Names Ending in -ly for Girls

Slightly sing-song and very joyful, with a hint of Melody, a bit of Felicity, and a dash of Truly thrown in, Merrily was briefly popular in the 1940s. 
 
It can be considered a smoosh name, blending elements of Mary and Lee - which might explain why it was popular in the 40s, when Marilyn and Marilee were on trend - or it can be considered a word name, giving it a fresher vibe.
 
2023 saw spelling variation, Merrilee, appear on the charts again for the first time since the 2000s and with word names trending, perhaps Merrily may make a resurgence in the future.

Merrily

Reily

Saily

Xiclaly

Yeily

Michely is a feminine name that likely developed as a creative variant of Michelle, the French feminine form of Michael (Hebrew for 'who is like God'). The unique spelling with the 'y' ending gives it a distinctive quality while maintaining the recognizable sound. This variation is particularly popular in Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil, where the 'ly' ending adds a touch of modernity to traditional names. Michely balances familiarity with uniqueness, appealing to parents who appreciate the classic Michelle but desire something less common. The name carries the same strong biblical associations as its root name while its flowing sound and spelling create a fresh, contemporary impression.

Michely

Dilly

Marvely is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a modern coinage, possibly derived from the word "marvelous" or constructed as a creative blend of Marvel and the feminine suffix -ly. This distinctive name has no widespread historical usage, making it a truly unique choice. Marvely carries connotations of wonder, amazement, and extraordinariness through its connection to the word "marvel." The name has a contemporary, invented quality that appeals to parents seeking something genuinely unusual with a positive meaning. With its distinctive sound and memorable quality, Marvely stands out as a name choice that balances uniqueness with a relatively intuitive pronunciation and spelling pattern.

Marvely

Crystaly is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative elaboration of Crystal, which derives from the Greek word 'krystallos' meaning 'ice' or 'clear ice.' The addition of the '-y' ending gives the name a more whimsical, lyrical quality. Crystaly evokes images of clarity, purity, and natural beauty. While extremely rare, it appeals to parents seeking distinctive names with attractive meanings and sounds. The name suggests qualities of transparency, brilliance, and delicacy. Crystaly hasn't appeared in popularity charts and remains an uncommon choice, making it appealing for parents wanting their daughter to stand out while still having a name with recognizable roots.

Crystaly

Caly is a feminine name that can be viewed as a diminutive of names like Calista or Calypso, or it may stand on its own. Derived from Greek origins, it can relate to 'most beautiful' (from Calista) or connect to the mythological nymph Calypso. The name has a light, modern feel with its short two-syllable structure. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, Caly offers parents a distinctive yet accessible option that balances uniqueness with simplicity. Its breezy, nature-inspired sound makes it appealing to parents seeking something somewhat uncommon without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

Caly

A beautiful smoosh of two stylish vintage girl names, May and Lily, but also the name of a pretty lily of the valley flower with small white blooms.

Maylily

Mayfly

Variant of Maëlys or Maëlie, a feminine form of the popular Breton name Maël.

Maëly

Barely is an extremely rare feminine name that appears to have emerged as a modern coinage rather than having historical roots. As an unconventional name choice, it may have originated as a creative adaptation of names like Beverly, Barley, or possibly as an adverb transformed into a given name. The word 'barely' in English typically means 'only just' or 'hardly,' giving the name a distinctive and unusual quality. With minimal documented usage, Barely falls into the category of highly uncommon modern names that challenge traditional naming conventions. Parents choosing this name might appreciate its uniqueness and contemporary feel, though its similarity to the adverb may present practical challenges in everyday use.

Barely

Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori Kiri which means tree bark, or the Aboriginal word kira which means leaf – plus the lee sound. 

Both Aboriginal actress Kirrily Nolan and Australian fashion designer Kirrily Johnston have helped popularize the name, which has spawned a countless number of spelling variations including Kirrilie and Kirralee. Tennis player Kirrily Sharpe and actress Kirrily White are other notable bearers. 
 
Unrelated to the Russian Kirill (a variation of Cyril) despite their similar appearance, Kirrily has proved surprisingly popular on Nameberry where it ranked in the Top 50 in 2025.

Kirrily

A new name bestowed on a few girls each year thanks to Brazilian gospel singer Kemilly Santos. Kemilly makes for an unconventional way to get to Milly.

Kemilly

Corly is a rare feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive form of names like Coraline, Coral, or Cora. It may also be a variation of Coralie, which has French origins related to 'coral' of the sea. The name has a whimsical, youthful quality with its playful ending sound. Corly remains extremely uncommon in usage statistics, making it a truly distinctive choice for parents seeking originality. The name has a cheerful, friendly feel with its soft sounds and friendly 'ly' ending that's common in affectionate nicknames. While lacking extensive historical usage or cultural significance, Corly appeals to those drawn to contemporary-sounding names with a touch of vintage charm and uniqueness.

Corly

This cheerful name would be a fun seasonal choice of middle name for a child born around the holidays — or as a pet name for a dog or cat adopted during the Christmas season.
 
Jolly has been used as a given name sporadically, typically in relation to the surname. As a last name, Jolly is found among the English, Scottish, and French. It originated as a nickname for a positive person, derived from Middle English Old French jolif, joli, meaning "cheerful" or "pretty".

Jolly

Lolly is a sweet and playful nickname, usually used for Laura or Charlotte, though other full names could be Dolores, Ololade, Lauren, Lorelei, Lorena, Elodie, Ottilie, Louella, Elora, Elowen, Olive and beyond. Also spelled as Lollie (which featured in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Lolly is still occasionally given as a stand-alone name, with more than 50 girls receiving the name since the 2000s. 
 
Associated with lollipops, ice lollies, and candy more generally in Australia, the name may appeal to those who also like Dulcie, Coco, Birdie, and Gigi. A notable bearer is actress Lolly Adefope (born Ololade).

Lolly

Koraly is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, potentially relating to the Greek 'korallion' meaning 'coral,' or as a variant spelling of Coralie, which derives from Latin 'corallium.' This distinctive name evokes imagery of the vibrant ocean treasures, suggesting beauty, rarity, and natural wonder. The unusual spelling with a 'K' gives the name a modern, slightly exotic feel while maintaining its melodic pronunciation. Though uncommon in most naming registers, Koraly has a contemporary appeal with its combination of familiar sounds and unique presentation. The name carries connotations of the natural world, particularly ocean beauty, making it appealing to parents drawn to nature-inspired names with an uncommon twist. Its brevity and clear pronunciation add to its practical appeal.

Koraly

Girl names ending in -ly include many popular choices.

In the US, the top girl name with an ly ending is Emily, a former Number 1 name. Along with Emily, girl names with ly endings in the US Top 200 include Lily (and Lilly), Everly, Molly, and Kimberly.

Along with Emily and Lily, popular ly-ending girl names in the UK include Holly, Tilly, and Polly, all in the Top 200.

Names that end in ly closely resemble those ending in ley, lee, and so on, so the sound is far more ubiquitous than this one spelling would suggest.

The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.

Here are all Nameberry's names for girls ending in ly.

Girl names ending in -ly include many popular choices. In the US, the top girl name with an ly ending is Emily, a former Number 1 name. Along with Emily, girl names with ly endings in the US Top 200 include Lily (and Lilly), Everly, Molly, and Kimberly. Along with Emily and Lily, popular ly-ending girl names in the UK include Holly, Tilly, and Polly, all in the Top 200. Names that end in ly closely resemble those ending in ley, lee, and so on, so the sound is far more ubiquitous than this one spelling would suggest. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically. Here are all Nameberry's names for girls ending in ly. (Page 12)