125 Spunky Tomboy Names for Your Little Girl

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Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares popular, rare, and unisex names for tomboys

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: January 12, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Popular
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• Unique
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• Unisex Names
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• Nicknames
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• More Girl Names

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Are you an expectant parent looking for an adorable and spunky name for your little tomboy-to-be? Or are you looking for a name for a tomboy character for a novel or short story? Either way, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled the ultimate list of tomboy girl names, including popular, unique, and unisex options, with help from naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson. We’ve also included a few traditional girl names that have tomboy-esque nicknames, if you want the best of both worlds. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Tomboy Girl Names

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson recommends the following names that have a tomboy vibe:

• Billie
• Frankie
• Stevie
• Charlie
• Rowan
• Blake
• Dylan

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Popular Tomboy Girl Names

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1. 
   Go for one of these popular names for a well-loved option. “Tomboy names for baby girls tend to share a few quiet strengths: they’re unfussy, confident, and flexible,” says Dr. Wilson. “They often sit in that sweet spot where a name feels sporty or straightforward, but still timeless enough to grow beautifully with a child into adulthood.” She notes that “many come from unisex roots, surnames, or classic girl names with a crisp, no-frills sound.” Here are some of our favorite options, plus their meanings and origins:

   • Avery: “Elf counsel” or “ruler of the elves,” British origin.
   • Bailey: “Bailiff” or “fortification,” French and English origins.
   • Billie: “Wise” or “resolution,” English origin.
     • Dr. Wilson notes that names like Billie “have long histories as both nicknames and given names, and they carry an easy confidence without feeling harsh.”
   • Brooke: “Small stream,” English and German origins.
   • Cassidy: “Curly-haired,” Irish origin.
   • Cleo: “To celebrate,” Greek origin.
   • Devon: “Divine person” or “poet,” British, Irish, and French origins.
   • Eden: “Delight,” Hebrew origin.
   • Erin: “Ireland,” Irish origin.
   • Harper: “Harpist,” English origin.
   • Harriet: “Home ruler,” French and German origins.
   • Hayden: “Hedged valley,” British and German origins.
   • Jamie: “He who supplants,” Hebrew origin.
   • Jude: “Praised,” Hebrew origin.
   • Lane: “Path” or “roadway,” English origin.
   • Maeve: “Intoxicating” or “she who rules,” Irish origin.
   • Marley: “Marshy meadow,” British origin.
   • Morgan: “Circling sea,” Welsh origin.
   • Olive: “Olive tree,” Latin origin.
   • Paige: “Young servant,” French and Roman origins.
   • Peyton: “Fighting man’s estate,” Irish and British origins.
   • Piper: “Pipe player,” British origin.
   • Rory: “Red king,” Irish origin.
   • Riley: “Courageous” or “valiant,” British and Irish origins.
   • Sage: “Wise” or “prophet,” Latin origin.
   • Scout: “Sent to discover,” French origin.
     • Dr. Wilson notes that names like Scout “add a slightly adventurous, outdoorsy feel while still being wearable.”
   • Shawn: “God is gracious,” Irish and Hebrew origins.
   • Sidney: “Wide island,” British origin.
     • Dr. Wilson says names like Sidney are soft and grounded, striking a lovely balance.
   • Skylar: “Scholar,” Dutch origin.
   • Stevie: “Crown,” Greek origin.
   • Tatum: “Tata’s homestead,” British origin.
   • Wren: “Small brown songbird,” British origin.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming expert and consultant. She shares name meanings and naming tips with her over 20k followers on her Instagram, @little_name_library.
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Section 2 of 5:

Unique Tomboy Girl Names

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1. 
   Opt for one of these lesser-known names to set your daughter apart. These rare tomboy names are perfect for a one-of-a-kind little girl. They’re super memorable and unique, and they also increase the odds that your little one won’t share a name with any other kids in her class!

