Five Letter Girl Names

  1. Arley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the rabbit meadow"
    • Description:

      Abbreviated form of Harley that might also be spelled, for girls, Arleigh or Arlee.
  2. Aliya
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "heavens, highborn, exalted; to ascend, to rise"
    • Description:

      Simpler and less tied to the singer in this form, Aliya is a feminine form of the Arabic name Ali, meaning "lofty, sublime, high" or "exalted." Boosted to fame by the ill-fated singer, Aaliyah, and used across the Middle East, the US and the UK, Aliya is a powerful and pretty choice with a concise spelling.
  3. Avril
    • Origin:

      French variation of April
    • Description:

      French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne has put the spotlight on her name.
  4. Azula
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Meaning:

      "blue"
    • Description:

      A character name from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Azula is one of the two main antagonists of the series: a Firebender who produces blue flames (hence her name, which is derived from Spanish, Portuguese and Galician azul, meaning "blue").
  5. Imala
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "strong-minded"
    • Description:

      Distinctive Native-American choice with forceful meaning.
  6. Zilla
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "shadow"
    • Description:

      Although this Old Testament name is soft and delicate, it runs the risk of conjuring up the monstrous Godzilla.
  7. Orion
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      The Greek mythological hunter who was turned into a constellation is much more often used for boys.
  8. Aruna
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "reddish-brown; Asian moon"
    • Description:

      In Hinduism, the god Aruna is the charioteer who drives the sun god Surya across the sky. Aruna is both the traditional masculine form of the name (modernized as Arun) and its feminization.
  9. Maize
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "corn"
    • Description:

      One of the more unusual nature names, Maize is given to a dozen or so boys and girls each year and is almost completely unisex in terms of usage. It could also be short for Maisie/Maizie. Disclaimer: potential for "corny" jokes.
  10. Norie
    • Talvi
      • Origin:

        Finnish
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Lilja
      • Origin:

        Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"
      • Meaning:

        "lily"
      • Description:

        Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
    • Skyla
      • Origin:

        Variation of Dutch Schuyler
      • Meaning:

        "scholar"
      • Description:

        Skyla is the most feminine form of the Skylar / Sklyer trend - little Skyla will never be mistaken on paper for a boy.
    • Kinga
      • Origin:

        Hungarian, Polish
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Fanta
      • Origin:

        Mande from Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "captivating, a woman who abstains"
      • Description:

        A West African version of the Arabic name Fatima, also used by diaspora communities, e.g. in France.

    • Nikki
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Nicole or Indian, Punjabi, Sikh
      • Meaning:

        "people of victory; little one"
      • Description:

        Nikki was the it-girl name of the 1970s and '80s as both a short form of Top 10 favorite Nicole and as a given name itself.
    • Arbor
      • Origin:

        Nature name
      • Description:

        Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
    • Azura
      • Lucie
        • Origin:

          French, English
        • Meaning:

          "light"
        • Description:

          The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
      • Nelle
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Nell
        • Description:

          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.