Five Letter Girl Names

Form of Katia, from Katherine.

Palin has suddenly become a hot new surname-name given usually to girls. The inspiration can only be former Alaska governor Sarah, though the name Palin is her husband's -- her original surname is Heath. Palin herself is no stranger to the adventurous baby name, as the mother of daughters Bristol, Piper, and Willow, and sons Track and Trig.

Too much teasing potential for an English speaker.

New Zealand writer Ngaio (born Edith Ngaio) Marsh is the best-known bearer of this Maori nature name, properly pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-oh. It is the name of a tree indigenous to New Zealand, also called the Mousehole Tree.

We all know that Chaka really means disco.

Hatty is an old school nickname for Harriet, itself an old-fashioned choice. The more usual spelling historically is Hattie, with was given to more than 750 baby girls last year in the US, three times as many as were named Harriet. Hatty, by contrast, was used for fewer than five babies -- quite a contrast!

Unusual yet accessible name with the fashionable double-L sound. Lilting and lovely.

Aniko has the feel and rhythm of a Japanese name but in fact it's an Eastern European spin on Anna.

See MICKI.

Do everyone a favor and spell it Coco, an up-and-coming choice.