Girls Names

Here's a random list - my top five names for girls. As writers, we are always thinking of names, deciding what name suits certain characters, and finding new names we fall in love with. And while favourite names often change, there are some that usually stick.

So here's my list of top five girls names.

1. Elizabeth

Timeless, classic, and a suitable name for so many people. I have loved the name Elizabeth since forever and, at one time, vowed to have at least one Elizabeth in each of my novels. Fortunately, this hasn't actually happened. But the best thing about the name Elizabeth is the many diminutive forms you can form from it - Lizzy, Libby, Beth, Eliza ... the list is seriously endless. And if your character's name is Elizabeth, I'm very likely to pick up your book.

Some of my favourite Elizabeth's are: 
- Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Betsy Taylor from The Undead Series by Maryjanice Davidson
​- Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean
- Queen Elizabeth I of England
​- Queen Elizabeth II of England

2. Emily

I have loved the name Emily for some time, having named the lead character in my third novel Emily back in high school and therefore named my first car Emily too. Emily is another one of those timeless names, of sorts, and suitable for many types of characters. This is another name that will draw me to a book or movie. And 'Em' is such a cute nickname.

Some books I love with the name Emily are:
- The Button Jar Series​ by Fiona McCallum
- Emily Eyefinger by Duncan Ball

3. Chloe

Ahh ... Chloe. Chloe was the character in my fourth novel and who I spent most of high school writing about - my feisty North Queensland figure skater. She's awesome and I still love thinking about her today. Hence, when I got rid of Emily (the car), I named my little pink Toyota Echo 'Chloe' and we've been going strong for the past eight years or so. Chloe is a beautiful name that is suitable for a girl at all ages and a name that will definitely draw me into any book.

There aren't many famous or well known Chloe's, but I am sort of drawn to the fashion house Chloe because of the name. I have a bottle of the perfume even though I don't particularly like the scent.

4. Anna

Anna is probably one of my newest favourite names. It seems like it's the first name that pops into my head for any character lately. But it's a good name because it's classic, pretty, and can be used across cultures as it is a common name throughout most European countries.

The lead character in my short story Malady Takes the Castle is named Anna. The lead character in my rural women's fiction is also named Ana, short for Anastasia.

Some awesome Anna's include:
- Princess Anna from Frozen 
- Anna Karenina from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Anna Pavlova, the Russian prima ballerina who wanted a new dessert
- Anna Kendrick, the actress

5. Rachel

Yes, I love my name. This should probably be at the top of the list, but I've put it here because it's not a name, for obvious reasons, that I use in my novels. But I am a proud Rachel as I think it is a beautiful and timeless name. And if your lead character is named Rachel, I'm almost guaranteed to buy your book.

My favourite Rachel's are:
- Rachel Green from Friends of course.
- Rachel Berry from Glee
- Rachel Dawes in Batman
- Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians