10 Popular Baby Girl Names in 2012 and Their Meanings

How important is to choose the right name for your baby is evident when you see parents fighting, negotiating and spending months debating which one to pick. Mother would like to name their baby girl after a favorite literature character, a father after a top athlete and so on.

In addition, most parents would like the name to have a meaning; to bring a kind of esoteric quality to the wearer. Check out this list of popular baby girl names in 2012 and find the right one for your angel.

1. Sophia – or Sofia

A Greek word for wisdom, was a very popular name among European royalty during the Middle ages. Nowadays, its meaning and universal pronunciation made it popular all over the world. The name Sophia is especially appreciated in Christianity.

In eastern Orthodox Christianity, Saint Sophia and her three daughters Love, Faith and Hope are celebrated as martyrs who gave life for the love of Jesus Christ. The symbolic is obvious; Wisdom is a mother of love, hope and faith, and all four are essential human virtues.

The famous Hagia Sophia, the biggest Christian Cathedral built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian and dedicated to St. Sophia, was turned into a Muslim’s mosque and nowadays is a museum admired by tourists of all nations and religions.

2. Isabella

It is not certain if this name has become popular because of the character of Isabelle Swan from the Twilight series or as a result of sudden thankfulness to the Spanish queen Isabella of Castile, a patroness of Christopher Columbus’s journey that led to discovering America.

Maybe none of this made the parents name their baby girl Isabelle, but the fact that a Latin word “belle” means “beautiful.” Be it as it may, it was the most popular baby girl name in the US in 2009 and now it holds a high 2nd position.

The origin of the name is not quite clear, some etymologists claim that Isabella is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth (with a loss of first syllable, I instead of T), while others think that the name came from Phoenician name Izabal.

However, the name most likely derives from Hebrew, Phoenician or Latinate language and the influence other languages had on them.

3. Emma

Newborn baby girl in a knitted hat

A first association to the name EMMA is a beautiful, fair heroine of Jane Austin’s novel. No wonder that the name goes with fair blondes; its origin is Germanic and means “whole” or “universal.”

It became very popular in England, probably thanks to the Matthew Prior’s poem “Henry and Emma.” Because of its popularity in the US (the most popular baby girl name in 2008), Great Britain, Canada, and all over Europe, and clear and easy pronunciation in every language (including Chinese) it can be said that this is one of the most popular baby girl names not only in 2012, but throughout the whole decade.

Just like it’s the case with most baby girl names, the name Emma began gaining popularity in England during the 1960s – at the time Emma Peel was a fictional television spy played by Diana Riggs in the British adventure series The Avengers.

4. Olivia

A Latin word meaning “Olive.” There is a little anecdote in connection to this popular baby girl name: it is said that it is used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for the first time as a character in his comedy ‘Twelfth Night’. It became widely popular in the last half of the 20th century, especially after the television series ‘The Walton’s’.

5. Emily

yawning baby girl on a light background with a wreath of flowers on her head

Emily is a popular baby girl name derived from the Roman family name Aemilia meaning rival or emulating or a Greek word Aimulos (friendly, tender). It is one of the most popular names in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It was the most popular baby girl name in the US for years, and in 2012 is ranked number 5.

6. Madison

This both feminine and masculine name is actually derived from an English surname meaning “son of MAUD.” It is interesting to know that this name came into existence after 1984 thanks to the popular movie Splash where Daryl Hannah plays a mermaid who adopts the name “Madison” in her human form after seeing a street sign for Madison Avenue. Madison is also a male given name but rather uncommon.

7. Mia

sleeping baby girl wearing pink hat and pink feather boa

The origin of the name is traced in ancient Egypt, but also in Latin, Spanish and Italian language. The meaning is different: from beloved (in Egyptian) to my dear (Cara Mia) in Italian to a common meaning in America – Wished for child.

The Hebrew name Maryam or Miriam derives from this; it first appeared in the Old Testament book of Exodus. Maryam is the older sister of Moses, who led his people out of Egypt. The name is often abbreviated from Maria or masculine name Michael.

8. Chloe

The meaning of this popular baby girl name is “blooming” or “green Shoot” while the origin is believed to be Greek.

9. Elizabeth

Adorable young baby girl wearing a vintage pearl necklace and pink rose headband

The royal name Elisabet is actually a Greek form of the Hebrew name Elisheva which means “ oath of God” or ” I am God’s daughter”. In the Old Testament, Elisheba is the wife of Aaron, while the Greek form appears in the New Testament where Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.

Among Christians, this name was originally more common in Eastern Europe, but became very popular in England since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century.

Names like Lisa, Liza, Lilly, Lizzie, Liz, Beth, Betty, Ella, Elisa, Elise, and Eliza; Elsa, Bitsy, Betsy, derive from the name Elizabeth.

10. Ella

Ella is a popular baby girl name with multiple origins. In German language the name Ella, has the same meaning like Emma which is „all, completely.” The trace of the name Ella can be found in Norman version of the Germanic short name Alia, meaning other.

It is also a common short name for names starting with El-, such as Eleanor, Elizabeth, or Ellen. The name Ella is also mentioned in Greek mythology where it has the meaning of “torch” or “bright light.”

Now that you’ve closely studied this list of popular baby girls name in 2012 let us know if the text helped you reach a final decision.

About the author

Barbara

I am a devoted hedonist who enjoys nice things – food, wine, fine arts, spending time with friends and family. Teaching mandarin Chinese is my life vocation, but my dream is to open a small restaurant and a patisserie. My life's motto: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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