Baby Girl Names That Begin with H

Popular, Classic, and Unusual Female Name Choices

Jan 29, 2008

A Cute Baby Girl, Richard Sweet, Stock Xchange

Hailey? Harmony? The letter H is about more than just Hortense and Henrietta. Here are some popular and unusual names that begin with the letter H.

When it comes to baby girl names, you might not think of the letter H is a promising first letter. After all, H has brought us monikers such as Hortense, Hildegarde, and Hedwig. Nonetheless, H is also the first letter in some unique and beautiful names, not to mention to start of some of today's trendiest choices. With a little help from the U.S. Social Security Administration Baby Name Index, here are some popular, classic, and unusual names that start with the letter H.

Popular & Trendy Baby Girl Names That Start With H

Hailey. The "H" version of the "ailey" trend (as in Kaylee, Bailey, etc.) caught on in the mid-1990s and climbed to the #26 spot on the U.S. popularity list in 2006. Like all the "ailey" names, this name comes with a variety of spellings-- Haylee, Hayleigh, Haley, and so forth. Hailey's a classic last-name-turned-first-name, and it comes from an Old English name that means "hay clearing."
Hayden. Originally a trendy boy's name (perhaps thanks to Hayden Christensen), this name has become popular for girls as well (perhaps thanks to Hayden Panettierre). Keep in mind that the meaning of this name isn't terribly desirable-- it's from a Germanic name that means "heathen."
Hannah. This Biblical name is currently one of the most popular in the United States. It never quite hit #1, but peaked at #2 from 1998-2000, and in 2006 was down to #8. Hannah comes from the same Hebrew name as Ann, which means "favored grace."

Classic Baby Girl Names That Start With H

Helen. Popular in the early 20th century until around the Baby Boom, the name Helen is kind of like Mary-- it's no longer at the top of the charts, but it never really went away. Some may find Helen to be too much of a "grandma" name, but others may appreciate its classic simplicity. Helen comes from a Greek name meaning "sun ray." Helena and Helene are also classic variations.
Hope. Hope has more of a flower child feel than Grace or Faith, so perhaps why this one-syllable "virtue" name hasn't caught on as much. But it's the same idea.
Hazel. This early 20th century star was snatched out of obscurity by Julia Roberts, who gave one of her twins this name.
Holly & Heather. Holly was vogue in the 1960s and 1970s, no doubt due to the influence of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Similarly, Heather was a big star in the 1970s and 19780s but has since fallen on the charts. However, both of these names have a classic enough feel to avoid sounding too dated. For parents sick of Hailey, Holly may be a nice alternative. Holly and Heather are both plants, so this can be a good set of names for twins.

Unusual Baby Girl Names that Start With H

Harmony. This "virtue" name has caught on a little bit in recent years, perhaps due to its multicultural implications.
Harper. Made famous by Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper may be a nice alternative to the androgynous, last-name-turned-first names like Morgan and Taylor.
Hermione. With the popularity of Harry Potter, it's a wonder this name hasn't even cracked the U.S. top 1000 chart. Hermione is a Greek mythological name that means "messenger."
Hallie. With the popularity of Hailey, it's amazing that this pretty name has not caught on as well. Hallie comes from an English name that means "commander." An alternate spelling is Halle-- like the actress.
Heidi. Parents might dismiss this name because it evokes the image of a little Swiss girl with braids, or they might embrace it as a unique and underused gem with a beautiful sound. Heidi comes from a German name that means "exalted nature."
Hillary. Names that are associated heavily with one person often do poorly on the name charts, and the name Hillary took a nosedive after Mrs. Clinton became the First Lady. The name originates from a Latin word that means "cheerful."
Hadassah. Although most commonly used in Orthodox Jewish communities, this lovely Hebrew name would be a nice choice for anyone seeking a less common alternative to Hannah. The name comes from an expression that means "myrtle tree," and it's the Hebrew name of Esther.