Top Baby Girl Names That Start With H

Many good names start with the letter H, like happiness, heaven, and hope. Maybe you like the positive associations of the letter H, or you simply like the sound. Perhaps it’s the beautiful sounds from Hebrew and Egyptian names to the mythological Greek names beginning with H or the modern trendy names that just sound super cool that appeal to you. Take a look at our list of H baby girl names, from the popular or modern names to old-fashioned or biblical ones. We’re sure you’ll find the right name for your little girl.

Popular Girl Names That Start With H

If you’re looking for a girls’ name that begins with the letter H, then check out the top 10 names in the United States for 2020: 1. Harper. This cool unisex name tops the list for the United States. It comes from the Old English word hearpe, meaning “harp,” and became a surname with its origins from someone who played the harp or made harps. It became a popular first name in the twentieth century with American author Harper Lee (who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird) being a famous bearer.

2. Hazel. Coming in second is Hazel, which comes from the English word for the hazel or the light brown color. The word itself comes from the Old English word haesel but became a name in the nineteenth century.

3. Hannah. This popular name has roots in the Hebrew word meaning “favor” or “grace.” Hannah also appeared in the Old Testament as the wife of Elkanah. Although Hannah comes from the Hebrew name Channah, it became more popular in the English-speaking world after the Protestant Reformation and has surged in popularity in the latter half of the twentieth century. The name Hannah has been common in popular culture, from German philosopher Hannah Arendt to the title character of Disney’s Hannah Montana.

4. Hailey. This popular girls’ name can be spelled in many ways, like Hayley or Haley, but Hailey is the most common and popular spelling in the United States. It originally came from the name of an English town (its name meaning “hay” and “clearing”) but became popular as a girls’ name in the twentieth century. Child actress Hayley Mills helped make the name very popular.

5. Hadley. If you’re looking for a cool and popular unisex name for your little one, then Hadley may be a good choice. It derives from the English surname, which comes from the word for “heather field” in Old English.

6. Harmony. This beautiful girls’ name from the Greek word harmonia is a lovely choice for your little one if you’re a music lover. It can mean the combination of simultaneous musical notes, but it can also mean tranquility. Either way, it’s a beautiful name for a little girl who brings some harmony into your life.

7. Hope. Coming from the English word “hope,” it was a name that became popular with the Puritans in the seventeenth century. It remains a classic and timeless name for a cute little girl.

8. Haven. With its roots in the English word for “a safe place,” Haven is a cute unisex name popular for little girls in the United States.

9. Harlow. Harlow is normally used as a surname—think actress Jean Harlow—but in 2008 it became popular when celebrity Nicole Richie named her daughter Harlow. It comes from a place in England, from the Old English words meaning “rock” and “hill.”

10. Haisley. Another unisex name that comes from a surname. You may also like the variant Hazley as an alternative.

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Unique and Unusual Girl Names That Start With H

If you think your little girl will be one to stand out from the crowd, then you might want a unique girl name for her. Whether it’s a name inspired by Old Norse, Ancient Greek, or even Egyptian, you’ll be sure to find something special for your little one in this list of unique H names for girls.

11. Hadewig. This name is the Old Germanic form of the name Hedwig, coming from the Germanic words hadu, meaning “battle, combat” and wig “war.” It’s an unusual name that carries significant history, so if your family has German ties or you’d like something medieval, this could be a good fit for your baby girl.

12. Hajnalka. If you want a unique Hungarian girls’ name, then Hajnalka could be a good fit. It’s Hungarian for the “morning glory” flower, so if you’re looking for a unique flower name beginning with H this is a good choice.

13. Halkyone. This Ancient Greek variant of Halcyone is supposed to have come from the misspelling of the name Alycone, the daughter of Aeolus in the Greek myth, and also became the name for one of the brightest stars in the Pleiades. It’s a name wrapped up in mythology, history, and linguistics, so definitely a unique H girl name for your baby.

14. Halldóra. This Icelandic name is the feminine version of the name Haldor, which means “Thor’s rock” in Old Norse. So, if you’re looking for a unique girls’ name worthy of Asgard, this is the perfect name beginning with H.

15. Hatshepsut. If you’re looking for something unique, then maybe you’ll want to turn to Ancient Egypt for inspiration. Hatshepsut means “foremost of noble women.” Queen Hatshepsut was the first woman to take the title of Pharaoh and there is even a stunning temple dedicated to her in Egypt. What better name for a noble little girl!

