Two Syllable Names for Girls

This botanical name, referring to the vivid deep red color and to the madder plant from which it derives, is almost unknown to English speakers. But it's been trending in France recently, reaching the Top 100.

The Dutch name is usually spelled Myrthe or Mirthe and pronounced meer-ta. But most English speakers will say it mer-tha and confuse the name with Martha, Bertha, or Myrtle.

A pretty, striking Persian name with an excellent meaning.

Easy nickname Maggie makes Maguire an appealing option for girls.

The original Irish spelling of Caitlin, the name that launched a thousand spelling variations.

Raja is a widely-used Arabic or Sanskrit name that works for girls as well as boys. Five baby girls were named Raja and seven given the Rajah spelling in the US last year, where for boys the popularity of the spellings was reversed: 18 Raja to ten Rajah.

Cerian is a diminutive of Ceri (pronounced like Kerry), which comes from a root meaning "love". Both were relatively popular in Wales in the 1980s and 1990s, though they are used less there today.

Tyra would be a more modern pick.

A pretty and lively Slavic diminutive of Helena or Magdalena, long used as a standalone. In Czechia, it was a Top 10 choice from 1960 to 1991, and it still ranks highly there today.

The ultra-rare name Libba is an offshoot of Elizabeth that has been used sparingly over the ages. It feels like a more substantial form of Libby, although Libby itself is much more common.

A pleasant and adaptable place name for a part of Tel Aviv.