Last month, we at ApMtn started our Alphabet Extravaganza with A is for Girls, a review of a few neglected names beginning with A. Today we move right on down the line to letter B.

B is a tricky letter. Many of the best known B names for girls are nicknames - think Becky and Betsy - or names that are less than aspirational - a la Britney. But there are a few gems to be found, and, of course, a few land mines to be avoided.

Here are a few bright and brilliant options starting with the letter B:

• Belen - The Spanish form of Bethlehem, Belen (pronounced bay LEN) is a graceful, tailored choice for a girl, with international and place name flair, too. While some parents might fret that the name will be said more like Helen with a B, given the popularity of all the Bell- and - bell names in recent years, that might be something of a bonus. The name is a top choice in Chile, and may gain some attention on our shores thanks to Spanish horror flick El Orfanato, starring Belen Rueda. (Belen has been in the Top 1000 in the US since 2000, charting at #914 in 2006.)
• Bryony - Just as Belen is a subtle place name, Bryony offers a botanical option that isn’t over-flower-powering. Since the plant is most familiar in Scotland, there’s also a certain British style to this name, and indeed, it is more common on the opposite side of the Atlantic. For parents worried that Violet is too trendy, Bryony may well be a great choice. For families trying to honor a Brian or Bryan, it’s also a far more sophisticated moniker than Brianna. The variant spelling Briony is also used, and was the given name of the misguided younger sister in the novel and film Atonement. (Bryony has never been in the Top 1000 in the US.)
• Beatrice and Beatrix will appeal to parents searching for a name that is instantly familiar, but rarely used, at least in the US. The name has been worn by princesses and saints, and, presumably by the Park Slope protagonist of Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny, Too, though she is known as Trixie in the books. Speaking of literature, Beatrice is one of the main characters in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and Beatrix Potter created the enduring Peter Rabbit. Perhaps best of all, the meaning of Beatrice is lovely - Baby Names World lists it as “voyager through life.” This gentle throwback name has a granny-chic vibe that fits right in with Hannah and Hazel, but still manages to stand out. (Beatrice ranked #996 in 2006; Beatrix was unranked.)
• Bethan - This Welsh pet name for Elizabeth might stand on its own, and seems much more interesting that the simple Beth, and stronger than the popular place name Bethany. She’s likely to be called Bethanne, of course, but this name actually sounds more like Bevan or Devon that that fusty compound name.  (Bethan has never been in the Top 1000 in the US.)
• Bess, Betsy - While it would be short-sighted to bestow these as independent given names, Bess and Betsy are both great nickname choices for Elizabeth or Elisabeth. While there’s a hint of the bovine about Bess, it is quite close to Tess - a nickname that has surpassed its formal version, Teresa, in terms of popularity. (Tessa ranked #252 and Tess #734 in 2006; Teresa came in at a mere #535 and Theresa at a downright obscure #717.) While Betsy may still bring to mind the famous Little Miss Betsy Wetsy doll for many, the nickname does have a spunky, old school vibe that may appeal to modern parents.
• Beau - Beau would be quite the boyish choice - not only it is the French word for handsome, it is sometimes used to refer to a boyfriend. Plus Gary Cooper played Beau Geste, an adventurer off to recover a stolen jewel in the 1939 movie. So why is it here on ApMtn? Despite - or perhaps because of its boyish charm, Beau seems like a sweet middle name choice for a girl. But the real appeal is as a nickname for Isabeau, a French alternative for parents finding Isabella too, too popular. (Beau charted at #438 for boys in 2006; Isabeau is unranked.)

Lastly, here’s one to pass on by:

Bijou

Yes, noun names are hot. Foreign names are cool. This one seems to embrace both trends - it’s the French word for jewel. And, yes, actress and scream queen Bijou Phillips, daughter of the Mamas & the Papas’ John Phillips, bears the name.

But Bijou is a flimsy choice best left to the poodles, and, of course, Ms. Phillips. Bijou’s vibe is just a bit too ooh la la for a little girl to wear, and should your daughter grow up and wish to pursue rocket science, it seems like a lightweight choice for a high-achieving woman.

Buy your daughter diamonds; name her Ruby or Emerald; but give Bijou the miss.