Two Syllable Names for Girls

Biblical woman from the Old Testament whose unique name is largely unknown in the modern world.

Dainty and doll-like.

Short and sweet alternative to Mia, Mila, Maya, et al.

A more feminine version of Devin.

Lovely and rare (even in Ireland) mythological widow whose tears rained on Ireland.

This Central American place-name would make a unique alternative to Bella or Belle. The name Belize comes from the Mayan word Balix, meaning "muddy waters" — a reference to the Belize River.

Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts." Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.

The name of the Inuit goddess of the sea, marine animals, and the underworld. There is also a dwarf planet in the outer solar system called 90377 Sedna, discovered in 2003 and named after the goddess because: "Our newly discovered object is the coldest, most distant place known in the Solar System, so we feel it is appropriate to name it in honor of Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea, who is thought to live at the bottom of the frigid Arctic Ocean."

Names that have not historically been names are not intrinsically gendered, so though we originally pinned Arrow as a boys' name, both starbaby Arrows that have been born recently have been girls. And with Arrow given to 60 girls in the US in 2015 and 94 boys, we call that a pretty decidedly gender neutral name. With its forward-moving, true-landing imagery, Arrow is one of the new inspirational names.

Senta is a lovely name, but if you name your daughter Senta, will the kids call her Santa? Maybe, but this obscure yet simple German name for girls.may appeal to parents searching the untraveled name routes.

Homophonous with Masha, the Russian nickname for Maria.

Anglicized form of Ngaire, this name is sometimes heard in New Zealand and very occasionally in England.

Like twins Helene and Elaine, a relic of the 1930s to 40s French Renaissance of names.

Variation of Kylie with the popular suffix -ee. Kylie was popular in Australia in the 1970s and 80s, said to come from a Noongar word for "boomerang". In the US, it has also been used as a feminization of the Scottish male name Kyle.

Marah is where the Israelites camped right after they walked through the parted Red Sea. Marah is related to Mara and has the same "bitter" meaning.

The power of the popular ella sound is sapped in this cross-cultural choice.

One of the less attractive Hebrew choices.

More distinctive than Ella, if you're inspired by Cinderella.