Names That Mean Girl

Colleen

Irish

"girl"

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

Talitha

Aramaic

"little girl"

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…

Zoelle

English

"life + girl"

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.

Bintou

Arabic, West African

"daughter, girl"

From an Arabic word meaning "girl".

Bambi

Diminutive of Bambina, Italian

"child; baby girl"

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…

Zoella

English

"life + girl"

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

Damara

Greek

"gentle girl"

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.

Katori

Japanese

"beautiful jasmine girl"

Streamlined and sleek Japanese name with a sweet, fragrant meaning.

Yoko

Japanese

"good girl; ocean child"

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko. Yoko Ono writes her name with characters meaning "ocean" and "child".

Ninetta

Italian and Spanish diminutive of Nina

"little girl"

Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.

Dovile

Lithuanian

"girl who gives hope"

A beautiful Lithuanian name with an ever-so-lovely and inspiring meaning.

Giovanetta

Italian

"young woman, girl"

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

Dee

English diminutive of any girl name that starts with D

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.

Niña

Spanish

"girl"

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

Channary

Khmer

"moon girl"

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.

Famke

Dutch

"little girl"

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

Hine

Maori

"girl"

Would be the Maori equivalent of Cora or any other name meaning maiden.

Quintana

Spanish

"the fifth girl"

Mexican place-name famously used by Joan Didion for her daughter, Quintana Roo.

Bambalina

Italian

"little girl"

Better saved for a doll.