Two Syllable Names for Girls
- Bardot
Origin:
French surnameDescription:
Bardot joined the first and last names of other glamour girl icons such as (Jean) Harlow when David Boreanaz chose the surname of '50s French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot for his daughter. Bardot debuted in the US charts in 2022.
- Naima
Origin:
Arabic, Scandinavian variation of NaemaMeaning:
"tranquil; pleasantness"Description:
As an Arabic name, the normal transcription is Na'ima, with an apostrophe. It was a Top 200 name in France in the 1970s and '80s, and ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2005 to 2008.
- Leyla
Origin:
Spelling variation of Layla
- Rowen
Origin:
Spelling variation of RowanMeaning:
"little redhead"Description:
With its soft sounds, its unisex appeal, and its nature connection, Rowan has been climbing the charts in recent years. The modern spelling twist, Rowen, has trailed behind, about 7 times less popular than the traditional option and not as well-used as Rowyn, but nevertheless, still given to 170 babies in a recent year.
- Vala
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"singled out"Description:
Mystical overtones.
- Gidget
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Gidget was the surfer girl who started it all. She was the subject of six novels by Frederick Kohner, and the 1959 film in which she made her theatrical debut, starring Sandra Dee, helped make surfing a popular sport.
- Chiyo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"thousand generations"Description:
The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.
- Luba
Origin:
Russian, Slavic, Yiddish, "love, lover, dear"Meaning:
"love, lover, dear"Description:
Its association with the word liebe gives this name an endearing, adored aura.
- Patsy
Origin:
English, diminutive of PatriciaMeaning:
"noble, patrician"Description:
This sassy, spunky name was used for the mostly Irish jump-roping pigtailed girls of the thirties and forties -- and some Irish and Italian boys as well. Its most noted bearer was iconic country music singer Patsy Cline (born Virginia), and was sighted most recently in the Ab Fab movie. After reaching Number 52 in the late thirties, it dropped off the list completely in 1970--and we're not anticipating a return.
- Dhara
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"the earth"Description:
An international take on Dara.
- Shirin
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"charming, sweet"Description:
An attractive unisex choice heard in several countries, including Armenia. Can be pronounced sheer-IN or sheer-EEN.
- Corey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the hollow"Description:
Cool a few decades ago, along with Lori and Tori -- but no more.
- Zura
Origin:
Chechen from PersianMeaning:
"strength"Description:
A rare name with elegant simplicity, Zura has several multicultural origins. It can be a Chechen adaptation of the Persian word for strength, or the Chechen version of Zahra. It is also known in Greece; and could be short for the color name Azura. Zura reappeared in the US charts in 2020 after a gap of over 100 years.
- Randi
Origin:
Feminine diminutive of RandolphMeaning:
"shield-wolf"Description:
A relic of the midcentury Mandi-Sandi-Andi era.
- Bradley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"broad clearing"Description:
Fading boys' name making fresh start for girls, aided by -ley ending.
- Melat
Origin:
Amharic, EthiopianMeaning:
"gift of God; fine linen; sweet"Description:
Melat is a lovely girl name that is frequently used in Ethiopia. Several meanings of Melat are possible, including "gift of God", and "sweet". Melat also refers to the fine linen or silk woven in the Virgin Mary's dress.
- Giorgia
- Mishka
Origin:
Diminutive of Mikhail, RussianMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Mishka is traditionally a masculine nickname in Russia but has become unisex along with Mischa, another common short form of Mikhail.
- Terry
Origin:
English, diminutive of TheresaDescription:
Terry hit the Top 30 in the fifties; it was seen then as a cool, sleek gender neutral name, but it's long since lost that edge. Today's Terry would probably be Tess or Tessa.
- Rumer
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fame, braggart"Description:
Demi and Bruce made waves when they named their now-grown firstborn after novelist Rumer Godden; a possible downside is its connection with the word rumor. English author Godden was actually born Margaret, with Rumer (a family surname) as her middle name