20 of the Preppiest Names for Girls
Do you picture your baby girl attending a prestigious Ivy League school, playing lacrosse, and wearing J.Crew? If so, then a preppy baby girl name is for you! Preppy baby names are all-American, classic, and timeless but not necessarily too popular. For this baby name list, we choose names with an educated vibe that denote class and sophistication. Check out our picks of 20 of the preppiest names for girls that we think will make your child destined for the Ivy League.
Afton
This is a perfect preppy name that is both dignified and distinctive. Afton was originally a Scottish surname derived from an English place name. It is also the name of a river in Scotland and a Swedish word meaning “evening.” Afton isn’t a name that’s heard very often, so you aren’t likely to find a kindergarten class full of girls with the same name a few years from now.
Love Afton? Similar names to consider are Arden, Tatum, and Aspen.
Aniston
Looking to surnames is a great option when brainstorming names, especially preppy ones. We think Aniston is a last name that can also be used as a first name for a girl. Meaning ‘”resurrection“‘ thanks to its Greek origin, Aniston, is an anglicized version of the Greek surname Anastassakis, (coined by the famous actress Jennifer Aniston’s actor father). The original surname Anastassakis shares the same root as the female name Anastasia.
Love Aniston? Similar names to consider are Anneliese, Emerson, and Addison.
Ansley
Ansley is another perfectly preppy name rooted in Old English, meaning “hermitage clearing.” The name originated as an English surname but now stands strong on its own.
Love Ansley? Similar names to consider are Ashley, Alice, Ainsley, and Alexandra.
Arden
This English name means “eagle valley.” Falling in at #967 on the 2018 popularity scale, Arden isn’t a popular name but is not super out there or weird either. Pair it with a more traditional middle name, like Arden Beatrice, and you have yourself a seriously preppy name. Given its versatility, we’re surprised this name hasn’t made it higher up on the list.
Love Arden? Similar names to consider are Auden, Arwen, and Amelia.
This name screams preppy; when hearing this name, we immediately picture Blair Waldorf, Leighton Meester’s character on Gossip Girl, the preppiest of all preppy characters on TV. This classic and timeless name comes from Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning “plain” or “field.”
Love Blair? Similar names to consider are Blake, Buffy, Ellis, and Paige.
Blythe
If you want a preppy girl name that is also old-fashioned, Blythe is a contender, and it’s hard not to fall for its happy and cheerful meaning. This title originates from Old English bliþe (“joyous, merry, cheerful, pleasant”), which was once a nickname for a cheerful person. We love the soft sophistication of this name for a girl.
Love Blythe? Similar names to consider are Eloise, Bailey, Audrey, and Beatrice.
Bronwyn
Bronwyn strikes the perfect note somewhere between recognizable and one-of-a-kind. The English name borrowed from Welsh Bronwen, meaning “fair or white breast,” is far more popular across the pond than here, but we think Bronwyn has an incredibly preppy vibe and predict it rising on the US charts soon.
Love Bronwyn? Similar names to consider are Elowen, Bryony, and Brynn.
Carrington
People love turning last names into first names, and Carrington is no exception. This English name originates from a place in Greater Manchester called Carrington, probably derived from Old English Ceriheringa-tun, meaning “settlement of Cerihere’s people.” You will most likely find preppy Carrington hanging out at the country club.
Love Carrington? Similar names to consider are Cosette, Caroline, and Charlotte.
Collins
Here’s a cute and preppy name for your daughter that used to be primarily a boy’s name, but we love it for a girl. There are several origins of this name. Some believe this name originates from a diminutive English form of Nicholas or as a surname meaning “son of Colin.” Others say it came from the Irish cuilein, meaning “darling,” or the Welsh surname collen, meaning hazel grove. The French name Colline, meaning “hill,” is another possible origin of the Collins surname.
Love Collins? Similar names to consider are Claire, Chandler, Piper, and Cooper.
Ellery
Ellery is a lovely baby girl’s name, meaning “cheerful.” It comes from the medieval given name Hillary, derived from the Latin origin name Hilarius. We think Ellery sounds like Ella mixed with Emily, making for a classy name with an appealing ring to it.
Love Ellery? Similar names to consider are Waverly, Delaney, and Embry.
Emerson
What was once strictly for boys is quickly becoming an acceptable and much-loved girl name. Emerson is a surname turned given name from English origins, meaning “son of Emar.” Alternatively, in German, it means Emry’s son.
Love Emerson? Similar names to consider are Ellison, Elizabeth, Emmett, and Frances.
Greer
Not the most common name, but definitely preppy. It derives from Scottish origins and means “watchful.” Greer is a solid namesake for baby girls. And it’s uncommon enough that you aren’t likely to find a kindergarten class full of girls with the same name a few years from now.
Love Greer? Similar names to consider are Paige, Edith, Grace, and Guinevere.
Hadley
Hadley is a chic and fashionable preppy name for baby girls. The English name went from obscurity in the 1980s to the top of the popularity charts ranking at #104 in 2018. The meaning of Hadley is “heather field.”
Love Hadley? Similar names to consider are Harper, Rhys, Delaney, and Hartley.
Kensington
Kensington is another preppy name that was used mostly as an English surname. The name means “the Town Of Cynsige’s People.” Kensington is an affluent district that is home to many politicians and billionaires in London. Like some of the other perfectly preppy baby names on this list, this name has a great nickname potential, and you could call her Kenzie for short
Love Kensington? Similar names to consider are Kinsley, Courtney, Kelsey, and Kennedy.
Merritt
This name translates to “boundary gate” in English so that baby Merritt will understand exclusivity.
Love Merritt? Similar names to consider are Maren, Spencer, Margaret, and Madison.
Palmer
The name Plamer arose as a nickname for a pilgrim who journeyed to the Holy Land and brought back palm leaves as proof. From the Middle English and Old French palmer or paumer, taken from palme, meaning “palm tree.” We think it’s the perfect name for any gender, but it’s now mostly used as a trendy and preppy name for girls.
Love Palmer? Similar names to consider are Pippa, Pearl, Lachlan, and Parker.
Sheridan
Sheridan is a preppy name extraordinaire. This name is the reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Sirideáin, meaning “descendant of Sirideán.” We think it’s a super-relevant and cool name for any modern girl.
Love Sheridan? Similar names to consider are Sawyer, Reagan, and Samantha.
Sloane
Did you know that Sloane is a nickname Brits used to describe young rich, upper-class women? The slang word is connected to Sloane Square, where the fashionable elite was likely to reside. The name itself is Irish in origin from the Gaelic given name Sluaghadhán, meaning “raid.”
Love Sloane? Similar names to consider are Sutton, Phoebe, and Harlow.
Tierney
Tierney pronounced TEER-nee, is of Irish origin derived from an Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Tíghearnaigh’ descendant of Tighearnach’, a byname meaning “lord, master.” The name has received more attention in the past few years but has yet to make it into the top 1,000, so originality is still guaranteed! This is a great name option for your future prepster.
Love Tierney? Similar names to consider are Teague, Tinsley, and Teegan.
Yardley
Yardley is a quintessentially English and preppy name that means “wood meadow.” The name is a bit buttoned-down yet has a soft, appealing edge. Frankly, we’re surprised that millennials haven’t picked up on this name yet.
Love Yardley? Similar names to consider are Arden, Victoria, and Waverly.
