Two Syllable Names for Girls

Rising boys' name could cross the gender line.

This cheerful name would be a fun seasonal choice of middle name for a child born around the holidays — or as a pet name for a dog or cat adopted during the Christmas season.

In France, this would be like naming your child Star.

This name was given a lithe and graceful image by ballerina Gelsey Kirkland, but was later far surpassed by Kelsey and Chelsea.

Lylah could be seen as a variation of Delilah, Leila or Lila or (like Lyla) a female variation of Lyle. Either way, we think you're best going with one of those other names to avoid your daughter's name looking like alphabet soup.

This Italian word name, meaning (as you would suspect) valley, has a rolling soft sound to it. The "lay-a" sound also perfectly complements the current fashion for similar names such as Rhea, Layla and May/Mae.

Nabisco has never revealed the origins of their sandwich cookie brand name, but the prevailing theory is that it was derived from Oreodaphne, a genus in the laurel family.

Part Cameron, part Amber, Camber may be a new name but it feels right for our times. As a word, camber means a slightly arched surface.

Braxton has been a major hit of the 21st century for boys, and now parents are looking at it with fresh eyes for their daughters.

A diminutive diminutive, too tease-worthy.

This English surname turned girls' first name owes its rise to supermodel Christie Brinkley, who first rose to fame in the late 70s and early 80s. Brinkley appeared on the charts for the first time in 1985, peaking at 90 births in 2012 and 2013. It probably derives from the Old English masculine name Brynca + "ley" (woodland clearing).

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

A popular nature name in Turkey, where it was in the Top 10 from 2005-2013. Spelt Yağmur in Turkish.