Names That Mean Girl

  1. Bambi
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bambina, Italian
    • Meaning:

      "child; baby girl"
    • Description:

      Although Disney's cute deer was a male, Bambi has always been used for girls. It first appeared on the charts in 1943, the year after the Disney movie was released. Bambi featured in the Top 1000 from 1954-1964 — a decade where girl names ending in I, like Lori and Teri, were big — and again from 1977-1982.
  2. Colleen
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "girl"
    • Description:

      Midcentury Irish-American favorite, never used in Ireland itself, being the generic word for "girl"; rarely given today.
  3. Talitha
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "little girl"
    • Description:

      Talitha appears in the Bible as words Jesus says to awaken a young girl whose parents feared she was dead. It has been used in the US since colonial times. Talitha is also the name of two stars in Ursa Major, where it's related to the Arabic word for "third." Talitha definitely makes a fresh spin on Tabitha or Talisa.
  4. Dee
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of any girl name that starts with D
    • Description:

      Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.
  5. Zoella
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "life + girl"
    • Description:

      A modern combo name created from Zoe + Ella – or, in the case of influential British Youtuber Zoella, from Zoë + Elizabeth.
  6. Niña
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "girl"
    • Description:

      Meaning "girl" in Spanish, this has occasionally been used as a name in the Philippines, but is not a usual Spanish name.
  7. Quintana
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "the fifth girl"
    • Description:

      Mexican place-name famously used by Joan Didion for her daughter, Quintana Roo.
  8. Yoko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "good girl; ocean child"
    • Description:

      There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.
  9. Damara
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gentle girl"
    • Description:

      This name of an ancient fertility goddess is associated with the month of May and could make a pretty, unusual choice for a springtime baby. Damaris is a similar possibility.
  10. Bintou
    • Origin:

      Arabic, West African
    • Meaning:

      "daughter, girl"
    • Description:

      From an Arabic word meaning "girl".
  11. Zoelle
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "life + girl"
    • Description:

      Zoelle is a modern-sounding name combining the stylish Zoe, which means life, with the trendy Elle, French for "she". Could make for a zippier spin on sweet Noelle.
  12. Dovile
    • Origin:

      Lithuanian
    • Meaning:

      "girl who gives hope"
    • Description:

      A beautiful Lithuanian name with an ever-so-lovely and inspiring meaning.
  13. Ninetta
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish diminutive of Nina
    • Meaning:

      "little girl"
    • Description:

      Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.
  14. Famke
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "little girl"
    • Description:

      Famke was introduced to this country via Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen, but is not likely to appeal to many American parents.
  15. Hine
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "girl"
    • Description:

      Would be the Maori equivalent of Cora or any other name meaning maiden.
  16. Katori
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful jasmine girl"
    • Description:

      Streamlined and sleek Japanese name with a sweet, fragrant meaning.
  17. Bambalina
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "little girl"
    • Description:

      Better saved for a doll.
  18. Channary
    • Origin:

      Khmer
    • Meaning:

      "moon girl"
    • Description:

      Channary, a sweet and preppy sounding name with a lovely lunar meaning, belongs to a character in the Lunar Chronicles series. Her relatives Levana and Selene have similarly moon-inspired monikers.
  19. Giovanetta
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "young woman, girl"
    • Description:

      The sound is quite lovely, but it still comes down to naming your little girl young girl.

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