Two Syllable Names for Girls

A name better left where it is, embroidered on a fifties poodle skirt.

Chic in the fifties, now kept in the public eye mainly by actress Zellweger; today's parents seek more moderne Gallic choices.

Chosen primarily by coveters of the sleek and spiffy German sports car, which is actually spelled Porsche. The Shakespearean version of the name is Portia. The one advantage of the Porsha spelling, popularized by Real Housewife Porsha Williams, is that is clarifies pronunciation.

Although we think Scarlett is plenty feminine enough without the girly -ette suffix, this variation entered the US Top 1000 in 2011, where it remained for more than a decade. In 2023, it dropped off the list, however, it was still given to 240 girls that same year.

The traditional Scarlett is used 26 times more often its more elaborate counterpart, but Scarlette could could have the plus side of drawing people's eyes away from the "Scar" syllable and onto the second part of the name. For anyone hoping to use nickname Lettie, Ettie, or Etta - or plan to use it to honor a Charlotte - this form could be more appealing.

Variant of Nyx or Nixie

A sweet Bobbsey-twin era nickname, fluffy and floral.

Popular Scandinavian name -- first bestowed in honor of Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, a classifier of plants and animals -- that could make an engaging choice.

This simple, bright Japanese name is used on both boys and girls and has numerous meanings. It can be interpreted as meaning "righteous" and "prince", or a combination of mi meaning "beautiful" and ki meaning "hope", "seasons" and "valuable".

The Shawnee were an Eastern tribe that migrated westward; Shawnee makes an unusual name, if a little dated a la Shawn and Tawnee.

Zsa Zsa is a zippy Hungarian nickname name, sometimes used independently, linked for decades with the Hungarian-born actress Zsa Zsa Gabor--who was born Sari.

In Slavic myth, this name belonged to the water priestess and protector of warriors.

The mononymous KPOP singer and actor Jisoo — born Kim Ji-Soo — inspired several sets of parents to recently use her name for their daughters. She is a member of the girl band Blackpink and one of the leading social media influencers worldwide.

This name has two origins: the English word Dusk, meaning evening twilight and the Czech name for girls Duška meaning "soul or spirit". Either way, this is an interesting name with some potential.

In its mid-20th century heyday, Deedee -- or Didi or Dede -- was not infrequently used as a name in its own right. It's a cute, or maybe cutesy, short form of names like Deanne.

This delicate and pretty member of the prolific Lily family is best known as the name of the heroine of Alexander Chee's novel Queen of the Night, Lilliet Berne. A combination of Lillian and Juliet, Lilliet and its near-twin Liliet were given to no baby girls in the US in recent years, but do have some history of use. If you can't decide between Lily and Juliet, this is obviously the name for you.

BloodRayne is a series of action-adventure video games, but the heroine's name is actually Rayne, a much more usable appellation for a non-vampire, non-animated child. We hope no-one uses this for their child.

Turkish form of Mary or Miriam, very popular in its homeland and, increasingly, in France too. The Turkish name for the Virgin Mary is Meryem Ana (or Meryemana).

Kenley is an area in the burrough of Croydon in South London. The name itself probably means "a well-known clearing." Both obvious nickname options are quite masculine (Ken or Lee) - we suggest the feminine Kendra for parents consider this name.

This is the Armenian version of the familia Julia, which has a rich and evocative sound. Other variations are Iuliya, and the diminitive Yulya.