Two Syllable Names for Girls

The biblical Seraiah may have been male, but all the modern babies named Serayah or Seraiah are female, some inspired by actress Serayah McNeill of Empire.

Extremely simple and extremely distinctive -- a winning combination. Sound-alike Calla is a Greek (and botanical) name that means beautiful.

This Indian girls' name, in the Top 1000 in England and Wales, is virtually unknown in the US but has a pretty sound and is easily translated. If you're looking for a girl name with authentic Indian roots and a lovely sound and meaning, Simran might make an excellent choice.

Also spelled the phonetic Mella, this Irish name is as sweet as its meaning — well, one of them.

Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi shows signs of rising again. Has a bit of a comic-strip feel.

Kiersten is the version of Kirsten you use if you really really really don't want anyone to mispronounce it as ker-sten or kris-ten. But they probably still will.

This Spanish nickname name — originally short for Dolores — has potential as a full form now that four letter names ending in I have taken off.

A captivating, watery name found primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Used by Raquel Welch for her daughter.

Anastasia is a lovely yet very long name, and Stasia is a fresher, classier short form than Stacy.

Mercer is one fashionable occupational name that can work as well for girls as boys, perhaps because of the soft c or the conventionally feminine nickname Mercy.

Funky choice with za-za-zoom. Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.

Simple yet meaningful Iranian name that would make an excellent import to the English-speaking world.

Lisbeth is one of the many short forms of Elizabeth that are used on their own. Not only is it the name of the mother of the main character in George Eliot's novel Adam Bede, but it takes on a whole new, powerful image as the heroine of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Lizbeth is another spelling.

Baylor is a possible occupational alternative to the tired Taylor, especially for a horse lover.

Raiden is a powerful choice for a baby girl. The Japanese god of thunder’s name is traditionally pronounced RYE-den, but most children named Raiden in the US pronounce it to rhyme with familiar choices Aiden, Jayden, and Hayden.

This lovely Muslim name had a boost in 2022. Miraal is also an aquatic elf character in the Dungeons and Dragons franchise.

When Gail was popular, half a century ago, Gale was a plausible choice. Gale does put a slightly more masculine spin on the name, but it's dated in any version.

Pronounced as the English word joy, rather than as the French phrase joie de vivre, Joie might produce more complications than joy.