15,000+ Two-Syllable Girl Names
- Lyle
Origin:
Scottish and English from FrenchMeaning:
"someone who lives on an island"Description:
Though it's used far more often for boys, Lyle has a lot in common with today's trending girl names that share the double L sound: Lila, Layla, and Lola.
- Norie
- Talvi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"winter"Description:
If Winter is too basic for you, Talvi might appeal. It's familiar in Finland and Sweden, but unheard of to most English speakers.
- Cali
Origin:
Diminutive of any Cal- nameDescription:
A short form that is given on its own to a good number of baby girls each year — Cali has been on trend in recent years along with sister names Callie and Kali, as the popular 90s and early 2000s nickname Allie has felt less fresh. The Cali spelling in particular also brings to mind the sunny state of California and all of the beachy imagery that follows.
- Lucie
Origin:
French, EnglishMeaning:
"light"Description:
The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
- Kinga
Origin:
Hungarian, PolishMeaning:
"brave"Description:
Though the name Kinga has penetrated the international consciousness via the Slovakian model Kinga Rajzak, it's a rare choice for American baby girls: Only six were named Kinga last year. Is that because Kinga sounds like pseudo-royalty, ala Princessa? Though with names such as Reign and Royal rising through the ranks, the time-honored Kinga may see more widespread usage.
- Clancy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red-haired warrior"Description:
Irish surnames are hot, and this one can successfully cross the line to work for girls, replacing the outdated Casey. And only a dozen girls were named Clancy in the US in one recent year (along with 27 boys), making it one of those rare Irish names that are both accessible and distinctive, classic and cool. Clancy is a winner for either gender.
- Darcie
Origin:
Variation of Darcy, Irish or FrenchMeaning:
"dark one; from Arcy; from the fortress"Description:
While the traditional Darcy spelling is solidly gender-neutral, the -ie ending of Darcie gives this name unabashedly feminine flair. Darcie is a Top 100 choice in England and Scotland, and briefly ranked in the US from 1967-1977, along with 1980 and 1984.
- Mora
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"blackberry"Description:
Intriguing derivation, though people will assume it's a simplified form of Maura.
- Zafreen
Origin:
Arabic, UrduMeaning:
"victorious; knowledgable"Description:
A beautiful name found in Urdu Muslim communities.
- Nelle
Origin:
Spelling variation of NellDescription:
Nelle, pronounced as the one-syllable Nell though some may think it's Nellie or Nella, is the elegant form of the name used by author Nelle Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. With whatever spelling, Nell/Nelle is a charming old-fashioned nickname name -- it was originally short for Ellen, Eleanor, or Helen -- that never took off the way sisters Molly and Maggie did.
- Keris
Origin:
Spelling variation of Kerris or CerysMeaning:
"love"Description:
This phonetic version of the Welsh Cerys might be easier for Americans, certainly, to understand, but it does lose some poetry in translation.
- Yaren
- Loxley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"lynx glade"Description:
An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.
- Kori
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corey or AfricanMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names from that African culture with animal meanings.
- Jodie
Origin:
Spelling variation of JodyDescription:
The Jodie spelling might be even more obscure, at this point, than the fading original, except actresses Jodie Foster and Jodie Sweetin have kept it in the public eye.
- Rylee
Origin:
Spelling variation of RileyDescription:
This substitute spelling of Riley has been popular with parents for a decade. Rylee entered the charts in 1994, and is solidly within the Top 200 for the last 2 decades. Ryleigh is another spelling that has gained significant popularity. The "-Lee" ending is particularly trendy, and many parents are picking spellings such as Rylee (or Aubree, Everlee, and Marlee) over the originals.
- Jackie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Jackie Kennedy gave this name a lot of style, but it doesn't seem destined for a comeback the way brother name Jack has. Jackie and Jacqueline both peaked in 1961.
- Antha
- Mavi
Origin:
Turkish, SpanishMeaning:
"blue; beloved + victorious"Description:
Mavi is a gender-neutral Turkish name with a colorful meaning and a trendy feel, that is also the name of a jeans company, and a Spanish short form of the double name, Maria Victoria. This is one we expect to hear more of as an alternative to Maeve.