Five Letter Girl Names

  1. Muffy
    • Origin:

      Nickname name
    • Description:

      Muffy is one of those nickname names that flourished in the Baby Boom era -- or was it only on television? -- and now is rarely used. Strictly speaking short for Muffin, few girls have been given Muffy as a proper name in any era, and when it was used, it was usually as a nickname for Mary or Margaret or some other traditional name.
  2. Velma
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "will helmet"
    • Description:

      Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo.
  3. Basil
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "royal"
    • Description:

      This ancient Greek male name, well-used in Britain, also has an herbal quality that may explain its increasing use for girls. While as a name it rhymes with dazzle, the herb has a long a, making the pronunciation BAY-zel.
  4. Karla
    • Origin:

      German variation of Carla
    • Description:

      Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
  5. Reya
    • Origin:

      Greek, variation of Rhea
    • Meaning:

      "a flowing stream"
    • Description:

      Likely boosted by its similarity to fast-rising names Rhea, Raya, and Freya, enough parents chose this sweet and simple name in 2023 to push it into the US Top 1000 for the first time.
  6. Glory
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Glory sounds fresh and uplifting and a lot more modern than Gloria (which is definitely feeling the stirrings of a revival, though some might still view it as a terminal Old Lady name). Glory, as in "Glory Be" and "Old Glory," has both a religious and a patriotic flavor.
  7. Atria
    • Origin:

      Star name, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "entry hall"
    • Description:

      A star in the constellation Triangulum Australe, also the name of a publishing imprint and an assisted living corporation, probably because it has that streamlined corporate I-could-be-a-car-name feel. Atria is the plural of the more familiar term for an entry hall or foyer, atrium.
  8. Ivara
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "yew tree, archer"
    • Description:

      Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven.
  9. Riona
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "queenly"
    • Description:

      We'd opt for Fiona.
  10. Elody
    • Timea
      • Origin:

        Hungarian feminine variation of Timaeus
      • Meaning:

        "honor"
      • Description:

        This obscure but simple name is related to a Latinized form of an ancient Greek appellation that receives a mention in both Plato's Dialogues and the New Testament. Timmea and Timmia have also been found.
    • Keren
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "strength, power, ram's horn, ray of light"
      • Description:

        Israeli-born singer Keren Ann introduced this traditional Hebrew name to this country, where it could well be mistaken for Karen.
    • Ester
      • Origin:

        Variation of Esther
      • Meaning:

        "star"
      • Description:

        This simplified spelling is a bit too polyester, though this is also the authentic Slavic version of an Old Testament name that's being rediscovered.
    • Hetty
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Henrietta, English
      • Meaning:

        "estate ruler"
      • Description:

        A classic short form of Henrietta, also seen as a nickname for Mehetabel.
    • Anala
      • Origin:

        Hindi
      • Meaning:

        "fire"
      • Description:

        Indian choice meaning fire in step with American styles.
    • Kinta
      • Origin:

        Choctaw, Native American
      • Meaning:

        "deer"
    • Sofie
      • Origin:

        German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Czech
      • Meaning:

        "wisdom"
      • Description:

        Streamlined spelling of Sophie popular in several European nations.
    • Zayah
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "honest; hope and faith"
      • Description:

        Zayah is more famous in the US in its Zaya spelling, thanks to the elder daughter of basketball great Dwyane Wade. Either way you spell it, Zayah is a name that's both unique and simple, a great combination.
    • Kyoka
      • Origin:

        Japanese
      • Meaning:

        "mirror; fragrant flower"
      • Description:

        Kyōka Izumi was a 19th-century surrealist author. He was a man, but a female character in the anime series Bungo Stray Dogs was named after him in full.
    • Nyxie
      • Origin:

        English from Greek
      • Meaning:

        "night or water nymph"
      • Description:

        Variant of Nyx or Nixie