Five Letter Girl Names
- Esmay
Origin:
English variation of Esme, FrenchMeaning:
"esteemed, beloved"Description:
As the French Esme becomes more popular, it will inevitably spawn spelling variations. This one, like Zoey or Layla, clarifies pronunciation, so while we prefer the original, that's not a bad thing.
- Tanit
Origin:
PhoenicianMeaning:
"serpent lady"Description:
Name of the Phoenician deity who was the patron of Carthage, goddess of the moon, and a fertility figure. Variations include Tanith, Tanis, and Tanitha. The name is frequently misinterpreted to be an Irish name meaning "estate." Despite this august heritage, the original form of the name is a bit lispy for use in modern English-speaking lands.
- Abeke
Origin:
Yoruba, NigeriaMeaning:
"we begged for her to pet her"Description:
Yoruba names are full of meaning and often reveal circumstances of birth or parents' hopes for their child. Abeke suggests that the child was long awaited by her parents, who looked forward to holding her.
- Herma
Description:
Herma is a feminine name with Germanic and Greek origins. In its Germanic form, it's a shortened version of names containing the element 'herm,' meaning 'warrior' or 'soldier,' such as Hermina or Hermione. In Greek, it may derive from Hermes, the messenger god. Herma was moderately used in the early 20th century, particularly in German-speaking regions and among German immigrants to the United States, but has since become quite rare. The name carries a vintage charm with its soft sounds and classical roots. Some may associate it with 'herma,' a type of sculpture consisting of a head on a square pillar in ancient Greek art, adding a subtle artistic and cultural dimension to the name.
- Defne
Origin:
Turkish variation of DaphneMeaning:
"bay tree, laurel tree"Description:
Defne is one of the most popular names for baby girls in Turkey, ranking at the top of the list along with Zeynep and Elif. This is one girls' name that makes an easy transition to English-speaking countries or that could work for a family with roots in both cultures.
- Gnaea
Origin:
Feminine form of Gnaeus, LatinMeaning:
"birthmark"
- Sóley
Origin:
Icelandic, FaroeseMeaning:
"buttercup"Description:
A sweet nature name, derived from sól "sun" and ey "island", which is the Icelandic word for the buttercup flower. In the Faroe islands it is also found as a short form of Sólja "buttercup".
- Ailah
Description:
Ailah is a melodic feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It may be a variant of Ayla, which has Turkic roots meaning 'moonlight' or 'halo of light around the moon.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Hebrew name Eilah, meaning 'oak tree' or 'terebinth tree,' symbolizing strength and longevity. In Arabic traditions, similar names like Aila can mean 'from heaven' or 'exalted.' Ailah has a delicate, flowing quality that appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds both contemporary and timeless. While not among the most common girls' names, its lovely sound and positive meanings have contributed to a modest increase in usage in recent years. The name's multicultural background makes it adaptable across different communities while maintaining its distinctive charm.
- Nalah
Description:
Nalah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It may derive from Arabic, meaning 'gift' or 'achievement,' or have connections to Native American languages representing strength or spiritual significance. The name has grown in popularity in recent decades as parents seek meaningful names with cross-cultural appeal. Nalah's pronunciation is intuitive, making it accessible while remaining distinctive. The name has a melodic quality with its balanced syllables and flowing sounds. Its similarity to names like Nala (popularized by The Lion King) likely contributes to its increasing recognition. Nalah represents a modern multicultural naming trend that maintains cultural depth while working well in diverse communities.
- Maitê
Description:
Maitê is a feminine name of Tupi-Guarani origin, indigenous to South America, particularly Brazil. It means 'loved one' or 'beloved,' derived from the elements 'ma'e' (thing) and 'ete' (truly). The name beautifully expresses affection and cherished status. In Brazil, Maitê has gained moderate popularity as parents increasingly embrace names honoring indigenous heritage. The name carries a distinctive, melodic quality with its soft pronunciation and accent on the final syllable (my-TEH). While still uncommon in international contexts, Maitê offers an appealing combination of exotic sound and loving meaning. The name's connection to South American indigenous culture gives it added depth and significance for those seeking a name with authentic cultural roots.
- Keyli
Description:
Keyli is a feminine name with modern origins, likely developed as a creative spelling of Kaylee, Kayleigh, or Kelly. The name has a contemporary, melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. The 'Key' beginning evokes positive associations with unlocking potential or opportunity, while the 'li' ending gives it a gentle, feminine touch. Popular primarily since the late 20th century, Keyli represents the trend toward personalized spellings of established names. While not among the most common names, it has gained modest usage in the United States and other English-speaking countries, particularly among parents drawn to names with a youthful, upbeat quality and intuitive pronunciation.
- Anari
Description:
Anari is a feminine name with multicultural roots and various possible origins. In some African cultures, particularly Swahili, it may relate to meanings of brightness or light. The name also appears in variations across different languages, with possible connections to Hebrew origins meaning "my light" or Indian origins relating to "without enemies." Anari has gained modest popularity in recent decades for its melodic quality and international appeal. The name's four letters and three-syllable pronunciation (ah-NAH-ree) create a rhythmic, flowing sound that feels both contemporary and timeless. Parents often choose Anari for its exotic feel combined with relative ease of pronunciation and spelling across multiple languages and cultures.
- Eydis
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"island goddess"Description:
Eydis is the modern transcription of Eydís, one of the top names in Iceland right now.
- Tiger
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"animal name"Description:
Made familiar as a baby name via Tiger Woods, whose birth name is Eldrick. The golf star has made it a viable option for baby boys, and a handful of girls are also given the name each year in the US.
- Eulah
Description:
Eulah is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Eula, which derives from Greek origins meaning "sweet-speaking" or "fair of speech." The name gained modest popularity in the southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural communities. Eulah reached its peak usage around the 1890s-1910s but declined significantly after the 1930s. The added 'h' gives the name a softer, more elaborate feeling compared to the simpler Eula. Today, Eulah has a distinctly vintage quality, evoking images of front porch swings and handwritten letters. It remains very rare in contemporary usage, making it a distinctive choice with Southern historical connections.
- Novah
Origin:
Variant of Nova, LatinMeaning:
"new"Description:
The fastest-rising of the many Nova-adjacent names now fashionable for girls -- Nova, Novalee, Novaleigh -- which could all be seen as either classier alternatives to Neveah or feminine takes on ultra-popular Noah. This H-ending version has a slightly Hebrew air -- compare to Tovah. It's gotten a boost from rising R&B songstress Jade Novah.
- Naoko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"obedient child"Description:
Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child. Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.
- Viane
Description:
Viane is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variation of Vivian (from Latin 'vivus' meaning 'alive'), a form of the French name Vivienne, or possibly derived from the Hawaiian name Vianney. The name has a melodious quality with its flowing vowel sounds and soft consonants. Viane carries an exotic, somewhat mysterious air while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce in multiple languages. This cross-cultural adaptability gives it global appeal. As a rare name, Viane offers distinctiveness without being difficult to spell or pronounce. The name may appeal to parents seeking something unusual yet elegant, with potential connections to both European and Pacific Island naming traditions.
- Lilit
Origin:
ArmenianMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Lilit in the Top 20 girls names is Armenia. Outside of Armenia, Lilit might be confused with Lilith, but is worth considering as a name in its own right.
- Fairy
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"fairy"Description:
Fairy's reputation as a slur directed at gay men takes it off the table as a baby name option. Go with Pixie or Faye instead.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
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- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

