Two Syllable Names for Girls

A distinctive name, originally male, that could be an updated tribute to Grandma Marian.

Itza is a rare Itzel variant that shares its colorful meaning. Itza also connects to the Itza people of Guatemala and their language of the same name. Chichen Itza was a city built by the Mayans in what is now the Yucatán of Mexico.

This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero Serra, and sculptor Richard Serra, known for his challenging large-scale metal works.

Boyish short form of Regina, which is so clunky it's cool.

Feather, though it was used for a character in a Walter Mosley novel, seems too light and fluttery for a real-life girl.

Did you really mean to name your child Channel, as in the body of water? Like, you know, the English Channel? Or were you going for the last name of the French designer Chanel, with a soft "sh" sound at the beginning and the emphasis on the last syllable? If so, we recommend sticking with the Chanel spelling.

For such a short, simple name, Pela has many possible derivations and meanings. It's most commonly cited as a short form of Penelope, but can also be a nickname for Pelagia, a name related to the sea.

Tied to the bluesy southern city and to the world heritage cite in Egypt after which it was named, Memphis is a modern choice with ancient history. Currently significantly more popular for boys in the US, as a place name with sounds reminiscent of Paris, Meredith and Emma, it has plenty of potential as a unisex choice.

A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.

A fancy French feminine form of the Biblical name Cleopas or Cleophas, which may derive from Greek Kleopatros ("glory of the father").