Five Letter Girl Names

A relic of the midcentury Mandi-Sandi-Andi era.

One of a number of single-syllable unisex B-names, Brett was first spotted as a female name in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, via the dashing and seductive Lady Brett Ashley, who was a captivating enough character to offer naming inspiration. It combines a pleasingly brisk, executive air with a measure of femininity.

A beautiful Indian girl name to add to the growing list of obscure but alluring "El-" names for girls.

This common German-Jewish surname is a fast riser among boys but lately has been picked up by parents of girls as well. Notable figures with the surname include designer Jonathan Adler, Freud contemporary Alfred Adler, and decorator Frances Adler Elkins and her brother, architect David Adler.

With the recent arrival of fruit names like Apple and Plum, this more traditional example, symbolic of fertility, might rise in popularity. Photographer Berry Berenson was born Berinthia.

Culmination of two trends: names bookended by As and Nova names, seen in names like Novalee, Novalyn, and Zanova.

Diminutive of the Italian Giovanna, or sometimes Vanessa or Ivanna.

This is a Scandinavian variant of Margaret, and is pronounced MEH-teh or MET, rhyming with jet.

This form of Irina supersedes the original in its native country.

Nickname sometimes heard on its own, sort of an updated Sally and playmate of Hallie.

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name.

A surnamier take on Isla. Isley may be derived from the German occupational surname Eisele (of the same pronunciation), or be related to the Old English word hesli, meaning "hazel grove."

A punchy alternative to Pearl as it gains popularity.

Tosca is one operatic heroine that has never taken off as a baby name -- there were no babies named Tosca in the US last year -- but it's the name of entrepreneur Elon Musk's sister so may benefit from some referred publicity.

Given to around 25 girls in the US each year, this is a name that could go either way - summery and refreshing or just plain sour. You decide.

A sweet and intuitive Finnish word name. The double U's up the quirkiness.

See TERRY.

Beautiful Indigenous name connected to visual artist Dyani White Hawk. Dyani was most popular in 2001, when it was given to 73 baby girls.

Too-cute nickname name that is occasionally heard in aristocratic circles in England, usually bearing no obvious relation to the official name. There are characters named Topsy and Bopsy in the video game Lovecraft Country.