Five Letter Girl Names
- Muffy
Origin:
Nickname nameDescription:
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.
- Velma
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"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.
- Basil
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Karla
Origin:
German variation of CarlaDescription:
Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
- Reya
Origin:
Greek, variation of RheaMeaning:
"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.
- Glory
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
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.
- Atria
Origin:
Star name, LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Ivara
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"yew tree, archer"Description:
Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven.
- Riona
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"queenly"Description:
We'd opt for Fiona.
- Elody
- Timea
Origin:
Hungarian feminine variation of TimaeusMeaning:
"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:
HebrewMeaning:
"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 EstherMeaning:
"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, EnglishMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
A classic short form of Henrietta, also seen as a nickname for Mehetabel.
- Anala
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"fire"Description:
Indian choice meaning fire in step with American styles.
- Kinta
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"deer"
- Sofie
Origin:
German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, CzechMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Streamlined spelling of Sophie popular in several European nations.
- Zayah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"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:
JapaneseMeaning:
"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 GreekMeaning:
"night or water nymph"Description:
Variant of Nyx or Nixie