10 Armenian Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

Tasha Mozgodum via Dribbble

I hate to break it to you, but Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe aren't Armenian names. However, that's about the breadth of most Americans' knowledge on the subject. Let's change that, shall we? I've got 10 great Armenian names for girls today--all of them would be equally stunning on an Armenian-American (or any!) baby.

Aghavni- Callum, Paloma, Jemima--add Aghavni to the list of names meaning "dove." This gorgeous Armenian name fits her peaceful harbinger definition. Aghavni definitely embodies a tranquil spirit.

Anahid- Anahid comes from the Persian mythological name Anahita--the goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom, and water. Anahid is typically used in Western Armenia, while Anahit is more common in Eastern Armenia. Both are quite common in their preferred regions.

Anoush- Anoush is a very charming name (and in fact means "sweet"). With the similar-sounding Anouk gaining favor among taste-makers and trendsetters, Anoush (or her alternate spelling Anush) seems like a top-notch alternative. For all you music-enthusiasts, Anoush is the name of a 1912 opera by Armen Tigranian.

Arda- Arda is a Hebrew-Armenian unisex name, although, if you're going to use it on an American baby, it might be best on a daughter. It's also used in Turkey, but as a strictly male name. One famous historical Arda is Arda of Armenia, Queen of Jerusalem.

Lusine- Lusine is a stunning name that would be just perfect on a 2016 baby. She's a very creative way to get to the every-girl nickname Lucy--much more unexpected compared to Lucille and Lucia. Lusine means "moon," and can also be spelled Lucine.

Maral- The lovely Armenian name Maral means deer, as in the Caspian Red Deer that is native to Armenia. That makes Capsian or Casper a fun brother name, or, if you're into anagrams, how about Lamar?

Shoushan- As you may be able to tell, Shoushan shares roots with such names as Shoshana and Susan. Like her sisters, she means "lily," making Shoushan the perfect name for a springtime daughter.

Siran- Siran is a diminutive of Siranush--both great names, but the slimmer Siran strikes me as more American-friendly. This Armenian-beauty's meaning is one of my favorite words--"lovely!" Obviously, that makes me a big fan of Siran.

Taline- Taline comes from Talin--the name of an Armenian town which houses a famous monastery of the same name. Her meaning is technically unknown, although many consider it simply to be "Talin, the Armenian town."

Zabel- In these days of Isabella and Isabel, why not pick something a little different? Zabel is a fantastic option. She's the Armenian form of Isabel, but stands well on her own (however, if you prefer her as a nickname, how about Elizabeth or Jezebel as the full form?). Her zippy Z beginning is lively and fun, and for a fashionable variation, she can be spelled Zabelle.

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 13

Celebrities are the taste-makers of the baby name world. Sid and McCoy--two names that were on nobody's radar screen--now have serious style cred thanks to the Biggs and Porter families. I would not be surprised to see McCoy break into the top 1000 for 2016 (which comes out this Friday--hooray!). 

Some stars, like Whitney Port, are bound to be influential in their baby name choice. And no matter what they choose, everyone's going to be talking about what Heidi Montag Pratt and Serena Williams name their babies. So let's get into it! I've made my predictions below--how do they compare to yours?

Whitney Port and Tim Rosenman

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Whitney Port has a self-described "New York meets LA" style. The major thing these cities have in common when it comes to baby names? They both are ahead of the curve. That leads me to believe that Whitney and her husband Tim will choose a name that is on the cusp of cool--something stylish, but relatively low on the popularity charts.

Girl: Briar, Cassia, Colette, Dahlia, Emmeline, Esme, Posey, Margot, Wren

Boy: Amos, Cyrus, Desmond. Ford, Hugh, Leland, Rhys, Sutton, Thatcher
*Update* It's a boy! Sonny Sanford

Jenny Mollen and Jason Biggs

Gender: boy

Siblings: Sid

Jenny Mollen and Jason Biggs put Sid back on the map for boys. The formerly fusty, old man name now seems incredibly dapper. Can they flip the switch on another name with baby number two? I've included some recent revivals along with yet to be rediscovered gems--whatever name they pick, I'm sure we'll be pleased.

