of the Greek word, “Basilica” which means “church“.
Payton: (English) A name that means “fighting man’s estate“. This name is both a surname and given name. It’s grown in popularity over the years – but I’m not surprised because it’s a CUTE name.
Piper: (English) Sounds musical to an extent, and in all reality, it is. This southern girl name means “pipe or flute player”. If you’re a musical family, this just might be the perfect fit.
Precious: (English) This name is pretty much the word that most people say when they see a newborn for the first time, so beware. There may be some confusion if you name your baby this – especially if other babies are around.
Primrose: (Latin) A lovely southern name that means “first rose”. Prim or Rose are beautiful nicknames that go along with this name.
Raylie: (English) The meaning of this girl name is not totally known (it’s a newer name), but it’s believed to mean “ray of sunshine” by some sources.
Reese: (Welsh) This girl name is fairly unique. It has been used as both a boy and a girl name, and it means “ardor“.
Rose: (German) Flowers are quite popular in the South and are used commonly as first names for newborn baby girls. I’m always amazed at how popular nature names for girls really are.
Rosie: (Latin) Another beautiful way to associate with the name Rose or Roseanna. The name MEANS “rose“.
Related: Cute Girl Names with Nicknames
Savannah: (Spanish) A beautiful Southern town that is full of charm. This name instantly brings about images of brick roads, horse carriage rides, and historic old houses. The name means “treeless plain”, and personally I think it sounds like a wealthy southern name.
Shirley: (English) Most associate this name with the famous actress, Shirley Temple. This is actually a place-name and derives from Old English elements scire (shire), lēah (wood, clearing, enclosure, meadow) or scīr (clear, bright).
Sierra: (Spanish) This name is both a surname and a given name. It technically means “saw or mountain range“, but this ACTUALLY signifies strength and groundedness.
Sutton: (Old English) This southern name for girls (and boys!) literally means “Southern settlement”. This is probably my very favorite southern name.
Terra: (Latin) Literally meaning “Earth“, this can be applicable to any and all baby girl names.
Tilly: (German) Meaning “battle-ready“, this name is perfect for your little fighter. It is also a great name shortened from the full name, Matilda.
Violet: (French) A beautiful deep color of purple or another Southern name from a flower. Flower names are popular no matter what.
Related: 4 Letter Girl Names (that you’ll love!)
Victoria: (Latin) Just sounds grand, right? Well – this southern girl name actually means “victory” (which IS pretty grand!) I think of the old Victorian homes that are still lining the streets in the South. Or even old old victorian piano…classic.
Willow: (English) A big beautiful Southern tree that is quite stunning during the summer months. I also associate the roots of this true to being the roots that hold a family together as well.
Winona: (Native American) Meaning “firstborn“. Perfect for your baby girl if she is in fact, the firstborn.
Yancy: (Native American) This name means “sassy woman”, which is enough to make anyone stop and smile. Hopefully we ALL have girls that will be considered “sassy”.
Related: Pretty Vintage Names
This isn’t even all the Southern baby girl names possible. If you stop and brainstorm, you’ll probably be able to come up with even more. These 50 options are a great start and just might get you loving a newborn name that you’ve never thought of before!
I often find that when I research, I’m amazed at what I discover. While some of these Southern names I knew beforehand, others on this list really peaked my interest. (I’ll just keep them in my back pocket in case I need them later.)
I also realize that trying to pick a baby name is tough. Like, really tough. There are more and more instances of common names becoming even more common and it’s true determination and dedication to find a unique baby name that really stands out from the rest.
The silver lining is that you’ve got 9 months to research and figure out what you want to narrow your baby names down to, depending on if you’re having a boy or a girl. I always recommend writing out a list of your top 10 baby names that you love, and then keep that list handy to refer back to over the months.
You’ll be amazed at how your name choices change as the days and months pass by. Even before you find out if you’re having a boy or a girl, make a list of 10 boy baby names and 10 girl baby names, just in case. (and truth be told, some of the names can actually work for either sexes)
WHY CHOOSE SOUTHERN NAMES FOR GIRLS VERSUS COMMON BABY GIRL NAMES?
In all reality, this is totally up to you. Southern baby names for girls are quite beautiful and unique, but there are actually some common ones mixed in there, too.
If you’re looking for pretty southern girl names, you won’t have a hard time narrowing down some great options. The South is full of charm and beauty and is easily associated with classic, grand living.
And even though this post really does highlight unusual southern girl names (or even some pretty country girl names!), that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some common ones on the list as well.
I will say that having a unique name is fun, though. (I know this because I’m the living proof)
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVES OF HAVING AN UNUSUAL SOUTHERN GIRL NAME?
By naming your daughter one of these Southern names for girls, you’re giving them the gift of creating their own unique identity with that name. Unique names are not only fun and different, but they catch attention and create communication as well.
I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with people about my name, all because it’s just a bit more unique than the other common baby girl names out there.
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVES OF HAVING A SOUTHERN BABY GIRL NAME?
As with any names, there can always be negatives attached. Some people tend to not favor the South for whatever reason, so there is always that risk of some sort of confrontation or questioning.
Children can also be cruel at times when it comes to making fun of names that are different.
The good news? You have the power to teach your child from a young age that kindness overcomes cruelty, no matter what. That simple truth bomb will actually give your daughter more courage and confidence than you realize.
The world that we live in nowadays can be a cynical place, especially when it comes to something different or unique. The truth of the matter is that if your daughters Southern name stirs the pot a little bit, so be it.
When a parent chooses the perfect name for their newborn child, nothing else really needs to matter. Some choose a name because of a family meaning or tie, while others base it off of biblical reasons or meanings. There is no wrong way to choose a baby name for your little girl.
Leave a Reply