Two Syllable Names for Girls

Kosma sounds like a name from a 1950s science fiction movie. Better contemporary choice: Cosima.

Arliss is most famous as the name of a few high-profile male characters, though it can just as easily work for a baby girl.

Cassiane, also spelled Kassiani or Kasiani, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Cassiane, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Cassiane was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.

One of the new literalist religious names, like Blessing, Heavenly and Neveah. More male than female, but essentially unisex.

Grace, meet Grayson. The stylish classic girls' name Grace -- it's in the Top 20 -- and the trendy boys' name Grayson or Greyson, a member of the Jason-Mason-Cason club, combine to create the girls' name Gracen. For a little girl, we'd stop at Grace.

Sweet and gentle botanical choice.

Surname-sounding unisex cousin of Peyton is gaining in popularity, especially for girls.

Just when we thought Paisley couldn't get trendier, this -ee suffix showed up. Although it's not our favorite, parents are choosing this spelling more and more often.

Inna is an uncommon name even in Russia, whose meaning is unknown. Originally a male name, it is now mostly given to girls. It also made a brief appearance in the French Top 500 a few years ago.

The name of a sixth century Welsh saint who founded abbeys in Brittany, reconstituted for a modern girl.

Although Tegen resembles the names Teagan and Tegan, they are etymologically distinct names. Tegen, pronounced TEG-en rather than TEE-gan, is a modern Cornish word name meaning "pretty" or "ornament."

An unusual international variant on Trinity and Trinidad, also spelled Hirune (from hiru, "three").

The name of the Hindu goddess of the dawn, also spelled Ushas.

The name of a Guaraní princess killed by Spanish conquistadors in Tupi-Guarani legend. A Ceibo tree – the national flower of Argentina – is said to have bloomed in the spot where she died.

One of those old-mannish names that sounds a lot fresher for a girl.