These '90s Girl Names Are All That and a Bag of Chips
While we're still not over the fact that the 1990s are considered vintage, we can adore the fact that the 2020s have been filled with '90s revival. Everyone wants to wear the clothes, rock the lipstick from the times, and dance to the same music. But let's take it a step further: for expectant mamas, why not give your baby girl a name that screams 1990s nostalgia!
Whether you're looking for a baby girl name that was super popular back then, or a name that was linked to a popular character, actor, or singer, we got you. The '90s were filled with fun names from pop culture, and we think they're due for a comeback.
Chances are, when you think of the '90s, you think about the shows that remain classics like Friends, Frasier, Charmed, and more. And with those shows come some cool names like Phoebe, Daphne, Monica … you get it, we're still obsessed. (And with the help of BabyNames, we can figure out how beautiful each name really is with their meanings.)
So if you're obsessed with the '90s like us, then why not take a nostalgia trip and see which '90s names are making a comeback. Below, see which '90s baby girl names we're obsessed with today.
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In the '90s, everyone wanted to be the 'Queen of Urban Pop' Aaliyah. The name is not only super recognizable, and a nostalgia trip for anyone in the '90s; but it has a beautiful meaning. Fun fact: it's Arabic for 'sublime!'
While the name Alexis was made popular on Dynasty, which was popular in the 1980s, so many people named their kids Alexis in the '90s because of it. The name is not only chic, but it's also Greek for 'Defender of the people.'
Let's face it: Alicia Silverstone was the '90s 'It Girl,' and everyone wanted to be her. So if you're thinking of emulating Ms. Silverstone in her golden era, you can't go wrong with the name Alicia, which is English for nobility!
Along with Alicia Silverstone, there was Alyssa Milano, who was the TV princess for her leading roles in Who's the Boss and Charmed. It's another reconizable name, this time being a gorgeous moniker meaning 'rational.'
Remember how we all wanted to be Angela Chase, also known as the main character of My So Called Life, played by Claire Danes?! Well, you can still snag the name Angela, which is English for 'messenger of God.'
Even in the 2020s, we're still obsessed with '90s pop icon Brandy. It's a sharp, powerful name that ultimately comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning 'burnt wine.'
Fun fact: the name Chloe was one of the most popular girl names in the UK throughout the '90s. It's fun, it's cute, and it's Greek for 'blooming,' so it's the perfect nostalgic name.
If you were a big fan of the Nickelodeon show Clarissa Explains It All, then chances are that the name was one of your all-time faves. '90s kids everywhere remember this show, and adored Clarissa, but did you know that it's Latin for 'illustrious?'
Can you hear it still: 'Call me now for your free reading?' That's right, we can't talk about the '90s without mentioning the iconic Miss Cleo, the telephone psychic in all of those commercials. We loved to praise her then, and we love to praise her now — which works, since her name means 'to praise.'
The '90s were full of cool Courtneys. There was obviously Courtney Love, the iconic singer from Hole, and the actress, Courteney Cox from Friends. But what does the name mean? Well, it's a name from French nobility, derived from the House of Courtenay.
If you're from the '90s, chances are you remember the absolutely stunning Daisy Fuentes, who was MTV's first Latina VJ. It may have been for edgy gals in that decade, but the great thing about the name Daisy is that these days it fits with any aesthetic, not just for a flower child.
Remember Daphne Moon from Frasier? We loved her kooky antics, and of course, her stunning name. It's a Greek name meaning 'laurel tree,' so it totally fits the boho vibes from the 2020s.
When you think about the '90s, chances are you think about MTV's hit animated show Daria, which followed the overtly pessimistic high schooler. This is especially ironic since the name Daria is Greek and means 'upholder of the good!'
Every '90s girl spent hours flipping through the Delia*s catalog pages, fantasizing about wearing all the cool clothes in it. And this name has quite a bit of a story behind it. Delia means 'from Delos' and refers to the Greek island where the gods Artemis and Apollo were born.
Princess Diana will forever be iconic to us, but in the '90s, she was all anyone could talk about. And like the late princess, the name is 'divine.' No, really, that's what the name means!