   • Ash: “Happy” or “ash tree,” Hebrew and British origins.
   • Aspen: “Aspen tree,” British origin.
   • August: “Great,” Latin origin.
   • Beatrix: “Voyager,” “traveler,” or “blessed,” Latin origin.
   • Bobbie: “Foreign” or “bright fame,” American and British origins.
   • Bowie: “Yellow-haired” or “blonde,” Scottish and Gaelic origins.
   • Chandler: “Candle-maker,” French origin.
   • Clover: “Meadow flower,” British origin.
   • Dallas: “From the dales,” Scottish origin.
   • Darcy: “Dark-haired,” French and Irish origins.
   • Emery: “Industrious,” “powerful,” or “ruler,” German and British origins.
   • Everest: “Dweller on the Eure River,” British origin.
   • Finley: “Fair-haired” or “courageous one,” Irish, Gaelic, Scottish, and British origins.
   • Greer: “Alert,” “watchful,” or “swift,” Scottish origin.
   • Harlow: “Army hill,” British origin.
   • Juniper: “Evergreen,” Latin origin.
   • Kirby: “Settlement by a church,” Norse, Scandinavian, British, and Irish origins.
   • Lennon: “Lover,” “sweetheart,” or “blackbird,” Irish origin.
   • Lennox: “Amid the elms,” Scottish origin.
   • Marlowe: “From the hill by the lake,” British and French origins.
   • Mickie: “Who is like God,” Hebrew origin.
   • Murphy: “Sea warrior,” Irish origin.
   • Onyx: “Claw” or “nail,” Greek origin.
   • Phoenix: “Dark red” or “legendary bird,” Greek and Latin origins.
   • Reagan: “Little king,” Irish origin.
   • Ridley: “Reed meadow,” British origin.
   • River: “A flowing body of water,” English origin.
   • Robin: “Bright,” “shining,” or “famous,” German origin.
   • Sailor: “Sea-farer,” German origin.
   • Shiloh: “Tranquil” or “His gift,” Hebrew origin.
   • Sloane: “Raider” or “warrior,” Irish origin.
   • Sutton: “Southern homestead,” British origin.
   • Vesper: “Evening star,” Latin origin.
   • Waverly: “Meadow of quivering aspens,” English origin.

Section 3 of 5:

Unisex Tomboy Girl Names

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1. 
   Choose a unisex name if you’re looking for something strong and powerful. “Some parents are drawn to unisex names that lean slightly boyish, especially those borrowed from surnames or traditional male names now used for girls,” explains Dr. Wilson. She says these names “feel modern without being trendy and tend to age well, whether on a toddler in muddy wellies or a professional adult.”

   • Adrian: “From Hadria” or “rich,” Latin and Greek origins.
   • Alexis: “Defender” or “protector,” Greek origin.
   • Andie: “Strong,” Greek origin.
   • Blake: “Black” or “dark,” English origin.
   • Bryce: “Speckled” or “freckled,” Scottish origin.
   • Camden: “Winding valley,” Scottish origin.
   • Cameron: “Crooked nose,” Scottish origin.
   • Campbell: “Crooked or wry mouth,” Scottish origin.
   • Carter: “Transporter of goods by cart,” British origin.
   • Casey: “Brave” or “watchful,” Irish origin.
   • Cody: “Descendant of Cuidightheach,” Irish origin.
   • Corey: “In or from the hollow,” Irish origin.
   • Drew: “Wise,” Welsh origin.
   • Dylan: “Great tide” or “great flow,” Welsh origin.
   • Ellis: “Benevolent” or “kind,” Welsh, Greek, and Hebrew origins.
   • Emerson: “Brave” or “son of Emery,” German origin.
   • Hunter: “One who hunts,” British origin.
   • James: “Grabs the heel,” Hebrew and Greek origins.
   • Jett: “Black stone,” British and French origins.
   • Joey: “God will increase,” Hebrew origin.
   • Jordan: “To flow down” or “descend,” Hebrew origin.
   • Kai: “Keeper of the keys” or “earth,” Welsh and Japanese origins.
   • Kendall: “The Kent river valley,” British origin.
   • Kit: “Bearing Christ” or “musical instrument,” Greek origin.
   • Leslie: “Holly garden,” Scottish origin.
   • Logan: “Hollow,” Scottish origin.
   • Lowen: “Dear friend,” Old English origin.
   • Mackenzie: “Fire-born” or “good-looking,” Scottish origin.
   • Micah: “Who resembles God?” Hebrew origin.
   • Noah: “Peaceful,” Hebrew origin.
   • Parker: “Park keeper,” British origin.
   • Presley: “Priest’s meadow,” British origin.
   • Quinn: “Chief,” “counsel,” or “wisdom,” Gaelic origins.
   • Reed: “Red,” British origin.
   • Reese: “Enthusiasm,” “fire,” or “ardor,” Welsh origin.
   • Remy: “Oarsman” or “rower,” French and Latin origins.
   • Rowan: “Little red one,” Irish origin.
   • Ryan: “Little king,” Gaelic and Irish origins.
   • Spencer: “Dispenser of provisions,” British origin.
   • Taylor: “To cut,” French origin.
   • Teddy: “Wealthy protector,” French origin.
     • Dr. Wilson notes that Teddy has a sporty and vintage edge that feels playful and spirited. It’s also “rooted in tradition rather than novelty, which helps [it] stand the test of time.”
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Section 4 of 5:

