Two Syllable Names for Girls

Somehow, the S versions are even more passe than the C's.

Betsan is little-known outside of the U.K. but it could provide an intriguing alternative to Liz, Beth, Betsy, Betty, and Libby.

Nerio was one of the Roman goddesses of war and a wife of Mars. Her name is among the many intriguing names that mean strong.

Alda's brother name Aldo has been a mainstay of the U.S. popularity chart for decades now, and the related Alden is soaring up as well. This version has never really caught on. (Maybe it's the association with Alan Alda: great actor, unlikely namesake for a little girl.) However, there is possible hope now that Alba and Alma are on the rise. Aida and Arden are more familiar alternatives.

This Spanish month name has been quietly used for several years now in the US.

Magee became one of the first gender-bending Irish surname names so popular today thanks to New York television newswoman Magee Hickey. In case you don't know, the g is hard, as in Maggie, but with the opposite emphasis.

Has an incomplete feeling....

A poetic new word name possibility, used to refer to the concept of rhematos Christou "the word of Christ".

Dariel is one of many similar forms and variations of different names—Dara, Dariela, Daria and Darya—that are all unusual and pretty if not quite authentic-feeling.

Variation of Valentina with the same pared-down appeal as Maren.

This name was used by Shakespeare (who got it from Plutarch) in Antony and Cleopatra for one of the attendants of the Egyptian queen. An interesting possibility, it is heard occasionally in the UK, even less frequently in the US.

A fresh and pretty Welsh nature name whose beautiful meaning would be perfect for a winter baby girl.

A floral name from Greek myth, where it belonged to a nymph. It is also the name of a pretty herbaceous shrub with lilac flowers, commonly known as lily turf.

Dated 'creative' spelling of Irish classic.

Islay is the name of a Hebridian island famous for its whisky. Don't be fooled by the "y" at the end - this name is pronounced exactly like the more well-known Isla.