16. Hecate. Looking for a mystical and unique name? Then Hecate might be a good choice. It’s a name from Ancient Greek deriving from the word hekas, meaning “far off.” Hecate was a goddess associated with witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld. If you want something unique, strong, and mysterious, it could be a good choice for your baby.

17. Hecuba. Hecuba became famous in Greek mythology, as she was the wife of King Priam of Troy and the mother of Hector, Paris, and Cassandra. It’s a unique H girl name born quite literally out of myth and legend.

18. Hera. A name fitting for the queen of the gods, quite literally. Hera was the wife of Zeus and became the goddess of marriage and childbirth. The name possibly means “hero,” “period of time,” or “to be chosen” in Ancient Greek. It’s a beautiful and unique name, especially if you’re looking for a regal name for your little girl.

19. Hippolyta. This Greek name is most famous for its use in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or in mythology—Hippolyta was the wife of Theseus in both cases. She was the daughter of Ares and the queen of the Amazons. It’s a strong name meaning “freer of horses.”

20. Haizea. For a truly unique name, how about taking a name from one of Europe’s most unusual languages: Basque. Haizea means “wind” in Basque and would definitely help your little girl become a unique breath of fresh air.

More Unique Girl Names That Start With H

Choosing a baby name is a challenge, and while it can be a lot of fun, it’s also overwhelming at times. See our video packed full of interesting facts to help your find the perfect baby name for your little one.

Old-Fashioned H Girl Names

If you’re looking for an old-timey, classic name, then you’ll find a great selection under the letter H. Whether it’s a virtue name, a character from Shakespeare, or a name dating back to medieval times, you’ll find some great old-fashioned girl names beginning with the letter H.

41. Harriet. This is a classic name coming from the English form of Henriette, a feminine form of the name Harry (Henry). It stems from the male name Henry, which means “home ruler.” The name Harriet first appeared in its current form in the seventeenth century, becoming popular in the eighteenth century. There are a lot of famous Harriets, from abolitionist Harriet Tubman to Harriet the Spy.

42. Helga. This is a popular classic name in Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and Hungary. It comes from the Old Norse word heilagr, meaning “holy” or “blessed.” It’s also the feminine form of the Scandinavian name Helge.

43. Héloïse. A name that’s rare today, but a classic French name. It’s an Old French name that’s been in use since medieval times. There are different possible meanings, including “healthy,” “wide,” and “sun.” The most famous figure with this lovely name was the twelfth-century French scholar and philosopher Héloïse, famous for her doomed love affair with theologian Peter Abelard.

44. Henrietta. Another charming name that’s a feminine variant of Henry or Harry. It’s the Latinate form of Henriette and another name that evokes history if you want to give your little one a more old-fashioned name.

45. Hortensia. This lovely Ancient Roman name comes from the Latin word hortus, meaning “garden.” It used to be a Roman family name, Hortensius, but today it’s considered a formal, classic girls’ name.

46. Hildegard. Coming from the Old Germanic words hild, which means “battle” and gard, “enclosure,” Hildegard is a classic name that’s been around since the Middle Ages. The most famous Hildegard was Saint Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the twelfth century and was famed for her writings and poetry.

47. Hyacinth. A beautiful, classic name that comes from the Greek hyakinthos, the hyacinth flower. Hyacinth was a beautiful youth accidentally killed by the god Apollo, who caused the flower to arise from the boy's blood in mourning. Although this name is most popular as a girls’ name today, it was a boy’s name and a figure in Greek mythology.

48. Hedwig. This name comes from Ancient German and is derived from the words meaning “battle” or “war.” It’s a name that was prominent in medieval times, with the thirteenth-century German Saint Hedwig, wife of Henry the Bearded and also borne by a fourteenth-century Polish queen, who was also canonized. And let’s not forget Harry Potter’s little feathered companion, Hedwig!

49. Hero. The most famous use of Hero was in Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing, but Hero was also a figure in Greek mythology. She was the lover of Leander, who would swim across Hellaspoint every night to meet her. He died during a storm and Hero drowned herself when she saw he died. The meaning of the name comes from heros, quite literally meaning “hero.”

50. Honor. This name can also be spelled Honour. This old-fashioned name was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the seventeenth century. Other variants include Honoria and Honorata.

More Old-Fashioned Girl Names That Start With H

Biblical Girl Names That Start With the Letter H

The Bible has always been a source of inspiration for names, so we collected some great biblical names for girls that start with H. 61. Hadassah. This Hebrew name, meaning “myrtle tree,” was the given Hebrew name of Queen Esther. She changed her name from Hadassah to Esther to hide her Jewish identity from the Persian King.

