Two Syllable Names for Girls

A Top 10 name in Moscow. In Russian, the emphasis is put on the first syllable.

In the Bible, nardos is a perfume poured on Jesus. It is related to spikenard, an essential oil from a Himalayan flower, historically used for medicinal and religious purposes as well as perfume.

Derya is a unisex name in its native Turkey, though even there it is far more popular for women than for men. It is related to the Persian name Daria, which also means sea.

Popular name in Japan, wouldn't work too well outside that culture.

A common name in Indonesia that would not work well in English-speaking countries, being too close to putrid or putty.

While in Armenia, Italy and Nigeria Saro is regarded as a masculine name, in English Saro is a rare feminine name, familiar because of the old English folk song Pretty Saro, which was rediscovered in the 20th century, having been preserved through Appalachian oral tradition. In the song, Saro is a girl whom the singer has had to leave behind in his home country after emigrating, which might give an indication as to how it came to be found in North America. Saro in this case is generally thought to be a diminutive of Sarah.

Variant of Corinne

Krista may be past its peak -- along with all similar C-starting sisters and their K variations -- yet it's still a pretty name.

A pretty Roman name, but unfortunately also the English vocabulary word mania. Spelling it Manya would avoid the issue.

Offbeat name sometimes heard in the African-American community.

Old English name as outmoded as the use of the word maid for a young girl.

About 60 girls were named Alise in the US last year, making it an uncommon but not truly rare name. While it's pretty and intriguing as a spin on the very popular Alice, it's pronounced more like Elise or -- in Latvian -- Elisa, and so may prove more confusing than it's worth. If you want to name your daughter Alice, name her Alice, and if you want to name her Elise, name her Elise. Choosing Alise in many ways gives you the worst of all worlds.

Gio is a cute, more androgynous variation of Gia that could work well as a nickname for names such as Giovanna, Giordana, or Giorgia. It was chosen by Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo for their daughter in 2018.

Novel French twist on Starr or Stella.

Rohan is an Indian name, but may also be a variation of the Irish surname Rowan, sometimes used for girls.

Xya first popped into the American baby name charts in 2000, and has been used used every year, though in low numbers, from 2013 onwards. Modern and almost unique — and with a high Scrabble score — Xya fits easily into the trend for mini-names with plenty of vowels, like Mia and Kaya.

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

A newcomer to the US popularity charts, likely influenced by the popularity of similar names Camila and Camilla.