Traditional Names with Tomboy Nicknames

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1. 
   Go for one of these names if you’re looking for the best of both worlds. Dr. Wilson notes that “there are also classic girl names with tomboy energy, often because of their sound rather than their meaning.” In their full form, these names are elegant and traditionally feminine, but they all have spunky and tough tomboy nicknames as well. This allows your little one to switch things up depending on her preferences or the setting she’s in!

   • Alexandra (Alex): “Defender of mankind,” Greek and English origins.
     • Dr. Wilson says names like Alex are “familiar, friendly, and adaptable.”
   • Andrea (Andy): “Strong” or “manly,” Greek origin.
   • Camilla (Cam): “Helper to the priest,” Italian and Roman origins.
   • Cassandra (Cass): “Shining upon man,” Greek origin.
   • Charlotte (Charlie): “Free man,” French and Roman origins.
   • Christina (Chris): “Follower of Christ,” Latin and Greek origins.
   • Dakota (Coda): “Friend,” Native American origin.
   • Danielle (Dani): “God is my judge,” French origin.
   • Eleanor (Ellie): “Shining light,” French and Greek origins.
   • Emma (Em): “Whole” or “universe,” German origin.
   • Evelyn (Evie): “Desired” or “island,” British origin.
   • Francesca (Frankie): “Free” or “Frenchman,” Italian and German origins.
   • Jacqueline (Jackie): “He who supplants,” French origin.
   • Jessica (Jesse): “To behold,” Hebrew origin.
   • Jordyn (Jo): “Down-flowing,” Hebrew origin.
   • Josephine (Jo): “Jehovah increases,” French and Hebrew origins.
   • Louisa (Lou): “Famous warrior,” German origin.
   • Matilda (Mattie): “Mighty in battle,” German origin.
   • Maxine (Max): “Greatest,” Latin origin.
     • Dr. Wilson notes that names like Max are “pared-back and practical, often appealing to parents who want something simple but full of personality.”
   • Olivia (Ollie): “Olive tree,” Latin and Roman origins.
   • Penelope (Penny): “Weaver,” Greek origin.
   • Samantha (Sam): “God has heard,” Hebrew origin.
   • Theodora (Theo): “Gift of God,” Greek origin.
   • Valerie (Val): “Strong” or “brave,” French origin.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson

   Naming Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and early childhood expert based in Liverpool, England. Dr. Wilson shares name meanings, naming tips, and other inspiration on social media @little_name_library to over 20k followers on instagram. Dr. Wilson is also a Senior Lecturer in Practice & Employability for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing degree at Edge Hill University and has extensive experience working with children during early childhood. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Adolescence Studies, a Master’s degree in Research, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Liverpool John Moores University.

   

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson
   Naming Expert

   Choose a tomboy name that fits your child. The best tomboy name is one that feels true to your child, rather than tied to stereotypes. A strong, versatile name gives a girl room to be adventurous, gentle, loud, and quiet. The best names don’t try too hard; they simply feel comfortable, confident, and full of charm.

Section 5 of 5:

More Girl Names

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1. Looking for more girl name options? We’ve got you! Check out our helpful lists of girl names:

   • Cool Girl Names
   • Edgy Girl Names
   • Girl Names that Mean “Warrior”
   • Powerful Girl Names that Start with A
   • Vintage Girl Names
   • Princess Names for Girls
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