62. Hagar. Meaning “flight” in Hebrew, Hagar was the second wife of Abraham and the mother of Ishmael in the Old Testament. Although it’s categorized as an Ancient Hebrew name, some also say it could be of Egyptian origin.

63. Haggith. The name Haggith appears in the Old Testament as the name of one of King David’s wives. The name comes from the word chagag in Hebrew and means “festive.”

64. Helah. Meaning “rust” in Hebrew, Helah appeared in the Old Testament as one of the wives of Asher.

65. Hephzibah. This beautiful biblical name means “my delight is in her” in Hebrew. Hephzibah in the Old Testament is the wife of King Hezekiah of Judah and the mother of Manasseh.

66. Herodias. This name is the feminine form of Herod, but also appears in the New Testament. Herodias is the sister of Herod Agrippa and the wife of Herod Antipas, and the mother of Salome.

67. Hodiah. Hodiah means “majesty of Yahweh” in Hebrew and is also the name given to Ezra’s wife in the Old Testament.

68. Hosanna. This lovely biblical name comes from the Aramaic expression Hosha’na’ which means “deliver us” in Hebrew. This is exclaimed by people around Jesus when he first enters Jerusalem in the New Testament.

69. Huldah. This name appears in the Old Testament, belonging to a prophetess who appears in II Kings. It also can be spelled Hulda. It means “weasel” or “mole” in Hebrew.

70. Hester. This is the Latin form of Esther and has been used in England since the Protestant Reformation.

Beautiful Girl Names That Start With H

From names with beautiful meanings, those that roll off the tongues, or names that evoke beautiful women, these names are sure to inspire you.

71. Helen. What could be a more beautiful name then the one shared with the most beautiful woman in mythology? Helen, which comes from the Greek word for “torch” or “moon,” has become a name that’s lasted the test of time. Since Ancient Greece, it’s become a very popular name, with actresses like Helen Mirren and Helen Hunt bearing this name.

72. Hadiya. This lovely Arabic girl name, the feminine form of Hadi, means “leader” or “guide” in Arabic, and has a beautiful sound to it.

73. Hadriana. A unique and beautiful name, Hadriana is an Ancient Roman name that’s the feminine form of Hadrianus. It means “from Hadria” in Latin, which could be two Roman settlements, one in northern Italy and the other an important Etruscan port. Of course. If you’re looking for a beautiful name with history and a connection to ancient Italy, this is a lovely choice.

74. Hermia. The feminine form of Hermes, who was the messenger god in Greek mythology, Hermia became a more popular name thanks to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a beautiful name wrapped in literature and mythology, so perfect for a dreamy little girl.

75. Haidee. This is a beautiful name coming from the Ancient Greek word aidoios, which means “modest” or “reverent.” Some sources say Lord Byron created the name for his epic poem Don Juan, featuring a character called Haideé. It was also name featured in by the main character in French New Wave director Eric Rohmer’s film La Collectionneuse. So, if you want a beautiful name with connections to poetry and art house films, it’s a great choice.

76. Hala. Coming from the Arabic word for “halo around the moon,” Hala is a beautiful name that’s popular in the Middle East. Hala was also the name for the Prophet Muhammed’s sister-in-law.

77. Hathor. Hathor is a beautiful Egyptian name that means “house of Horus.” In Egyptian mythology, Hathor is the goddess of love, so a beautiful name to give your special little girl.

78. Heather. This name comes from the English word heather, which is a small purple, pink, or white flower that grows in rocky areas, like the Scottish Highlands. However, this lovely flower name became used as a first name from the nineteenth century, becoming more popular from the twentieth century onwards.

79. Hana. This is a lovely name that is used in different countries and has different and beautiful meanings. In Arabic, it means “bliss” or “happiness,” in Japanese, it means “flower,” and in Korean, it means “one.” It’s also used as an alternative to Hannah in some Central European countries. So, if you want your little girl to have a beautiful name in several languages, Hana is a lovely choice.

80. Haunani. This beautiful Hawaiian girls’ name means “beautiful snow” coming from the Hawaiian word hau “snow” and nani, meaning “beauty” or “glory.”

More Beautiful Girl Names That Start With H

Cute Girl Names That Start With H

Sometimes you want the right name to fit a cute baby girl, so we’ve come up with our favorite cute girl name for girls that start with H to help you find a name that’s as adorable as your little princess. 101. Hanako. This sweet Japanese girls’ name combines the Japanese words hana, which means “flower,” and ko “child.” So, this name literally means “flower child,” which is adorable for your little flower.

