10 lovely baby girl names making a comeback this year - and they're all timeless
A study has revealed the 10 most popular baby names in the world for little girls, with classic monikers becoming more and more popular.
If you have a little girl on the way and need some baby name inspiration, then one new study could be worth taking a look at.
New research by NameKun.com, which analysed 8,339 names in 139 countries worldwide, has revealed the 10 most popular baby names. The experts said: "The popularity of international names is rising. Globalisation, celebrities, and pop culture shape baby name trends across borders.
"International names benefit children socially and professionally. They are relevant across different cultures and easy to pronounce in many languages. Research suggests that your name can help avoid bias and racial profiling. In a 2003 field study National Bureau of Economic Research found that people with international and local names received significantly more callbacks for job interviews than those with more exotic names. Our study shows how interconnected naming trends have become."
Here is a list of the top 10 names and the meaning behind them, as reported by the Express.
1. Maria
According to the study, Maria is the most popular global female name that is used in 114 countries, and it's a top 10 name in 36 countries. A name of Latin, Hebrew, and Greek origin, Maria refer to one of the most sacred figure in the Christian faith, and means 'star of the sea', 'beloved,' or 'wished for a child'.
2. Sarah
In the Bible, Sarah was the wife of Abraham, considered the matriarch of the Jewish people. The name means 'lady, princess or noblewoman'.
3. Laura
Laura is the form of the Latin name Laurus, which meant 'laurel'. The Bump explained: 'This nature-inspired name also reflects the leafy garlands worn by ancient Roman victors.'
4. Sara
A girl's name of Hebrew origin, Sara means 'princess,' and it is a variation of Sarah, the name of Abraham's wife in the Bible.
5. Anna
Anna is the Latin form of the Greek Avva and the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'favour' or 'grace'.
6. Jessica
Jessica is a Hebrew name derived from 'Iskah,' which means 'to behold' or 'foresight'.
7. Andrea
Andrea is a gender-neutral name originally from Greece, which means 'strong' and 'brave'.
8. Sandra
Originally Greek, Sandra is a feminine girl's name that means 'protector of humanity'.
9. Michelle
Michelle is a popular name of French and Hebrew origins, and a derivation of the Biblical name Michael-Michelle, which means 'who resembles God'.
10. Jennifer
According to The Bump, Jennifer is a beautiful girl's name of Welsh origins. It is an English variation of Guinevere, which means 'the fair one'.