The show Felicity gave us '90s kids so much joy, which totally makes sense when you remember that the name is literally Latin for 'happiness.'
We all wanted to be Gwen Stefani in the '90s, with the bold red lip, killer vocals, and wardrobe that seemed never-ending (not to mention her relationship with the equally-cool Gavin Rossdale of Bush). '90s kids and teens had no doubt that Gwen was such a cool girl name, and it still is. Gwen is Welsh for 'blessed ring,' which is so moody!
Heather was that name in the '90s thanks to beloved actresses like Heather Locklear and Heather Graham, but also for the iconic movie, Heathers. But what does it mean? Well, it's a plant name which symbolizes good luck, protection, and admiration.
Jane is just one of those classic names that fit any aesthetic. But let's talk about why '90s kids love it so much. Obviously, there's Jane Seymour, who was the star of the beloved show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. But there's also Daria's bestie Jane Lane, and of course, '90s TV star Jane Leeves. Jane is everywhere, and it's also got a simple meaning: 'God is gracious.'
Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt … the list goes on, but the name Jennifer is a '90s favorite for a reason. It's simple, cool, and it means 'soft,' so it's just a romantic name all around.
Even today, 30 years after the '90s, we still wanna be Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell. She had that all-American look, that cheerleader pep, and that iconic brunette hair — which makes sense since the name Kelly is Irish for 'bright-headed.'
Calling all '90s soap opera fans: you gotta remember Krista Allen, one of the actresses in Days of Our Lives, and how everyone was obsessed with the unique moniker. In case you were wondering, it's a unique name with a simple meaning: 'anointed or Christian.'
Melinda was a name beloved by those who watched Charmed and Ghost Whisperer, especially since there were characters named that. But the meaning behind the name makes it even better: it means 'Black and beautiful.'
Obviously, there's Monica from Friends and the R&B singer. So either way, '90s kids were exposed to that stunning name, and that's the 'truth!' (It means 'truth' — see what we did there?)
Naomi Campbell was, and still is, an It Girl, and her name is still so cool. Back in the '90s, everyone thought it was such a beautiful name, which fits perfectly since the name literally means 'beautiful' in Hebrew.
There's Nicole, and there's Nicolette; both of which were such cool names in the '90s. Now, there were two popular figures: Nicolette, a UK-based electronic musician, and Nicollette Sheridan, a beloved actress who did a lot of projects in the '90s. It may seem like a sign of the times, but this name is quite timeless, especially since it's a French name meaning 'Victory Of The People.'
We know, you thought the same thing: Pamela Anderson at the height of her Baywatch popularity. All '90s kids know about her, and love her, and who wouldn't love a name that means 'sweetness?'
The name Phoebe became a staple from '90s hit shows like Friends and Charmed, with people loving the bright, fun characters with that name. They were fun on screen — and off screen, the name Phoebe works the same since it means 'bright, shining.'
Sabrina the Teenage Witch was our favorite show back in the day, and fast forward to 2025: we're still obsessed. But did you know that the name Sabrina has a bit of a long meaning behind it? It means 'From the River Severn,' which is a lake associated with Hafren, a Welsh princess who was drowned in the river. Dark, we know, but it's a unique meaning!
Go back to the '90s and think of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and supermodel Stephanie Seymour, and how we couldn't wait to see all the updates about them. An IRL princess, and the princess of models; which totally adds up when you remember Stephanie means 'crown.'
Honestly, we don't know why Veronica was so popular, but we weren't complaining. And that's the 'truth!' (See, we did it again!)
We all think about the '90s actress who forever has our hearts, Winona Ryder, but it's actually a Native American — specifically Lakota — name meaning firstborn!
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It was written by: Charles Cantalupo, Penn State Read more: Why auction of Buddha relics was called off and why it matters – an expert in Asian art explains Mbare Art Space: a colonial beer hall in Zimbabwe has become a vibrant arts centre Waiting for Godot has been translated into Afrikaans: what took so long Charles Cantalupo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