102. Happy. If your little girl is a bundle of joy, you might want to name her Happy, which quite literally means what it says. Happy is a name that will put a smile on anyone’s face and is a cute name for a happy baby girl.

103. Heli. This cute diminutive of Helen or Helena is popular in Finland and Estonia, so this is a sweet choice if you’re looking for something with a Northern influence.

104. Haru. A sweet Japanese name that means “light” or “sun” but can also mean “spring” or “clear water,” depending on the kanji spelling of the word.

105. Heidi. This adorable girls’ name is famous thanks to Johanna Spyri’s children’s novel Heidi. It’s a German diminutive of the name Adelheid, which comes from the Old Germanic words “noble” and “kind,” so the perfect name for a sweet little girl. It’s also the name of German supermodel, Heidi Klum.

106. Hermione. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you may want to give your baby girl the name Hermione, after the smart sidekick of the title character. The name goes back centuries before the book though, and actually comes from the name for the Greek god Hermes. However, Hermione was also the daughter of Helen of Troy and King Menelaus, and also the name of a character in Shakespeare’s play The Winter’s Tale.

107. Hillary. Did you know that Hillary used to be a male name in the Middle Ages? It only became a popular girl’s name in the twentieth century, and since then, it’s become a popular girl’s name, whether it’s thanks to Hillary Clinton or Hillary Duff.

108. Holly. This cute name comes from the name of the Holly tree, which comes from the Old English word holen. Another sweet variant of this name is Hollie and is a great choice for an adorable little girl with rosy cheeks.

109. Honey. If your baby girl is sweet as sugar, then you may want to find a suitably sweet name. Honey is a cute, affectionate name that actually was once a nickname for a sweet person. It comes from the Old English word hunig, meaning “honey.”

110. Hanami. This Japanese name means “flower view” or “blossom view” and is usually the word used for the event when people go out to see the cherry blossoms in Japan. It’s also used as a cute flower name for girls, so it could be a sweet choice for your little flower.

More Cute Girl Names That Start With H

Modern Baby Girl Names Starting With H

Should you want a modern and cool girl name that starts with H? Then we’ve got some right here for you to check out. 131. Halle. A modern and trendy name made popular by the actress Halle Berry, Halle is a cool and contemporary name if you’re looking for something a bit different. Legend has it Halle Berry got her name from the department store in Cleveland, named after the brothers who founded it bearing the surname Halle. Although it’s a new girls’ name, there is a story behind it.

132. Hayleigh. This modern version of the name Hayley is becoming more popular and could be a good fit if you want something up to date with the times.

133. Hayden. This name became a popular unisex name at the end of the twentieth century and is one of the popular last names as first names. It comes from a place name, which gets its meaning from Old English for “hay valley,” but while it has history, as a name it’s modern.

134. Harlee. This modern variant of the name Harley comes from the placename that meant “hare” and “woodland.” It was mostly a boys’ name in the nineteenth century but became used more as a girls’ name since the 1980s.

135. Heaven. The word heaven, meaning “paradise” might have been around for centuries, but as a girls’ name it’s a modern one. Maybe being with your little one is a slice of heaven for you, or you like the sound, it could be a good fit for a modern little girl.

136. Heiress. Originally, the term heiress means “a woman who is an heir” and usually is a referred to a woman who will inherit a large amount of wealth. It’s recently become a more popular first name.

137. Heart. If your little one has stolen the hearts around her, maybe you want to give her the name Heart. It’s a cute, modern baby name starting with H that’s sure to make your little one loveable (not that she’ll need help with that).

138. Holland. Originally this was the name for a part of the Netherlands and also a surname, but recently it’s become a modern first name for boys and girls.

139. Henley. Henley comes from the Old English words meaning “high” and “wood.” Like many modern names, it was first a place name, then a surname, and now it’s a unisex name for boys and girls.

140. Holiday. Holiday conjures up a lovely image of leisure and vacations, coupled with some sunny days. If your little one is a ray of sunshine, then maybe Holiday is a good fit for her. Other variants of this name include Holliday.

Even More Girl Names That Start With H

The Bottom Line

Picking the right baby name is an important decision, so it’s not something you want to do lightly. If you want to keep the baby-naming party going, maybe check out some Girl names that start with I or maybe play around with some Spanish girls’ names, French baby girl names, or Italian baby girl names.

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