Five Letter Girl Names
- Fatou
Origin:
West African variation of Fatima, ArabicMeaning:
"captivating, a woman who abstains"Description:
Fatou and its long form Fatoumata are variations of the popular Muslim name Fatima, who was one of four perfect women cited by the Quran.
- Livie
Origin:
Diminutive of Olivia, LatinMeaning:
"olive tree"Description:
The adorable diminutive Livie is most often a short form of the popular Olivia and may also be spelled Livvy, Livvie, or Livi. But occasionally it may be short for the separate Ancient Roman name Livia or the Scandinavian Liv, both of which have different roots and meanings.
- Lamia
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
Name of mythological fiend who seduced young men and then ate them, which inspired the Keats poem "Lamia." Described in mythology as a snake with the head and breasts of a woman, this name has been considered in modern times as a vampire name. And if all that isn't discouraging enough, there's the "lame" connection.
- Lenna
- Lindy
- Bette
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethDescription:
Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
- Bitsy
Origin:
Diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
The archetypal diminutive, in every sense of the word. Bitsy enjoyed some use as a nickname in the era when children were named after family members and then called by a cute pet name: Chip, Skip, Babe, Bitsy. As a full name, it has made the US list only three times: in 1943, 1958 and 1962.
- Narah
- Netta
Origin:
English, diminutive of names ending in -ette or -etta, or variation of Neta, HebrewMeaning:
"plant"Description:
Netta ranked in the US Top 1000 in the 1880s, when it was often used as a short form of names such as Jeanette, Annette, and Antoinette. In Jewish families, Netta was typically seen as a variation of the Hebrew name Neta.
- Thaïs
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
A paramour of Alexander the Great and the heroine of a Massenet opera, this name is nothing if not dramatic.
- Adaia
Origin:
Variation of Adaiah, HebrewMeaning:
"God has adorned"Description:
Relatively well-used in Puerto Rico, where it resembles common Basque names like Alaia and Anaia. With the sharp rise of Alaia in the US in recent years as well as the love for "Ad-" names on girls, it makes sense that the still rare Adaia is increasing in use as well. Adaia was given to just under 100 baby girls in 2022.
- Chava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
The Hebrew, Biblical form of Eve. While English speakers will likely find the forms Ava or Eve easier in everyday life, Chava is a lovely variation for a family that speaks Hebrew or Yiddish - plus, English speakers could always learn.
- Hedda
Origin:
Scandinavian, diminutive of HedvigDescription:
Hedda is a card-carrying member of the league of older, slightly bohemian urban names like Nedda, Andra, and Petra; also linked to Ibsen heroine Hedda Gabler, as well as being the basis of cruel joke names like Hedda Hare.
- Floor
Origin:
Dutch variation of Flora, LatinMeaning:
"flower"Description:
If English is your native language, it might be best to go with Fleur.
- Amadi
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Though this is traditionally a male name, it can work for a girl in our culture. Might also be considered a short form of the Italian Amadea.
- Ryuko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"dragon child"Description:
Strong Japanese unisex choice. Dragons are a symbol of power in Japan.
- Pansy
Origin:
English flower name from FrenchMeaning:
"thought"Description:
Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.
- Meryl
Origin:
Variation of Muriel via MerielDescription:
Better known than it would otherwise be thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep.
- Kaena
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"praised"Description:
Kaena is a pleasant sounding unisex Hawaiian place name, the westernmost point of the island of Oahu. In the computer-generated fantasy movie Kaena: The Prophecy, the character of Kaena is voiced by Kirsten Dunst.
- March
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
March has never been popular as a month name, possibly because of its slightly abrupt sound. But with all kinds of month (and season, day, and holiday) names, from January to December, Sunday to Easter, Winter to Midnight, coming to the fore, March is beginning to seem eminently baby-ready.