Boy: Dexter, Ed, Frank, Gus, Hal, Ike, Len, Lester, Lou, Moe, Roscoe, Victor
*Update* He's Lazlo--love it!

Aijia and Andy Grammer

Gender: girl

Siblings: none

Family is Aijia and Andy Grammer's number one value. They have expressed multiple times that they want to honor Andy's late mother Kathy somehow in their daughter's name. My best guess is that they'll use a variation of Katherine, but maybe they will do something subtler, like choose a name that shares a meaning with Kathy.

Girl: Agnes, Catalina, Kate, Katelyn, Kathryn, Kay, Kitty, Virginia, Wynn
*Update* They did honor Mom--baby girl is Louisiana K!

Elena Samodanova and Gleb Savchenko

Gender: girl

Siblings: Olivia

Russian dancers Elena Samodanova and Gleb Savchenko gave their American-born daughter a top-notch name--Olivia. Olivia does not have Russian roots, but it is long and romantic like many Russian and Eastern European names. For their next daughter, I expect something one in the same--a multi-syllable moniker that wears well whether she's in Russia or the United States.

Girl: Alexandra, Anastasia, Arabella, Isabella, Natalia, Sofia, Valentina
*Update* Hello, Zlata!

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are best known for their reality TV days, but recently they've been more involved in the crystal healing trade. Perhaps their new passion will inspire them to choose a gemstone name or something similarly spiritual for their first born son or daughter.

Girl: Amethyst, Azalea, Emerald, Honor, Sapphire, Serenity, Topaz, Winter

Boy: Ever, Garnet, Hero, Justice, Noble, Onyx, Pax, Sage, True, Valentine
*Update* A little boy--Gunner Stone!

Hannah Simone and Jesse Giddings

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

This is going to be the first real baby for Hannah Simone and Jesse Giddings, but they already have three fur-babies--cats named Alfie, Jake, and Frank. Now, that's not a perfectly coordinated cat sibset, but all three of those names do share a common thread--they're very friendly. Does that mean the couple will choose a similarly upbeat and cheerful name for their son or daughter? I'd put my money on it.

Girl: Birdie, Georiga, Grace, Josie, Langley, Lola, Lucy, Natalie, Nora, Olive

Boy: Caleb, Charlie, Elliott, George, Henry, Leo, Oscar, Owen, Sammy, Theo

Kelsey Mayfield and Scott Porter

Gender: unknown

Siblings: McCoy Lee

Actors Kelsey Mayfield and Scott Porter gave their son the ultimate Country Western baby name--McCoy Lee. McCoy is on trend but not at all popular, and down-to-earth to boot. I'm itching to hear the name of Kelsey and Scott's next child, since they hit it out of the park the first time.

Girl: Brynn, Darcy, Keeley, Maisie, Paige, Quinn, Ryan, Shea, Skye, Wynne

Boy: Brody, Cord, Graham, Guy, Jethro, Len, Murphy, Roarke, West, Wylie
*Update* Welcome, Clover Ash!

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Tennis champion Serena Williams is pregnant with her first child, and the internet is abound with suggestions for the baby's name. Most of them center around athletics and tributes (Ace! Venus! Serenus?), but I have a feeling Serena will go in a different direction. Her dog is Christopher, called Chip, and her beloved stuffed animal is Max. I would not be surprised if she chose a milder, well-liked name for her child. Serena's fiancé Alexis Ohanian is Armenian, so it's quite possible the name will have some influence from his heritage.

Girl: Audrey, Clara, Elisa, Juliet, Layla, Lusine, Lydia, Sophia, Zabelle

Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Connor, Jake, Lev, Lucas, Samuel, Simon, William
*Update* A girl! Alexis Ohanian Jr., called by her middle name, Olympia